RETREATS

2011 WEEK-LONG PRACTICE RETREAT [click here]

JULY 29 - AUGUST 5, 2011

MARGARET AUSTIN CENTER

CHAPPELL HILL, TEXAS

Have faith in the Great Mandala Gohonzon, the most superlative in the world. Endeavor! Endeavor to strengthen your faith, so that you may be blessed with the protective powers of all the Buddhas. Learn and practice to strengthen your faith. Without learning and practicing, there is no Buddhism. Follow this yourself and influence others to do the same. To learn and to practice are a part of faith. Even if it is only a word or a phrase, spread it to others.

From the Shoho Jisso Sho, written May 17, 1273 by Nichiren Shonin

Retreats are designed to allow one time to concentrate on faith, practice and study; to meet other practitioners from different sanghas; and to learn more about the Nichiren tradition. Retreats allow time for reflection, prayer, and meditation, and are considered essential in Buddhism. Retreats provide an opportunity for rest and allow one to return to the world refreshed in body, mind, and spirit.

Annual Week-long Intensive Practice Retreats: Retreats are time to concentrate on your practice, meet other members of different sanghas, and learn more about practice in the Nichiren tradition. This is an intensive week of practice in a comfortable peaceful seting which provides time and space without worries from the outside world. Retreats are a week long, Friday to Friday. Activities include Suigyo (water purification), daily services, chanting practice, special services, Shakyo (sutra copying) and Shabutsu (Buddha image copying) practice, vegetarian food, Shodaigyo meditation and time to reflect, stretch and enjoy the company of sangha members. We will have classes for both beginners and advanced students. To see pictures from previous retreats please scroll down to the bottom of this page.

Weekend Retreats: Weekend retreats are designed to help with the study and development of Sangha members. These retreats are held at the Sangha meeting place every few months. Below are the types of retreats possible.

• Lay Leaders retreats are designed to help those wishing to be leaders in the Sangha learn the practice and doctrine of Nichiren Shu. The weekend includes instruction on leading services in groups, basic Buddhist concepts, Nichiren Buddhist concepts and advanced Tendai concepts. Lay Leader retreats are only open to those who have taken Jukai (precepts) in our order. To register please sign on to meetup (see link below) and go to the event date or call / email Myokei Shonin at 713-429-1274.

• The Beginners retreats focus on those who have not yet taken vows in the order or those who just wish to work on their knowledge and practice in basic Buddhist practice. The weekend includes working on daily service and chanting of the Sutra along with study of basic Buddhist concepts and basic Nichiren Buddhist concepts. Buddhist etiquette is also presented. Beginners classes and retreats are open to anyone who wishes to learn more about the Dharma and or Nichiren Buddhism. To register please sign on to meetup (see link below) and go to the event date or call / email Myokei Shonin (713-429-1274)

• The Intensive retreat is a weekend of intense practice. The entire Lotus Sutra is chanted along with prayers and prostrations. A special Sutra book containiing the Lotus Sutra in the Shindoku reading is needed for this retrelat and is available at the Temple. This is a weekend of focused intensive practice and may include other traditional Nichiren Shu practices such as shakyo or shabutsu, as well as various other services intended to deepen faith. Intensive retreats are open to anyone wanting to practice intensely, it is suggested that one have at least mastered the basics of practice before attempting this kind of retreat. If you are unsure, please talk with Myokei Shonin. To register please sign on to meetup (see link below) and go to the event date or call / email Myokei Shonin (713-429-1274).

You may register for events at the Houston Nichiren Shu Meetup Group site. Click on the meetup below to create your account. On the calendar click on the weekend retreat and click yes, you would like to register for the event. You can pay for the retreat on Meetup or bring the payment with you to the retreat. The Meetup service itself is free and provides a good way to keep up with events at the Temple and with the Sangha.