The InternationalBuddhist Study and Vipassana Meditation Center,Located about a 30-minute drive from downtown Chiang Mai, this serene and beautiful setting offers an ideal environment for meditation and retreat practice. The venerable abbot of the meditation center, Phra Saneh, a long-time friend of ours, has kindly provided generous support for this program.
The opening ceremony marks the beginning of the Chan retreat. During this session, participants are introduced to the rhythm of retreat life and guided through the main practices that will continue throughout this event, including tea drinking, the opening ritual, walking meditation, and sitting meditation.
Practicing quietly on the grass, in the shade of the trees, or before the Buddha statue.
Some participants were only able to join the retreat for the first week due to work commitments, so we took both full group photos and smaller team shots before their departure.
The Closing Ritual (Jie Qi) signifies the end of the retreat.During the ritual, once a fast-paced run comes to a halt, a joyful, relaxed walk follows, symbolizing a subtle sense of release and freedom.And then we waving goodbye to this retreat, and looking forward to gathering again next time.
