Amitayus Retreat
DATE: 11th - 12th February 2012
TIME: Session times to be confirmed
FEE: No charge; donations welcome. Please book in advance by telephoning the centre on 0114 266 1142.
VENUE: Gyaltsabje Buddhist Centre, 685-691 Ecclesall Road, Sheffield, S11 8TG
CAR PARKING: Car parking is available to the rear of the premises; access via Hunter House Road
The Yoga of Buddha Amitayus is a special method for increasing lifespan, wisdom, and merit.
There is nothing more precious to us than our life. Because we have a precious human life, we have the opportunity to experience both temporary and ultimate happiness. We usually regard material possessions as very important and put much effort into acquiring them, but in reality our human life is our most important possession.
We all need a long life. If we lose this life, we shall lose our opportunity to enjoy a human life, to practise Dharma, and to attain liberation and enlightenment. This is why Je Tsongkhapa said that for those who wish to experience pure happiness, the greatest obstacles to the fulfilment of their wishes are death and ignorance. Death destroys our opportunity to take the essence of our precious human life, and ignorance destroys our opportunity to develop a pure experience of Dharma.
To overcome these obstacles, we need to increase our lifespan and our wisdom, and the principal method for doing this is the yoga of Buddha Amitayus. This yoga is also a special method for increasing our merit.
The stairs to the front entrance on Ecclesall Road may prove too steep for some visitors. If you would like to avoid the stairs you can gain entry to the centre at the rear of the building on Hunters House Road. This entrance is also convenient for wheelchairs and push chairs.