2013 Woodenfish Monastic Life Program

2013 Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program (www.woodenfish.org/hbmlp)

DATE: July 4-July 31, 2013

VENUE: Ayuwang Temple, Ningbo, China

(see: http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/china/ningbo/ayuwang.php)

DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: May 15th, 2013 (on rolling basis)

ELIGIBILITY: Undergraduates and graduates.

COST: tuitions and room and board in China are covered by the Woodenfish Scholarship

COLLEGE CREDIT: to receive three credits from University of the West for undergraduates or graduates (optional)

To download the application form, please visit: www.woodenfish.org/hbmlp

For further question please email to: woodenfishproject@gmail.com

PROGRAM CONTENT:

Woodenfish: HBMLP is designed to immerse Westerners in Buddhist monastic life, and give them a first-hand experience with Chinese Buddhism that would likely be unavailable to them in their home countries. This year’s Woodenfish Program is divided into three main segments:

Segment I (14 days) – Orientation, Monastic Lifestyle & Classes

This part of the program begins with an orientation to intensive immersion in the monastic lifestyle: Group assembly; appropriate greetings to monastics, teachers and other monastic residents; shrine, meditation and dining hall etiquette; dormitory rules; and basic standards of Buddhist monastic ethics. The students will be exposed to the same disciplinary expectations as the monks and nuns at the monastery. The daily schedule which follows is based around morning meditation and evening chanting, along with the three formal meals in the main dining hall — for which instruction is provided.

After this orientation, Segment I focuses on a range of classes. Morning classes cover a wide range of Buddhist subjects. These classes follow the formation of Buddhist traditions, from early Indian and Mahāyāna, into classical Chinese Buddhism, culminating in modern Humanistic Buddhism. These classes provide participants with opportunities to ask questions and begin discussions in an academic setting. Afternoon sessions focus on applied Buddhism and Chinese culture, such as calligraphy, Buddhist music or mindfulness and psychology. Some afternoons will also feature additional meditation instruction and practice, and / or community service such as gardening, cooking, dining hall service, and so on. In the evenings, group discussion will be held or senior monastics will give talks in regards to their areas of expertise.

An example of a typical day:(schedule is subject to change according to the situation at the temple)

5:30 AM Wake-up Call
6:00 – 6:50 AM Morning Meditation and Tai-chi
7:00 – 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 – 11:00 AM Classes: Buddhist Doctrine and Thought
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Lunch and Walking Meditation
1:30 – 3:30 PM Classes: Applied Humanistic Buddhism
3:30 – 5:30 PM Community Service / Meditation
6:00 – 6:30 PM Medicine Meal (Dinner)
7:30 – 9:00 PM Group Discussion / Sermon / Q&A
9:00 – 9:30 PM Vespers
10:00 PM Lights Out
   

Segment II (7 days) – Chan Meditation Retreat

With the basic monastic etiquette and lifestyle in hand, the students will now be prepared to enter the meditation hall for a Seven Day Chan Meditation Retreat. The retreat will be led by monastics who are meditation specialists. The retreat is held in silence, and involves alternating sessions of sitting, walking and standing meditation, and students shall stay in the meditation hall quarters. The culmination of the retreat is a “three steps one prostration” pilgrimage through the monastery grounds.

Segment III (5 days) – Cultural Tour of other Temples and Historical Sites

At the end of program we will take tour to the other Buddhist or Daoist temples or historical sites in Zhejiang Province. Detailed information will be provided later to those who are selected.

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