PANNASIHA ‘LION OF WISDOM’-Meditation Center
Welcome to the website of the Pannasiha, Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center. This rural meditation retreat facility is a branch of the Washington Buddhist Vihara.
It is the fulfillment of the long-held dream of Bhante Maharagama Dhammasiri to honor his beloved teacher, the late Ven. Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka Thera. Lion of wisdom is the translation of the pali word pannasiha. Panna means wisdom and siha is a lion. The lion is the fearless king of animals, while Wisdom is the fearless king of the mind.
It is the purpose of this center to be a refuge from the hustle and bustle of city life and provide access to the slower nature vibrations of the rural countryside conducive to mindfulness meditation practice. There has long been a need for a meditation retreat center not too far from the tri-state metropolitan areas of Washington, Maryland and Northern Virginia.
The Most Venerable Madihe Pannghaseeha Maha Nayaka Thera
Meditation programs with Bhante Rahula
The director and principle teacher of this center is the well known Bhante Yogavacara Rahula, an American born Buddhist monk.
Three types of meditation sessions/retreats are currently being offered here at the Pannasiha/ Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center.
Days of Mindfulness (DOM).
These typically are held on one or two Saturdays per month. They begin at 9 am and finish at 4.30 pm; they are geared towards relative beginners with some light yoga stretches, instruction/guided meditation and a Dhamma talk. More experienced meditators are also welcome. Bring a bag lunch or veg. pot luck dish to share.
Afternoon Intensives (AI)
These are held on the Saturdays or Sundays inbetween the DOMs from 1pm-4.30pm. They are geared for experienced practioners who do not need any instructions or guidance. People can sit or walk as long as they like with no bells. Tea is available and interviews with Bhante Rahula may be available.
Two or three day retreats.
These will usually begin on a Friday night with a DOM on Saturday and continue until 4pm the next day or an additional day. People must register for staying overnight as dorm type sleeping accommodation is limited. People living nearby have option to go home in evening and come back next morning; breakfast and lunch will be provided. People are expected to observe the monastic rule of not eating solid food afternoon; No evening meals will be served. However, persons with medical need can bring there own snack supplement. No cooking is allowed but a microwave may be available to warm up soup etc.
People should inform us of this need.
Things to bring with you: Sleeping bag or bed sheets, pillow case, personal towel, yoga mat if you have one, house slippers and refillable water bottle.
There is no charge for any of these programs but donations are gratefully accepted, as this center exists solely on donations to support this service.
- UP COMING PROGRAMS
Saturday, January 25th, Afternoon Intensive, 1-4 pm.
Saturday, February 1st, Day of Mindfulness, 9 am-4 pm; bring a bag lunch or potluck item to share.
Saturday February 22nd, Afternoon Intensive, 1-4 pm
Sunday March 1st, Day of Mindfulness, 9 am-4 pm; bring a bag lunch or potluck item to share.
Saturday, March 7th, Afternoon Intensive, 1-4 pm
Weekend Retreat, Friday, March 20th, 7 pm until Sunday, March 22nd, finish at noon.
Heads Up: Bhante Rahula will be leading a one week retreat at LOW between May15th-23rd, 2020. Retreat Theme will be: Awakening body/mind awareness with vipassana meditation and Certain Yoga breathing/exercises. Registration is required and limited.
To register for the above overnight retreats send an e-mail to: info@lionwisdom.org to include the following: Name, age, address, gender, beginner to meditation? Any medical conditions that might limit you movements/participation, prescribed medications?
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