Women's Area Order Weekend | Self-Power and Other-Power in the Dharma life: Shinran, the Buddha and Bhante

Led by Maitrisiddhi, Dharmakarunya, Akasanandi, Jvalamalini and Suryaka

When is it helpful to think of practising the Dharma in terms of ‘me making an effort’? And when could we simply open more fully to our connection with the Buddhas, or trust in the mysterious workings of Dharma niyama processes in our lives? At a certain point, it becomes clear that - as Bhante says - ‘it becomes no less difficult to speak of the spiritual life in terms of self-effort than to speak in terms of reliance on divine grace, sometimes more difficult in fact.’

With his radical teaching of entrusting to Other Power, Shinran explored the path of faith to its fullest extent in thirteenth century Japan. He overturns conventional tenets of Buddhism – and blows wide open our assumptions about how to live the Dharma life. Yet he is simply drawing out and taking to their furthest limits some essential
teachings of the Buddha, and, later, Bhante.

‘In the last resort, emancipation depends upon the irruption into the universe of a factor that confronts our ego-consciousness as the Other Power.’ - Sangharakshita

Reception is from 4pm on the day of arrival, with the retreat beginning with supper at 6pm.

While you’re here you will be participating in communal life. This includes meditating with everyone on site in the main shrine room in the morning, taking part in daily tasks and at the end of your retreat you will help us to prepare the retreat centre for the next group to join us.

With this in mind, the retreat will finish after the clear-up, so if travelling on public transport, please book a train after 3pm.

The deposit for all our events is non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances. For this event, the deposit is £50.

Limted single rooms available. Please contact the office to check for availability.

For: Dharmacharinis

Start date: 29th Feb 2024
End date: 3rd Mar 2024
Event Type: Residential

Price: Standard £145  |  Concession £115  |  Financial Assistance £90
Price per night: Per-Night Standard £55  |  Per-Night Concession £45  |  Per-Night Financial Assistance £35
Non-refundable deposit: £50 (included in prices above)

Bursary Fund: Help those who can't afford to come on retreat
You're invited to donate to enable individuals experiencing financial hardship to attend events with bursary places.
Go to our Bursary Fund page

Bookings are closed for this Event.