Special Events

What is the Rainy Season Retreat?

During the Buddha's time the rainy season marked a pause from traveling and teaching - a time to gather, reflect, and deepen practice. For the past 25 years the SFBC has honored this tradition with a month-long non-residential retreat each January. By temporarily pausing our introductory classes we make time to deepen our practice and our connections with one another. This is also a time for healing, resting, nourishing the heart's wisdom and replenishing our inner resources ready for the year ahead.

In 2025 we are fortunate to have our old friend and teacher Shantinayaka here to co-lead the retreat with Viradhamma.  

Who is it for?

The retreat is recommended for Order Members, Mitras and friends who are familiar with the SFBC and have a commitment to practicing here, but if you are none of these things and have experience of Buddhist Meditation and Practices you are welcome too.  We ask that everyone is willing to commit to attending all or most of the 4 Wednesday evening teachings during the retreat. 

The retreat will be in person only at the SFBC.  (We will reunite with our zoom friends when our regular Wednesday Sangha Nights will resume February 5.) 

Feel free to email with any questions, and please also check our safety requirements.

Schedule

The retreat will begin on Wednesday January 8 with a potluck, meditation, and an introduction to the series, and will continue each Wednesday in January with meditation, talks and discussion groups. The main teachings will be on Wednesdays and we encourage you to come to them all if you can.  We also recommend joining us to meditate weekday mornings and Saturdays.  

This is an opportunity to commit to your practice in the New Year with the support of your Sangha.

Basic Program (More information will follow nearer the time)

Wednesday Night Gatherings, January 8, 15, 22 and 29, 7pm to 9pm

Meditation, Talk/Presentation, Discussion Groups, along the lines of our regular Sangha Nights but in person and with more of a retreat feel. 

Morning Meditations Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 8:15am

Open meditation with bells at the beginning and end. 

Saturday Meditations Jan 11, 18 and 25, 9am

3 meditations starting on the hour (9am, 10am, 11am)

Friday Pujas

January 10 Full Moon Puja

More events to come, including:

Going for Refuge and Prostration Practice with Karunadevi (for GFR Mitras and Order Members only)

Meditation reviews and Study for Core Sangha

Donations

Donations are always welcome and appreciated. We suggest $50 to $100 for the whole retreat.  For payment methods see this page.