Ever wanted to experience a few days in a Buddhist monastery? Need to focus your mind and develop wisdom through intensive meditation, under the guidance of fully ordained monks and nuns? For those interested, here are some upcoming retreats over the winter holidays in some of the largest Buddhist temples in the United States, that are open to lay people (men and/or women). Many are on hundreds of acres in rural areas; and all are non-profit centers. Note: Some places are open to all including families; however, many retreats are not suitable for casual participants and require strict discipline and previous meditation experience or other eligibility requirements. Please check with each center to determine your suitability.
The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and Dharma Realm Buddhist University (main campus in Ukiah, California):
Chan Meditation for Beginners: Nov 25 – 28
Amitabha Recitation Retreat Winter 2015: Dec 27 – Jan 2
Intense Chan Meditation: Jan 3 – 24, 2016
Spring Guan Yin Retreat: Mar 26 – Apr 3, 2016
Summer Guan Yin Retreat: Jul 16 – Jul 24, 2016
Or as a volunteer: All with good intentions are welcome to apply for a rare opportunity to live, study, and work among perhaps the largest Buddhist monastery in the US!
http://www.CTTBUSA.org
http://www.DRBU.org
University of the West:
Humanistic Buddhism and Leadership Online Certificate Program
http://www.UWest.edu
Buddhist Association of the US – Chuang Yen Monastery (New York)
Four Sublime Abiding Meditation Retreat, 11/25 – 11/29
Amitabha Pure Land Retreat, 12/19 – 12/26
http://www.BAUS.org
Magnolia Grove Monastery (northern Mississippi)
Holiday / Family Retreat, 12/28 – 1/1, all are welcome!
Deer Park Monastery (Southern California)
Holiday / Family Retreat, 12/30 – 1/3, all are welcome!
Pine Bush Monastery (New York)
Holiday / Family Retreat, 12/28 – 1/1, all are welcome!
http://bluecliffmonastery.org
American Bodhi Center (Houston TX area)
Winter Retreat, 12/24 – 12/31
http://www.JadeBuddha.org
Chung Tai Zen Center of Houston
Zen 7 day Retreat, 12/26 – 1/2
http://www.CTHouston.org
Hsi Lai Temple (Los Angeles)
Eight Precepts Retreat, 11/28 – 11/29
http://www.HsiLai.org
Dharma Drum Retreat Center (New York)
Roots of Chan Retreat, 11/28 – 12/5
Investigating Huatou Intensive Retreat, 12/26 – 1/3
Bhavana Society (West Virginia)
Thanksgiving Retreat, 11/25 – 11/29
Year End Retreat I, 12/15 – 12/22
Year End Retreat II, 12/24 – 1/1
Saranaloka Foundation and Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Northern California)
Year End Retreat, 12/27 – 1/3
http://saranaloka.org
Sravasti Abbey (Washington State)
Nyung Ne Purification Retreat, 11/20 – 11/23
New Year’s Vajrasattva Retreat, 12/31 – 1/3
Annual Winter Retreat – Refuge Ngondro and Lamrim with Ven. Thubten Chodron & the Abbey Community, 1/15 – 2/12
http://www.sravastiabbey.org
The Rabbit's Horn 