Retreat Schedule

Beginners’ Track

The Beginners’ Track is designed for those who have no previous experience in Buddhist chanting or devotional practices, but are seriously interested in exploring the practice of Guan Yin recitation in a monastic setting. The schedule allows beginning students to learn and practice the recitation technique, while also having time to discuss and reflect upon their experience with DRBU instructors. The daily schedule includes meditation, Guan Yin recitation, traditional Buddhist chanting, discussion periods with monastic and lay teachers, and Dharma talks. This schedule is designed to be flexible and accommodating to practitioners with no prior experience.

AM
5:00 – 6:00 Meditation [with instructional talks]
6:15 – 6:45 Breakfast
7:00 – 8:30 Recitation of “Universal Door Chapter”
8:30 – 9:00 Seated recitation
9:00 – 9:30 Silent recitation
9:30 – 10:00 Walking recitation
10:20 – 11:00 Meal offering
11:00 – 11:50 Lunch

PM
12:00 – 2:00 Rest period
2:00 – 2:30 Seated recitation
2:30 – 3:00 Silent recitation
3:00 – 5:00 Discussion
5:15 – 5:45 Dinner
6:30 – 7:30 Evening chanting
7:30 – 9:00 Dharma talk
9:00 – 9:30 Transfer of merit ceremony



Experienced Practitioners’ Track

The Experienced Practitioners’ Track is for participants who have had experience with Buddhist chanting and life in a Buddhist monastery. The schedule follows the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas’ full Guan Yin Session schedule, while offering an alternative evening Dharma Talk led by DRBU instructors. This track is designed to give practitioners a chance to deepen their spiritual cultivation in an intensive session environment.

AM
4:00 – 5:00 Morning Recitation
5:00 – 6:00 Meditation [with instructional talks]
6:15 – 6:45 Breakfast
7:00 – 8:30 Recitation of “Universal Door Chapter”
8:30 – 9:00 Seated recitation
9:00 – 9:30 Silent recitation
9:30 – 10:00 Walking recitation
10:20 – 11:00 Meal offering
11:00 – 11:50 Lunch

PM
12:45 – 2:00 Recitation of Universal Door Chapter
2:00 – 2:30 Seated recitation
2:30 – 3:00 Silent recitation
3:00 – 3:30 Walking recitation
3:30 – 4:00 Seated recitation
4:00 – 4:30 Silent recitation
4:30 – 5:00 Transference ceremony
5:15 – 5:45 Dinner
5:45 – 6:30 Break
6:30 – 7:30 Evening chanting
7:30 – 9:00 Dharma talk
9:00 – 9:30 Transfer of merit ceremony