Flowering Dharma Centre had an opportunity to take 8 students including two members to attend 5 days retreat session from 25th till 29th March by Geshe Lakdor la. Under the scholarship of Deer Park Institute and Flowering Dharma. The executive members of Ladakh Student Welfare Society Delhi, Sikkim Student Association Delhi, Zanskar Student Association Chandigarh and student from Arunachal attended the Retreat. This retreat was attended by around 30 participants from all around the world. It was a great opportunity for the students to interact with people from across the world. This Retreat was organised by Deer Park Institute.
The morning session began by guided meditation Gen Yeosal Nyima from 7:00 am to 7:30 am, it was then followed by breakfast. After breakfast session by Geshe Lakdorla began from 9:00 am till lunch 12:00 pm with half an hour tea break in between. Post lunch session started at 2:00 pm till 3:30pm.
The topic for the retreat was The Precious Garland of the Sublime Path by Lord Gampopa . Geshe Lakdor la explained the text in great detail. Apart from the text Geshela also talked about various other topics within Buddhist philosophy like Sunyata (Emptiness), Conventional and Ultimate truth, Impermanence, the 8 worldly concerns, Bodhicitta. Geshela also stressed on the importance to reduce negative emotions within oneself and how negative emotions arise because of ignorance.
On the 4th day of the retreat Geshela had an audience with the students and students shared their experiences and asked questions on various topics. 29th March was the last day of the retreat, it concluded with a thanks giving speech by Pravin ji of Deer Park and the participants shared their experiences. In the evening students parted ways for their respective stations.
