Dhamma Group

Dhamma Group organises several intensive retreats a year, under the direction of eminent teachers, in the pure vipassana tradition of Burma.

• From Friday 28th october to Sunday 06th november 2011
Intensive vipassana retreat with study of Abhidamma and Suttas under the direction of Ven. Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana.

• From Sunday 25th december 2011 to Sunday 1st January 2012
Vipassana « self retreat » : an unaccompanied retreat reserved exclusively for those meditators who are committed yogis of the Dhammagroup.

• From Friday 10th to Sunday 26th February 2012
Intensive vipassana meditation retreat in the Mahasi’s method, under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Pannasami from Saraniya meditation centre – Manchester.

• From Friday 06th April to Monday 09 April 2012
Metta meditation weekend under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara.

• From Friday 27th April to Sunday 29th April 2012
Vipassana meditation weekend under the guidance of Ajahn Sundara (Ajahn Chah tradition) in collaboration with « les voies de l’Orient ».

• From Friday 22th june to Sunday 15th July 2012
Intensive vipassana meditation retreat in the Mahasi’s method, under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Paññathamibhivamsa. Panditarama Sydney.

From Friday 28th October to Sunday 06th November 2011

Intensive vipassana retreat with study of Abhidamma and Suttas under the direction of Ven. Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana.

Dr. U Ottara Nyana, present head of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, was born in Myanmar in 1949. He has studied Theravada Buddhism since childhood under several eminent scholar monks. He passed the higher examination in scriptural studies and was awarded several prestigious titles. In 1992, he went to India for further study in Delhi University. He stayed at Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon for three years (1984 / 1986) as meditator and meditation instructor. Myanmar government conferred on him the Religious tittles Mahaganthavacaka Pandita (1992) and Aggamahaganthavacaka Pandita (2002) for his academic activities. He now teaches Majjimanikaya, Pali Grammar, Abhidhamma and Vipassana meditation in Birmingham Buddhist Vihara.

See : http://www.birminghambuddhistvihara.org/

The retreat

In accordance with the tradition, the meditators take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; they undertake the 9 moral precepts, which include abstaining from taking solid food after midday. The retreat is conducted in silence.

Program

Wake up 04.00 – 05.00
05h00 Wake-up/Walking meditation
05h45 – 06h30 Sitting meditation
06h30 – 07.00 Morning chants
07.00 - 08h00 Breakfast
08h00 – 09h00 Meditation in action/Walk
09h00 – 10h00 Teaching on Abhidhamma
10h00 – 11h00 Walking meditation
11h00 – 12h00 Vegetarian lunch
12h00 – 13h00 Personal study
13h00 – 14h00 Walking meditation
14h00 – 15h00 Sitting meditation
15h00 – 16h00 Study of Suttas
16h00 – 17h00 Drinks and walk
17h00 – 18h00 Sitting meditation
18h00 – 18h30 Walking meditation
18h30 – 19h30 Sitting meditation
19h30 – 20h00 Walking meditation
20h00 – 21h00 Discussion

Each person is requested to follow the schedule as much as they possibly can.

Place

Dhammaramsi Meditation Centre

Route de Floreffe, 22, 5170 RIVIERE

If you can share your car then please let us know
If you are coming by train then a car will be waiting in front of Lustin train station on the Friday evening
More information will be given on registration.

Cost

Shared lodging : 243 €

Individual lodging 315 €

This amount only covers part of the expenses for the retreat. You can support our efforts further by making a donation, either for a meal or for the Dhammagroup. The teaching is given free of charge. It is traditional to also give a donation to the monk.

Information/Registration

To register, please contact Caroline Jeandrain : carolinejeandrain@hotmail.com

or +32(0)472/73.51.40 if necessary.

From Sunday 25th December 2011 to Sunday 1st January 2012

Vipassana « self retreat » : an unaccompanied retreat reserved exclusively for those meditators who are committed yogis of the Dhammagroup.

During this retreat, the meditators practice by themselves and follow the usual program. Dhammagroup will provide the meals.

The retreat

The retreat starts on the 25th December at 8pm and ends on Sunday the 1st January at 3pm.

In accordance with the tradition, the meditators take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; they undertake the 9 moral precepts, which includes abstaining from taking solid food after midday. The retreat is conducted in silence.

Program

Wake up 04.00 – 05.00
Sitting meditation and morning chants (CD) 05.00 – 06.00
Breakfast 06.00 – 07.00
Meditation in action 07.00 – 08.00
Sitting meditation 08.00 – 09.00
Walking meditation 09.00 – 10.00
Sitting meditation 10.00 – 11.00
Vegetarian lunch 11.00 – 12.00
Rest and individual practice 12.00 – 12.30
Walking meditation 12.30 – 13.00
Sitting meditation 13.00 – 14.00
Walking meditation 14.00 – 15.00
Sitting meditation 15.00 – 16.00
Drinks and Walking meditation 16.00 – 17.00
Dhamma talk and evening chants (CD) 17.00 – 18.15
Walking meditation 18.15 – 19.00
Sitting meditation 19.00 – 20.00
Walking meditation 20.00 – 20.30
Sitting meditation 20.30 – 21.30

Each person is requested to follow the schedule as much as they possibly can.

Cost

Shared lodging : 189 €
Individual lodging 245 €

This amount only covers part of the expenses for the retreat. You can support our efforts further by making a donation, either for a meal or for the Dhammagroup.

Information/Registration

To register, please contact Christine Vieujean : christinevieujean@hotmail.com

or +32(0)472/73.51.40 if necessary.

From Friday 10th to Sunday 26th February 2012

Intensive vipassana meditation retreat in the Mahasi’s method, under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Pannasami from Saraniya meditation centre – Manchester..

The Venerable Pannasami was born in Myanmar, on 21 october 1966. Graduated from Mandalay Sasana University and trained at the Pandita Rama ( Shwe Taung Gon Sasana Yeiktha ) in Yangon, he joined the Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centre on May 2005 as resident monk. The Saraniya Dhamma Meditation Centre was set up by Venerable Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa of Myanmar (Panditarama Shwe-taung-gon Sasana-yeiktha) and was inaugurated on July 14, 2002.

http://www.saraniya.org.uk/index.html

The retreat

The retreat starts on the 10th February at 8pm and ends on the 26th February at 2pm.

In accordance with the tradition, the meditators take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; they undertake the 9 moral precepts, which includes abstaining from taking solid food after midday. The retreat is conducted in silence.

Program

Wake up 04.00 – 05.00
Sitting meditation and morning chants 05.00 – 06.00
Breakfast 06.00 – 07.00
Meditation in action 07.00 – 08.00
Sitting meditation 08.00 – 09.00
Walking meditation 09.00 – 10.00
Sitting meditation 10.00 – 11.00
Vegetarian lunch 11.00 – 12.00
Rest and individual practice 12.00 – 12.30
Walking meditation 12.30 – 13.00
Sitting meditation 13.00 – 14.00
Walking meditation 14.00 – 15.00
Sitting meditation 15.00 – 16.00
Drinks and Walking meditation 16.00 – 17.00
Dhamma talk and evening chants 17.00 – 18.15
Walking meditation 18.15 – 19.00
Sitting meditation 19.00 – 20.00
Walking meditation 20.00 – 20.30
Sitting meditation 20.30 – 21.30

Each person is requested to follow the schedule as much as they possibly can.

Language

The retreat will take place in English with a translation into French.

Cost

Shared lodging : 432 €
Individual lodging 560 €.

This amount only covers part of the expenses for the retreat. You can support our efforts further by making a donation, either for a meal or for the Dhammagroup. The teaching is given free of charge. It is traditional to also give a donation to the monk.

Information/Registration :

To register, please contact Jean-Paul Detournay
jpdty@hotmail.com
or +32(0)472/73.51.40 if necessary

From Friday 06th April to Monday 09th April 2012

Metta meditation weekend under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Ottara Nyana. Birmingham Buddhist Vihara.

Dr. U Ottara Nyana, present head of the Birmingham Buddhist Vihara, was born in Myanmar in 1949. He has studied Theravada Buddhism since childhood under several eminent scholar monks. He passed the higher examination in scriptural studies and was awarded several prestigious titles. In 1992, he went to India for further study in Delhi University. He stayed at Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon for three years (1984 / 1986) as meditator and meditation instructor. Myanmar government conferred on him the Religious tittles Mahaganthavacaka Pandita (1992) and Aggamahaganthavacaka Pandita (2002) for his academic activities. He now teaches Majjimanikaya, Pali Grammar, Abhidhamma and Vipassana meditation in Birmingham Buddhist Vihara.

See : http://www.birminghambuddhistvihara.org/

The retreat

The weekend starts on the 06th April at 8pm and ends on the 26th February at 2pm.

In accordance with the tradition, the meditators take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; they undertake the 9 moral precepts, which includes abstaining from taking solid food after midday. The retreat is conducted in silence.

METTA BHAVANA, LOVING KINDNESS MEDITATION

"METTA BHAVANA" is one of the most important teachings of the Buddha. This practice aims at developing Metta, Loving Kindness. First, we direct positive thoughts to ourselves and, progressively, enlarge the circle until we send positive thoughts to every living being, everywhere in the universe. The more one practices, the more he or she feels happy and calm; life becomes more harmonious and more peaceful.

Language

The retreat will take place in English with a translation into French.

Cost

Shared lodging : 81 €
Individual lodging 105 €.

This amount only covers part of the expenses for the retreat. You can support our efforts further by making a donation, either for a meal or for the Dhammagroup. The teaching is given free of charge. It is traditional to also give a donation to the monk.

Information/Registration :

To register, please contact Gerda D'Hertefelt
dhertefelt@yahoo.com
or +32(0)472/73.51.40 if necessary

From Friday 27th April to Sunday 29th April 2012

Vipassana meditation weekend under the guidance of Ajahn Sundara (Ajahn Chah tradition) in collaboration with « les voies de l’Orient ».

Ajhan Sundara was born in France in 1946. In 1979, she was one of the first four women to join the monastic community of Ajahn Sumedho, who ordained her in 1983. She then stayed in various forest monasteries in Thaïland in order to deepen her practice. She now resides in the Amaravati Monastery in northern London. Since 1980, she has been teaching and guiding meditation retreats worldwide

More information later.

From Friday 22th June to Sunday 15th July 2012

Intensive vipassana meditation retreat in the Mahasi’s method, under the guidance of Ven. Sayadaw U Paññathamibhivamsa. Panditarama Sydney.

The Venerable Sayadaw U Pannathami was born in the village of Kawmhu, near Yangon, Burma on May 27th 1948. At the age of 12 he became a novice (young monk). In 1968, at age 20, he was ordained as a full-fledged monk (bhikkhu) with the Late Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw as preceptor.

As a novice, he studied the Buddhist Scriptures. Between 1966 and 1969 he undertook his first intensive retreat at the Mahasi Meditation Center in Yangon, under the guidance of Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa and Sayadaw U Nandavamsa, among others. He passed the Dhammacariya exams (equivalent to Masters degree in Pali) in 1973. After that, he passed a further level of examination, which endowed him with the title of Abhivamsa (equivalent to PhD).

He resided at the Mahasi Center from 1978 to 1983, during which time he started helping Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa as assistant meditation teacher. In 1983 he was sent to Sri Lanka, where he taught meditation.

In 1985, he was transferred to the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Center, in Penang. After a year’s service, having been invited by the Britain Burma Buddhist Association, he went to London, to the Buddhist Vihara, where he lived until 1991.

In 1991, he founded the present Panditarama Saraniya Meditation Center, Manchester, which was then located in Billinge, near Wigan. Since then, Sayadaw U Pannathami has continued to guide this center, where he has remained the spiritual director, despite his duties elsewhere.

From 1991 to 2000, he was the resident monk and meditation teacher at the Blue Mountains Meditation Center in Australia. In 1996, he became the senior spiritual advisor of Vipassana Meditation Center, Singapore, where he resided on a part-time basis until 2000. In 2000, at the request of Burmese devotees, the Venerable Sayadaw U Pannathami founded Panditarama Meditation Centre, Sydney, and in 2001, Panditarama Meditation Centre, Melbourne, Australia. At present, he is as well the spiritual director of Dhamma Group of Brussels.

Sayadaw U Pannathami, fluent in English, endowed with both theory and practice, and much metta, has been teaching vipassana meditation in the East and the West for more than 20 years.

The retreat

The retreat starts on the 22th June at 8pm and ends on the 15th July at 2pm.

In accordance with the tradition, the meditators take refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha; they undertake the 9 moral precepts, which includes abstaining from taking solid food after midday. The retreat is conducted in silence.

Cost

Shared lodging : 621 €

Individual lodging 805 €

This amount only covers part of the expenses for the retreat. You can support our efforts further by making a donation, either for a meal or for the Dhammagroup. The teaching is given free of charge. It is traditional to also give a donation to the monk.

Information/Registration

To register, please contact Jean-Paul Bouchoms : jp.bouchoms@skynet.be

or +32(0)472/73.51.40 if necessary.