Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas : Minister

The Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas along with the Nichiren Order of North America will be having a summer retreat in August of this year (2008). The retreat will be held at the Margaret Austin Center located just Northwest of Houston from August 1st to August 8th. This will be the first week long retreat offered by Nichiren Shu in North America. It will be focused mainly on practice with some discussion and Dharma Talks. Please consider attending this historic event to learn more about your practice and yourself. If you are new or curious about Nichiren Buddhism, this will be a wonderful week to learn about the practices of our lineage. It will be a perfect time to deepen faith and make friends in the Texas area and from around the continent of North America.

Dates:

Begins August 1, 2008 at 04:00 p.m.; Ends August 8, 2008 around 09:00 am

Schedule:

A simplified schedule of daily activities:

-The day will start at 05:15 with purification then morning service.

-A morning Dharma Talk will be followed by breakfast and some light Tai chi to stretch out.

-From 09:30 to Lunch and after lunch until evening service different activities will be introduced each day.

Activities will include Lotus Sutra Chanting practice, Shomyo, Hokke Senbo, Shakyo, discussions and more.

-After evening service, dinner followed by walking chanting meditation.

-A hour of Shodaigyo meditation or chanting of different chapters of the Sutra.

-An evening Dharma talk, followed by baths and bed at 09:00 p.m.

The days will be full and spiritually deepening.

Location:

Margaret Austin Center in Chappell Hill, Texas

You can check out more about the center by clicking on the link above or the map below.

The Margaret Austin Center is located just outside of Houston. It is 69 miles from IAH (Intercon'l Airport) to the Margaret Austin Center. This map is not to scale. Please check out the web page of the Margaret Austin Center for detailed driving instructions.

Teachers:

We will have from three to five teachers at this event depending on the amount of participants. The center can accommodate fifty people including teachers. At this time Rev. Myokei Caine-Barrett of the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Texas and Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer of the Nichiren Buddhist Sangha of Greater New England are confirmed as teachers. We will update this as people register and other teachers are confirmed.

Who can attend:

Nichiren Shu members or anyone who wishes to relax, learn and discover their Buddha nature. You are not required to be a Nichiren Shu member to attend. As long as you are comfortable practicing in the Nichiren Shu tradition for a week, we welcome you. Be aware that we are a chanting lineage and are sometimes referred to as the noisy Buddhist. We will be asking everyone who attends to commit to the full week. Please call Rev. Myokei or Rev. Faulconer (info below) if you have questions.

Cost:

The retreat cost includes room and meals (vegetarian) for one week. It will be $300.00 per person. A couple work scholarships are available for a reduced fee. Please call Rev. Myokei for more information about this option. If you are coming by air, a shuttle will be available from the airport at a additional cost. Those coming by air and wishing to use shuttle service will need to plan arrivals and departures with the shuttle schedule. Please call us before making any airline reservations.

How do I register:

To Registration Page

You can also email or call

Rev. Myokei Caine-Barrett

In Houston 713-429-1274

Outside Houston area 1-877-803-6647

Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer

In Boston 617-314-7782

Outside Boston area 1-866-585-4891

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.