The End Of Summer Novice’S Retreat

So, the summer novice’s retreat has come to an end. The training lasts for 15 days, but it passes very quickly. Novices train and stay at Buddhapadipa Temple. This year there were 6 novices. This was a good number as it made it very easy to give them the attention they needed for their training.






The program starts early in the morning and continues until evening. It is not so hard, even though the novices are just children and teenagers. This is ‘the middle way’ after all! They are taught and trained in both theory and practice, about the life of the Buddha and his disciples and are shown how to practice in the discipline, i.e. how to practice Dhamma in daily life etc.




I would say that this year’s program was successful because I was the teacher who observed them and saw to it that each individual was progressing and developing. All the novices showed themselves to be kind, generous, responsible, truthful and mindful. This is worth more to them than worldly success, because, with this training, they can understand life and how to live it in kindness, generosity, responsibly, and with truthfulness and mindfulness. We do not make them sit any test or examination. The success of their training is seen in their actions. For this reason, I can say with great confidence then that the training was successful.


Some people commented to me that they think that this project is very good. I would agree with them, for this is the kind of training and direction that young people need right now in our society. Studying and training in kindness, generosity responsibility, truthfulness and mindfulness is needed for our young people now so that they can live together in peace and harmony. This project will take place again next year; same time and same place. I am sure that we shall other children and teenagers coming forward next year. So I look forward to reporting back to you then!