Paññāsīha

LION OF WISDOM

Meditation Center

Join our next prograMs

Due to the current restrictions our Afternoon Intensives and the Days of Mindfulness are cancelled until further notice. However Bhante Rahula will give a on-line Dhamma talk on Sunday, April 12th, entitled, The meaning of Easter from a Dhamma perspective followed by a Q and A and a guided meditation. This will begin at 1.30 pm via Zoom.

Due to security We will be sending out the invites to that via our google group mailing list. If you are not already on that list you can e-mail us at: http://www.lionwisdom.org giving your name and e-mail address.

May all beings be Mindful and Wise and Healthy

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, March 28th, Afternoon Intensive, 1.30-4.30 pm

Sunday, April 5th, Afternoon Intensive, 1.30-4.30 pm

Easter Sunday April 12th, Dhamma Talk-The meaning of Easter from the Dhamma perspective at 1 pm. This Dhamma talk and perhaps guided meditation will be held as an on-line broadcast; More info. on that later.

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; a few spaces are still available; camping in your own tent is possible.

Please note: the above mentioned one week retreat is subject to being cancelled or postponed depending on the ‘virus’ protection/restrictions still in place closer to that time.

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?