July 2019
Vassa (Rains Retreat)
Sunyata will be hosting our third vassa from July 17th. The vassa, or rains retreat, is an annual three-month period of monastic retreat which has been observed since the time of the Buddha. Traditionally, monks and nuns remain in one place during this time, taking the opportunity to deepen and strengthen their practice. We will have 6 monks in residence at Sunyata for this period. It represents a unique opportunity for people to sample Buddhist monastery life here in Ireland.…
Find out more »Beginners’ Meditation Workshop
This monthly workshop offers instruction in the theory and practice of sitting and walking meditation, with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. It is offered on donation basis and there is no need to bring anything. Please email [email protected] to book a place.
Find out more »August 2019
Meitheal – Community Work Day
The meitheal is an old Irish tradition whereby a community gathers to work together on a particular task. This would typically be the harvesting of a crop or the raising of a building frame. At Sunyata we have a monthly meitheal which everyone is welcome to join. Usually we work on a specific job in the forest or the gardens. Lunch and regular cups of tea are provided. We start around 9 o' clock but people are welcome to join…
Find out more »Practice Day
A day of insight meditation practice for all those who would like to support their meditation practice in a group setting. If you have never meditated before it is recommended to attend a beginner's workshop first. Some brief meditation instruction will be given at the beginning of the day. Please bring own lunch. To reserve a place please email [email protected]
Find out more »Weekend Retreat with Resident Monks
This meditation retreat will be taught by Ajahn Ajito. The schedule of the retreat will be integrated into the monastic routine, and as such offers a unique opportunity to sample life in an active Buddhist monastery. Start and End Times: Registration for this retreat will be from 4pm on Friday, August 16th. Soup will be served at 6.30pm and the retreat will begin at 7pm with a short orientation talk. The retreat will end at approximately 3pm on Sunday…
Find out more »September 2019
Women’s Day Retreat
A day of meditation for women including periods of guided sitting, lying and walking meditation. An opportunity to enter into our own inner silence. Absolute beginners totally welcome. The day will begin at 12pm with an introduction. Lunch will be from 2 to 3, and the day will end at 5 o' clock. The day will be held in Noble silence as far as possible. Please bring lunch to share. To book a place please email [email protected]
Find out more »October 2019
Nick Scott 10 Day Retreat in Clarinbridge
Please note that this retreat is not being held at Sunyata but at Kilcoan Retreat Centre in Clarinbridge, Galway. A ten day retreat is an opportunity to deepen one's meditation practice and leads to an understanding of what meditation and the spiritual journey is really about. The period is long enough that we can leave behind the stress caused by our daily interactions while having no need to plan the future. It thus becomes possible to explore the present and…
Find out more »November 2019
Living from the Heart -weekend retreat with Vince Cullen
Everyone on the Buddhist path is struggling with the 3 fires… the fire of cravings, the fire aversions and the fire of confusions… EVERYONE! The Buddha’s very sound advice to everyone is that we should try to extinguish these fires, don’t add any more fuel to them; to put them out and never relight them. Easier said than done! This mindfulness-based retreat is offered as an opportunity to experience an ethically focussed, Buddhist-oriented approach to Living from the Heart. This retreat…
Find out more »Weekend Retreat with Ajahn Jutindharo
Ajahn Jutindharo grew up in Leeds. He studied physics at university, and then worked for several years in medical research whilst writing a PhD. At university he became interested in meditation and Buddhism, which culminated in a decision to join a Buddhist monastic order in 1987. His monastic life has been spent primarily in Britain, with short periods in Asia. since 2007 he has been abbot of Hartridge monastery in Devon, England. Start and End Times: Registration for…
Find out more »December 2019
New Year Retreat 2019/2020
Our annual New Year retreat will be led by members of the Sunyata lay sangha and will follow our normal retreat guidelines and schedule, with morning and evening chanting, periods of silence, walking, and some guided meditation, talks / reflections as well as optional yoga. Start and End Times: Registration for this retreat will be from 4pm on Saturday 28th December with soup served at 6.15. The retreat will begin at 7.15pm with a short orientation talk and will end at…
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