A Question About Retreats [Archive] - Buddhism Without Boundaries

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BlueFaky

25 Oct 13, 19:20

Good evening board.

I've been visiting a Tibetan monastery called http://www.dhagpo-kundreul.org/fr/. It is pretty close to where I live. A very peaceful and beautiful place. They have a retreat center. I've been asking questions to a monk about retreats, and he told me if you have a health problem during your retreat, you can't go to a doctor. This monk also told me they would not heat the place during winter.

I understand part of the retreats process is to help you get rid of addictions and all the things you were clinging to in the outside world, including things that make indoors life more comfortable (heating, artificial lights...etc). That much I can understand but why not treat a health problem if it occurs ?

Thank you very much.

Aloka

25 Oct 13, 19:50

They have a retreat center. I've been asking questions to a monk about retreats, and he told me if you have a health problem during your retreat, you can't go to a doctor. This monk also told me they would not heat the place during winter.

Hi BlueFakey,

Personally I can't see any logical reason for this and there's no way I'd go on a retreat which didn't allow me to see a doctor if I was ill and which wasn't heated in the European winter time.

Do they charge a fee for retreats ?

Kind regards,

Aloka :hands:

BlueFaky

26 Oct 13, 18:35

Hi Aloka.

I have noticed you always spell my name BlueFakey instead of BlueFaky. English is not my native tongue and I apologize if "Faky" is a bad word or a vulgar slang word. Would you like me to re-register under another name ? Just let me know it really isn't a problem to me.

About the retreat problem, I believe a severe health problem would be treated, they would probably not let someone die from a heart attack, but they would not let you go to the dentist if you have a tooth cavity.

Regarding the retreats, yes they do charge a monthly fee http://www.dhagpo-kundreul.org/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=74

I do believe anyone can access the short retreats but candidates for the 3 years 3 months and 3 days retreat need allowance from a Lama.

Aloka

26 Oct 13, 19:46

Element

26 Oct 13, 20:37

That much I can understand but why not treat a health problem if it occurs?
hi Blue

for most, possibly all, of us, there will come a time when we, approaching death, become sick & cannot treat it. at this time, if our mind has previously trained itself well dharma practise, it will be able to let go & be at peace by not-attaching to & accepting the sickness

the retreat is giving the opportunity, if it arises, to practice non-attachment towards sickness

with metta

element ;D

Aloka

26 Oct 13, 20:48

the retreat is giving the opportunity, if it arises, to practice non-attachment towards sickness

If it was just a cold or a minor toothache, sure, but in the case of something like pneumonia or acute appendicitis than medical treatment is crucial. One can't practice non-attachment if one is dead.

but they would not let you go to the dentist if you have a tooth cavity.

Tibetan retreats aren't like prison - you can leave them whenever you want. (but cant necessarily go back to continue the same retreat again)

;D

Element

26 Oct 13, 21:13

If it was just a cold or a minor toothache, sure, but in the case of something like pneumonia or acute appendicitis than medical treatment is crucial. One can't practice non-attachment if one is dead.
I trust some common sense comes in handy. :peace:

BlueFaky

27 Oct 13, 09:58

I'm so sorry Blue Faky,please don't apologise !

Its entirely a mistake on my part - and there's nothing wrong with your name.

:bag:

lol don't be sorry my friend in Dharma :)

I like people to change my name. It gives me a good opportunity to feel the impermanence of things. :hands:

BlueFaky

27 Oct 13, 09:59

hi Blue

for most, possibly all, of us, there will come a time when we, approaching death, become sick & cannot treat it. at this time, if our mind has previously trained itself well dharma practise, it will be able to let go & be at peace by not-attaching to & accepting the sickness

the retreat is giving the opportunity, if it arises, to practice non-attachment towards sickness

with metta

element ;D

Thank you very much Element :D I understand now.
So you've already heard about that 'rule' been effective in other Tibetan retreats center ?