Meditation retreats
   at Nan Hua Temple

Nan Hua meditation retreats provide an opportunity for you to let go of your day-to-day responsibilities, rest, restore your energies and focus on your inner development and spiritual growth. They provide an opportunity to cultivate your spiritual being, restore a sense of balance and well-being, and open up to nature. A weight may seem to be lifted from your shoulders and you may be able to experience a fresh perspective that will renew your appreciation for life and your commitment to use well every precious moment. Meditation is a wonderful way to nurture your creativity.

The Temple offers a Beginner’s meditation retreat (which includes an introduction to Ch’an or Zen meditation) and intermediate level Pure Land retreats. On the Beginner’s retreat we teach you relaxation, calming and focusing meditation techniques that you can take home and practice in the midst of the bustle of daily life to calm yourself down, restore your energy and help you cope with the ongoing stresses of modern life. We also introduce you to other Eastern Buddhist practices, not yet well known in the west, which can also be used to cope with the pressures of life.

The Intermediate Pure Land retreat is open to experienced meditators who have been meditating for a year or more who can sit with back upright and unsupported for an hour, who have a good background in Buddhism and who have attended previous Pure Land Retreats. If required the Temple will offer an Introductory Pure Land retreat to people having some knowledge of Buddhism and who know how to meditate.

An Advanced Pure Land retreat is offered once or twice a year. This retreat is for meditators who have been mediating for at least a year and can sit upright, back unsupported for an hour. They should be familiar with Pure Land teachings and practice and have a good knowledge of basic Buddhism.

On retreat at Nan Hua, all your basic needs are cared for in a safe, supportive, calm environment. You can then focus all your energy and attention on finding the answers you seek and on rejuvenating your body, mind and spirit and embarking on the ultimate journey: the exploration of self.