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http://www.buddhistpeacefellowship.org/bbb-2018/

Applications Now Open: Block Build Be 2018

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Do you get down at the intersection of social justice and Buddhism? Looking to build community with other folks who feel the same? Join BPF in summer 2018, celebrating our 40-year anniversary bridging spiritual and social liberation.

BLOCK harm and oppression.
BUILD inspiring alternatives.
BE in alignment with dharma — spiritual values of wisdom, compassion, and freedom.

Apply today for our Annual Block, Build, Be Leadership Retreat! To continue combining our superpowers for love and justice, BPF is assembling a select, three-day gathering in Northern California on June 21 – 24th, 2018.

This retreat of 35 people fills up quickly with a LONG waiting list, so apply soon!

Applications due by March 9th

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ABOUT THE BLOCK BUILD BE RETREAT

Please note that this is not a silent meditation retreat or intensive Buddhist study. Rather, it’s a chance to practice #MakingRefuge together, in the words of BBB alum Ed Ng. Sometimes this is quiet, and sometimes it is loud! We are a multi-lineage crew and welcome folks from many traditions — Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, all their branches, and more. Some of us were raised with Buddhism, some have been studying and practicing for years, others are brand-new to Buddhist teachings or meditation, and still others identify equally or more closely with other spiritual traditions.

Coming from all these streams, we’ll sit and swim, plot and play, connect, reflect, and rejoice together in gorgeous Petaluma this summer as we examine what each of us offers — Blocking, Building, and Being — at the intersection of Buddhism and social justice. Our days together will include

  • Exploring the Block Build Be framework
  • Investigating how wisdom (Buddhist and otherwise) can support us in social movements
  • Sharing our hopes and inspirations, holding space for our challenges and frustrations

This retreat is deeply interactive. Together, we will explore the questions tugging most strongly at our hearts, engage in collective deep inquiry about our social change work, and draw upon the wisdom of the dharma to support us in meeting the issues of our times.

This retreat is facilitated by committed dharma practitioners, some of whom have studied or received transmission to teach Buddhist wisdom. However, it is not designed as a dharma teaching retreat, and we want to emphasize that it is open to people of all faiths, lineages, and beliefs.

The retreat will begin Thursday, June 21st in Richmond, California. We will caravan to Walker Creek Ranch, and will conclude the retreat at Sunday, June 24th.

LODGING & FOOD OPTIONS

“From each according to ability, to each according to need.”

We are committed to making this retreat hella accessible and fantastic — more and more every year! Our host Walker Creek Ranch has wheelchair-accessible, low-scent facilities with vegan and vegetarian food options, as well as other dietary options according to your needs.

For the health and safety of fellow BPFers with chemical sensitivities, we ask that you please arrive and remain fragrance-free throughout the weekend. Here’s more on how to become fragrance free.

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS

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You can choose among 3 lodging packages for the 4-day, 3-night stay. (Prices include all meals for the weekend.)

CAMPING: $375

DORM ROOMS: $525

(DORM ROOMS w/ your own linens & blanket: $475)

SEMI-PRIVATE: $595

In our efforts to stay consistent with anti-capitalist, sharing-based values, we will ask for contributions on a sliding scale according to what you can afford to offer. Full and partial scholarships are available for any of the lodging packages, and some assistance may also be available for travel.

The Application Form has more information about how to offer or request financial assistance or other supportive magic. We’re happy to try to find creative solutions so don’t be shy if there’s something you need. <3

3 STEPS TO REGISTER

1. Complete Application Form

Your application form will let us know more about you, and about your needs and preferences for the retreat — including lodging selections, dietary needs, accessibility, travel scholarships, and all that jazz.

Applications due by March 9th

2. If Accepted, Pay Deposit ($60)

Once you apply, please wait patiently to hear from us about whether you’re accepted. We’re doing our best to respond to everyone speedily! If you are accepted into the retreat (likely by March 30th), we will be in touch and work out your registration fees.

To hold your place at the retreat, you’ll be asked to pay a $60 deposit, which goes toward your meals and lodging. The deposit is non-refundable, so please do not pay the deposit until you have heard from us that you are accepted into the retreat. If you are not financially able to pay this deposit, please email lizhen@bpf.org to talk about waiving it.

3. Pay Balance (Due May 1, 2018)

Once your deposit is confirmed, complete your registration by paying your remaining balance by May 1st.

We hope this retreat will leave you feeling inspired and ready to renew your great offerings, personal and political, creative and radiant, in a web of radical dharma friends who have your back.

Aware of the unnecessary suffering

Caused by racism, sexism, ableism, war,

economic exploitation, imperialism,

and other forms of systemic oppression,

We strive to bridge our practice in the Buddhadharma

with our work in the world

To further collective liberation for all beings.

As buddhists, we do not seek state power

or religious leadership within mass movements.

Instead, we want to hone and improve our contributions

(individual and collective)

to social movements as they arise and evolve.

*Block Build Be is an annual leadership retreat coordinated by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, designed to gather leaders working at the intersection of Buddhism and social justice. Together, we explore the questions tugging most strongly at our hearts, engage in collective deep inquiry about our social change work, and draw upon the wisdom of the dharma to support us in meeting the issues of our times.

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