It’s important to view Dharma practice as a gradual process of mental development. One step, properly completed, will naturally lead to the next. Likewise, of all the preliminary practices, Taking Refuge is the first that we should complete.
Why refuge? Because it’s the basis of all Buddhist practice. It provides a firm foundation on which all other practices are based, and the incredible conviction to put all other Dharma teachings into practice on our journey towards enlightenment.
The Preliminaries Practice Group + Practice Weekend Programme is geared towards helping you successfully complete your preliminary practices. The aim of the 2022/2023 group is to complete the Refuge Preliminary (100,000 recitations) within one year or less, through a combination of group + individual practice, with guidance + support from our pastors, and encouragement from fellow retreatants.
Practice Weekends are fully guided by our pastors to facilitate better meditation. This includes the ordinary preliminaries to supplement and strengthen your practice of refuge. The first Practice Weekend (July 2022) includes a Kalarupa puja to clear obstacles for your preliminary, and the very first session will be done together as a group for an incredibly auspicious start!