Creative Symbols on the Path to Enlightenment

Buddhism is concerned not with theories and speculations or with mere external displays of religious piety, but with the direct experience, in the depths of our being, of what we truly and essentially are.

As such, the Buddhist path to Enlightenment is strewn with creative symbols – images, colour, evocative myths and stories, mantric sound, and rituals – to stir the depths of our consciousness and guide us towards, even give us a glimpse of, this direct experience of Reality.

On this retreat, Padmasagara will give a series of talks on the life of the Buddha as revealed in the scriptures, which are packed full of creative symbols: showers of flower petals, great lotus lakes, fire-breathing dragons, encounters with Mara the Evil One, and various miraculous happenings.

We will see how these symbols are not just creative in the abstract, or in the past, or in India or Tibet; they are creative right here and now.

Through discussion, meditation, chanting and ritual we will contemplate these creative symbols, allow them to work on us, transform us, energise us, and spark us off in our own spiritual lives so that with increasing confidence we can follow in the Buddha’s footsteps.

Details and Timings

The retreat starts with dinner on the first day at 6:30pm and finishes on the final day at 10.00am.

This retreat follow on directly from the Men's Great Gathering Weekend 3. Consider making the most of your journey to Padmaloka by booking onto both retreats for a reduced rate here.

Health and Hygiene

For information on our Covid policy and to see our risk assessment please visit our Coming on Retreat page.

Banner and thumbnail image: cropped painting from Padmaloka by Aloka ©