Dharmagiri News

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+ 27 (0) 33 7011138

Dharmagiri, PO Box 270, Underberg, 3257, KZN, South Africa.

NPO 028 378 / PBO 18/11/13/1926

January News

We wish everyone, strength, peace and success in the New Year. This is the second recent send out while Brilliant Web takes over our mailing as well as constructing a new Dharmagiri web site. Already the news has changed so here's an up date.

Summer is here with torrential rains, thunder storms, barking baboons and haunting jackal calls under pristine star spread night skies, frights from a rinkhal cobra and brilliant sun while, as ever, Mvuleni mountain continues to cast its serene gaze over our valley. Dharmagiri is now in the last phase of a three month retreat with twelve participants. Having such a committed group engage a long period of practice feels like a real turning point in the life of Dharmagiri, while also a profound experience in the life of those involved.

The new manager of Dharmagiri JP has settled in and generated a real team spirit through his warm, engaged and committed energy. Great to have you on board JP!

Guided & Self Retreats

This year Dharmagiri looks forward to hosting several longer retreats and monthly meditation days (with overnight accommodation available). We welcome Rev Peter Woods in July who will lead a two week retreat for Christian contemplatives. Peter is a Methodist minister who has done a number of month retreats at Dharmagiri.

Dharmagiri is also open to host self retreatants for short periods. More details about this are available from JP. In brief, there is a daily schedule of meditation, a work period and taped Dharma talks. To support the meditative atmosphere silence is encouraged,  except a daily discussion over tea. This opportunity is suitable for experienced meditators.

Teaching Visits from the Forest Sangha

We are delighted to welcome Ajahn Natthiko to South Africa in March and Ajahn Sucitto in December. We are also pleased to host Jitindriya, a former nun of the forest sangha for 16 years in November & December. Jitindriya will be teaching with her partner Marg, who has a PhD in comparative study of Western psychotherapy and Buddhism, at Dharmagiri and the BRC.

Our web site (presently under construction) will be running soon: http://www.dharmagiri.org/   

Kittisaro & Thanissara - January 2007

Dharmagiri Retreats 2006/07

www.dharmagiri.org

March 9^th - 11^th -The Cultivation of a Peaceful Abiding - Ajahn Natthiko

April 6^th -14^th - The World Appears Within the Heart - Kittisaro

June 15^th - 30^th - Retreat for Christian Contemplatives - Rev Peter Woods

August 31^st - September 7^th - The Heart of Buddhist Meditation -Thanissara

November 16^th - 18^th - Meditation & Chi Kung - Jitindriya & Marg

Jan 4^th - 25^th ‘08 - Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way - Kittisaro & Thanissara

Dharmagiri Sunday end of month Meditation Days for 2007

Accommodation is available on the Saturday and Sunday nights with evening and early morning sittings. The meditation day starts at 9.30am and runs until 4.30pm. Bring lunch to share, please contact the office to book and to check what food to bring.

March 25^th - Meditation Day - with Kittisaro

April 29^th - Meditation day - with Kittisaro

May 27^th - Meditation day - with Kittisaro

July 29^th - Meditation day - with Kittisaro

August 26^th - Meditation day - with JP

September 30^th - Meditation day - with Kitttiasro & Thanissara

October 28^th - Meditation day - with JP

November 25^th - Meditation day - with Jitindriya

Teaching Schedule of Forest Sangha in South Africa - 2007

Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo

http://www.brcixopo.co.za/

March 13^th - 15^th - Ajahn Natthiko - Forest Dhamma

May 18^th - 20^th - Kittisaro - The Wings of Awakening.

August 24^th - 26^th - Kittisaro & Thanissara - A Buddhist Way of Life

December 12^th - 16^th - Jitindriya & Marg - The Art of Meditation & Chi Kung

December 17^th - 26^th - Ajahn Sucitto - Freedom through Insight

December 28^th - Jan 2^nd '08 - Kittisaro & Thanissara - New Year Retreat

Johannesburg visits of Ajahn Natthiko and Ajahn Sucitto

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March 23rd - Evening talk at Shakti Khaya with Ajahn Natthiko

March 24^th - Meditation Day at Shakti Khaya with Ajahn Natthiko

March 25^th - Meal Offering in JHB with Ajahn Natthiko

December 14^th - 16^th - Weekend retreat with Ajahn Sucitto

For Kittisaro and Thanissara's Overseas Teaching Schedule see http://www.dharmagiri.org/

Staying at Dharmagiri

Dharmagiri is run on the ancient Buddhist principle of Dana (free will offering). However we have had requests to provide guidance regarding the Dana donations for retreats. We intend that Dharmagiri would eventually be self sustaining whilst keeping the ethos of Dana. What follows is purely a guideline and will never exclude anybody for financial reasons. We have calculated that the average running cost per person per day is around R150 - R200. For longer retreats, three weeks and over, we calculate the costs are about R100 - R200 a day. Any offerings over and above that help support Dharmagiri throughout the year so it can continue to function as a hermitage and host retreats and visiting forest sangha monks and nuns.

Dana for teachers remains a personal offering. The teachings offered at Dharmagiri are done fully in the spirit of the Buddhist lineage which understands that teachings cannot be valued in monetary terms. However if you wish to support the teachers so they can continue their work there are Dana baskets for free will offerings. There is also a Dana basket for Dharmagiri managers who only receive a small stipend.

Dharmagiri is only able to offer email and phone facilities in an emergency. It runs very simply and offers a lacto-vegetarian diet. For further information on retreats, what to bring or how to get to Dharmagiri, please contact the office.

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