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July Sil Program 2023
GBV Youth Retreat 2023
Youth Retreat 2023
Devotees and Friends of the GBV,
We are happy to announce the Georgia Buddhist Vihara's 10th annual youth retreat dates. This year's youth retreat will commence on Friday, July 7th, with a brief orientation for all participants and conclude on Monday, July 10th. This is an excellent opportunity for participants to spend dedicated time learning about self-discipline, meditation, Buddhist teachings, and the Buddhist tradition. Participants will learn through first-hand experience the benefits of following the Buddhist path through a period of focused learning and practice.
The retreat is open to any young person between the ages of 12 and 25 years old. If you are interested in registering for the youth retreat or learning more about the retreat, please contact the Georgia Buddhist Vihara at gbvihara@gmail.com or 770-987-8442.
Please download the Retreat application for the GBV 2023.
Georgia Buddhist Youth Retreat (July 7th to 10th, 2023)
Brief Orientation begins
On July 7th 7.30 pm
Daily Schedule
5:00–5:30am – Wake Up, Coffee/Tea.
5:30–6:30 – Group Meditation
6:30–7:00 – Buddha Puja
7:00–8:00 – Breakfast (self-service)
8:00–9:00 – Vipassana Meditation
9:00–9:30 – Break, Coffee/Tea
9:30–10:00 – Meditation Instruction
10:00–10:30 – Walking Meditation
10:30–11:00 – Metta Meditation
11:00–11:30 – Buddha Puja
11:30–12:30pm – Lunch
12:30–1:30 – Work Period
1:30–3:00 –Dhamma session
3:00–3:30 – Break, Coffee/Tea
4:00–4:30 – Personal Reading and Reflection
4:30- 5:30- Sutta Discussion
5:30–6:00 – Prepare for Temple visitation
6:00–7:30 – Temple Visits
7:30–8:30 – Atavisi Buddha Pujawa, Group Chanting (selected Sutra with English meanings) Metta Meditation
8:30–9:00 – Journal Writing; Prepare for Bed
9:00–Lights Out
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General Guidelines for Retreat Participants
What Not to Bring
- Do not bring illicit drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products.
- Do not bring personal computers, personal gaming systems, cell phones, mp3 players, electronic musical devices, radios, musical instruments, newspapers, magazines and secular books to the center. Buddhist reading materials will be provided.
- Do not bring clothing with distracting lettering.
- Do not wear perfumes or deodorants with strong scents.
- Do not bring pets.
What to Bring
- Flashlight
- Sleeping Bag, Pillow, Towel (shower facilities are available)
- Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors)
- Bring a cup (for tea/coffee and water), a plate, and a spoon and fork for eating.
- Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper
- Personal meditation cushion if you prefer (We have plenty of zafus, zabutons, and benches for everyone)
- Modest clothing. (Even in the warmest of weather, tank tops and short shorts are not acceptable.) Do not bring t-shirts with commercial or political messages. You are requested to wear white clothing, if possible.
- Work gloves, cleaning gloves, and breathing mask (if working outside causes breathing problems) for the work period.
- Each participant should complete the entire program to be obtained a certificate.
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Family Sponsorship
Each sponsoring family will need to arrive at the vihara by 6 am on their designated day in order to prepare the morning meal for the monks and retreat participants.
Sponsoring families will also be responsible for preparing the lunch meal.
Sponsoring families will be responsible for preparing evening nutrition and leaving it for the participants to consume later in the evening.
It is preferred that sponsors adhere to the following guidelines for providing meals during the retreat period:
All meals should be vegetarian.
Food for the morning meal should be light and consist of cereal, oatmeal, muffins, bagels, fruit, yogurt, or pancakes.
Food for the lunch meal should be more substantial since this will be the primary meal until the next morning meal.
Evening nutrition could consist of homemade juices, milkshakes, soup, etc. Please be mindful that retreat participants have taken the 10 precepts which stipulate that no solid, substantial food should be taken an afternoon.