Loving-kindness is affection, care and love for others and oneself, without extreme attachment or controlling feelings. Practicing gratitude and forgiveness in everyday life is not easy. But as we cultivate these qualities more and more, we gain energy, strength, inner peace and contentment. .

Date: Sat 4th February 2012

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. To see the map click here.

Time: 10am - 5pm (with a break for shared vegetarian lunch)

Places are limited, early booking is essential.

Please complete the form by clicking the REGISTER button below to make an online booking for the Loving Kindness meditation retreat. However, your booking process is not complete until you have made the registration payment on the following page.

Registration Fee: €10

Refreshments, CDs, books are available for free.

Please specify the date that you wish to attend on the online booking form

We also accept Cheques, Bank draft, Money order, Postal order, Bank transfer, Direct bank deposit, and Cash paid in person. To explore these options please contact us at info@irishsanghatrust.ie

Teacher: Ven. Bhante Punnaratana :
Bhante Punnaratana comes from Sri Lanka and has lived in Germany since 1996. "Bhante" is an honorific title for a Buddhist monk and teacher of the Theravada tradition. His full name is Rath Punnaratana times. At ordination, a monk in Sri Lanka receives a new name. This includes the name of his place of birth and a Buddhist name. Rathmale is a small village in the province Kurunegale. Punna means in Pali "wholesome" and Ratana means "jewel". Bhante came from a nine-member family of farmers. At age 11 he was, at his own request, brought to the temple by his parents, to become a monk. There he became a student of Venerable Maha Thera Gunaratana Rathmale,  where he was educated for three years and received Dharma instruction. At 14 he was ordained as a novice. He attended various training schools in Sri Lanka. The most important teacher in his career was the Venerable Maha Thera Gunaratana. During this time started Bhante a widespread humanitarian organization to help children in Sri Lanka. He raised the money to expand the temple, taught and trained the children in Buddhist practice and urged them to perform social tasks. At the same time he began to study for a BA (Bachelor of Arts) at the University of Kelaniya. Then he took a teaching position at the Jayamaga Pirivena in Hingurakgoda. He continued his studies and graduated with an MA (Master of Arts)

Bhante currently trains monks and nuns at the pagoda in Pali, and at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz. He also worked as a lecturer in Sinhala. He taught Buddhist philosophy and religion in the context of the Buddhist University.