Summer Retreat 2022

Over the last few years, the LBYG has held a several retreats aimed at providing a day for members and friends to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life while learning and practicing the Dhamma. This year the LBYG held their summer retreat on the 12th of February at Santi Forest Monastery located in Bundanoon. The grounds of the monastery span 198 acres and provides residence for Bhikkhunis and other female monastics. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the retreat was conducted in an outdoor shelter, which allowed the beautiful and tranquil surroundings to provide a peaceful backdrop for the day.  

The retreat centred around the three key themes of creating your own happiness, dealing with stresses within the changing world and forgiveness. The day began with a lovely welcome by the Bhikkhunis and members introducing themselves to each other. The day’s first Dhamma discussion explored how creating one’s own happiness involves active individual effort and self-reflection. Attendees were also encouraged to share the different stressors they experience with responses including work deadlines, not fulfilling personal goals and familial pressures. The Bhikkhunis provided great insights into managing these issues; including methods such as non-violent communication, being accepting and willing to forgive one’s shortcomings and the importance of being present in the moment.  

After an engaging discussion, the LBYG offered dana to the Bhikkhunis. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the dana. Afterwards, the Bhikkhunis invited members for an “excursion” of the property. During this time members were asked to split into 4 groups, each led by a Bhikkhuni. They were encouraged to ask the Bhikkhunis about their monastic journey as well as questions about Buddhism. It was interesting to hear what influenced them to pursue monastic life. The Bhikkhunis also provided great points of view regarding different Buddhist topics such as mediation practice.

During the excursion, attendees were shown one of the nun’s huts to highlight the simple life of Bhikkhunis; attempting to maintain the essence of the Buddhist Forest Tradition. Further in the bush was an outdoor meditation area where the Bhikkhunis then guided attendees through meditation to help us practice being present and aware of their surroundings. The attendees then visited a cave in which a nun had carved a beautiful statue of the Buddha. Inside the Bhikkhunis led another guided-meditation session followed by chanting of the Karaniya Metta Sutta (the Buddha’s discourse of Loving Kindness). 

After an extremely enjoyable and relaxing walk amidst nature, the members returned to the outdoor shelter to discuss forgiveness and undertake a guided meditation. A great point raised by the Bhikkhunis was how forgiving someone provides us inner peace, without condoning the other person’s actions. The guided meditation provided attendees an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of forgiveness. For the final part of the retreat, attendees shared what makes them happy and key lessons they will take away from the retreat. There was also a Q&A session where attendees asked the Bhikkhunis various thought-provoking questions.

Overall, the LBYG’s summer retreat was a great success. The LBYG is extremely grateful to the Bhikkhunis for bestowing their knowledge of the Dhamma on us and providing the attendees with an extremely informative and insightful program. As the retreat coordinator, I would also like to thank everyone who attended and actively engaged with the retreat. Furthermore, I extend my thanks to Tihara Gallage, Naomi Jayawardene and Nadeesha Abayaratna for their help in organising the event.

With Metta,

Nisali