Bhante Sumitta is a frequent visiting teacher to Empty Cloud Monastery. During this time, Bhante Sumitta is conducting his second 7 Day Retreat at the monastery starting from November 24 to November 30, 2022. All resident practitioners will take part in this retreat while the visiting practitioners are allowed to participate with no distractions. All practitioners will maintain noble silence during the retreat and all phones and any communication devices should be handed over to the monastery or should be kept in airplane mode at all times to avoid any unnecessary distractions. All lay practitioners are required to observe 8 precepts during this retreat and should wear simple clothes and no beautifications or ornaments. apart from morning breakfast, lunch and evening allowable soft drink/tea no solid food after lunch unless there is a medical requirement. Drinking water is allowed at any time. it’s recommended that the practitioners wear comfortable yet simple upper dress and pants to sit comfortably without making much noise. Only vegetarian/vegan food is served at the monastery.

Dos |
Observe 8 Precepts
Maintain noble silence
Wear simple clothes
Practice sincerely & diligently
Don’ts
Don’t disturb other practitioners
No Social Media
Support
Eight Precepts (Aṭṭha Sīla)
VANDANĀ – Homage
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa | Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the FullyEnlightened One!
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa | Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the FullyEnlightened One!
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa | Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Exalted One, the FullyEnlightened One!
TI-SARAṆA – Three Refuges |
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the second time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the second time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the third time, I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the second time, I go to the Saṅgha as my refuge.Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the third time, I go to the Dhamma as my refuge.
Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi | For the third time, I go to the Sangha as my refuge.
Aṭṭha SĪLA – Eight Precepts |
Pānātipātā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing living beings.
Adinnādānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not given.
Abrahmacariyā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual indulgence.
Musāvādā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃ samādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false speech.
Surā meraya majja pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇi sikkhā padaṃsamādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from distilled and fermented liquor (drinks and drugs) that causes intoxication or heedlessness.
Vikālabhojanā veramanī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking food in inappropriate times.
Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūka dassana – mālā – gandha – vilepana – dhāraṇa – maṇḍaṇa – vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi. | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and unseemly shows; from the use of garlands, perfumes and unguents; from things that tend to beautify and adorn (the person).
Uccāsayana – mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi. | I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from (using) high and luxurious seats.
7 Days Retreat Schedule |
Day 1 | Thursday | November 24, 2022
05.30 am | Chanting & Meditation
07.00 am | Breakfast
08.00 am | Livestream | Ep. 4 – 大悲寺 The Ancient Path to Enlightenment – Pure & Right Livelihood part 4 (Buddhist Insight)
09.00 am | Livestream Yoga (Dhamma USA) & Work period
11.00 am | Lunch
02.00 pm | Meditation for Beginners by Bhante Sumitta | Guided Sitting & Walking Meditation Sessions
05.00 pm | Tea Chat with Monks
06.30 pm | Chanting & Meditation
07.30 pm | Livestream | Dhamma with Bhante Sanathavihari (Buddhist Insight)
09.00 pm | Livestream “Trauma-Informed Buddhist ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)” Rev. Dr. John Freese (Dhamma USA)
Day 2 | Friday | November 25, 2022
05.30 am | Chanting & Meditation
07.00 am | Breakfast
08.00 am | Dhamma Reflections with Bhante Sumitta | (Buddhist Insight)
09.00 am | Work period
11.00 am | Lunch
12.00 pm | PALI 101 | Pāli for Beginners | Level 1 | Pali Chanting Practice Session (Dhamma USA)
02.00 pm | Meditation for Beginners by Bhante Sumitta | Guided Sitting & Walking Meditation Sessions
05.00 pm | Tea Chat with Monks
06.30 pm | Chanting & Meditation
07.30 pm | Monk Chat with Bhante Sumitta (Buddhist Insight)
Day 3 | Saturday | November 26, 2022
05.30 am | Chanting & Meditation
07.00 am | Breakfast
09.00 am | Work period
11.00 am | Lunch
02.00 pm | Meditation for Beginners by Bhante Sumitta | Guided Sitting & Walking Meditation Sessions
05.00 pm | Tea Chat with Monks
06.00 pm | Meditation with Samanera Mettiko
Day 4 | Sunday | November 27, 2022
05.30 am | Chanting & Meditation
07.00 am | Breakfast
08.00 am | Work period
10.00 am | Livestream (Dhamma USA): “Mindfulness & Modern Day Busy Life” by Bhante Sumitta
11.10 am | Alms Round & Community Lunch
01.00 pm | Meditation by Bhante Sumitta | Guided Sitting & Walking Meditation Sessions + Q&A
05.00 pm | Tea Chat with monks
06.30 pm | Chanting & Meditation
Day 5 | Monday | November 28, 2022
05.30 am | Chanting & Meditation
07.00 am | Breakfast
09.00 am | Livestream Yoga (Dhamma USA) & Work period
11.00 am | Lunch
02.00 pm | Meditation for Beginners by Bhante Sumitta | Guided Sitting & Walking Meditation Sessions
05.00 pm | Tea Chat with monks
06.30 pm | Chanting & Meditation
Day 6 | Tuesday | November 29, 2022
Whole Day | Silent Practice
Day 7 | Wednesday | November 30, 2022
Whole Day | Silent Practice
For Buddha Vandanā |
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