Padmaloka Retreat Centre

In the penultimate talk in his series devoted to the Bodhicaryavatara, Padmavajra explores chapter eight, the Perfection of Meditation (dhyana paramita). In this chapter, Shantideva tells us that in order to go deeply into meditation, we need to go into the solitude of body and mind, renouncing all worldly attachments and the usual way in which we relate to others. Having doing that, he shows how to develop an entirely new mind and heart, with a completely different way of being with others.

I am very sorry to say that we have decided as a community here at Padmaloka to extend the period of retreat cancellation by another two months, meaning that retreats in July and August are now cancelled. 

Despite the fact that the lockdown periods are starting to ease in many countries, as a retreat centre we are going to be amongst one of the last to be able to re-open;this is because social distancing would be near impossible to maintain here, and we feel a great responsibility to the men who come on retreat here to ensure their health and wellbeing. 

'Serenity, freedom from disease, joy and long life, the happiness of an emperor, prosperity; these the patient person receives while continuing in cyclic existence.'

Padmavajra's sixth talk on the Bodhicaryavatara explores Shantideva's thorough exploration of the perfection of patience. In this chapter, Shantideva brings our attention to the seriousness of the faults of hatred and anger.

"The defilements do not dwell in objects, nor in the collection of the senses, nor in the space in between. There is nowhere else for them to dwell and yet they churn up the entire universe." 

In his fourth talk on the Bodhicaryavatara, given on the weekly Padmaloka retreat, Padmavajra explores Shantideva's discussion of vigilance (apramada) in relation to the cultivation of the Bodhicitta.