satipaṭṭhāna | mindfulness in early Buddhist meditation
an online retreat with teachings by Bhikkhu Anālayo
conducted by Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā
27 May (Sat) – 3 June (Sat) 2023 | 7 nights & 8 days
practice approach
- the practice will be presented on the basis of a comparative study of the three existing versions of the ‘Discourse on the Establishments of Mindfulness’ (Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta), preserved in Pali and Chinese. The theoretical framework and instructions converge on instructions common to all versions
- the emphasis throughout the retreat will be on what is of practical relevance, not on textual study as such
- a non-dogmatic approach informed by textual scholarship, historical and philosophical contextualisation in the light of the ancient Indian background to the early Buddhist teachings, and respect for the diversity and common ground between all Buddhist traditions will be emphasized
for whom
- designed for Buddhist practitioners of all traditions (from relative beginners to advanced) as well as for practitioners of various mindfulness protocols or other contemplative traditions who wish to deepen their theoretical and practical understanding of mindfulness (Pali sati, Sanskrit smṛti, Chinese 念, Tibetan དྲན་པ་) from the perspective of the early Buddhist teachings
- all participants are expected to have an established mindfulness practice (or to be sincerely attempting to have one) as well as some theoretical understanding of basic Buddhist teachings
retreat languages
- the course will be held in English with video lectures by Bhikkhu Anālayo subtitled in English, Chinese and Korean, guided meditations by Bhikkhu Anālayo available in English, Chinese and Korean, and translation into Chinese and Korean during the daily Q&A sessions with Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā
- the retreat is specially arranged for Mandarin and Korean speakers, who will be given first priority during the Q&A sessions; English translation of the practicalities during the retreat might not be fully available
practice prerequisites
- preferably having participated in at least one 5-day or longer silent retreat, or two 2-day or longer silent retreats, in Buddhist meditation or based on mindfulness protocols
- regular daily meditative practice or firm intention to establish it prior to the retreat
- familiarising oneself with Bhikkhu Anālayo’s satipaṭṭhāna guided meditations
study prerequisites (before the retreat)
- contemplative reading of the ‘Discourse on the Establishments of Mindfulness’ (Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta, Majjhima-nikāya no. 10) in one’s own preferred modern language and/or Pali (text to be supplied after confirmation of enrolment)
- study of Bhikkhu Anālayo’s Satipaṭṭhāna Meditation, A Practice Guide
access
- the retreat will take place using the free Zoom videoconferencing platform (webinar for the Q&A sessions; meeting room for the meditation hall)
- all study materials will be available on a dedicated web page with restricted access (access credentials will be sent to all participants by email before the beginning of the retreat)
- recording in any form (video, audio, screenshots) of the retreat sessions and sharing the access credentials and study materials with non-participants is not permitted
- technical assistance will be provided before the start of and throughout the retreat
retreat schedule
- please take a look at the program overview here (Taipei/Beijing time)
- 1 daily pre-recorded video lecture (25 minutes) (released daily for watching by participants at a time of their own choosing )
- 1 daily live Q&A session with Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā (90 minutes) (not recorded) from 6:30 pm Taiwan time to 8:30 pm Taiwan time (GMT +8)
- 7 daily group guided meditations (60 minutes each) (audiotracks also available for own practice outside the scheduled group practice)
- self-paced practice throughout the day (part-time and full-time practice mode permitted)
🔔 no retreat component is compulsory: each practitioner is invited to adjust the practice pace to their own needs and the unfolding of their practice. This is to be regarded as a key aspect of developing mindfulness and self-reliance in meditation
credits
- attendance of a satipaṭṭhāna retreat (this retreat or another similar retreat offered by Bhikkhu Anālayo and/or Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā) is a prerequisite to participate in the next modules of the foundational early Buddhist meditation program for Chinese/Korean speakers: mindfulness of breathing (ānāpānasati) retreat (May 4 to 11, 2024) and brahmavihāra & emptiness (dates to be confirmed, 2024 or 2025)
- participation in the next modules is optional (welcome to join in only for the satipaṭṭhāna retreat!)
costs & dāna
- no charges, the retreat is offered as a free gift of Dhamma (dhammadāna) by the teachers and the organising team
- to make a donation in support of the monastic teachers and/or of the Āgama Research Group activities please see here
registration and contact
- please fill in the form here (English and Chinese/Taiwan) or here (Chinese/PRC) or here (Korean)
- you will receive instant confirmation of submission
- kindly allow a few days to receive confirmation of enrolment and/or waiting list notification
- please do not hesitate to contact the volunteer team for further information: arg.meditation@gmail.com (English and Chinese) or arg.meditation.kr@gmail.com (Korean)
teachers
Bhikkhu Anālayo (無著比丘)
- bio: see here
- publications: see here (中文) and on academia.edu
- media: see here and here
- meditation instructions: see here
- schedule: see here
Bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā (法樂比丘尼)