Naditha Wickramage

The walking meditation was calming for me

Naditha Wickramage

    On the first day of the retreat, we had to wake up much earlier than usual at 5 am. Normally I would wake up at 7-9 in the morning so waking up this early was a first. As soon as I woke up, I had to carry candles to the shrine room for the Buddha Puja. We carried the candles for candle meditation early in the morning. After the candle meditation, we did a walking meditation.  The walking meditation was calming for me. This didn’t last long as we stopped for Buddha Puja a few minutes later. I took the 8 precepts during the Buddha Puja and then went into the main building for breakfast. Before eating we chanted a Gatha that generally said that “I will not waste this Alms food given to me” and “I will only take as much as I can eat” which is what I did. After everyone finished eating we shared merits. I did sitting meditation after I ate breakfast and after that, I was taught about the Mangala sutta from its origins all the way to its meaning. It was confusing but also interesting to learn about the 38 high blessings preached from it. Once again we did Buddha puja before lunch and then I went to get lunch. Once again I chanted thanks for the food and ate. During lunchtime, we were told there was no dinner so I ate as much as I could and I made sure not to be wasteful of the food I was given. I learned that there was going to be an event later where we could go to visit another temple. Directly after lunchtime, we had an art session where we needed to draw something based on a Buddhist quote. The art session allowed me to focus after lunchtime.  After the art session, we did more walking meditation but outside this time and for half an hour instead of 15 minutes. It was less calming as I was outside and the ground was much more uneven and hot since it was the afternoon. Yet it was still enjoyable. After we came inside, Bhante Deepankara talked about some suttas that I couldn’t see the name of. In the afternoon we were given the choice of going to a Cambodian temple however I chose to work on my journal instead. We finished the day off by doing the Atavisi Puja and going to sleep.

 

    The second day started off pretty much exactly like the first one did with the main difference being that we didn’t take the 8 precepts again. This day I did standing meditation which was much easier to do and more calming than walking meditation in my opinion. We also learned that meditating before sleep can considerably help with sleep which is something I might do before sleeping in preparation for high school. Also, I might use it for calming down as it seems effective. There was another trip to a Laos temple, I chose not to go but to work on my journal. The people who went to the Laos temple came back after we did Atavisi Buddha Puja for the night.

 

    The third and final day started off well and most of us were in a good mood since we were going home today. We once again did walking and standing meditation to wake ourselves and calm ourselves. When we went into the shrine room to talk about suttas, we were talking about the Metta Sutta which many of us wanted to know more about. Bhante Deepankara also talked about trust and how to determine if someone is lying or trustworthy. This is important as choosing who I trust can determine good or bad things in my life.

What I learned from this retreat is the mindfulness of meditation and some ways I can use it in my daily life. I also learned many other things like why some suttas came to be like the Metta sutta first used by monks to convince Devas to allow them to meditate in the forest to become arahants. Thanks to the parents who organized and who stayed with us during the event and the Bhante Deepankara, Bhante Wajirabuddhi, Bhante Wajirabodhi as well as all others involved who helped. who helped us through it. I hope that you consider more retreats to help us next year as well.

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Menadi Dharmabandu

 It was pleasant to be able to combine Buddhism and art

Menadi Dharmabandu

     I woke up around 5 A.M for each day. It wasn’t particularly easy waking up, but I felt refreshed afterward. Then we did the Buddha Puja and morning walking meditation in the shrine room. We served ourselves breakfast and quietly ate. 

I remembered the Bhantes told us not to have attachments or thoughts about the food, only to be mindful of what you are eating. I found it hard not to savor the food since I was eager to eat, but after a few times, it was easy to not feel either good or bad about the food. Then we had Dhamma discussions throughout the three days. We talked about various suttas, including the Karaniya Metta Sutta, Mangala, and Ratana Sutta. We also talked about each of our biggest problems and a way to fix them. My problem and another friend of mines problem was procrastinating our work. Bhante Wajirabuddhi  Thero told us to try and be more mindful of our work. Our peer told us that we can break a big task into smaller tasks, and it will make the work less daunting. Next, we had the Buddha Puja again, then lunch, and again we practiced not savoring or having an attachment to the food. We visited two temples, a Laos and a Cambodian temple. It was interesting to see how different countries and cultures presented Buddhism. We had tea and then had an art class. It was pleasant to be able to combine Buddhism and art. My group drew different colored pieces of the Jataka story where two women claim to be the mother, so the Bodhisattva does a test to see who the true mother is. Each scene was a different color of the rainbow. We also got to draw and color Buddhist symbols onto rocks. I enjoyed the walking meditation with Deepankara Thero. It was easier to focus when walking because it allows you to not let your mind wander since you have more to focus on. Then we had more Dhamma discussions. It was a bit difficult to sit in one spot for so long and pay attention, but I still did my best. I learned many things about Buddhism during this retreat, like how to be more focused, to be mindful of everything we do in our daily lives, and cultivate loving kindness even outside of meditation. My experience at the retreat was tranquil and helped me develop more of an ability to focus for longer and be more mindful.

Thank you to the Bhantes for taking their time and teaching us! I will be coming back next year. 

2023 Youth Retreat

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I felt alive and much better!

 I felt alive and much better!

 Sanadi Dharmabandu

There are various things I learned about from the retreat. It was difficult for me to wake up at 5:00 in the morning because I’m not such an early bird and I wake up usually later in the day. After I awoke, I felt alive and much better! We did sitting meditation a lot throughout the day. Deepankara Thero then discussed walking meditation, and when I tried it, it was much easier for me to focus more, and it helped me to not fall asleep. During the walking meditation, the hot pavement hurt my feet and the scorching sun burned me, but I still pushed forward. We did many Dhamma discussions, such as when Deepankara Thero said you should learn to live life without luxuries and that you should not be attached to luxury items. If you are forced to live without certain luxuries it would be difficult for you to adapt. Deepankara Thero also mentioned that you should not crave items and material things or ask your parents for unnecessary items and to be mindful of what you think about and how you act. We also discussed how you should cultivate loving kindness and always have loving kindness thoughts and if you spread loving kindness to all beings, it will return to you. During a different discussion with Bodhi Thero, he taught us about Ratana Sutta and Metta Sutta. He told everybody what each verse in each sutta means. Ratana sutta is a protective chant and Metta Sutta is about loving-kindness. We did three Buddha pujas each day and we chanted and recited gatha. I also loved the Arts and Crafts period it was very fun to color and create rocks related to Buddhism with Piyananda Thero. Whenever it was time to eat breakfast or lunch Bhante Wajirabuddhi  Thero would always say don’t have any feelings about whether the food was bad or good, to appreciate the food you get, not to waste, and to thank the people who made the food. We went to two separate temples, the Cambodian temple, and the Laos Temple. It was so fascinating to see how Buddhism can vastly spread throughout the world and to see how other countries view Buddhism, I also observed that animals on the side of the road or next to a building are fierce and feral and will attack anyone or anything, but the animals at the temples are nice and kind, it’s almost like they got disciplined too. This year’s Retreat was my first Retreat and I learned so much from it.

Thank you to the adults and the Bhantes for organizing and preparing this retreat.

2023 Youth Retreat

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July Sil Program 2023

 

Georgia Buddhist Vihara's July Sil Program (Conduct in the Sinhala language)

Saturday, July 01st, 2023 at 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM EDT (GBV Full Day Sil Program/Conduct in the Sinhala language) If you are observing Sil in person or planning to come to the Vihara, please sign-up from the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-july ZOOM LINK https://zoom.us/j/96030860851?pwd=UnU1NDNaK1pIWDFhMUFxUnVKNmlLUT09 Meeting ID: 960 3086 0851 Passcode: 979864   Time Event 7:30 am – 8:00 am Observation of Eight Precepts and Vandana by Bhante Bodhi 8:00 am – 8:50 am Heel Dana 9:00 am – 11:00 am Guided Meditation and Dhamma Deshana by  Bhante Boddhi 11:00 am – 11:10 am Break 11:10 am – 11:30 am Buddha Poojawa by Bhante Bodhi  11:30 am – 1:00 pm Daval Daana and Break 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Dhamma Deshana by Bhante Piyananda 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Sutta Discussion & Dhamma Deshana by   Bhante Boddhi 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Break 4:00 pm – 5:45 pm Dhamma Discussion and Q&A Session  By Bhante Deepankara 5:45 pm Observation of Five Precepts for those who observe Sil, Punnyanumodana, and Conclusion by Bhante Deepankara Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions. Thank you. May you and yours be well, healthy, and peaceful!   Regards, Sahan Thanthiriwatte

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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.

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Duruthu Full Moon

 

Georgia Buddhist Vihara's December Sil Program (Conduct in the Sinhala language)

Saturday, January 07th, 2022 at 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM EDT (GBV Full Day Sil Program/Conduct in the Sinhala language) If you are observing Sil in person or planning to come to the Vihara, please sign-up from the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-december1 ZOOM LINK https://zoom.us/j/96030860851?pwd=UnU1NDNaK1pIWDFhMUFxUnVKNmlLUT09 Meeting ID: 960 3086 0851 Passcode: 979864   Time Event 7:30 am – 8:00 am Observation of Eight Precepts and Vandana by Bhante Bodhi 8:00 am – 8:50 am Heel Dana 9:00 am – 11:00 am Guided Meditation and Dhamma Deshana by  Bhante Boddhi 11:00 am – 11:10 am Break 11:10 am – 11:30 am Buddha Poojawa by Bhante Bodhi  11:30 am – 1:00 pm Daval Daana and Break 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm Dhamma Deshana by Bhante Piyananda 2:15 pm – 2:30 pm Break 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm Sutta Discussion & Dhamma Deshana by   Bhante Boddhi 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm Break 4:00 pm – 5:45 pm Dhamma Discussion and Q&A Session  By Bhante Deepankara 5:45 pm Observation of Five Precepts for those who observe Sil, Punnyanumodana, and Conclusion by Bhante Deepankara Duruthu Poya is extremely remarkable for Sri Lanka as it marks Lord Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka in the ninth month after attaining Enlightenment to solve a confrontation between the Yaksha and Naga Tribes. Several significant events including handing a handful of hair to Deva Sumana Saman who attained “Sovaan” by listening to Dhamma preached by the Lord Buddha, happened on Duruthu poya day. Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions. Thank you. May you and yours be well, healthy, and peaceful!   Regards, Sahan Thanthiriwatte

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Katina Ceremony - Oct. 22, 2022

Dear Friends,

https://youtu.be/JuK-gMYo2vs

The Katina ceremony of Georgia Buddhist Vihara 2022 will be held on October 22nd (see the program here). We would like to extend a warm invitation to all of you to join us and participate in various meritorious deeds.  We have created the following signup sheets. We truly appreciate your generous support thus far in various ways during this vassana season (rains retreat), and we are grateful if you could support us further to make this meritorious event a success. Following are the ways we seek your support, and we hope you would consider volunteering via the following signups.
 

1. HSA Account

The good health and well-being of resident Bhantes are one of our top priorities, and we plan to provide to continue the ‘GBV Health Savings Account’, which was initiated a few years ago. This would also be an excellent opportunity for us to express our gratitude and appreciation in a special way for the great services the Bhantes are providing for the spiritual and religious needs of the greater GBV community. We would like to seek your generous contributions to maintain this account. Please support us by signing on https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4aa9aa22a1ff2-sign8

 

2. Volunteering

You all have been supporting us in various ways during this Katina season, and we need your further support to make this final event a success. To volunteer for much-needed support on the Katina day, please sign up using the following link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4aa9aa22a1ff2-katina12

 

3. Dawal Dana

We really are in great need of your support in the Dawal Dana (luncheon.) To confirm your participation and contribute to Dawal Dana, please use the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4aa9aa22a1ff2-katina10

4. Pindapatha

The Besajja Pindapatha pooja will be during the Katina Ceremony (10 am), and we would like to encourage all of you to sign up and participate in this great meritorious deed using the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c4aa9aa22a1ff2-pindapatha1

 

5. Kapruka

If you would like to bring items placed under the Kapruka, we would appreciate it if you could bring the following much-needed items for the temple. Paper towels, coffee cups, water bottles, ziplock bags in assorted sizes, bathroom tissues, Tide/All detergent, dishwashing liquid, Hand Washing liquid, Aluminum Foil, Kitchen towel, Dishcloths, Broom, Dustpan & brush, Tea candles, Incense Sticks, Oatmeal, Almond milk (Nonperishable), cleaning liquid, air fresheners.

 

6. Pirikara

If you like to donate a Pirikara item for Bhanthes at the end of Katina you are most welcome. We would like to let you know that there will be 12 Bhanthes attending Katina.

 

7. Shramadana on 10/21

We will be meeting at the vihara premises to get the temple ready for the Katina Ceremony from 9 am to 6pm. If you like to help us please stop by when ever you can. We appreciate any help you can provide.

At the same time, Bhanthes have requested us to inform you of recent thefts around Buddhist Viharas in the US and requested that we are mindful of our personal belongings.

 

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Upcoming Events - Katina Season 2022

 Upcoming Events - Katina Season 2022

Katina Program:

5.00 AM : Bringing the Katina Cheevara to the Vihara
                 Offering the Katina Cheevara to Maha Sanga 

6.00 AM : Morning Buddha Pooja and Heel Dana

8.30 AM : Dhamma Discussion

10.30 AM: Besajja Pindapatha

11.00 AM: Buddha Pooja and Dana

1.30 PM : Katina Perahara

2.30 PM : Katina Cheevara Pooja Ceremony 

                Katina Anisansa Dhamma Deshana in Sinhala by Baminiyanvila Dammaloka Thero
4.30 PM : Atavisi Buddha Pooja

5.00 PM : End of Program

 

Dana Signup (LINK)

 

Pindapatha item sign-up (LINK)

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FOOD FAIR (SALPILA) ON 9/24/2022 at 4.30PM

 

Dear friends,
We would like to invite you to come and enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cuisine at the Sri Lankan Food Fair at Georgia Buddhist Vihara on September 24th  2022 at 4:30 pm. 

Entrées:
Kotthu
Dosa
Hoppers
String Hoppers
Lumprais(preorder to save yours)
Lasagna 

Short eats:
pastries, wadai, fish buns, hot dogs, takeout uncooked Chinese rolls(can be preordered) 
Sweets and other- falooda/ice coffee, create your own ice cream sundaes, create your own s’mores, cookies, cupcakes etc

In addition there will be homemade jarred pickles, and chili paste and plant sale. 
Also, there will be games and fun events for kids including face painting. 

Please join us to raise funds while having a fun

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Dhamma Sermon on Saturday September 10th, 8.00PM

 

Dear Devotees of Georgia Buddhist Vihara and Friends,

We warmly invite you for the Dhamma Deshana on Saturday, September 10^th. The Dhamma talk will be given in English by Venerable Muruthamure Pangnaloka thero (a visiting monk).
Please join us in person at the vihara premises or virtually to participate in this meritorious deed.

The program is as follows:
6:30 pm: Tea and Refreshments
7:00 pm: Atavisi Buddha pooja
8:00 pm: Dhamma Dheshana
9:00 pm: Dinner from the hosting families

In order to facilitate the dinner for the attendees, if you plan to attend in person, kindly sign up using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4AA9AA22A1FF2-sign6

 

If you are joining virtually, please use the following zoom link to join.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85819027296?pwd=UWdDdkJyYVFjaURpNlJ3T2dBM05mdz09

With Metta,
Lasantha and Wathsala (Hosting family) 

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