The Two Truths of the Bodhisattva
In Buddhism there are two truths, not a truth and a falsehood. The relative word of samsara in which things exist, people exist, relationships exist, and suffering occurs is every bit as real as the absolute world of the emptiness of causes, conditions, and things themselves. Conversely the absolute world is just as evanescent and insubstantial as the relative world in which our cognitive and emotional afflictions arise. These two truths are inseparable in the Mahayana path: the cultivation of wisdom naturally gives rise to a recognition of suffering and the birth of the Bodhisattva Vow to liberate all beings; and the growth of compassion naturally leads to a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and the reality of dependent co-arising, which is none other than shunyata. After an introductory conversation on Friday evening, this retreat will continue in silence. There will be two short talks on the Saturday that draw from The Way of the Bodhisattva narrated by Shantideva, the first on cultivating compassion and the second on nurturing wisdom. There will also be two periods of chanting. On Sunday there will be a talk and discussion on the relevance of The Way of the Bodhisattva and integration of the two truths into our lives.
there will be rooms available for rent at the Self Discovery Center for this retreat, please contact Gareth at garethjohnyoung@gmail.com if you are interested in reserving one.
The $10 cost of this retreat is to cover the food for the event.
Schedule
Friday 2/17
6:30pm Orientation
7:30 - 9:00 Zazen
Saturday 2/18
5:30 am wake-up
6:00 Exercise
6:15 Zazen
6:40 Chanting Service
7:00 Zazen
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Zazen
10:00 Teisho
10:30 Zazen
12:15 Lunch
1:50 Zazen and Practice Discussions
2:50 Teisho
3:20 Zazen
3:50 Chanting Service
4:10 Gentle Yoga
4:30 Zazen and Practice Discussions
5:40 Supper
6:30 - 9:00 Zazen and Practice Discussions
Sunday 2/19
5:30am Wake-up
6:00 Exercise
6:15 Zazen
6:40 Chanting
7:00 Zazen
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Zazen
10:30 Dharma Talk and Tea