10/13 – 11/3 Meditation Retreat (Ven. Dhammdipa Thomas)
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Chuang Yen Monastery proudly invites the world-renowned meditation master Venerable Dhammadipa (Thomas Peter Gutmann) to lead an intensive retreat focus on Samatha and Vipassana meditation and the practice of 6 and 10 paramitas as given in the Theravada and the Northern Buddhist Tradition. The practice of “4 heavenly abodes” will be emphasized in the Samatha meditation. Practical instructions will be given for this practice with reference to the Jatakas (Birth stories of the Buddha), Suttantas and Theravada and Mahayana Abhidharma.
Prajnaparamita, being the summit of all the Buddhist practices, will be introduced to the practice of the 4 Brahma Viharas. Other Paramitas (perfections) will be explained to support the Samatha and Vipassana practice as well by giving examples from the southern and northern Buddhist tradition. The emphasis will be on the practical side of the Samatha and Vipassana practice as Paramita, and present theoretical background of these practices.
Meditation Instructor: Venerable Dhammadipa
Ven. Dhammadipa Thomas is the world-renowned meditation teacher, born in Czechoslovakia, has deep understanding of meditation in both Theravada and Mahayana traditions. In 1987, he received traditional Theravada ordination in Sri Lanka, where he practiced meditation under Venerable Nanarama Mahathera. In 1989, he received ordination as a Mahayana monk in Hsi Lai Temple, Los Angeles. In 1996, he practiced meditation with the meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw in Myanmar, and is considered by the Sayadaw to be the first of his Western disciples qualified to teach meditation. More than a decade, Venerable Dhammadipa Thomas has taught meditation at western and Asian monasteries and universities around the world, is beloved and well-respected by many Buddhist practitioners and meditators.
