Weekend Course: Refuge Vow Ceremony & Retreat

Weekend Course & Retreat: Going for Refuge

Sat 20th – Sun 21st Sep

with Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Rabka

"Because of mistakenly believing that outer problems are their own problems, most people seek ultimate refuge in the wrong objects. As a result, their suffering and problems never end."

- Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche

According to Buddha’s teachings, known as "Dharma", suffering arises not from external conditions themselves but rather from how we respond to them. Suffering arises from the mind, and therefore to protect ourselves from suffering we need to learn to train our mind by taking Buddha's teachings to heart and applying them to our own lives.

If we are to have lasting success in this training we need to make a decision to fully take refuge in this process. We can find protection from the sufferings of this life and our future lives by going for heartfelt refuge to the practice of Dharma. This in turn depends upon our trust in the teachings and blessings of Buddha, and in the support and friendship of Sangha, the spiritual community. This refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, also known as the Three Jewels, is what characterises the Buddhist approach to life and the solution to our problems. By applying effort to receiving Buddha’s blessings, putting Dharma into practice and receiving help from Sangha, we can find inner protection from our physical suffering and mental pain in both this and our countless future lives.

During this special weekend course, Gen Kelsang Rabka will explain the practice and commitments of refuge, grant the refuge vows, and give guidance in how to engage in refuge retreat. This will then be followed by a day of unguided refuge retreat during which we can put what we have learnt into practice.

Everybody is welcome to join this special weekend course regardless of experience.

Timetable

Sat, 20th Sep (Teachings & Guided Retreat)

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9 – 10.30am: Refuge Teaching & Explanation of Vows

11am – 12pm: Refuge Vow Ceremony

1.30 – 3pm: Teaching and guided retreat, session 1

3.30pm – 5pm: Teaching and guided retreat, session 2

Sun, 21st Sep (Unguided Day-Retreat)

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8.30am – 10am: Unguided retreat, session 1*

10.30am – 12pm: Unguided retreat, session 2*

1.30 – 3pm: Unguided retreat, session 3*

[3.30pm – 4.40pm: Optional Wishfulfilling Jewel Prayers with Tsog offering]

* Each retreat session includes chanted prayers and silent time for meditation practice. An information sheet will be provided regarding the structure of each session. (First-time participants are welcome to contact us via WhatsApp or email in advance if you have any questions.)

** Note also that refreshments are provided during the breaks throughout the day but lunch is not provided.

Course Fee: $45 for Saturday, Sunday is free of charge (donations are appreciated)

About the Teacher

Gen Kelsang Rabka was appointed as the Resident Teacher of KMC Singapore in mid 2020. He is an Australian Buddhist monk who has been studying and practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche and his senior disciples for more than 15 years, and has taught in Australia, the UK and Asia.

The clarity and warmth of his teachings has helped many students experience the practical benefits of modern Kadampa Buddhism in their daily lives.