2025佛光西來英文書院

Pause. Think. Start Anew.

The Hsi Lai Buddhist Retreat is an opportunity to immerse yourself in 2 weeks of authentic Chinese Buddhist monastic life. At the monastery, participants will see the world from a new perspective and have the opportunity to develop greater happiness and well-being which can be shared with all the lives they touch in the future.

** Applications cut-off date is May 10th 2025 **

Dates: June 8 ~ June 22, 2025
Ages: 16-35
Location: FGS Hsi Lai Temple, 3456 Glenmark Drive, Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
Contact Details: outreach@ibps.org, (626) 923 5110

**All applicants will be interviewed before being accepted into the retreat
**Further details will be sent out to successful applicants

Info & Registration

Retreat Schedule:

Upon check-in, retreat participants will begin with a full day of orientation to the monastic lifestyle and the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order. This will be followed by a week of enriching activities, including morning meditation, Sutra studies, Humanistic Buddhism studies, exploration of the monastery, Buddhist practices, communal work, vegetarian meals, Dharma talks, group discussions, and evening chanting. Here is a sample of what the daily schedule may look like.

Time Activity
06:00  Morning Wakeup
06:30—07:10  Morning Exercise and Meditation
07:30—08:00  Breakfast
08:10—08:50  Cleaning
09:00—10:50  Classes
11:00—11:20  Transcribing Sutras
11:30—12:00  Lunch
12:00—12:15  Walking Meditation
12:15—13:20  Noon Break
13:30—15:20  Classes: Buddhist Practices / Monastic Activities
15:30—16:30  Communal Work
16:40—17:50  Shower / Laundry
18:00—18:30  Medicine Meal (Dinner)
18:30—19:00  Evening Chores
19:00—19:50  Group Discussion / Reflections
20:00—21:20  Evening Chanting
22:00  Lights Out

The retreat will feature a 1-day silent intensive cultivation and meditation experience, allowing participants to put theory into practice and explore the depths of the mind. Below is a glimpse of what this immersive day entails:
Time Activity
06:00  Wake up
06:30—07:00  Exercises
07:00—07:30  Meditation
07:30—08:00  Breakfast
08:10—08:50  Cleaning
09:00—09:30  Tea & Instruction
09:40—10:10  Meditation
10:30—11:10  Meditation
11:30—12:00  Lunch
12:00—12:20  Walking Meditation
12:20—13:10  Noon Break
13:30—14:00  Meditation
14:20—14: 50  Meditation
15:10—15:40  Tea & Instruction
15:40—17:45  Chores / Shower
18:00—18:30  Medicine Meal
19:00—19:30  Chan Talk
19:50—20:10  Meditation
20:30—21:00  Meditation
21:00—22:00  Break
22:00  Lights Out