Winter Retreat Closing Ceremony
| When |
Feb 27, 2011
from 09:30 AM to 02:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Contact Phone | 845-733-4959 ext 22 |
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February 27, 2011 will mark the end of the 90-day Winter Retreat at Blue Cliff. This will be the 4th Winter Retreat completed at BCM. Please come join us in commemorating this day, "the day all Buddhas rejoice". In monastic communities dating back to the time of the Buddha, the end of the Winter retreat (traditionally referred to as Rain's Retreat) signifies another year of growth on the monastic path, a year older in the practice, a collective birthday or continuation day. The retreat will culminate in the Pavarana ceremony (ceremony of invitation). In this ceremony, each member of the Sangha will formally invite others to comment on his/her practice, to share about his/her positive and not-so positive qualities, and to offer suggestions for transformation. This "shining light" process has been completed during the last weeks of the retreat. A shining light letter will be offered to each member of the Sangha as a collective gift of the community. This letter serves as an important practice reminder throughout the year. One is to refer to it often to reflect on whether one's positive points are nurtured and not-so positive points transformed. Alongside the monastic brothers and sisters receiving shining light letters, our 4 lay brothers and sisters, whom committed to the 90-day retreat, will also receive their shining light letters. Being a collective birthday/continuation day, small gifts are often seen given to those who have completed the 90-day training.
Below is the day's program.
09:30am Dharma talk in Great Togetherness Meditation Hall
11:30am Pavarana ceremony in Great Togetherness Meditation Hall
12:30pm Lunch in Great Harmony Dining Hall
End of program
We hope that you can join us in celebrating this day. It has been a great joy to practice together for 90-day as a four-fold community. We shall carry the spirit of the Winter Retreat into Spring retreat and beyond.
Blue Cliff will be closed for 2 weeks and will be reopened to receive friends and guests starting March 18, 2011.
A lotus for you, a Buddha to be.
More photos of Winter Retreat 2009-2010 Closing Ceremony
