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In the Eureka oath, there is the phrase: "to stand together truly". What does it mean?
In his time 2500 years ago, the Buddha, as a teacher of fundamental truths about the existence of suffering, its cause and its cessation, was a great social reformer. After his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree he quickly drew a following and founded an order of monks (the Sangha), which was democratic in constitution and communal in the distribution of wealth.
When he had sixty enlightened disciplines, he sent them forth to teach the Dharma to all without distinction of wealth, status, or gender saying: "Free am I, O Monks, from all bonds, divine or human. Likewise you too, O Monks, are free from all bonds."
"Go forth, O Monks, for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, benefit and happiness of all beings."
And so Buddhism spread on the path of kindness, friendliness and respect, which drew into its community practice, kings and criminals, paupers and millionaires, peasants and courtesans. Noble truth was lived and taught in noble friendship: there never was a forced conversion, never a war in the name of the Buddha.
The Standing Together Truly Retreat will be a small bunch of friends reflecting on the Dharma path for social justice in these times.
The Venerable Santitthito, Dharma teacher
The Venerable Santitthito is German born and Thai trained. A conscientious objector to national service, he followed the hippie trail as a spiritual seeker during the sixties and in 1969 ordained as a monk under the revered Thai teacher, Ajahn Buddhadassa. Now an Australian citizen, after 25 years in Thailand he is usually in residence at Wat Buddhalavarn, the Lao supported forest monastery at Wedderburn, NSW.
About Snake Valley Culture Camp and the Retreat
Snake Valley Culture Camp is a collaboration between two artist collectives, Culture Lab International and the Crazy Convoy of Importance on a former emu farm at Carngham, 20 minutes West of Ballarat. The Retreat will be conducted as a camp outdoors, under stars and by open fires. Wet weather shelter is available.
Participants are asked to bring warm clothing, shelter and sleeping gear that they need. Also sit cushions and camp chairs if needed. The Retreat will begin at 7 pm Friday and participants are asked to arrive and set up camp before that time.
The teaching will include meditation sessions, story telling, dialogue and group exercises.
Breakfast and lunch will be served on the Saturday and Sunday. Hot drinks will be available at all times.
Dana
It is a tradition of Buddhist teaching that teachers are supported to teach by the generosity (Dana) of those who hear the teaching.
The Venerable Santitthito offers his Dharma teaching as a gift. To cover the expenses of setting up the Retreat and providing food, a cash contribution will be invited from participants.
To assist with catering, please confirm participation by 5 pm Thursday 18 September.
Registration and bookings
Telephone bookings and inquiries: Graeme Dunstan 02 53389 4641 or 0407 951 688
Email: graemedunstan@peacebus.com
The Venerable Santitthito
Media Release 16 November 2005
Buddhism meets Eureka
A senior Theravadin Buddhist monk, the Venerable Santitthito, has come to Ballarat to be in residence for the Eureka150 celebrations.
The German born, the Venerable Santitthito is a former conscientious objector to army service, who followed the hippie trail as a spiritual seeker and ordained as a monk in Thailand in 1969. After 25 years in Thailand he is now an Australian citizen who is normally in resident at Wat Buddhalavarn, the Lao supported forest monastery at Wedderburn, near Sydney.
This coming weekend (sunset Friday 19 to sunset Sunday 21 November) he will be leading a small Dharma retreat at Carngham on the Eureka theme of Standing Together Truly. See
www.peacebus.com/StandingTruly/
The Retreat will take place in Carngham and include meditation practice and Dharma teaching on the
theme of kindness, generosity, and uplifting friendship as a path to social justice in these times.
The Ven.. Santitthito will be resident in Ballarat, Carngham, Blampied and Daylesford over the next four weeks.
Local Buddhist families including in particular Thai, Lao, Cambodian, Sri Lankan and Chinese, wishing to meet the monk, make food offerings and receive blessings should call 5338 4641. House visits can be arranged.
The Venerable Santitthito's visit to the Ballarat and district is being hosted by Carngham/Ballarat based artist collective, Culture Lab International.
Further information
Graeme Dunstan 0407 951 688
Willem Brugman or Graham Bird of Culture Lab 5338 4641
www.culturelab.org.au
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