First Retreat

[002 Cents]

Yesterday I attended my first retreat. Only a day long but it was hosted by a couple of Monks from a local Monastery.

At the end of the day they wrapped it all up with remembering these 3 numbers 5, 5, 3.

5 Precepts, 5 Hindrances and 3 Kammas.

The 5 precepts as follows.

1. to abstain from taking life
2. to abstain from taking what is not given
3. to abstain from sexual misconduct
4. to abstain from false speech
5. to abstain from fermented drink that causes heedlessness

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts

The 5 Hindrances as Follows

1. Sensual desire (kāmacchanda): Craving for pleasure to the senses.
2. Anger or ill-will (byāpāda, vyāpāda): Feelings of malice directed toward others.
3. Sloth-torpor or boredom (thīna-middha): Half-hearted action with little or no concentration.
4. Restlessness-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca): The inability to calm the mind.
5. Doubt (vicikicchā): Lack of conviction or trust.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_hindrances

Having a hard time finding a good resource to define the 3 Kammas... mayhaps someone more familiar with Buddhism can fill in the blanks here...

[Samana]

Hi 002Cents,

I'm not sure what you mean by 3 Kammas.

Perhaps you mean the Three Marks of Existence (also called the Three Characteristics) namely anicca, dukkha, and anatta.(impermanence, suffering and not-self.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_marks_of_existence




with kind wishes,

Samana

[002 Cents]

Thanks for the response.

The response I got from someone on my FB was

"Mental action, verbal action, physical action"

So, now I am confused because I remember them talking abut both yesterday.

[Samana]

It's nice that you were able to get some instruction, 002Cents.

Were the monks from a Theravada monastery? - - and did you do any meditation ?


Kind wishes,

Samana

[002 Cents]

No, they were not from that Monastery. And we did much meditation.

There were talks, meditations and open Q&A.

I found that much of what they said aligns with my own contemplations in investigating my spiritual self. And perhaps giving this more investigation will assist in developing this further.

That said I tend to resist being guided in any given direction and like to see where my own contemplation takes me. It fascinates me that it brings me back to something taught by the Buddha but I use this as a reassurance that I am finding truth.

I am doubtful that this practice will ever bring me enlightenment. But that is not so much my intent, just a deeper understanding. If I ever find enlightenment it will be by accident.

[norseman]

I put this link in your other thread too. It's worth a look and a stay

http://www.samyeling.org

[002 Cents]

If I ever end up there I will have to check it out.

I went ahead and bookmarked the site.

And again, Thank you for sharing that.

[Samana]

"I am doubtful that this practice will ever bring me enlightenment. But that is not so much my intent, just a deeper understanding. If I ever find enlightenment it will be by accident"

If Buddhist practice helps you to ease mental conflict and discontent and helps you to live mindfully and at ease in the here and now, then you will have achieved something positive from it!

You can find lots of resources here:

http://www.buddhanet.net/

and you can read the historical Buddha's original teachings from the Pali Canon here:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/