with Venerable Antonio Satta
Antonio Satta was born in Sardegna Italy in 1956. He was first introduced to Tibetan Buddhism at Lama TsongKhapa Institute, Italy. After meeting Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in Italy, he took novice ordination in 1979 and then full ordination from HHDL in 1981. Ven. Antonio has received teachings from HHDL, Ling Rinpoche, Serkong Rinpoche, Song Rinpoche, Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche, Rilbur Rinpoche and various other teachers, including Geshe Jampa Lodro and Geshe Ngawang Dhargye. He also studied (including Tibetan language) for four years at Tharpa Choeling Switzerland with Geshe Rabten, and for four years at Nalanda Monastery with Geshe Jampa Techok. His main teachers are Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. In late 1981 Ven. Antonio spent a number of months in Sri Lanka at a MahasiSayadaw Insight Meditation Centre learning the practice of Vipassana.
Since 1991 he has been living in Australia, first translating and teaching at Vajrayana Institute, Sydney, then teaching and tutoring for the Buddhist Study Program at Chenrezig Institute.
Over the last 15 years Ven. Antonio has been concentrating on leading Vipassana and basic Mahamudra retreats as a way to introduce students to the practice of meditation
Chagtong Chentong once again warmly welcomes Venerable Antonio Sattas' return to Tasmania after a most successful 10 day Retreat in 2011,utilizing this same venue.This visit he will lead the classic 10 day Insight Meditation Retreat - The Purification of Vipassana - with a drop of Mahamudra
Venue: Maryknoll Retreat Centre, 15 Home Ave, Blackmans Bay. Tasmania
quiet spacious by the waterfront
Location: Mary knoll Venue , a 15 acre property with sweeping views to the Southern Oceans, is situated on the western side of the Derwent River, 20 minutes’ drive south from Hobart Central Business District . 40 minutes’ drive from Hobart Airport. Public transport services the area regularly.
Accommodation: Simple and comfortable Twin share or single rooms with share bathroom facility or limited self-contained single units. All linen and towels provided.Each bed has an electric blanket and laundry service is provided.
Shared accommodation is not available for couples attending together. Male and female areas will be designated.
Costs: $800 includes accommodation, all meals , course materials and retreat fees and offerings
Add extra $125 for single room or $180 for single self-contained unit
BYO Camping ( 6 spaces only) or Campervan/mobile home ( 3 spaces only) option available $500
~ 50% discount is offered to all ordained Sangha attending on Twin share (only) option accommodation fee ~
Meals: Simple vegetarian menu. Breakfast, midday main meal, light evening supper.
Limited special dietary requirements may be considered with prior notification
[facilities available for those with medically required conditions to bring their own food type necessities upon discussion with Retreat Coordinator]
Spaces are limited - maximum 35 spaces only - a very popular retreat so please register early
Email :
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to receive Application | Booking forms and Retreat Info Pack
Cancellation policy
Full refund return less $100 admin fee if cancellation is notified prior to 15 th June
50% refund return less $100 admin fee if cancellation is notified after 15 th June
Registrations are individually screened and approved by Ven. Antonio and participation is subject to quite stringent conditions – all this being necessary to create a conducive environment and opportunity for a genuine meditation experience.
ALL INQUIRIES WELCOME
Please read all Retreat information carefully. This is a silent retreat. Full attendance is a requirement.
Please note : No chairs are available for this retreat - floor cushions only OR byo sitting|kneeling stools allowable
All phones, ipads, computers etc to be handed in upon registration for the duration of the Retreat - a contact number will be provided for any emergency or required important messages for retreat participants
The daily schedule consists of alternating sitting and walking meditations within an environment of silence and constant mindfulness.
- Develop natural mindfulness in every action
- Disengage from unhealthy emotions
- Relax body and mind
- Understand the nature of mental activity
There are two types of confusion, intellectual and emotional, which require two antidotes; study purifies intellectual confusion and mindfulness purifies emotional confusion.
Mindfulness purifies emotional confusion by teaching us how to step back. We learn to look at things as they really are, in their simple and uncomplicated way of being. This is the beginning of purity and calmness.There are three types of Mahamudra: Sutra Mahamudra, Tantra Mahamudra and Essence Mahamudra.
In general, one trains on Mahamudra in accordance with the Sutra Mahamudra. In the Sutra Mahamudra the method of “non conceptual investigation” is clearly explained, and this is an important element in trying to find out the nature of the mind. This method requires the discipline of mindful awareness, which is well-taught in the practice of classic Vipassana. So approaching Mahamudra with classic Vipassana can be very useful for Westerners, as it helps to cut through discursiveness, which is one of the main obstacles of the modern day mind.
All levels of practitioners are welcome. Please be mindful about the discipline required for this retreat (see below)
All retreaters' need to complete the full retreat.
This kind of retreat is not suitable for people with a history of mental illness or those taking medication for mental health problems.
Retreat Discipline
The Three Limits
1.The first limit is the physical limit, which means physically not going beyond the marked borders.
2.The second limit is the speech limit, which means not going beyond silence that is not speaking.
All forms of communication, verbal and non-verbal, between participants are not allowed. This includes speaking, communication via written notes, text messages, and bodily messages. Participants may communicate with Ven. Antonio only if they experience problems with the retreat or have questions. Participants may communicate with the retreat liaison person, but only if necessary.
There should not be any other activities during the retreat other than those specified in the retreat schedule. One should not read (unless discussed with and advised by Ven. Antonio), chant mantras, or do prayers (unless one has a specific commitment to do so). Radios, CD players, computers, and the like are not to be used.
3.The third limit is the mental limit -- one should be mentally within the borders of the place as much as one can, meaning to live in the present.
Discipline
During the retreat, discipline is the key factor of successful practice. Discipline is more important than the meditation technique itself. Discipline establishes the peaceful mind required for meditation. Therefore, the way one behaves will influence the sessions.
In terms of discipline, morality is very important. Here morality is the observance of the five precepts: abstaining from killing, stealing, any sexual activity, taking intoxicants, and telling lies.
Another type of discipline is to be aware of one’s behavior.
As the retreat proceeds the mind can easily be disturbed by things such as :
People coming late to either the sitting or walking session.
Jumping up immediately after the sitting session to leave the gompa (instead of gently waiting a couple of minutes and slowly and quietly leaving the gompa without slamming the door, being aware that other people are still meditating).
In the meditation hall there should only be the cushion where one sits and a shawl in case of coolness.
In between sessions, one should walk not too fast, with eyes cast down and a sense of knowing where one is going and not just aimlessly wandering around.
“Retreat is important because it involves retreating from ignorance,
from the dissatisfied mind of attachment and from the self-cherishing thought.
These are the fundamental forces from which one must retreat;
this is the true meaning of meditation.”
- Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Ven. René Feusi