The Brothers of Deer Park Monastery would like to visit and reconnect with Sanghas in the West this summer!
Brother Freedom, Brother Gem, and Brother Earth are planning a Road-Retreat in a rolling temple (aka a rented motorhome) that they have nicknamed “Dharma Wheelzzz”. Their tour will take them through 10 states including Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon and California from August 10th until September 19th 2021, driving nearly 4,500 miles in six weeks to practice together with you!
This non-residential retreat is coming to the San Francisco Bay Area!
Bay Area retreat days and times:
Saturday, Sep 18th – Sunday, Sep 19th 2021
Day 1: 9AM-7PM
Day 2: 9AM-3PM
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. We’ve been amazed at the response — so many people have signed up that we are worried we’ll exceed the capacity of our location!
If we are able to accommodate more, we will re-open the registration link.
Details
COVID guidelines: In order to protect the sangha (including our monastic friends), we are asking all attendees to confirm that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
In addition, we will require attendees to wear masks and to remain 6’ apart from other attendees. This is an outdoor location, which reduces risk further. And we will also be taking temperatures as people arrive.
Suggested donation: We are asking for a suggested donation of $70 per person, most of which will go towards Deer Park. Donors have already covered the cost of renting the park. No one will be turned away for donating less, and it is also possible to give no money at all — your presence is enough. You’ll receive instructions on how to make a donation with your registration confirmation.
Refreshments: The organizers can probably provide some drinks and snacks (as well as extra masks, hand sanitizer, and basic first aid), but we you will probably need to bring your own lunches and dinners, or we may organize a potluck. More info to come on this!
Is it okay to attend just part of the retreat? Yes, you are welcome to attend only part of the retreat. Please be mindful when coming and going that you do not disturb other attendees. See below for the tentative agenda.
Tentative agenda
Saturday September 18th:
- 09:00am Walking Meditation
- 10:30am Dharma Talk incl. 30 min. of Sitting Meditation
- 12:30pm Mindful Lunch (Packed Lunch)
- 02:00pm Deep Relaxation/ Stick Exercise/ Mindful Movements
- 03:30pm Dharma Sharing
- 05:00pm Workshops
- 06:30pm Mindful Dinner (Packed Dinner)
- 07:00pm Social Time and End of Day
Sunday September 19th:
- 09:00am Walking Meditation/ 5 MT Transmission
- 10:30am Q&A incl. 30 min. of Sitting Meditation
- 12:30pm Mindful Lunch (Packed Lunch)
- 01:30pm Dharma Sharing
- 02:30pm Closing Circle
- 03:00pm End of Retreat
About the Monastics
Thay Ngo Khong (Brother Freedom), Dharma Teacher and acting abbot in Deer Park, was “born” in Plum Village France, practiced in Blue Cliff, NY and Deer Park. His heart’s desire is to apply the practice in order to connect with ourselves and others, and to create sacred spaces, be it physical or musical.
Brother Minh Dia (Brother Earth) is our youngest brother on the tour. Brother Earth is of Vietnamese origin, grew up in the US and is bilingual. He is a warm and super kind practitioner, loves to build siblinghood, listen to people’s life stories, enjoys nature, and riding his bicycle!
Thay Phap Con (Brother Gem), Dharma Teacher, practiced in Tu Duc Temple, Vietnam and Plum Village France, has joined the Deer Park Brothers in June 2020. Thay Phap Con speaks English and Vietnamese, has a deep understanding of Thay’s teachings and loves to play guitar.
Tour Locations
For more information about other stops on the tour, see the Deer Park website.