Dear Friends,

You are warmly invited to visit the White Sands Buddhist Center (WSBC) and practice with our Buddhist community, and enjoy the wonderful energy of mindfulness. The Retreat, held once per season at our Center, is the chance for us to enjoy the simplicity and peace of life, and thereby nurture our own true happiness. We study how to transform both our personal difficulties and reach a truthful state of happiness.

The life and practice at the WSBC helps us cultivate mindfulness and wisdom through various kinds of meditative performances including: eating, walking, working mindfully, sitting in meditation, listening to Dharma talks, reciting sutras, or enjoying a cup of tea in the tranquility and peace of the mountain air. All visitors participate in a communal practice such as arranging the meditation halls, preparing meals, cleaning bathrooms, emptying garbage, watering plants, washing pots, cleaning the kitchen and other tasks as part of the daily practice of mindfulness. Since the teachings emphasize the happiness and strength of communal practice, it is important for all visitors to fully participate in all scheduled activities. Visitors are requested to follow the Meditative codes of the Center (see Meditative codes of WSBC).

Lectures will alternate between Vietnamese and English. Whenever possible, Dharma discussion groups in one's native language will be arranged. Rev. Khai Thien (a.k.a. Thich Tam Thien) is available to give personal interviews to students and guests who come to the Center. You are encouraged to offer written questions, which Master Khai Thien can answer through his talks or during Question and Answer Sessions. The Dharma friends of the Center will be available for consultation.

Children under 6 are completely under the responsibility of their parents.

How should one dress at the WSBC? It is okay to wear casual clothes outside the meditation hall. But inside the meditation hall, please wear sleeved shirts, long pants or calf-length skirts. Please bring your own sleeping bag and personal needs.

To participate in the retreat, please complete the Registration form and send it to us by mail or email: whitesandsbc@yahoo.com

The Daily Sample Schedule:

5:00 - Wake Up
5:30 - Sitting Meditation & Recitation of Sutras
7:30 - Breakfast
9:00 - Working Meditation
10:00- Dharma talk/ Reciting Sutra
12:00 - Lunch
13:00 - Walking meditation
14:30 - Rest
15:00 - Dharma Discussion, study, other activities or personal practice time
18:30 - Dinner
20:00 - Sitting meditation / Guided Meditation or Beginning Anew
21:30 - Rest – Noble Silence

                 
May you be well and happy.