REPORT: Spring 2005 College Retreat
THEME: "Foods for the Body and Mind"

Flower Blooms

This was the largest showing of college students so far, about 80 students - 30 from UCLA, 30 from Chapman University , and 20 from other Southern California Colleges. Most of them got introductions and sharings on some of the practices of the monastery; so when they arrived their energy was already calm and receptive to the peaceful environment. One student got out of his car and began walking and enjoying the surrounding before going to the office to register. At dinner, many ate in silence and stopped when they heard the dinning hall clock chime. It was a wonderful and nourishing way for the monks and nuns to come back to the monastery after three months travel in Vietnam .

The retreat centered on the theme of the Four Nutriments taught by the Buddha. The first lecture, given by Brother Phap Hai and Sister Dang Nghiem, was on the first two- edible foods and sensory impressions. The second talk by Sister Hoa Nghiem and Brother Phap Niem was on volition and consciousness as foods. Some shared how appropriate the theme was for them in their campus environment. "Students do not know how to eat properly, or do not make time even to eat a meal. It's just not at the top of our priority." one student shared during a discussion. Sharings about sensory impressions (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) brought lively deliberations on the affects of music, movies, and the media in general. One student shared his mini-liberation when he first realized that it was okay for him not to always have his ears connected to his iPod. He sat on a bus and just enjoyed observing the people and experiencing the environment around him. "Just living. Really living in the environment!" he released with a beautiful smile.

The morning wake-up bell was invited at 5:00 am. Students slowly enjoyed their walk down to the hall for guided meditation at 6:00 am. The crisp morning air and soft light was a treat for the students once they made it out of their dorms. This early wake-up is not the usual for campus life. But the unspoiled natural surrounding made up for it. After sitting we gathered for the 10 Mindfulness Movements outside the hall. The second morning, Brother Phap Lam taught us some martial arts move that probably left some parts of us aching. Before each Dharma Talk, we gathered to sing and to practice walking meditation.

Two wonderful flowers bloomed during this retreat. A Brother and Sister shared some new songs to the community and the students. One song used the lyrics from the sutra "Watering the Seeds of Joy" with music that seemed to have touched precious chord in all our hearts. Tears formed that orientation night, when the song was first shared that watered our seeds of joy and reminded us of our connection with our parents and ancestors; something that we all know so deeply but forget. Another flower was a spontaneous session of Circle Dancing. Everyone participated. When we joined hands, the circle friends filled the Ocean of Peace Hall almost completely. Sister Chau Nghiem taught us the dance, then we formed an inner circle and began to sing and dance. This broke the ice and our seeds of togetherness and joy were watered. Simple. Very human.

We have asked the students to write to us and send their pictures, so we will be getting more reports soon. Until the next gathering, see you on the mountain.

A view at Retreat Pamplet which includes Retreat Schedule, 4 Nutriments, 5 Mindfulness Trainings, New Practice Songs.

BY PHAP DUNG