A place to learn and practise Mahasi Vipassana Insight Meditation

Buddhist Retreat

Registered in England and Wales - Charity No. 1116668


Vision

Satipanya Buddhist Retreat is informally affiliated to a group of meditation centres in Sri Lanka. The order is the Swejjin Chapter within the Amarapura Nikaya (order). This is the Monastic Sangha that Bhante Bodhidhamma belongs to. There is also an informal relationship to Gaia House, the large meditation in Devon where Bhante was resident teacher.

Buddhism has come to the West in all its varied forms. It is hoped that Satipanya offers a clear vision so that retreatants can decide whether this is the form best suited for them.

There are many Mahasi centres and groups within UK and Europe. It is hoped to have some unofficial affiliation with them all and in time to develop a network.

Satipanya welcomes all, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, political persuasion and, most important, religious persuasion.

The Aim:

  • To transmit the teachings of the Buddha as expressed through the Theravada Tradition.

  • To teach vipassana, insight meditation, in the Mahasi Tradition. Mahasi Courses are set times of challenging practice.

  • To offer the opportunity to live contemplatively. These are times for personal retreats.

  • To offer various courses that enhance the spiritual life.

The Environment:

Satipanya offers a quiet environment in a secluded, though not isolated, country bungalow with annexe, sixteen miles south of Shrewsbury. It is a seven minute walk from a bus stop and is, therefore, easily accessible by public transport.

Our Lifestyle:

We practise according to the four basic attitudes of the Contemplative Life:
Simplicity: a simple lifestyle mirrored mainly in our food and sleeping accommodation.
Celibacy: renouncing the joys of intimate sexual relationship in order to devote ourselves to spiritual practice.
Surrender: the spiritual path always asks us to do what ‘the self’ would rather not do.
Service: the importance of good companionship was greatly stressed by the Buddha, not only for support, but also to offer us the opportunity to develop.
Metta – all the social virtues one would hope of a friend.

Programme:

Mahasi Course
There are two three month periods over the winter and the summer, devoted to the strict practice of Mahasi vipassana.

Contemplative Living
These are times are for personal practice.

Special Courses
There are also special course such as Metta, Bodycare and Study.

Evening and Day Courses
There are evening and day meditation courses also offered, aimed especially at local meditators.
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