Meditation Retreat with Ajahn Sumedho 1 to 10 Aug 2015 (For BF Members)

Date : 16 May 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the Dhamma,

Thank you for your interest in the inaugural meditation with Ajahn Sumedho organized by Buddhist Fellowship.

Ajahn Sumedho, 81, ordained since 1966, is the senior Western disciple of Ajahn Chah, the revered Thai meditation master. Retired in 2010 with rare public teachings, this retreat is indeed a precious opportunity. Participants will benefit from his extensive years as a forest monk and his skilful guidance will aid the wise meditator to realize beyond inspiration towards greater peace and freedom.

We hope you will take some time to read and understand the key details of the retreat below.

Please do not hesitate to email or call us should you need further clarifications.

With metta,

Buddhist Fellowship

RETREAT Key Details :

1) Start Date : 01 Aug 2015. End Date : 10 Aug 2015

Retreat starts/and end in the afternoon/mid-day.

2) Recommended flights for own booking :

01 Aug 2015 (Sat)

Depart SIN

Arrive BKK

Airline Flight No.

Frequency

Route

6:30 AM

8:00 AM

Tigerair 2102

Daily

SIN-BKK

7:10 AM

8:35 AM

Singapore Airlines 970

Daily

SIN-BKK

7:15 AM

8:45 AM

Jetstar 511

Daily

SIN-BKK

7:40 AM

9:00 AM

Thai 402

Daily

SIN-BKK

10 Aug 2015 (Mon)

Depart BKK

Arrive SIN

Airline Flight No.

Frequency

Route

7:40 PM

10:55 PM

Thai 401

Daily

BKK-SIN

8:05 PM

11:30 PM

Tigerair 2109

Daily

BKK-SIN

9:00 PM

12:25 am+1

Singapore Airlines 981

Daily

BKK-SIN

9:20 PM

12:40 am+1

Jetstar 514

Daily

BKK-SIN

Please make your own booking arrangements for flights SIN-BKK-SIN and inform BF via the e-form provided upon registration by 30 June 2015. You are advised to make your flight bookings immediately due to the local holiday season.

Group coach transfers will be arranged based on these specified flight schedules. All participants are requested to abide by these flight schedules. We regret that we are unable to accommodate any other arrival or departure timings due to logistical challenges as well as to avoid disruption to the retreat schedule. Distance between Bangkok airport to resort is approximately 250km (3-4hours by car); traffic and road conditions could be unpredictable and may cause delays.

3) 8-precepts, noble silence retreat

All participants are expected to keep the 8 Precepts whilst on retreat. They offer a way of living together morally, ethically and harmoniously, causing ourselves and each other as little suffering as possible.

1. Harmlessness: not intentionally taking the life of any living creature.
2. Trustworthiness: not taking anything that is not offered.
3. Chastity: refraining from any sexual activity.
4. Right Speech: avoiding false, abusive or malicious speech and idle chatter, and, on retreat, keeping Noble Silence.
5. Sobriety: not taking any intoxicating drinks or drugs that lead to carelessness.
6. Renunciation: not eating after mid-day.
7. Restraint: not wearing make-up, perfume, jewellery or immodest clothing; not texting, emailing, making telephone calls or using the internet; not playing or listening to music, or watching TV.
8. Alertness: refraining from overindulgence eg sleep.

4) Accommodation : Phutara Fah Resort is the venue of stay and retreat. Package cost is based on twin or triple sharing, gender-specific. You and your family members/friends (same gender) may indicate at registration your preference to share the same room. We will endeavour to meet your needs and match your rooming mate to the best of our abilities. We regret that we are unable to accept any special requirements on rooming needs eg, non-smoking, near hall etc.

If you prefer your own room, you may indicate at registration "Single Occupancy" and top up $216 at point of payment.

5) Meals : All meals will be vegetarian on retreat.

6) Minimum size : Package cost is estimated based on minimum 60 pax to materialize. Any variations will be duly notified.

7) Reservation & payment policy for land package:
100% full payment of land package to BF Office : within 1 week of reservation to confirm booking. Delays may cause the forfeiture of reservation and the place will be given to the next waiting candidate in the queue.

Closing date is 15 June 2015, or whenever all available places are taken up.

8) Withdrawal/Cancellation policy for land package :
We do encourage all participants to establish a pure and wholesome motivation at time of registration. Whilst we are hopeful of the non-event, we do understand that unforeseen circumstances may warrant a registered participant to withdraw before travel on 1 Aug 2015. Please inform BF's co-ordinator immediately via phone call and email. With the submission of valid reasons before 15 July 2015, we would be happy to consider a full refund of payment for land costs if the minimum group size has been met, otherwise the refund could be 80% of land costs. We regret that cancellation after 15 July may be subjected to full forfeiture of payment of land costs.

9) Sitting and walking meditation :

There will be sitting and walking meditation sessions. For sitting, we are unable to provide cushions and you are encouraged to bring your own cushion or kneeling stool. There will be some chairs in the Hall for those who prefer to alternative floor and chair sitting.

10) What to wear :

Retreatants are asked to dress in white attire and dressed discreetly, out of respect to the monastics leading the retreat and to not distract other retreatants. This includes:

• not wearing sleeveless tee-shirts, tops or dresses
• not wearing short or tight-fitting clothing or leggings
• not wearing low or plunging necklines or transparent clothing
• not wearing shorts, skirts, or dresses which end above the knees

It is advisable to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for sitting meditation, and suitable outdoor clothing for walking meditation, according to the time of year.

11) More information :

(a) Travel map : BKK airport to resort

https://www.here.com/directions/drive/Suvarnabhumi-International-Airport-BKK,-9991-Racha-Thewa,-Racha-Thewa,-Bang-Phli-10540,-Thailand:764w4rtv-1092c7b210c540fabcad6e628be96c31/Phutara-Fah-Resort,-Wang-Mi,-Thailand:764jx7ps-4bed70f62eaf0d0d52a2d84fafe06450?map=13.97752,100.74814,8,normal

(b) Phutara Fah Resort

http://www.phutarafah.com/

http://www.hotelsguidethailand.com/en/hotel/phutara-fah-resort-30403

12) Pre-trip briefing :

Participants must attend a pre-trip briefing scheduled on 12 July 2015, 1.30pm at BF West in preparation of the retreat.

13) Law of nature :

The law of nature (impermanence) is the order of the day. Take every moment from hereon as a moment of cultivation of paramis and the strengthening of one's practice on the noble path.