Meditation Retreat with Bhante Rahula
Retreat Registration Form
Galilee Centre, Arnprior, Ontario
November 26^th – December 3^rd, 2004

About Bhante Yogavacara Rahula
Bhante Rahula was born in 1948 in Southern California.  Adopting the lifestyle of a wandering hippie, he began a long odyssey starting in Scandinavia which took him half way around the world to India and Nepal. He encountered his first spiritual teachers, Tibetan Lamas, in Nepal at a month-long meditation course. He was more or less converted to being a Buddhist or at least an earnest seeker after Truth by the end of the course. His search brought him south to Sri Lanka where he ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1975 and subsequently received full ordination in Los Angeles in 1979. He remained in Sri Lanka off and on until 1986 whereafter he returned to the United States.

Bhante Rahula has been living at the Bhavana Society, a forest monastery/meditation center, in West Virginia since it opened in 1988. He conducts retreats integrating vipassana meditation with Yogic breathing and exercises primarily in the United States and Germany. The Buddha told his monks to go forth into homelessness and Bhante Rahula’s footloose journey continues to this day. He spent several months of 2000 in India working with the Harijans. He subsequently undertook a four month trek in the Himalayan Mountains. 
For more info:  http://www.bhavana.us

The Retreat Site
The Galilee Centre (www.galileecentre.com) is located about 30 minutes west of Ottawa.  It is a spacious building surrounded by large lawns and trees and features a scenic waterfront and walking trails. The accommodations are fully furnished single rooms with sinks. Beds, bedding, and towels are provided. The chef makes delicious vegetarian and vegan dishes using mainly natural ingredients.

The Retreat Theme – “Dependent Origination”
The talks in this retreat will focus on the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. This will be discussed in both the 'lifetime to lifetime' aspect as well as in the 'moment to moment' aspect. Handouts will be provided at the retreat illustrating various aspects of these twelve links. There will be daily dhamma talks and Q&A sessions. The bulk of the retreat will be reserved for silent meditation (Anapana: meditation using the breath & Vipassana: insight meditation).  There will be also be daily yoga sessions (optional).

Registration Information

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 26^th, 7:15 pm - Friday December 3^rd, 3:00 pm.  Weekend spaces will not be available.

ARRIVAL TIME: Friday Nov. 26^th, 5:00 pm – 6:45 pm.

WHERE: Galilee Centre.  Hwy 417 West, 17 West to Arnprior. Take Madawaska Blvd exit (near a Ford dealer) to Arnprior. Right on John St. North which ends at the Galilee Centre, 398 John St. North, just after Arnprior Hospital.  Galilee Centre Telephone: (613) 623-4242.

COST: $375 (CDN) for the full retreat.  Please note that the retreat fee pays for rental of the retreat site, single room, and two meals per day. This does not include the cost of the teacher’s room & board, and applicable taxes.  The deadline for receipt of payment is October 29^th, 2004.  Please make cheques payable to the Ottawa Buddhist Society.

CANCELLATION: Full refund if you cancel prior to Oct.29^th, 2004. No refund will be made if you cancel on or after Oct. 29^th, 2004 unless someone from the waiting list takes your place, in which case $25 will be retained.

REGISTRATION PRIORITY: OBS members will be given registration priority until September 25th, after which time registration will be open to all, on a first come, first serve basis. 

WHAT TO BRING: Water bottle, toiletries, enough clothes for the duration of the retreat, warm clothes and walking shoes/boots for outside, slippers, meditation cushion and mat to put your cushion on.

VOLUNTEERING: Retreat organization is done on a voluntary basis. You are invited to sign up to help with various light tasks (e.g. bell-ringing) during the retreat.

CODE OF CONDUCT: Retreatants are asked to undertake the basic training rules embodied in the Eight Precepts and to observe noble silence and Retreat Guidelines. The Eight Precepts are:
·          Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any creature.
·          Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not given.
·          Chastity: refraining from any sexual activity.
·          Right Speech: avoiding false or malicious speech.
·          Sobriety: not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs.
·          Renunciation: not eating after mid-day**.
·          Restraint: refraining from entertainments and self-adornment.
·          Alertness: refraining from over-indulgence in sleep.

**Participants with medical conditions requiring a dietary regime will not be expected to observe this precept.

MEALS: Vegetarian breakfast and lunch are the two main meals. Tea and juice will be available in the evening.

DONATIONS TO THE MONK: In keeping with ancient Buddhist tradition, the teaching and meditation instructions given by the monk are free of charge. The monk and the monastery are supported by donations. You may make a donation to the monk through the OBS and receive a tax receipt at the end of the year.

IMPORTANT: Registrants who have never previously practiced in this tradition are encouraged to attend at least one of the Society’s monthly Days of Mindfulness for retreat orientation.

MORE INFO: OBS Retreat Manager – Arsalan Ahmad at arsalan_ahm@yahoo.com / (613) 231-7773

TO REGISTER: Please detach this form and mail with your payment to the address listed below:

Ottawa Buddhist Society Meditation Retreat with BHANTE RAHULA:  Nov. 26 - Dec. 3, 2004
RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM

Last Name: _______________________First Name: _______________________ Date: _____________

Address: _____________________________________ City: ______________Province: __________

Postal Code: ____________     Home Telephone: _________________  Work Tel: __________________

E-mail Address:______________________________________      Male: ______ Female: ______           

Is this your first retreat?  Y / N                   

Do you have special dietary needs?   YES_______  (Please indicate your needs below)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you need a ride to the retreat? Y / N                        Can you offer a ride to the retreat? Y / N
                                                                                   - from Ottawa or from out of town?: ___________          

Name and telephone of someone to contact, in case of emergency:

_____________________________________________________________________________________