SARNATH Dharma Gathering

The Buddha gave his first teachings in Sarnath, near Varanasi.

FEBRUARY 9 – 19, 2008 with Christopher, Radha, Ajay, Kali and co-teachers.

Started in 1999 with Christopher, Norman Feldman and Jaya, the annual Dharma Gathering explores such issues as meditation, love, Buddhist texts, what is truth and liberation.

The Sangha shares its experiences together in the meditation centre and gardens of the beautiful and extensive Thai Monastery.

We have cells for those who wish to stay in the Thai Monastery and observe silence during their stay. The teaches meet regularly on a one to one basis with the participants in the programme.
Others stay in nearby monasteries and guest hotels.

Arrive and leave any day. We can usually arrange accommodation in various monasteries and small hotels in the village. There is no need to book ahead.

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DAILY TIMETABLE

05.30 - 06.30 Yoga

06.30 - 07.30 Sitting

09.45 - 10.30 Introductory Talk for Beginners

09.30 - 10.30 Group Discussion with a Teacher
(choice of themes)

11.00 - 12.00 Sitting

14.30 - 15.30 Group Discussion with a Teacher
(choice of two or three themes)

15.30 - 16.30 Sitting

16.30 - 17.30 Announcements and Teachings

19.30 - 20.30 Sitting

20.30- 21.30 Inquiry, Questions, Loving-Kindness Meditation

MAY ALL BEINGS WITH LOVE AND LIBERATION

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THE BLESSINGS OF SARNATH
Martin Aylward

One arrives in Sarnath, usually from Varanasi, holiest city of all Indian and an extraordinary melee of pilgrims from every part of India, street vendors, beggars and surely the highest population density of rickshaw wallahs of any Indian city.  The contrast to Sarnath could not be greater.

The Buddha, after his Enlightenment, walked to the ‘Deer Park’ at Sarnath, some 180 km from Bodh Gaya and in many ways we find it largely unchanged from how he would have found it, unlike Bodh Gaya where one can assume he went to find a quiet tree to sit beneath.   Returning now, he might well enquire of all us eager pilgrims “Can’t you find your own tree?”

The deer are still in Sarnath’s Deer Park, along with a crocodile enclosure (!) and some exotic birds, sadly caged! One looks out across the grass on a misty February morning and one can imagine the Buddha sitting there giving teachings in the dawn light. The grounds are extensive, peaceful and rare in India, off limits to cows, snack-food sellers and the whole gamut of Indian street life just beyond the gate to the Maha Bodhi Temple.

Another blessing of Sarnath, and marked difference from other places of pilgrimage in India is the lack of motorised transport compared to other places of pilgrimage in India. Sarnath itself is very small and one can easily get around the village on one’s own two feet or simply rent a bicycle for 20 rupees per day. Less than a kilometres in any direction and one is in the mud and thatch huts of the rural villages of Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state.

Accommodation in Sarnath is mostly basic, at the Maha Bodhi society’s Dharamsala  or Pilgrim’s Lodge, the Jain Guest House, the Burmese Vihara, the Chinese Monastery or Tourist Bungalow. The Tourist Bungalow has more expensive rooms ( around €8 a night) with attached bathrooms. There is also the Golden Buddha hotel. Both have that rare and precious commodity in India so sought after by the poor, long suffering ascetic yogis on Christopher’s Bodh Gaya retreat.  Hot Water on daily basis!

The Lord Abbot of the Thai Monastery in Sarnath has kindly offered us the use of his spacious and impressive facilities. As well as 18 huts for one to two people, there is a large Dharma hall and delicious Thai meals are provided much of the time. Everything runs on a donation basis.

As well as the lovely Deer Park, Sarnath has monasteries from many Buddhist traditions.  The Maha Bodhi Society has a Dharma library and there is an interesting archaeological museum in the area. There are ruins of ancient monasteries and a once colossal stupa. Sarnath is an ancient and wonderful place  for Dharma practice.
        
May the seed that is already planted grow into a strong Dharma
tree with many branches of Wisdom and Compassion.