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Stories from the Retreat in Germany
Dharma teachers are expanding retreats in many countries including Israel, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, the US, and Vietnam. In the current context, there are two Jewish Dharma teachers and the support of several other monastics. A monastic after five years can become a teacher, reaching the state of five Rains Retreats independent of a teacher and having enough vital energy to guide others. The work Dharma Dust and Yellow Plum Blossoms has also just been published in Vietnam. In Munich, a charity center is run by three Dharma teachers who formerly resided at Plum Village, including Kanga, Hanga, and another teacher. The Kirchentag convention in Germany attracted 400,000 people, bringing insight to young people through Dharma talks and walking meditation.
Today consists of two Dharma talks: the first is a report by Sister Chan Khong on the Sangha’s activities in Germany, and the second is by Thay. The retreat in Berlin was organized in the format of a half-retreat from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM for five consecutive days, including Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The practice focused on the four truths:
- Recognizing that we have suffering.
- Knowing there is a path out of suffering.
- Finding the cause of suffering.
- Practicing that path.
The four hours of practice each evening included guided meditation, chanting, a Dharma talk, eating in mindfulness, walking meditation, lying down meditation, and Touching the Earth. The Dharma door of Beginning Anew was practiced through inviting the bell, how to hold the bell inviter, how to bow, how to practice chanting, and how to recite the mindfulness trainings to clear up entanglements within the Sangha. The talk also addressed three issues raised by a female bishop, including embracing anger, the presence of God in the practice, and the role of women. The practice helps to transform the fear of birth and death, while also incorporating fundraising from the sale of calligraphy in German and Italian to support poor children.