Monthly Retreat

 I am writing on behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long vipassana (mindfulness meditation) retreat on Saturday, April 22, 2016 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). A one-day retreat setting is a great way to start your exploration of meditation practice, strengthen and enrich your existing spiritual practice, explore meditation practices from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, and explore firsthand the benefits of mindfulness meditation. 

This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation instructions and discussions during this retreat will be conducted in English. 

The following is a tentative schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive and prepare the vihara for the day’s activities

7:30–8:00am: Observance of the Eight Precepts and traditional Buddhist chanting

8:00–9:00am: Breakfast (as a group) and clean-up

9:00–10:00am: Guided vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation 

10:00–10:30am: Break (coffee/tea)
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:30am–12:00pm: Preparing lunch & traditional Buddhist chanting

12:00–12:45pm:  Lunch (as a group) and clean-up

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:45–1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30–2:30pm: Vipassana meditation

2:30–3:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) 

3:00–4:30pm: Sutta Discussion led by Ven. Wajirabuddhi Thera. 

• The sutta/teaching that will be discussed is the Cūḷasaccaka Sutta (The Shorter Discourse to Saccaka), Majjhima Nikaya #35. You can access the sutta online here - http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.035.than.html. Please print and bring a copy of the sutta to the Dhamma discussion.

4:30–5:00pm:  Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE NOTE:

Participants are asked to contribute (i) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (ii) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering – you may do so if you wish. It is also customary in the Theravadan tradition for those observing the eight precepts to wear white clothing to signify purification of morality, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a way of helping to support the resident monks who make the teachings available and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 22. I request that you RSVP (by email) in order to let us know that you will be joining us so we can adequately prepare for those who will be participating in the retreat. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about this program or other programs offered by the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, please feel free to contact me by email at justinhowell2112@gmail.com. 

I hope that you will be able to join us for this auspicious day. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will have regular, day-long vipassana retreats throughout the year. Additionally, I would encourage you to join the community for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.  

May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful. 

With metta,

Justin

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Sri Lankan New Year Celebration 2017

Every year Sri Lanka celebrates the New Year which falls on the 14th  of April. The Sri Lankan New Year is a time where family and friends come together to celebrate and participate in traditional events associated with the beginning of a new year. There are many different events that are carried out at auspicious times during this festive season. Boiling milk over a clay pot signifies the welcoming of the New Year and the prosperity as well. The New Year festivities commence with the traditional lighting of the oil lamp. Gifts such as new clothes and money are exchanged and the entire family gathers around the dining table where traditional food such as kiribath (milk rice) and other delicacies are shared. Activities such as pin the tail on the elephant, sack race and tug of war are some of the games that are enjoyed by both the young and the old during the New Year celebrations.

On behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Sri Lankan Community in Georgia, 

We wish all our friends and well-wishers a very happy Sinhala & Tamil New Year and cordially invite you all to the Sri Lankan New Year Celebrations at 10.00 A.M. on Saturday 15th April 2017 at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, Lithonia GA.

Agenda:

10.00 am Arrival

11.00 am Buddha Puja11.30 am Dana for the Maha Sangha12.00 nn  Lunch for laity
01.00 pm Celebration Assembly Lighting the traditional oil lamp and Pirth Desana. 
01.30 pm Sigiti avurudu:  Performing  by Sunday school children

Please Sign Up :
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-sinhala

For Games:

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-newyear

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Bak Poya Program on April 1st

Bak Poya Program will be observed on the Saturday, April 1st, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Tea & coffee break 8:45 – 10:00 a.m. Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero 10:00  – 11:00 a.m. Sathipattana Meditation Discussion 11:00  – 11:30 a.m. Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00) 11:30 – 12:00 nn Dana offering to the bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts  12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Afternoon Program 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Sutra Discussion  2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Tea & coffee break 2.45 – 5:30 p.m. Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne 5:30 p.m. Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

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Monthly Retreat

 

  I am writing on behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long vipassana (mindfulness meditation) retreat on Saturday, March 18, 2016 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). A one-day retreat setting is a great way to start your exploration of meditation practice, strengthen and enrich your existing spiritual practice, explore meditation practices from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, and explore firsthand the benefits of mindfulness meditation. 

This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation instructions and discussions during this retreat will be conducted in English. 

The following is a tentative schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive and prepare the vihara for the day’s activities

7:30–8:00am: Observance of the Eight Precepts and traditional Buddhist chanting

8:00–9:00am: Breakfast (as a group) and clean-up

9:00–10:00am: Guided vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation 

10:00–10:30am: Break (coffee/tea)
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:30am–12:00pm: Preparing lunch & traditional Buddhist chanting

12:00–12:45pm:  Lunch (as a group) and clean-up

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:45–1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30–2:30pm: Vipassana meditation

2:30–3:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) 

3:00–4:30pm: Sutta Discussion led by Ven. Wajirabuddhi Thera. 

·        The sutta/teaching that will be discussed is the Cula-Gopalaka Sutta (The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd), Majjhima Nikaya #34. You can access the sutta online here - http://awake.kiev.ua/dhamma/tipitaka/2Sutta-Pitaka/2Majjhima-Nikaya/Majjhima1/034-culagopalaka-sutta-e1.html. Please print and bring a copy of the sutta to the Dhamma discussion.

4:30–5:00pm:  Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE NOTE:

Participants are asked to contribute (i) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (ii) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering – you may do so if you wish. It is also customary in the Theravadan tradition for those observing the eight precepts to wear white clothing to signify purification of morality, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a way of helping to support the resident monks who make the teachings available and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 18. I request that you RSVP (by email) in order to let us know that you will be joining us so we can adequately prepare for those who will be participating in the retreat. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about this program or other programs offered by the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, please feel free to contact me by email at justinhowell2112@gmail.com. 

I hope that you will be able to join us for this auspicious day. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will have regular, day-long vipassana retreats throughout the year. Additionally, I would encourage you to join the community for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.  

May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful. 

With metta,

Justin

========================================
Justin Howell
Cell phone: 404.375.0264

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Madin Poya Program on March 11th

Madin Poya Program will be observed on the Saturday, March 11th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana 8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Tea & coffee break 8:45 – 10:00 a.m. Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero 10:00  – 11:00 a.m. Sathipattana Meditation Discussion 11:00  – 11:30 a.m. Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00) 11:30 – 12:00 nn Dana offering to the bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts  12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Luncheon Afternoon Program 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. Sutra Discussion  2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Tea & coffee break 2.45 – 5:30 p.m. Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne 5:30 p.m. Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

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Navam Poya Program on February 18th

Navam Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Navam Poya is this Full-moon day of February, which celebrates these events:

1. A large assembly of Maha Sangha for the first time. 
2. The recital of the Ovada Patimokkha.
3. Appointment of Buddha’s two chief disciples

Sign up for the program

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.

8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.

9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.

10:00 am - 11:00 am:  Sutra Discussion  

11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM) 

11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts. 

12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.

3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.  

5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program. 

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Duruthu Poya Program

Duruthu Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Duruthu Poya is this Full-moon day of January, which celebrates these events:

1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. (nine months after his Enlightenment, the Blessed One visited Mahiyangana, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. His mission was to restore peace, to create a state of freedom from war or violence.)
2: The Blessed One, offered Deity Sumana, some locks of hair. He placed it in an urn as a valuable Relic in the Mahiyangana Stupa.
1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s second visit was to Nagadipa, in the Jaffna District. The Awakened One, Buddha, visited Nagadipa, to settle a dispute between Mahodara and Chulodara, uncle and nephew respectively, who were about to wase war, to gain the ownership of a gem studded throne. Buddha, saw this and arrived in Nagadipa, emphasizing the value of harmony and ill-effects of hatred and settled the dispute without blood-shed.

Sign up for the program

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.

8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.

9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.

10:00 am - 11:00 am:  Sutra Discussion  

11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM) 

11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts. 

12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.

3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.  

5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program. 

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New Year Blessings 2017

Georgia Buddhist Vihara warmly invites you, your families, and friends to spend the New Year with us with thoughts of loving kindness, to confer blessings, and for good health and happiness.

Dear friends,

Every New Year is a door opening to new beginnings, new resolutions, and new hopes each one strengthened and enriched by positive thoughts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion for all beings everywhere.

The Georgia Buddhist Vihara will conduct our special New Year’s celebration, during which we hope everyone will gather with us to invoke the holy blessings of the Great Triple Gem spreading happiness and peace throughout the world.

We wish most kindly to invite all of you to join us this New Year January 01, 2017, so that you, too, may receive the holy blessing of success as you begin your own New Year filled with blessings starting the very first day of the year and continuing each and every day thereafter.

Program:

11:00 - 11:30 a.m.	Pay homage to the Buddha and conduct offerings
11:30 - 12:00 n.n.	Offering Dana to Maha Sangha
12:00 -  1:00 p.m	Luncheon for participants
1:00 -  2:00 pm	Pirith chanting and blessing

Afternoon Pirith chanting will be at 7.pm.

May all beings be happy, and content
May all be free from suffering, fear, and anxiety
May all your benign wishes come true
May you all  remain healthy and peaceful
May peace and happiness be with you always!

With Metta
Bhante Wajirabuddhi

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Unduvap Poya Program

Unduvap Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Unduwap Poya is this Full-moon day of December, which celebrates these 2 events:

1: The arrival of Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda, 
from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Buddhist Bhikkhunis.
2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi-tree at Buddhagaya, 
brought to Sri Lanka by the Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta.

Sign up for the program

MORNING PROGRAM

7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.

8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.

9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.

10:00 am - 11:00 am:  Sutra Discussion  

11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM) 

11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts. 

12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.

3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.  

5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program. 

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