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X-WR-CALNAME:The Wangapeka Study and Meditation Retreat Centre
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260417T170000
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SUMMARY:The Fives Retreat with Bonni Ross
DESCRIPTION:INTRODUCTION\nA message from Bonni Ross:\n“In over fifty years committed engagement with Buddhadharma, my teachers have met my longing for liberation by lavishly sharing lineage, systems, methods, concepts and opportunities to study and practice. Paradoxically, the potency of that blessing grows stronger as the body wanes in capacity. In whatever time remains, I welcome sincere practitioners, of any age and stage, to request work they need to enhance the requirements of the Path. This year’s program, in two parts, arose from conversations with sincere students. “The student creates the teacher.” May all beings increase in curiosity and question and find their way to living, breathing humans who embody the Teaching. If you rely on an AI Avatar to feed your conceptual mind with Dharma babble, please think twice about registering for these explorations. “\nTHE FIVES RETREAT\nEntering the Mandala of Wisdom Buddhas\nWith Bonni Ross\nApril 17 to May 22, 2026 – Five Weeks\n* Two and Three week options may be available *\n\nFive families, five wisdoms, five activities, five characteristics, five syllables, five skandhas and many more fives. If this sounds confusing, please be reminded that the differences are conceptual, not actual. While investigating qualities of awakened nature in ourselves, perhaps some will discover the indivisible, universal consciousness from which all differentiation arises.\n Beginners’ mind offers an uncomplicated state that is harder for the mentally-sophisticated than for those innocent of conceptual knowledge. Together we will learn, and unlearn what gets in the way of liberation.\nThis retreat will be predominantly silent. In addition to meditation instruction, opportunities to ask questions and individual and group practice, there will be time to immerse ourselves in the supportive natural environment of the Centre.\nThe terrain is quite rugged and participants should be in reasonably good physical and mental health to enjoy the challenges, inner and outer, of retreat life at the Wangapeka.\nTwo and three week options may be available\nTwo week option:  Friday April 17th to Friday May 1st\nThree week option: Friday April 17th to Friday May 8th\nPlease discuss with the Course Manager.  Those who commit to five weeks get preference until March 20th, when space will be allocated to those wishing to come for shorter periods.\nBonni Ross\nBonni first heard the teachings of the Buddha when she was 17. After ten years of fluffing around, she met Namgyal Rinpoche and got serious. His direct, eclectic teaching and example are central to her life. Encouragement from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, teachings from many great Buddhist masters, as well as innovative artists, scientists, philosophers and mystery writers, have fuelled the quest.\nInspiration comes from “ordinary” people who demonstrate exceptional courage and compassion in the midst of great suffering. With her partner, Matthew Eades, she founded Sunshine Coast Retreat House in 2002 before moving to Nelson, New Zealand in 2017. After over 40 years of teaching and service in community, they will now focus on long term retreat at Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre, in Tasman New Zealand.\nCosts\nCosts include accommodation, food, cooks fee and a resource fee. It does not include dana to the teacher.\nRooms and Huts\n$3,398 Members\n$3,748 Non Members\nCamping\nIt will be cold, so only suitable for those with campervans.\n$2,663 Members\n$2,768 Non Members\nDana\nDana means a gift freely given and generosity.  Generosity is at the heart of the Teachings on Buddhadharma.  Dana opens the heart to receive the blessings of the Teachings.\nBonni offers the Dharma freely.  The cost of this retreat does not include a fee to Bonni.  You are invited to offer Dana to Bonni.  This supports her to continue offering these precious Teachings. It is traditional to make a Dana offering at the start of the retreat.  There is a box in the hall, where you can place your Dana anonymously.\nFinancial Support\nWe are keen that this retreat be open to those who have a strong aspiration to do this work. If you are someone who would sincerely like to attend this retreat, but you face financial barriers, please contact the course manager to discuss:\nKath Mitchell mitchell.kath@gmail.com\nIt would be helpful if you could state why attending this course is important to you, tell us a bit about your background in the study and practice of Dharma, and explain how much you can afford to contribute.\nInformation and Registration\nContact: Course Manager,  Kath Mitchell mitchell.kath@gmail.com\nTo register please fill out our online registration form\nRegister now\nPayment\nPayment details are included on the Registration Form. Thank you.\nIf using Paypal please add 5% of the total cost and include with your payment to cover Paypal’s fees.\nPlease consider becoming a Wangapeka member – click here for details.\nImage Credit: Nomad Bikers on Unsplash\n
URL:https://wangapeka.org/events/the-fives-retreat-with-bonni-ross/
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Meditation,Retreats,Vajrayana
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