We would like to let you know of a five-day Chan retreat near Wesport, Co. Mayo,  organized and led by Chang Chun Fashi (Sr Jinho) and Guo Xing Fashi.

A series of one-day Chan retreats in Dublin in July and August.

The first of a series of summer one-day Chan retreats with Chang Chun Fashi (Sr Jinho) in Dublin.

We would like to inform you of a five-day retreat organized by Sunyata on the theme of grief and bereavement, and led by Ven. Chang Chun.

A "Beginner’s mind” is a mind open to experiencing life in the present moment, free from preconceived notions and expectations — a mind open to genuine understanding and self-realization. If you are new to meditation practice, or have never participated in a retreat, this is an ideal way to begin your spiritual journey. More experienced practioners are aslo very welcomed :)

Tonight's Sit in Oscailt is cancelled due to the risk of ice.

Tomorrow's Sit in Oscailt is cancelled as the building is closed. As a replacement, you can attened an online Dhamma gathering with Sr Jinho.'

A silent day of practice, to provide a space to support our individual practice, as well as to nurture the sense of sangha.

A day practice with silent sitting, mindful walking practice, Dharma sharing/reflection on "The Complete Enlightenment Level I- beginner’s session".

A day practice with silent sitting, mindful walking practice, Dharma sharing/reflection on 'The Method of No Method: Silent Illumination'

We're delighted to announce a series of three events with Sr Jinho in June-July 2023.

A day practice with silent sitting, mindful walking practice, Dharma sharing/reflection on 'What is Now and What's Next?'

Three online group events on Christmas eve and Christmas day with Sr Jinho. Join us to say hello, to meditate, to share and to celebrate the special season together.

Morning Practice Monday to Friday 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Evening Practice Monday to Friday 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm (except every second Monday a month)

Sunday "Peace & Solidarity" Practice Every Sunday, 8:00 am - 9:30 am

Listening to emptiness –speaking from the heart

Weekly: Thursday 8pm – 9:30pm 16 September to 11 November 2021 Access via Sunyatas Evening puja link.

In this weekly online event we will explore together the topics of emptiness, listening and Insight dialogue.

1. Emptiness (Fintan Coughlan): 16.09, 23.09, 30.09 - The Heart Sutra. “There is no suffering…” Buddhism in a nutshell: In the spirit of compassion the heart of the Buddha’s teachings is explained
2. Listening (Michelle D’Arcy): 07.10, 14.10, 21.10 - When we listen to our bodies, our hearts and minds, the world around us, and the silence we switch into a mode of receiving, into attention without direction. When we make this switch, what do we hear?
3. Insight Dialogue (Stefanie Blech): 28.10, 04.11, 11.11

Please join us for a one-day meditation retreat on "Thoughts, thoughts, thoughts ... quieting the mind in meditation", with Ayya Vimala from Tilorien Buddhist Monastery (Belgium).

Zoom memorial service in solidarity and remembrance of the deceased of Covid-19 , led by Sr Jinho, Buddhist Chaplain

Sadly, we have taken the decision to cancel this upcoming retreat on 21-22 March with Suvaco. Do keep up your meditation and Dharma practice as these are invaluable aids for staying calm and dealing with all of life's challenges. May all beings be well. With much metta, from the IST team.

A women circle is a safe and sacred space of sisterhood, held by women for women. 

We gather for a day with the February new moon, to replenish and nurture ourselves. A women circle is a space of mutual empowerment, reciprocity, sharing and rest. 

We are delighted to invite you to an evening talk with Bhante Sujato from Australia. He will talk about SuttaCentral, a vast project he co-founded, dedicated to the Early Buddhist Texts, their translations and parallels.

Bhante will lead in Dublin a weekend retreat on: "Climate change and gender issues: Buddhism in the modern world". The retreat will probably be a mix of sitting and walking meditation, as well as metta meditation (of which Bhante is a keen adept) and discussions and Q&A on the topics above or anything that you'd like to bring up.

Connecting with Oneself: Finding bliss and aliveness in the present moment

Enjoy a weekend of rest, renewal and connection to ourselves. Take a digital detox and discover the qualities that bring aliveness and presence to our lives through gentle meditation, mindfulness and togetherness with oneself and others.

We are looking forward to spending a day of our life experiencing inner empowerment and well being by creating a harmonious relationship with our body and mind. With the power of connection to inner strength, we can promote well being for ourselves and for others.

The quality of dana (generosity) has two aspects to it - giving and receiving.

When we look into how we could develop generosity, we probably see that the giving and receiving has to come from a heart that is open. It does not work well if it comes out of the sense of duty – 'I should give'. The practise of dana is a foundation for happiness, of living freely and cultivating an open heart of kindness. Dana and the cultivation of kindness is closely interlinked. With generosity we can explore how we can transform the heart in meeting ourselves and others as well as the world around us with a deeper sense of connection.

In one of his teachings, Bhikkhu Bodhi mentioned:

'The practice of giving is universally recognized as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one's humanity and one's capacity for self-transcendence'

In this sense we want to look during this weekend at our own experience and how we can cultivate this practise in our every-day-life, as well as in our formal practise.

We are delighted to announce that all our Friday sits in April will be led by visiting teachers:

April 5th: Ajahn Buddharakkhita
April 12th: Sunone Leong
April 19th: Sunone Leong
April 26th: Ajahn Dhammanando

This retreat will explore how Dharma based perspectives and practices can inform and resource life-affirming action in these times of great ecological destruction, expanding the heart's capacity to listen, be called upon and respond to the world.

We are delighted to inform you that our Friday sit on March the 8th will be led by an invited teacher, Ajahn Buddharakkhita.

Enjoy Daily Life Meditation Training in Dublin

A weekend workshop on developing mental clarity and emotional peace with Malaysian Buddhist teacher Sunone. All welcome - No experience necessary. Book for one or two days.

We would like to invite you to our alternative IST Christmas dinner (alcohol-free and meat-free).

This will be a relatively informal evening, starting with a short silent meditation and talk followed by a shared vegetarian meal. Please bring pre-prepared food to share as usual (including savoury food please!), with non-alcoholic drinks. All festive offerings are welcome! This is a social event that we host annually to give people the opportunity to meet and chat with spiritual friends.

As a mother would give her life
to protect her only child,
So with a boundless heart
should one cherish all living beings.'

Metta is the unconditional loving-kindness that reaches out to encompass all beings. In metta meditation, we learn to be free from the shackles of selfishness that constrict our emotional capacity. This practical, step-by-step approach goes beyond mere words into a direct experience of boundless, universal love.

"The wisdom of the Buddha has been preserved in a vast ocean of ancient texts. Many of these scriptures have now been translated into the world’s languages. SuttaCentral brings these together and makes them freely available. Setting aside the boundaries of language and tradition, we let the Buddha speak for himself." (Source: SuttaCentral)

We are delighted to invite you to an evening talk, Q&A and tea with Venerable Vimala from Tilorien Monastery (Belgium). She will introduce us to SuttaCentral, a vast project dedicated to the Early Buddhist Texts, their translations and parallels.

Day 1: Death and dying / Day 2: Life and living 

I always wonder why we prepare for nearly everything we do in our life but we don’t prepare for death as it is one thing we all have to encounter sooner or later. How do we prepare for our death or do we need to prepare for it when we are young and ‘seemingly far from it’?

Do you also wonder?

After resolving his doubts about birth and death, Chan Master Hanshan Deqing (1546–1623) wrote this verse:

Death and birth, day and night,

Water flows, flowers wither;

It's only now I know,

These nostrils point downward.

Enlightened people cast aside thoughts of one’s life and death and treat living and dying equally – there is living and there is death, and both are natural phenomena.

Life and death are like flowing water which courses without rest, never stopping in one place. From birth to death there is never a moment of complete stillness in one’s life. Life and death are ordinary like natural phenomena, just as people’s noses point downward, never changing and the same everywhere. Therefore, looking at life with an ordinary mind, life and death should be a common thing: there is no need to covet life and fear death, and by the same token, there is no need to wish for death. If you’re able to survive, of course you should continue living; and when it is time to die, just welcome dying!

Sounds easy but are we able to do it?

We can start from attending a weekend retreat to familiar ourselves to the concept and to practice it.

This retreat is a chance for us to explore how to prepare our own death and to live our life to the full.

The nature of life is to change. Whatever has the nature to arise, has the nature to change and to cease. We become aware of this as we develop mindfulness and concentration in our lives.

We slowly begin to realise that if we do not grasp, do not attach ourselves to the world being the way we want it to be, we will not be so disturbed by change and loss. An aid to meditation that we can adopt fairly easily, is to constantly bring our minds back to the ordinary things of life. We can become aware of the ordinary experiences that we go through during our waking time.

They might be exciting, happy, boring, frightening, ho-hum, interesting, important, repetitive, one-off, desired or completely random. They may happen in the morning, afternoon, evening or night. We can gradually learn to rest our attention on those mental or physical events that we experience, without clinging or pushing away, without rejecting or preferring, just allowing each thing to pass away and a new experience to arise.

With this practice, calmness and peace of mind will naturally arise.

We are pleased to announce that Ajahn Ariysilo will lead the meditation sit this Friday (June 8th).

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here. At the door press bell marked "Appletree Top". Please do not come too early as usually there is no one there to open the door until 19:20.

The schedule consists of meditation (first 15 minutes guided, then 25 minutes non-guided), a Dhamma talk by Ajahn Aryiasilo (~30 minutes) and possibly a Q&A.

This session is for the sake of cultivating spiritual friendship amongst practitioners and supporting each other on the Path.

There is no registration - this event operates on a drop-in basis.

There is no charge, donations are welcome to cover the place.

Please bring a bottle of water along as there will be no tea/snack breaks to allow more time for practice. You may wish to bring a blanket if it is cold. Meditation cushions/chairs will be provided. Please let us know if you have any queries by email infoATirishsanghatrust.ie.

Our emotional life sometimes seems to be totally beyond our control. Trying, through will power, to exert control over powerful emotions does not guarantee success.  In fact a hastily-constructed dam often bursts, with unpredictable results. Learning to access our inner stillness, offering a perspective from which to view disturbing emotions, can help to open up a path of practice, which in its fully developed form, offers us a route to transcendence.

Retreat Information

Venue: Seraph, 15 Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8 (near Camden Street) Map (http://www.seraph.ie/)

Time: 9.00am (for 9:30am start) - 5.00pm

Fee: No fees - Anonymous donations only. Suggested donation to IST: €30 for both days.

Registration: Please register here (or contact us at info@irishsanghatrust.ie)

Please note: it is not possible to register only for 1 or 1.5 day of this retreat. We kindly ask you to attend both days.

We all are vulnerable to change and yet we all experience it again and again. How we can go beyond the fear of our vulnerability, the complacencies we have put into place? What could help and lead us to see the reality of our existence?

We will use these facts of life as an approach to more honesty and integrity in regards to our experience, our existence in this, here and now.

We actually might see that there is more to discover about life and these processes. Let's look together how can we practise the awareness of change in our meditation, our daily experiences.

Venue: Seraph, 15 Heytesbury Street, Dublin 8 (near Camden Street) Map (http://www.seraph.ie/)

Time: 09:30 (starts at 10:00) - 17:00

Saturday Half-day Retreat - On Calm Abiding

For everyone

In this retreat for beginners, Sister Jinho will introduce methods of calm abiding and invite participants to put the methods into practice during the retreat and bring it back to their life.

Sunday Half-day Retreat - On the 'Discourse on 4 Realizations of the Awakened One'

For intermediate experienced practicioners

The half day retreat is offered for intermediate experienced Dharma practitioners who would like to investigate and reflect on the Dharma collectively. There will be sitting meditation, mindful movement and discussion session. The retreat topic is on the four realizations of the Awaken One.

Retreat Information

Time: 10.30am - 4.30pm

Venue: Appletree, Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here. At the door press bell marked "Appletree Top".

This weekend is an opportunity to contemplate and experience the qualities that support us on the spiritual path. When we remember and make much of our spiritual friends they appreciate it, rise up and lead us forward in our practice. Gratitude is the attitude.

Ajahn Brahmavara will be accompanied by Anagarika Pei Ching.

We would like to invite you to our alternative IST Christmas dinner (alcohol-free and meat-free).

This will be a relatively informal evening, starting with a 15-minute silent meditation followed by a shared vegetarian meal. Please bring pre-prepared food to share as usual (including savoury food!), with non-alcoholic drinks. All festive offerings are welcome! This is a social event that we host annually to give people the opportunity to meet and chat with spiritual friends.

We will take the opportunity to let you know what we have planned for 2018 and to listen to any suggestions and feedback you may have.

Registration: please click here (or contact us at info@irishsanghatrust.ie)

• In order to make a secure booking, please complete the online booking form.

Date and time: Friday, the 8th of December 2017, 19:00

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here. At the door press bell marked "Appletree Top".

A chance to withdraw from our usual busyness, and explore our inner world. What stresses and strains does it want us to acknowledge? What can it teach us about wisdom and peace?  

The day will include guidance on Insight Meditation practice according to the Mahasi technique, as well as reflection on dealing with the difficulties we commonly encounter in meditation. There will be time for discussion as well as sitting and walking meditation sessions.

This retreat is an opportunity to reduce the distractions and focus on deepening our experience of meditation practice. You will be guided through the four foundations of mindfulness in a silent and supportive environment and have the opportunity to experience the peacefulness that mindfulness can bring.

Please wear loose clothes so that you are comfortable to sit, lie down and perform simple yoga and qigong exercises.

Bhante Rewatha Thero will be teaching different mindful meditation techniques:

• Mindfulness of Breathing meditation
• Body Scan meditation
• Loving Kindness / Compassion meditation
• Mindful Movement (including Mindful Walking outside if weather permits)

Sunone Leong is an experienced traveling meditation teacher, who has undergone five years intensive meditation training with Burmese teachers. We are looking forward to spending the evening meditating and discussing with Sunone. It will be a great sharing and we are so happy to have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Sunone who studied in the monastery in Burma for many years.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

Fee: Donation basis (suggested donation: €20).

With more than 40 vassa (years as a monk), Ajahn Tiradhammo is one of the most senior monks in the tradition of Ajahn Chah. He became interested in Dhamma in his student years while travelling through Sri Lanka. Going to Thailand and meditating at Wat Umong, he took ordination at Wat MMeung Man in Chiang Maiwith Venerable Tong in 1974.

In 1975 he moved to study with Ajahn Chah at Wat Pa Pong and Wat Pa Nanachat. He went on several tudong journeys through the Northeast of Thailand and the mountains of Chiang Mai, visiting many famous forest meditation masters.

Venerable Tiradhammo was invited to England in 1982 to help with developments there. He spent two years at Chithurst Monastery, and three years in charge of Harnham Vihara in Northumberland. In 1988 he helped establish Dhammapala Monastery near Bern, Switzerland and also later at its new location in the Bernese Alpine village of Kandersteg where he was the senior monk until 2005. In July 2005 he assumed the position of senior monk at Bodhinyanarama, Wellington, NZ where he remained as abbot for six and a half years.

Ajahn Metta was born 1953 in Germany and has been a Siladhara (nun) in the Theravada tradition for more than 20 years. She lived at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries in England, which are part of the Thai Forest Sangha of Ajahn Chah. She is one of the senior nuns and has been teaching in Europe and the US for several years.

The evening will consist of guided meditation, Dhamma reflectiontalk, Q&A and discussion. The event is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners.

Sunone Leong is an experienced traveling meditation teacher, who has undergone five years intensive meditation training with Burmese teachers, and is good friend to the IST. We are looking forward to spending the evening meditating and discussing with Sunone. It will be a great sharing and we are so happy to have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Sunone who studied in the monastery in Burma for many years.

Sunone Leong is an experienced traveling meditation teacher, who has undergone five years intensive meditation training with Burmese teachers, and is good friend to the IST. We are looking forward to spending the evening meditating and discussing with Sunone. It will be a great sharing and we are so happy to have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Sunone who studied in the monastery in Burma for many years.

At "Friends on the Path" meditation sits you can get to know like-minded people and make spiritual friends on the path. These events provide an opportunity for both beginners and regular meditators to meet and share ideas and experience with each other. Group meditation sits are very supportive and helpful in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice. The day will be organized around periods of sitting, dhamma talks, discussions and a shared vegetarian lunch.

Through the knowledge that peace is available to us, even under the most stressful of circumstances, we can learn not to attach to unhelpful reactions and unwholesome drives.

By staying in the present moment and by being fully open to life as it manifests, we can be in harmony with conditions, whether we like them or not. In doing this we put the Buddha's wisdom teaching into practice.

Then we can make use of our daily life experience as a gateway to deeper understanding.

Noirin has been offering courses in Daily Life Dhamma at Satipanya Buddhist Center (Wales) for a number of years and now we are glad to have such courses taught in Dublin.

Noirin led a course in Daily Life Dhamma at IST in November focusing on the first three of the Four Noble Truths. This Spring Noirin will follow up with another course focusing on the Fourth Noble Truth.

During the course we will go through the notes prepared by Noirin and will do suggested exercises helping us to develop the Noble Eightfold Path both on and off the cushion. The meetings will include silent meditation practice and also time for discussion.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

We would like to invite you to our alternative IST Christmas dinner (alcohol-free and meat-free).

This will be a relatively informal evening, starting with a 15-minute silent meditation followed by a shared vegetarian meal. Please bring pre-prepared food to share as usual, with non-alcoholic drinks. All festive offerings are welcome! This is a social event that we host annually to give people the opportunity to meet and chat with spiritual friends.

We will take the opportunity to let you know what we have planned for 2017 and to listen to any suggestions and feedback you may have.

Registration: please click here (or contact us at info@irishsanghatrust.ie)

• In order to make a secure booking, please complete the online booking form.

Date and time: Friday, the 16th of December 2016, 19:00

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here. At the door press bell marked "Appletree Top".

Mindfulness is a key quality in Buddhist practice and by practicing rightly, it can turn our attention towards liberating insights.

When we practice with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, we learn to use tools and methods that help us to navigate through difficult times and experiences we encounter in our lives.

During this weekend we will look into the different aspects of Buddhist teachings on mindfulness. We will focus on finding ways to cultivate mindful awareness not only in our formal meditation practice but also in everyday life situations.

How can I bring awareness into relationships at work, with my family, friends and last but not least with myself?

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

Noirin has been offering courses in Daily Life Dhamma at Satipanya Buddhist Center (Wales) for a number of years and now we are glad to have such courses taught in Dublin.

Noirin will lead a course in Daily Life Dhamma in November (4th, 11th, 18th and 25th) focusing on the first three of the Four Noble Truths. Then in Spring 2017, there will a follow-up course focusing on the Fourth Noble Truth. Noirin will prepare notes and suggested exercises to help us recognize these truths as they manifest in our experience both on and off the cushion. The meetings will include silent meditation practice as usual and also time for discussion. 

The Noble Eightfold Path is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of reality.

During the retreat we will learn and excel practical skills of applying teachings of the Buddha to dealing with and resolving life situations in a more mindful, kind and wise way.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

Noirin has been offering courses in Daily Life Dhamma at Satipanya Buddhist Center (Wales) for a number of years and now we are glad to have such course taught in Dublin.

The September course will run for three weeks on Friday evenings and will focus on the Brahma Vihara (goodwill, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity). Noirin will prepare notes and suggested exercises for practising with these both on and off the cushion. The sessions will include silent meditation practice and time for discussion on Brahma Vihara practice in meditation and daily life.

"What is truth? You are cordially invited to a weekend of inquiry and investigation into reality, guided by the teachings of the Buddha, who offered us a comprehensive map of the terrain.

Using the Buddha’s teachings (Dhamma) into the nature of reality, we can apply them to our own experience and develop insight into the way things are. And experience for ourselves the benefits of getting real.

Ajahn Brahmavara will offer guidance and teachings during the weekend of meditation and we will also have the chance to enjoy the blessing of sharing stillness and silence.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

The evening will be led by Ven. Ajahn Ahimsako from Amaravati Monastery, UK and will include a period of guided meditation, a Dhamma talk and the opportunity to ask questions.

Please note that the venue is different for the two evenings. Attendees can come for either of or both the evenings. The event is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Fee: Donation is welcome to defray costs.
Booking: No booking is required. Just drop in.

Date: June 15th, 2016 (Wednesday)
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Venue: The Terenure Sports Club, 54 Terenure Road North, Terenure, Dublin 6W
 
Date: June 28th, 2016 (Tuesday)
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Venue: Oscailt, 8 Pembroke Road, Dublin

Please join us at the Irish Sangha Trust for a weekend full of loving kindness, compassion and appreciative joy. Take mindful steps to peace and happiness. Whether beginner or mature in the art of meditation, you are welcome to come and practice with a circle of friends.

Ajahn Buddharakkhita a very experienced teacher in the Theravada Forest Tradition will lead guided samatha and vipassana meditation sessions. His instructions and discussion will give the opportunity to solve difficulties faced in meditation and develop practice further.

In any human life there are moments when it is possible to feel overshadowed or overwhelmed and at a loss as to the right course to take. The obstacles that confront us may appear to us insurmountable and the challenges we face so daunting as to be beyond our powers. People can be so conscious of their own weaknesses that they become paralysed with fear. Or perhaps much of their existence is already dogged by fear, in any case.

Confusion and fear are mind states common to all human beings and present throughout the animal realm. Even the Bodhisattva, the Buddha-to-be, by his own admission, experienced fear and dread.

As we deepen our meditation practice and as we come to better understand the Dhamma, so such states of mind can be properly known, related to and understood. It is our reluctance to know them for what they really are which enhances their power.

Through this practice we can start to cultivate deeper compassion both for ourselves and for others. In addition we can cultivate the wisdom necessary to see that such states of mind are not our true self but that they come and go according to conditions.

Once we see things clearly with Right Understanding, we can naturally feel more at ease and are better able to cope in a world of constant change.

We can “come home”.

Noirin has been offering courses in Daily Life Dhamma at Satipanya for a number of years and now hopes to offer similar courses for those who attend IST meetings. We are planning a trial two-week course in April and, depending on how this goes, to have a 5-week course later in the year.

Those who have taken part in these courses at Satipanya have found it helps vitalize their practice. Each moment of ordinary life can be a Dhamma teaching. Sharing experience with others is an important aspect of this – speaking about experience usually helps clarify it for ourselves. Also people learn from each other’s successes and pitfalls. Taking part in a course helps deepen the sense of Sangha – the human face of the Dhamma.
Think about whether you could commit to a course during the last two weeks of April.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

At "Friends on the Path" meditation sits you can get to know like-minded people and make spiritual friends on the path. These events provide an opportunity for both beginners and regular meditators to meet and share ideas and experience with each other. A sit involving a Dharma talk, discussion and guided meditation lasts about 2 hours, followed by a shared vegetarian lunch. Group meditation sits are very supportive and helpful in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice.

This time the sit will be led by Noirin Sheahan, more info about the teacher here: http://www.satipanya.org.uk/teacher/noirin-sheahan/.

Please join us at the Irish Sangha Trust for a weekend full of loving kindness, compassion and appreciative joy. Take mindful steps to peace and happiness. Whether beginner or mature in the art of meditation, you are welcome to come and practice with a circle of friends.

Ajahn Buddharakkhita a very experienced teacher in the Theravada Forest Tradition will lead guided samatha and vipassana meditation sessions. His instructions and discussion will give the opportunity to solve difficulties faced in meditation and develop practice further.

Join us this weekend to cultivate a heart brimming in genuine festive Christmas Joy. It will be the greatest gift to yourself and the world.

Right Speech is one of the Five Precepts of ethical conduct and a part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Speech is like a fire which can warm or burn, if used skillfully it can reduce suffering, if used unskillfully it will increase suffering. Being mindful about speech can help to make our relationship with other people and oneself more balanced, truthful and kind.

During Saturday Ajahn Metta will guide the group to meditate on Right Speech aspects. On Sunday we will continue to explore Right Speech by studying and discussing related suttas from Pali canon.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

Venue: Ranelagh, Dublin 6. See map and directions here.

Sunone is an experienced traveling meditation teacher, who has undergone five years intensive meditation training with Burmese teachers, and is good friend to the IST. Due to suggestions and requests from many who have participated in Sunone's meditation sessions in Dublin, we have organized a foundation meditation workshop with her.

We are looking forward to spending two days with Sunone meditating and creating a harmonious relationship with our body and mind. It will be a great sharing and we are so happy to have the opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of Sunone who studied in the monastery in Burma for many years.

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice based on Vipassana. It brings mindfulness and tranquility of silent meditation directly into our experience with other people. As humans, we are relational beings; as we begin to wake up, clarity and freedom can illuminate our relationships with others.

During the retreat participants will be guided to apply Insight Dialogue techniques and contemplations and will train to use them. There will be time for Dhamma reflections, sharings as well as Q&A.

This workshop is a combination of self-inquiry, sitting meditation, Dharma reflection and question and answer sessions.

Meditation develops mindfulness and awareness which allow to see things more clearly. It sharpens observation and opens up inner and outer world. With understanding of Dharma and practice the inner and outer are dissolved. Spaciousness and ease are revived in the heart, in relationship with oneself and others.

During the workshop we will explore questions such as:

"What is the nature of relationship?"

"What goes wrong in my relationship with others?"

"What is going on in my heart?"

Based on teachings by The Third Patriarch Seng Ts'an and contemporary Chan Master Sheng-yen, Sister Jinho will lead practitioners to explore and try to find True Faith in their own Mind/Heart. 'True faith in mind is the belief grounded in realization that we have a fundamental, unmoving, unchanging mind. This mind is precisely Buddha mind.'

The Noble Eightfold Path is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of reality.

During the retreat we will learn and excel practical skills of applying teachings of the Buddha to dealing with and resolving life situations in a more mindful, kind and wise way.

When we talk about "Awakening" it means to awaken to the Truth of how things are, in other words, to Reality. This is the goal. Habitually our minds are snared in ignorance and delusion and it is difficult for us to see clearly beyond our personal biases, preferences and character tendencies. Through calming the mind and through investigating our inner world there is a possibility for greater clarity and more wisdom to arise in how we understand both ourselves and others. Such an understanding is the basis for more freedom.

The Noble Eightfold Path consists of 3 parts: Ethics (Sila), Concentration (Samadhi) and Wisdom (Panna). These three are the cardinal practices which when carefully and fully cultivated raise the practitioner from lower to higher states of mind, lead from darkness to light, from passion to dispassion, from turmoil to tranquillity. These three are integral parts of the Path, they are interdependent and inseparable. In essence they are one integrated training, which is seen in three aspects.

The Noble Eightfold Path consists of 3 parts: Ethics (Sila), Concentration (Samadhi) and Wisdom (Panna). These three are the cardinal practices which when carefully and fully cultivated raise the practitioner from lower to higher states of mind, lead from darkness to light, from passion to dispassion, from turmoil to tranquillity. These three are integral parts of the Path, they are interdependent and inseparable. In essence they are one integrated training, which is seen in three aspects.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. It is possible to attend one day only or both days.

During the day there will be sessions of sitting, walking and standing meditation (both guided and non-guided), mindful eating, Dharma reflection. All sessions will be led by Ven. Jinho.

Now with 40 vassa (years as a monk), Ajahn Tiradhammo is one of the most senior monks in the tradition of Ajahn Chah. He became interested in Dhamma in his student years while travelling through Sri Lanka. Going to Thailand and meditating at Wat Umong, he took ordination at Wat MMeung Man in Chiang Maiwith Venerable Tong in 1974.

In 1975 he moved to study with Ajahn Chah at Wat Pa Pong and Wat Pa Nanachat. He went on several tudong journeys through the Northeast of Thailand and the mountains of Chiang Mai, visiting many famous forest meditation masters.

Venerable Tiradhammo was invited to England in 1982 to help with developments there. He spent two years at Chithurst Monastery, and three years in charge of Harnham Vihara in Northumberland. In 1988 he helped establish Dhammapala Monastery near Bern, Switzerland and also later at its new location in the Bernese Alpine village of Kandersteg where he was the senior monk until 2005. In July 2005 he assumed the position of senior monk at Bodhinyanarama, Wellington, NZ where he remained as abbot for six and a half years. He is currently of no fixed abode.

The Noble Eightfold Path consists of 3 parts: Ethics (Sila), Concentration (Samadhi) and Wisdom (Panna). These three are the cardinal practices which when carefully and fully cultivated raise the practitioner from lower to higher states of mind, lead from darkness to light, from passion to dispassion, from turmoil to tranquillity. These three are integral parts of the Path, they are interdependent and inseparable. In essence they are one integrated training, which is seen in three aspects.

The theme which will be explored during this retreat is "What is Freedom?". Please consider this simple question prior to the retreat time.

Various ways in which the Buddha spoke about the fetters, the wildernesses of the mind, and the shackles of the heart will be covered during this weekend.

We at the Irish Sangha Trust  host regular meditation sits for "Friends on the Path", where you can get to know like-minded people and make spiritual friends on the path. These events provide an opportunity for both beginners and regular meditators to meet and share ideas and experience with each other. A sit involving a Dharma talk, discussion and guided meditation lasts about 2 hours, followed by a shared vegetarian lunch. Group meditation sits are very supportive and helpful in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice.

The core of the Buddhist teaching is centered around liberating the mind from attachment, aversion and ignorance, or in other words around attaining Nibbana.

"Those who have neglected the Noble Eightfold Path have neglected  the noble path leading to the complete destruction of suffering. Those who have undertaken the Noble Eightfold Path have undertaken the noble path leading to the complete destruction of suffering." (Connected Discourses of the Buddha - Maggasamyutta)

This retreat is focused on an ancient meditation technique based on the Noble Eightfold Path.

Insight Dialogue (ID) is an interpersonal meditation practice. Based in Vipassana meditation, it brings the mindfulness and tranquility of traditional silent meditation practice into our interactions with others through dialogue. In the practice we will be introduced step-by-step into the meditation guidelines of Insight Dialogue and will be guided into contemplation. Dhamma reflections and time for sharing and Q & A will be provided.

When we talk about "Awakening" it means to awaken to the Truth of how things are, in other words, to Reality. This is the goal. Habitually our minds are snared in ignorance and delusion and it is difficult for us to see clearly beyond our personal biases, preferences and character tendencies. Through calming the mind and through investigating our inner world there is a possibility for greater clarity and more wisdom to arise in how we understand both ourselves and others. Such an understanding is the basis for more freedom.

We at the Irish Sangha Trust  host regular meditation sits for "Friends on the Path", where you can get to know like-minded people and make spiritual friends on the path. These events provide an opportunity for both beginners and regular meditators to meet and share ideas and experience with each other. A sit involving a Dharma talk, discussion and guided meditation lasts about 2 hours, followed by a shared vegetarian lunch. Group meditation sits are very supportive and helpful in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice.

The Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path can be divided into the categories of precepts, meditation and wisdom. So the path of practice in Buddhism involves the Three Vehicles of Learning. By following the precepts we learn to control the body and mind and have peace in our lives. Through meditation we learn to calm and unify the mind. Wisdom is attained by the practice of the above two and through this wisdom all ignorance and passions are cut off and true state of Enlightenment is then realized.

Within the Fourth Noble Truth is found the guide to the end of suffering: the Noble Eightfold Path. The eight parts of the path to liberation are grouped into three essential elements of Buddhist practice-moral conduct (Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood); mental discipline (Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration); and wisdom (Right Understanding, Right Thought)

Satipatth?na is a way of implementing the right mindfulness (samm?-sati) and, less directly, the right concentration (samm?-sam?dhi) parts of the Noble Eightfold Path. Satipatth?na meditation develops the mental factors of Vipassana (insight) and Samatha (concentration). Satipatth?na is practiced most often in the context of Theravada Buddhism although the principles are also practiced in many traditions of Buddhism which emphasize meditation such as the S?t? Zen tradition. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness provide the basic meditation manual, as taught by the Buddha.

Contemplation of the body (Kaya)

Contemplation of the feelings (Vedana)

Contemplation of the mind (Citta)

Contemplation of the mind objects (Dhamma)

(from Digha Nikaya 22, Majjhima Nikaya 10)

We at the Irish Sangha Trust  host regular meditation sits for "Friends on the Path", where you can get to know like-minded people and make spiritual friends on the path. These events provide an opportunity for both beginners and regular meditators to meet and share ideas and experience with each other. A sit involving a Dharma talk, discussion and guided meditation lasts about 2 hours, followed by a shared vegetarian lunch. Group meditation sits are very supportive and helpful in establishing and maintaining a regular meditation practice.

The evening will focus on the practice of meditation and a talk on Dhamma. The workshop will be led by Venerable Amaranatho.

Vipassana (Insight), which means to see things as they really are, is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterised by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace.

Everyone is invited to participate in this unique day with Sr. Yasavati, beginning at 10am and ending at 5.00 pm. The day will include meditation, Dhamma talk and Dhamma discussion led by Ven. Sr. Yasavati Sayalay.

When we talk about "Awakening" it means to awaken to the Truth of how things are or, in other words, to Reality. This is the goal. Habitually our minds are snared in ignorance and delusion and it is difficult for us to see clearly beyond our personal biases, preferences and character tendencies. Through calming the mind and through investigating our inner world there is a possibility for greater clarity and more wisdom to arise in how we understand both ourselves and others. Such an understanding is the basis for more freedom.

This day-long retreat will mainly consist of practice of meditation, Dhamma discussion and puja. The retreat will be led by Ven Ella Kusalagnana from Mahamewnava Monastery, Germany.

The evening will focus on practice of meditation and a talk on Dhamma. The workshop will be led by Ven Ajahn Karuniko from Cittaviveka Monastery, UK and it is free of charge.

Practising mindfulness in all situations in life: there is no situation where we could not be mindful. We want to look into this during this weekend and practise with this in a formal way but also in everyday life situations...

Can I be mindful in conversation with others? What does is mean  to walk mindfully? How do I apply mindfulness in my meditation practice? Do I actually really want to be here, right now?  Lots of questions and situations to look deeper into...........

When we talk about "Awakening" it means to awaken to the Truth of how things or, in other words, to Reality. This is the goal. Habitually our minds are snared in ignorance and delusion and it is difficult for us to see clearly beyond our personal biases, preferences and character tendencies. Through calming the mind and through investigating our inner world there is a possibility for greater clarity and more wisdom to arise in how we understand both ourselves and others. Such an understanding is the basis for more freedom.

The purpose of mindfulness meditation is not to create a system of beliefs, but rather to give guidance on how to see clearly into the nature of the mind. In this way one gains first-hand understanding of the way things are, without reliance on opinions or theories - a direct experience, which has its own vitality. It also gives rise to the sense of deep calm that comes from knowing something for oneself, beyond any doubt.

You are welcome to attend for the whole day or half of the day.

This program is organized by the Irish Sangha Trust. The aim of the Irish Sangha Trust is to foster Theravada Buddhist teaching and meditation practice within Ireland. We are a non-profit Buddhist organisation, funded entirely by voluntary donations.

Donations for teaching accepted. Places are limited, early booking is essential.

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.

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterised by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace.

Sr Yasavati Sayalay was ordained in Pa Auk Tawya Meditation Center, Myanmar at 2004, under the 3rd Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw, U Acinna, as ten precepts nun Yasavati.

• Loving-kindness is affection, care and love for others and oneself, without extreme attachment or controlling feelings.
• Compassion is developing an open heart that wishes for oneself and others to be free from suffering.
• Sympathetic Joy is joy in the happiness and success of others.
• Equanimity is learning to accept loss and gain, praise and blame, and success and failure, all with detachment, equally, for oneself and for others.

Developing these qualities brings the acceptance, joy, balance of mind and wisdom we need to respond to life's challenges with tranquillity and clarity of mind.