To whom it may concern:
We would like to bring to your attention the summer program < 2014 Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat >, that you may forward the information to any of your undergraduate or graduate students who may be interested, and encourage them to apply.
2014 Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat
What: Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat
Where: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Taiwan RoC
When: 2014, Summer, June 26th 6am to July 24th 5pm—28 days total
Who: 50-60 university / college students or graduates within 3 years after graduation aged 18-35 with an interest in experiencing authentic Chinese Buddhist monastic life How Much: Free! (Travel costs to and from the Retreat not included.) Retreat Website: <<http://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/ >> Apply Online: << Apply Online Here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1r5zCoqGFlW3gotG-sikD5CRy-I3RQeTWWCaJ5BXbNiM/viewform> >> Applications close April 15th 2014
What is the Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat?
The Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat is an opportunity for English speaking university / college students and recent graduates to experience one month of authentic Chinese Buddhist monastic life at Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan. The full program features four distinct phases:
A: Orientation, Monastic Life, Buddhist Studies Classes (14 days) A full day of orientation to the monastic lifestyle, followed by two weeks of morning meditation, Buddhist studies classes, getting to know the monastery, vegetarian meals, Dharma talks, and evening chanting.
B: Intensive Chán Meditation Retreat (7 days) Seven days in a silent intensive meditation retreat, putting the theory to practice, to understand the mind as deep as one can go.
C: International Youth Seminar on Life and Chán (4 days) Participation in a large scale modern Buddhist youth conference with over 1000 students from all over the world.
D: Tour of Taiwan (3 days)
Tour the “treasure island” of Taiwan Formosa, seeing the sights, and experiencing the local culture, staying at different temples along the way.
Who should apply?
The Retreat is aimed at and designed for English speaking university / college students and recent graduates aged 18-35 years old who would like to have an authentic experience of Chinese Buddhist monastic life.
Are there any admission fees?
There are no admission fees for the Retreat. For the entire duration of the Retreat, all accommodation, meals and so forth will be covered by Fo Guang Shan Monastery. However, airfare to and from the Monastery in Taiwan, personal expenses, such as buying phone cards, free time snacks or beverages, items and gifts purchased during the cultural tour and so forth, as well as personal hygiene products needed during the retreat will be the student’s own responsibility.
FAQ
* Buddhist monastic ethics take five basic principles as its core:
– To refrain from taking life;
– To refrain from taking what is not given, i.e. theft;
– To refrain from any form of sexual relations;
– To refrain from lying;
– To refrain from taking intoxicants such as alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (tea, coffee, and prescription medicines are permitted).
* Chinese Buddhist monastic ethics also includes strict (lacto-ovo) vegetarianism. Not only are all meals in the monastery vegetarian, but even bringing meat or meat products into the monastery is prohibited.
– Inability to adhere to the above key rules may lead to the student being asked to leave the Retreat.
* Participants are not required to take any formal Buddhist initiation, tonsure or ordination. Nor are they required to wear monastic robes.
* Participants are not required to shave their heads. However, head and facial hair should be kept tidy and neat.
* Clothing should be appropriately modest, and the uniforms reflect this. During free time out of uniform, please do not wear tank-tops, mini-skirts, or otherwise overly revealing attire.
* While use of personal electronic devices is permitted, such as mobile phones, pads / tablets, laptops, etc. we strongly encourage participants to make the most of an opportunity to be offline during the Retreat.
For any further questions please contact Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat:
< fgmonasticretreat@gmail.com<mailto:fgmonasticretreat@gmail.com> >.
Thank you for your kind attention,
Yours,
(Ven. Dr.)
SHI Huifeng (釋慧峰)
On behalf of the Fo Guang Buddhist Monastic Retreat Team http://www.fgs.org.tw/events/fgmonasticretreat/
Office: +886-3-9871000 #27219
Mobile: +886-0-978050109
博士 助理教授 佛教學系
佛光大學 礁溪 台灣
PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Buddhist Studies, Fó Guāng University, Ilan County, Taiwan RoC http://buddhist.fgu.edu.tw/main.php
副住持 佛光山寺 高雄 台灣
Vice Abbot, Fó Guāng Shān Monastery, Kao Hsiung, Taiwan RoC http://www.fgs.org.tw/