Wesak is the most important day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha nearly 2500 years ago and is traditionally held on the full moon of the lunar month of Wesak (coincidental with May.) We will mark this festival with a programme of sitting and walking meditation plus talks and reflections on aspects of the Buddha’s life and teachings and, in union with Buddhists around the world, hold a traditional Wesak ceremony - a lantern-lit circumambulation, after which we will inaugurate the evocative documentary on the BRC “Bodhi Is Light” just released by renowned film-maker, Richard Pakleppa. Through his camera lens and his ‘third eye’, he has captured the spirit of place and people. “This is a beautiful film and a beautiful tribute to Louis and to all that passed through him. So many minds, hearts and bodies tuning into the Old Way.” - Antony Osler
Please note that apart from the talk and discussion periods this retreat will be held in Noble Silence.
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Stephen Coan has been involved with Buddhism for three decades. Inspired and informed by the Theravada and Zen Buddhist traditions, his retreats place an emphasis on the centrality of practice in living a skilful and enlightened life while also exploring the interface between poetry and silence and the profound benefits of doing nothing, seriously. In addition he draws on his own life experience of moving between being and doing as a film and theatre director, writer, journalist, and poet. His collection of poems Chant of the Doves (2008), inspired by time spent at the Buddhist Retreat Centre over the years, is featured in A Literary Guide to Kwazulu-Natal (2017).
