Join a Four-Day Live Course "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" for Ages 18-29

Venerable Thubten Chodron with "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" retreatants, www.sravastiabbey.org.

Young people ages 18-29 are invited to join a four-day live online course "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" offered by Sravasti Abbey, founded by Venerable Thubten Chodron.

The annual course is usually held in Washington State at Sravasti Abbey. This year it will be held from June 11-14 on Zoom.

Young Adults Explore Buddhism

Past participant Jyotishma Chand shared a beautiful reflection about the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" course experience.

"In my life, I have come across people who know things but are unwilling to share. They either think that there is a fixed quota of wisdom out there and sharing means less for them, or they fear not being 'the wisest of them all,' or they merely think that another individual is unworthy of receiving such wisdom. 

"I am grateful to the Abbey for openly giving of their wisdom, for seeing the Buddha potential in this stranger when she couldn’t. For seeing the Buddha potential in all of us strangers who were part of the Young Adults Week. For seeing us strangers as not strangers."

Read the rest of Jyotishma's reflection "Surprised by Compassion" on the Sravasti Abbey website.

Watch another participant, Clinton share about the retreat on the Sravasti Abbey YouTube channel.

The Schedule

The course begins on Thursday, June 11 and ends on Sunday, June 14, 2020.

Thursday, June 11

2:00-3:30 PM PT - Introductions to Sravasti Abbey, the book, and each other

Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14

9:00-10:45 AM PT - Teaching with Venerable Thubten Chodron with an opportunity to ask questions

11:15-12 NOON PT - Guided meditation led by a monastic from Sravasti Abbey

2:00-3:30 PM PT - Discussion led by Venerable Thubten Chodron or monastics from Sravasti Abbey

Venerable Lamsel with "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" retreatants, www.sravastiabbey.org.

The Course

The Sravasti Abbey website says, "Do you crave connection? Trying to make sense of the world? Want to learn how to make your life meaningful?

"Join in Young Adults Explore Buddhism.

"Sravasti Abbey invites young adults aged 18 to 29 to explore the Buddha’s teachings within our American culture. No meditation experience is necessary; just an open and curious mind/heart.

"Usually offered as a residential course, Exploring Buddhism 2020 will be shared on Zoom.

"The course includes meditation instruction and practice, daily teachings and Dharma discussions with Venerable Thubten Chodron, with support from Sravasti Abbey monastics.

"It’s based on the book, An Open-Hearted Life: Transformative Methods for Compassionate Living from a Clinical Psychologist and a Buddhist Nun. Space is limited, and registration is required."

The Sravasti Abbey e-newsletter added some extra information, "Explore the Buddha's teachings, share insights with like-minded peers, and discover new life tools to help you navigate these times."

Learn more on the Sravasi Abbey website.

Register for the Course

Advance registration is required. Complete the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" application form and email it to Sravasti Abbey at the email address provided on the application.

"Young Adults Explore Buddhism" application form.

Download the "Young Adults Explore Buddhism" registration form from the Sravasti Abbey website.

All Sravasi Abbey programs are offered on a donation basis. You can make an offering any time on the Sravasti Abbey website.

Venerable Thubten Chodron

"Venerable Thubten Chodron (德林 — De Lin) was born in Chicago in 1950 and grew up near Los Angeles. She graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1971. After traveling through Europe, North Africa and Asia for one and a half years, she received a teaching credential and went to the University of Southern California to do post-graduate work in Education while working as a teacher in the Los Angeles City School System.

"In 1975, she attended a meditation course given by Lama Yeshe and Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and subsequently went to Kopan, their Monastery in Nepal, to continue to study and practice Buddha’s teachings. In 1977, she received sramanerika (novice) ordination from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan.

Continue reading Venerable Thubten Chodron's biography on www.thubtenchodron.org.