Online Retreat with Ayya Sobhana: Practicing for the Destruction of the Taints

Āsava, in the language of the early Buddhist texts, is variously translated as taint or defilement, influx or outflow, corruption or canker.  The three taints of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance refer to unwholesome influences in the mind which block our liberation from suffering.

The destruction of the taints (āsavakkhaya) is a frequent epithet for the final goal of our practice and one who has reached the goal, an arahant or a buddha, is called one who has destroyed the taints (khīṇāsava).

During this short retreat, Ayya Sobhana will explore the destruction of the taints as a vivid and inspiring image for the aim of our practice, helping us to stay motivated and on the right track.

Ayya Sobhana recently completed a four month silent retreat in the forest at Aranya Bodhi, Awakening Forest Hermitage, where she clarified her aspirations.

Idam me puññaṃ āsavakkhayā vadaṃ hotu  May my merit bring about the extinction of the taints.

Idam me puññaṃ nibānassa paccayo hotu  May my merit bring about the realization of Nibbana.

The following schedule is planned for the retreat. All sessions will be streamed to YouTube, so participants can watch at their convenient times. You are most welcome to join, even if you're only available for some of the retreat sessions. 

Friday May 12

• 6:30 pm Orientation and informal introductions of participants
• 7:00 pm Welcome, opening Dhamma talk
• 8:00 pm Guided meditation
• 8:45 pm Closing blessings followed by (sitting/walking) meditation on your own.

Saturday May 13

• 5:00 am  Meditation
• 5:45 am Morning Puja chanting
• 6:00-6:30 Morning reflection
• 7:00 am  Mindful practice and chores on your own
• 9:30 am Morning practice instructions
• 1:00 pm Dhamma talk and Q&A
• 1:45 pm Guided meditation
• 2:00 pm Group discussion
• 3:00 pm  Mindful practice, take a walk or mindful movement on your own
• (sitting/walking period)
• 7:00 pm Dhamma talk, Q&A
• 7:45 pm Guided meditation
• 8:30 pm Closing blessings followed by (sitting/walking) meditation on your own.

Sunday May 14

• 5:00 am  Meditation
• 5:45 am Morning Puja chanting
• 6:00-6:30 Morning reflection
• 7:00 am  Mindful practice and chores on your own
• 9:30 am Guided meditation and brief Dhamma talk
• 1:00 pm Dhamma talk and Q&A
• 1:45 pm Guided meditation
• 2:30 pm Closing blessings

About the teacher: Ayya Sobhana is a Harvard graduate and trained with master Dhamma and meditation teacher Venerable Dr. Henepola Gunaratana Nāyaka Mahāthero (known as "Bhante G") since 1989. Her primary practice is the Eightfold Noble Path, that is, integration of meditation with ethical living and compassionate relationships for the sake of liberation. She “went forth” into monastic life as a Sāmanerī in 2003 with Bhante Gunaratana as her teacher, and obtained full Bhikkhuni ordination in Sri Lanka in 2006. In 2016, Ayyā Sobhanā was appointed vice abbess of Dhammadharini, and in 2020 she was appointed a bhikkhunī preceptor. Ayyā teaches around the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and on both coasts of the US, and offers regular meditation and Sutta teachings as well as retreats online hosted by Dhammadharini Monastery. (See Ayyā Sobhanā's full bio)

Please register to join us!

These programs are offered freely as pure gifts of Dhamma Dana. Thanks to everyone near and far who has offered the support that makes these offerings possible!

If you wish to join in the merits of supporting these teachings, you can find our combined monastery and hermitage Useful Things List here, and other helpful info to make your gift here: dhammadharini.net/support.