STARDUST, STARLIGHT
WHAT’S A HUMAN BEING MADE OF? WHAT ARE WE FOR?
Dharma Centre of Canada, Kinmount, Ontario
Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29
This is a love song to the Star One,
and all the precious friends and worthy opponents
who hold Buddhadharma in their hearts to
nurture and protect islands of sanity
for the benefit of all.
On our planet, Sakyamuni Buddha declared that human beings are the only life form that is capable of enlightenment. This capacity in human consciousness gives us immense power, which supports selfish or altruistic activity. All the goodness and distortion we experience in this reality, on this world, is the result of values-based choices made by human beings, the alpha species on our planet.
This weekend, we’ll start with singularity, a dimensionless point containing all the elements necessary for the creation of this Universe, some 13.8 billion years ago. We’ll travel at warp speed through Universe unfolding, culminating in 2024, our here and now. With experiential understanding through mind expansion — in meditation, embodied feeling and conceptual knowledge — we may glimpse the vast interconnected expanse from which human consciousness is woven.
Bonni first heard the teachings of the Buddha when she was 17, sixty years ago. After ten years of fluffing around, she met Namgyal Rinpoche and got serious. His direct, eclectic teaching and example are central to her life. Encouragement from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, teachings from many great Buddhist masters, as well as innovative artists, scientists, philosophers and mystery writers, have fuelled the quest.
Inspiration comes from “ordinary” people who demonstrate exceptional courage and compassion in the midst of great suffering. With her partner, Matthew Eades, she founded Sunshine Coast Retreat House in 2002 before moving to Nelson, New Zealand in 2017. After over 40 years of teaching and service in community, they will now focus on long term retreat at Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre in the foothills of the Southern Alps.
Important Details
When: Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the final day.
Rate: $276 - non-members or $250 members
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. The teacher is sharing his/her experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All cancellation are subject to a fee of $100. These funds will support other low income practitioner (Practitioner Support Fund).
Loss of 50% of deposit if cancel within 14 days ( = 25% of the retreat cost) – Funds to go into the Renewal Project (Buildings Renewal Fund).