Shamatha and Vipassana Retreat with Lama Rinchen Phuntsok

Dear Friends,

To celebrate the completion of the brand new earthen meditation hall built by our very own hardworking residents and volunteers, New Life Foundation will be holding a very special meditation retreat this August. Please join us on this proud and happy occasion! The setting for the retreat is our beautiful sustainable agriculture farm in Chiang Rai, in the north of Thailand. Our retreat leader will be the Venerable Lama Rinchen Phuntsok, a highly respected scholar and meditation master from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.

The retreat is open to anyone who is interested in meditation and mindfulness. It is suitable for the newcomer, beginner or advanced practitioner, and will focus on the two foundations of meditation: “Shamatha” (calm abiding) and “Vipashyana” (insight). “Shamatha” takes the meditator to the stage where emotional conflict and disturbing trains of thought are eliminated in a state of thoughtful concentration which is calm and peaceful. In this peaceful and calm condition nothing disturbs equanimity, whether coming from outside or inside the mind. It is a state untroubled by attachments and aversions. At the same time the insight which is engendered by one pointed absorption allows clear vision of one’s own mind and the nature of things. This is called “Vipashyana”, which is a clear mind with an incisive insight into the nature of reality. Together, calmness and clarity allow our minds the freedom to be in the here and now.

Information

The retreat will fall on the long weekend of the Asalha Bucha and Buddhist Lent public holidays. We will begin at 7.30pm on the evening of Wednesday, August 1 with an introductory talk by Lama Rinchen, and end on the afternoon of Sunday, August 5 at 5.30pm. You are welcome to arrive anytime between 2pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 1, or after 6am on Thursday, August 2. Please do not arrive outside of these times. The retreat will be held in English, with Thai translation available.

Retreat fee and Registration

Single Room or Twin Share Room:    2500 baht per person
Shared 4-person room (no bed):        2000 baht per person

Places are limited so please sign up immediately so that we can reserve a room for you. For more information or registration please contact us at: retreats@newlifethaifoundation.com

Please note that New Life is a non-profit organization. The retreat fee covers only food, electricity, and accommodation. Being a young foundation, we need a lot of support, so additional donations are very welcome! Please help us spread the word and bring some friends.

Most rooms are single rooms. A very limited number of twin rooms are available for couples. We also have 4-person shared rooms at a discounted cost (if you bring a sleeping bag and don’t mind sleeping on the floor; we can provide pillows and blankets). All come with ensuite toilet and shower, warm water, fan, and towels. NB: An added cost of 500 baht per person applies if you wish to stay at the foundation an extra night on Sunday after the retreat ends.

The retreat will include teachings, guided meditation sessions, and prostration practice with an experienced teacher. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the swimming pool and our herbal steam bath. Vegetarian meals will be served, consisting of breakfast with fruit and yoghurt, and simple Thai-style meals for lunch and dinner. Do let us know if you have any food allergies. If you drink coffee/tea/hot chocolate, please bring your own (there will be hot water available).

Location – New Life Foundation

No. 49 Moo 1, Tambol Don Sila, Amphoe Wiang Chai, Chiang Rai, Thailand

The retreat fee does not include transportation to and from the retreat location. There are a number of low-cost carriers within Thailand and the Asia region if you would like to fly to Chiang Rai. Buses are also a good option. Taxis and tuk-tuks that will take you straight to the foundation can be hired at the airport or bus station. For a detailed map and directions please click here.

Things to bring

• Warm clothing, as August evenings and mornings can be chilly in Chiang Rai
• A meditation cushion/mat if you have one
• Mosquito repellent
• Swimming clothes

Some background on Lama Rinchen Phuntsok

Born in Tibet, Lama Rinchen began receiving instruction in the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism at the age of six in Tsasum Chokhorling Monastery in Tibet. After he left Tibet in 1958, he studied at Young Lama’s Home School in Dalhousie, The Buddhist Monastic School in Rewalsar, Nyingmapa Lama’s College in Dehra-Dun, and Zongdog Palri Monastery in Kalimpong. Lama Rinchen graduated from Sanskrit University in Varanasi India where he completed advanced studies in Sutrayana Buddhist philosophy and scriptures, commentaries, logic, literature, history, and the major sciences of the Tibetan curriculum. More information on Lama RInchen can be found here. 

For more photos of our earthen meditation hall in construction, please click here

Retreat Schedule

Wednesday 1 August 
19h30  Introductory talk by Lama Rinchen

Thursday 2 August
05h30 – 07h00  Morning session – prostrations
07h00 – 08h00  Silent breakfast
08h30 – 10h00  Tour of the foundation
10h15 – 12h00  Practice
12h00 – 13h00  Lunch
14h00 – 17h00  Teachings, practice, time for questions
17h00 – 18h00  Herbal steam bath and/or nature walk
18h30 – 19h15  Dinner
19h30 – 21h30  Teachings and practice

Friday 3 August
05h30 – 07h00  Morning session – prostrations
07h00 – 08h00  Silent breakfast
09h00 – 12h00  Practice
12h00 – 13h00  Lunch
14h00 – 17h00  Teachings, practice, time for questions
17h00 – 18h00  Herbal steam bath and/or nature walk
18h30 – 19h15  Dinner
19h30 – 21h30  Teachings and practice

Saturday 4 August
05h30 – 07h00  Morning session – prostrations
07h00 – 08h00  Silent breakfast
09h00 – 12h00  Practice
12h00 – 13h00  Lunch
14h00 – 17h00  Teachings, practice, time for questions
17h00 – 18h00  Herbal steam bath and/or nature walk
18h30 – 19h15  Dinner
19h30 – 21h30  Teachings and practice

Sunday 5 August
05h30 – 07h00  Morning session – prostrations
07h00 – 08h00  Silent breakfast
09h00 – 12h00  Practice
12h00 – 13h00  Lunch
14h00 – 17h00  Teachings, practice, time for questions
17h00 – 17h15  Group picture – Bye bye

Our website: www.newlifethaifoundation.com
Our Facebook page: click here

To register for the event please email retreats@newlifethaifoundation.com