GAUNTS HOUSE, WIMBORNE, DORSET Surrounded by gorgeous trees of differing greens, and a timeless landscape stretching into the distance, Gaunts is naturally beautiful and peaceful. One hears the birdsong, the cooing of pigeons, the buzzing of flies; roe deer come and nibble the roses of an early morning. The energy of the intention lived here for a generation, has become part of the fabric: one can feel it. The people here are friendly and helpful; we live as some sort of extended family. The atmosphere, ambience, embraces one on entering; some say they feel it from miles away. Gaunts House is a period, red-brick mansion with castellated north tower, located on the c. 1,900 acres of Gaunts Estate. The rooms and setting are spacious, peaceful and beautiful. The educational work of the foundation started in 1982, and well over 100,000 people have been to stay at Gaunts House since 1988. It is not unusual for a course guest to tell us that Gaunts feels like their second home, and that their time here has been one of the happiest times of their life; or, more simply, that visiting Gaunts is an extraordinary experience. Course leader/teachers tell us this is one of the great centres in the world. DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR BODIHCHARYA STUDENTS This will be Ringu Tulku Rinpoche s first visit to Gaunts House. A discounted price for the full programme is offered to his students using the attached form. However to take advantage of this offer, your booking must be made by 20 TH MARCH 2015. After that date, any bookings will be taken via the Gaunts House Website at the full price. 1
PROGRAMME Registration will be from 3.30 pm on Wednesday 15 th July. From Thursday 16 th July onwards, each day will begin with meditation sessions at 7.30 am and the workshops and teachings will start at 10.30 am. Kum Nye classes (a Tibetan yoga/mindfulness in movement practice) will be held before lunch. Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will give a public talk on Wednesday evening (7.30 to 9pm) and will then teach two sessions per day on the Six Paramitas (Perfections) starting Thursday morning through to Saturday afternoon. The Six Paramitas are moral conduct, patience, wisdom, diligence, meditation and generosity and developing these are central to Buddhist practice. On Sunday morning, Rinpoche will give a Chenrezig (Avalokiteshvara) empowerment. Chenrezig is the Bodhisattva of Compassion and the Chenrezig practice is done in order to develop our own compassion. Ringu Tulku Rinpoche was born in eastern Tibet in 1952. He has trained in all schools of Tibetan Buddhism under many great masters, including H.H. the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and has gone on to share his wisdom and compassion around the world. Speaking fluent English, Rinpoche is renowned for his ability to present his profound knowledge of the Dharma in a pragmatic and accessible way for Westerners. He regularly visits the UK but this will be the first time he has taught at Gaunts House. Tashi Lhunpo monks will be in residence throughout the festival, and will be making a Chenrezig sand mandala, which will be started at 4.30pm on Wednesday 15 th July and destroyed at the end of the initiation on Sunday 19 th July. During the festival, they will be holding workshops in which you can try sand mandala making, prayer flag printing, butter sculpture and learn some Tibetan language. Performance workshops allow a greater insight into the meaning of the gestures in dialectical debate (Taksel), the costumes and steps of the masked dance and mudras used in the Tantric prayers. A performance of the unique masked dance and sacred chant of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be held in the evening of Saturday 18 th July. Kathakali artists from Kerala will join the festival for Thursday 16 th and Friday 17th July. Through practical workshops, Masters of Kathakali will provide an opportunity to learn about the drumming and singing techniques that have been used in the Hindu temple rituals for 2,000 years and discover how the Kathakali actor tells a story through characters, body language, emotion and a 4,000 year old sacred sign language. In the afternoon there is an opportunity to see the how the elaborate three dimensional make-up transforms the actors into gods, goddesses and demons, view the costumes and meet the artists. As the blessings of the setting sun arrive The Kala Chethena Kathakali Company will give a performance transporting the audience into the magical world of the gods and goddesses as good and evil battle for supremacy and expose our strengths and weaknesses through drama. During the Festival there will be special activities for on Saturday 18 th and Sunday 19 th July. Workshops held by both Tashi Lhunpo monks and the Kathakali artists will be suitable for all ages. Natural therapies, healing and massage sessions can be booked throughout the period from Sarpenela Natural Therapies Centre (www.sarpenela.co.uk), who will have a treatment area at Gaunts House during the Festival. To book a session in advance, please contact 01725 516952 info@sarpenela.co.uk. The scheduling will be such that you will be able to attend events as you chose or take time out to relax, enjoy the beautiful grounds or have a swim. Tibetan handicrafts, incense, singing bowls, books and other items are available to buy from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust. Books by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche will be available through Bodhicharya Publishing Group and Rigul Trust, including Rinpoche s commentary Chenrezig, the Practice of Compassion. 2
MAIN HOUSE ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE AT GAUNTS HOUSE FOR BBG PARTICIPANTS 15th-19th JULY 2015 There are dorm rooms (5, 4 and 3 bedded rooms), twin rooms and 3 double-bedded rooms available in the main house on the First and Second Floors. There is 1 x twin room available on the Ground Floor suitable for people with mobility issues. Please contact Gaunts House direct for information (01202 841522). All the rooms in the main house have shared bathrooms. Towels are not provided. Each bed is provided with sheets, blankets, duvet and pillows. Guests are responsible for looking after their own room during their stay. 376 Cost for four nights including full board, all teachings, exhibitions, workshops and performances by Tashi Lhunpo Monks and Kathakali Dancers, and including a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. CAMPING 280 Cost for four nights camping in the Parkland surrounding Gaunts House, including full board, all teachings, exhibitions, workshops and performances by Tashi Lhunpo Monks and Kathakali Dancers, and including a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. 200 Cost for four nights self-catering camping in the Parkland surrounding Gaunts House, including all teachings, exhibitions, workshops and performances by Tashi Lhunpo Monks and Kathakali Dancers, and including a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. There is a camping block in the Courtyard with showers, loos and a kitchen sink. WEEKEND ONLY TICKETS / TWO-DAY TICKETS ACCOMMODATION IN THE MAIN HOUSE Accommodation in the main house is being reserved initially for those booking for the full four nights. Please contact Gaunts House after the BBG Booking Period has expired (20 th March) in case it is possible to accommodate you in the house. CAMPING It is possible to book self-catering camping for less than the full four night period but for a minimum of two nights at a cost of 50 per person per night, including access to all teachings, exhibitions, workshops and performances by Tashi Lhunpo Monks and Kathakali Dancers (16 th and 17 th July only), and including a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. 3
CHILDREN There is a reduced charge for at the following rates: Up to 3 years - free of charge 3-7 years 75% off quoted price 8-12 years 50% off quoted price 13-17 years 25% off quoted price See the booking form for total amounts. Please note that there is no childcare available, and are welcomed subject to them being properly supervised at all times by a responsible adult. NON RESIDENTIAL TICKETS - 35 PER DAY including access to early morning meditation, all events and workshops/performances/ teachings etc, and a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. PREFERENTIAL BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS The specially discounted price for Bodhicharya Buddhist Group students expires on 20 th March, after which bookings will be open to the general public. After 20th March, bookings will have to be made through Gaunts House, http://www.gauntshouse.com/, and will be charged at full cost. Residential accommodation in the Main House will then be subject to availability. NOTES: Accommodation and full board is offered free of charge to ordained members of the Sangha. Please email bodicharyasw@gmail.com for details. There is an open-air heated swimming pool available for the use of guests except when teachings are in progress in The Barn Theatre. No lifeguard will be provided, and the pool is used at your own risk. Children must be supervised at all times. If you would like to use a meditation cushion for the morning meditation sessions, please bring your own. The rooms have wooden floors, so you might also like to bring a mat or similar. Chairs will be available for meditation and teaching sessions. 4
DHARMA FESTIVAL - GAUNTS HOUSE 15 th to 19 th July 2015 BODHICHARYA BUDDHIST GROUPS BOOKING FORM USE THIS PREFERENTIAL BOOKING FORM ONLY UNTIL 20 TH MARCH Name: Address: Email: Phone No: Any other information: If you would like to share a room, please make a group booking on this form, listing additional names, and we will endeavour to meet your requirements. For * include age and see separate booking below. *you are welcome to bring, but child care cannot be provided The total cost covers accommodation in the house, all meals (unless camping selfcatering), admission to workshops and performances, administrative costs and a donation to Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. FOUR NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL AND CAMPING ADULTS Accommodation required No: of adults Cost per adult Total payable 4 nights residential Dormitory accommodation 376 Twin bedded room (limited availability) 376 Double bedded room (limited availability) 376 4 nights camping with all meals 280 4 nights camping self catering 200 5
FOUR NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL AND CAMPING Contd CHILDREN Accommodation required Ages of No of Cost per Child Total payable 4 nights residential accommodation: twin or dorm 4 nights camping with all meals 4 nights camping self catering 3-7 94 8-12 188 13-17 282 3-7 70 8-12 140 13-17 210 3-7 50 8-12 100 13-17 146 TWO NIGHTS RESIDENTIAL AND CAMPING Accommodation required No: of Adults Dates booked Cost per Adult Total payable ADULTS 2 nights camping, selfcatering 100 CHILDREN 2 nights camping self catering DAY TICKETS Ages of Dates booked No. of Cost 3-7 25 8-12 50 13-17 75 Total payable Non residential Ages of Dates booked No. of people Cost per person ADULT Day ticket 35 CHILD Day ticket 3-7 8.75 CHILD Day ticket 8-12 17.50 CHILD Day ticket 13-17 26.25 Total payable How to Pay: By Cheque payable to Richard Glyn Foundation Send with completed form to Gaunts House, Petersham Lane, Gaunts, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 4JQ To pay by card: Call Gaunts House on 01202 841522 and ask to book at the Bodhicharya rates. Credit card charges will apply. 6