TLDR: Some of us take to meditation like fish to water and, at some stage, want to further stretch that mindfulness muscle through formal instruction, an extended retreat, and group practice. This article contains a list of short meditation retreat options (a day or less) for anyone looking to explore their practice or to find a meditation community.
Before we go on – if you’re a beginner to meditation who is figuring out questions such as ‘Why meditate?’, and ‘What is Buddhist meditation?’ – we have the perfect article for you! Meditation 101 contains a toolkit of FAQs, apps, and other resources that are tailored to someone just starting out on their meditation journey!
For those with meditation experience, we’d like to offer a reflection by ‘Yellow Pages Monk’ Ajahn Jayasaro:
“Why meditate? In fact, other questions should precede this one. Why take refuge in the Triple Gem in the first place? If one has true faith in the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha, what choice is there other than to follow the path that he revealed to us?
The Buddha taught the best way to live our lives as human beings. The teachings are a call to action, not inaction….”
1. JOYFUL GARDEN SANGHA: DAY OF MINDFULNESS (Last Sunday of each month, 10am – 4pm, Open to all)
Image: Google
About Day of Mindfulness by Joyful Garden Sangha
Day of Mindfulness (DOM) is a mini mindfulness retreat in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village, facilitated by Joyful Garden Community of Mindful Living (Joyful Garden Sangha). It is organised usually on the last Sunday of each month. Occasionally Joyful Garden Sangha may host special events and practices too.
When an event is scheduled and open for registration, you will see it on this page. You can also join their mailing list, or follow on Facebook to be notified. Seats are filled rather quickly.
What to expect
The practice of moment-to-moment awareness in a group setting. Discover how the application of mindfulness to eating, moving, singing, listening, and more, could transform your everyday experience.
What to pack
A vegan lunch of your own, and a jacket or scarf in case it gets cold for you.
2. DAYWA: DAY OF PRACTICE A.K.A DOPE (First Saturday afternoon of each month – Open to Commune Members only)
Photo: DAYWA
About Day of Practice (DOPE) by DAYWA
The DOPE retreat format was created by organisers behind the Dhamma Assembly for Young Working Adults (DAYWA), in order to give its members a taste of what a formal retreat could be like. The retreat format adopts many practices from the Thai Forest tradition and also encourages sharing and learning between practitioners from the various Buddhist traditions.
Recommended for: Meditators interested to explore the Thai Forest practice, and to connect with other youthful practitioners.
How to register
This event is open to those in the DAYWA Commune Members only i.e. you will need to have attended at least 3 DAYWA events in a year, to join the Commune and sign up for DOPE practice.
What to expect
Chanting in Pali, reading and discussion of Early Buddhist Texts, guided and non-guided sitting meditation practice.
What to pack
Bring your own meditation cushion if you would prefer to use that. Lunch is usually organised before the practice commences, it would be optional to join for that.
3. BUDDHIST FELLOWSHIP: MEDITATION TEACHINGS AND EVENTS (Monthly line-up)
Image: Buddhist Fellowship Website
About meditation teachings at Buddhist Fellowship (BF)
Buddhist Fellowship’s (BF) weekly Sunday Services regularly feature meditation as part of its programme, often in the Theravadin traditions and with reference to early Buddhist texts such as the Annapannasati Sutta. BF also organises meditation courses and retreats with visiting monastics from time to time, so do look out for that.
Recommended for: Meditators looking to explore Theravadin traditions and early Buddhist texts.
How to register
Stay tuned to Buddhist Fellowship’s social media, such as Facebook and Telegram, for announcements.
What to expect
Experienced monastics and lay practitioners sharing their own practice and offering guided meditation experiences.
Palelai Buddhist Temple’s resident monastic community (Sangha) leads two meditation sessions on a daily basis at the Meditation Hall on the 3rd floor of the main Chedi building (go up the staircase from the central Arahants’ Hall).
Recommended for: Meditators who are familiar with Thai Forest practices.
How to register
No need to register.
What to expect
No instructions are provided, meditators of all levels are welcome to join the sit quietly behind the Sangha. A short blessing will be given at the end of the session.
What to pack
Simply bring yourself, with an open heart and mind.
5. DHARMA DRUM SINGAPORE: MEDITATION GROUP PRACTICE (Weekly, Wednesdays & Sundays)
Image: Dhamma Drum Singapore
About meditation group practice at Dharma Drum Singapore
Dharma Drum Singapore (DDS) promotes Chinese Chan Dharma Drum Buddhism based on the principles and methods of Dharma Drum Mountain founded by Master Sheng Yen. DDS regularly offers meditation group practice on Wednesdays evenings (7.30pm – 9.30pm) and Sunday mornings (9.30am – 12.00pm) that are open to the public, and conducted in Mandarin Chinese instruction.
Recommended for meditators who are interested in Chinese Buddhism and detailed meditation instruction.
How to register
Registration for each practice session opens 1 week before. Dharma Drum Singapore uses the Eventbrite system. If you use the Eventbrite App on your phone, registration will be easier and faster.
Please find on this page the link to register for the specific session that you are attending.
Please do not attend the session if you are feeling unwell. If you are unable to attend, you can also cancel your Eventbrite order to make room for others.
Simply bring yourself, with an open heart and mind.
6. KONG MENG SAN PHOR KARK SEE A.K.A. BRIGHT HILL TEMPLE: SHORT-TERM TEMPLE STAY, SELF PRACTICE, MEDITATION COURSES (Short-term temple stay available to Males only)
Image: Forum Architect which designed the new meditation hall
About short-term temple stays at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See
Amid the chaos of today’s hectic pace, have you taken a moment to calm your inner thoughts? If you desire a deeper understanding of yourself and wish to embark on a journey of self-discovery, consider immersing yourself in a short-term temple stay at Kong Meng San Phor Kark See a.k.a Bright Hill Temple. This allows you to embrace a peaceful, detached lifestyle, allowing yourself to explore the deep corners of your mind.
Recommended for: Meditators of all levels, given the variety of formats.
How to register
For self practice at the Prajna Meditation Hall, there is no need to register.
For Relaxation & Mindfulness Meditation courses, please follow the page or write in to:
For short-term temple retreats, these are open to healthy Singapore male citizens, between the ages of 17 and 60, that are able to commit to at least one month to a year of retreat. Detailed application instructions here.
What to expect
Kong Meng San Por Khark See Monastery offers a zen and peaceful environment to deepen your cultivation.
The short-term temple stay programme is currently being refined – enquire via email to find out more.
The Relaxation & Mindfulness Meditation courses are a helpful introduction to body scan relaxation techniques. You may access a preview of the type of guided meditation provided by Venerable Kwang Sheng here.
What to pack
A jacket or shawl, as one may find the air conditioning strong at certain venues in the monastery.
7. ONLINE RETREATS & OTHER RESOURCES
In the post-Covid era, online retreats have become a popular option offered by local and overseas monasteries, who have adapted their technology to broadcast teachings and retreat instructions.
Here are some online channels which you may be interested to follow to find out more:
As our list of retreat options is non-exhaustive, for each Buddhist tradition and/or temple that you feel drawn to, it is a good idea to check out their website and/or social media to find out if they are offering formal instruction or group practice settings.
Ever felt a little confused about how to greet monastic members in Buddhism?
We get it—it can be a tad tricky with the different salutations floating around. With terms from various languages and Buddhist traditions, it’s easy to feel unsure about the right way to address these esteemed individuals. But fret not! We’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a list of common salutations in a conversational style, making it easier for you to greet and show respect to monastic members. So, let’s dive in and unravel the fascinating world of Buddhist salutations together!
Note: The list is not in alphabetical order. If you’re viewing this article on mobile, you may scroll right to see more information listed in the following table. Let’s go!
Tradition
Salutation
Character
Language
Meaning
Explanation
Example
Mahayana Chinese
Shī fù
师父
Chinese
“Master” or “Teacher”
Use to a skillful person or a master.
[Name] Shī fù
Mahayana Chinese
Fǎ Shī
法师
Chinese
“Dharma Master”
Commonly used to address a monastic member who is a Dharma teacher. Note: This term can be used on non-monks too. Master who is proficient in scriptures is called Dharma master. It is also said that only those who teach themselves with the Dharma and teach others with the Dharma can be called Dharma masters. There are four categories of Dharma masters (see the following rows)
Used to address a male monastic member in the early stage of ordination.
Sāmaṇera [name]
Theravada
Samaneri
Sāmaneri
Pali
“Novice Nun” or “Novice”
Used to address a female monastic member in the early stage of ordination.
Sāmaṇeri [name]
Theravada
Anagarika
Anagārika
Pali
“homeless one”
Used to address a person who has given up most or all of their worldly possessions and responsibilities to commit full-time to Buddhist practice. Usually used to address a white-robed student waiting to be fully ordained.
“possessor of morality”, “keepers of moral virtue”
Used to address Burmese Theravada Buddhist nun. Thilashins are addressed with the honorifics Sayalay and Daw. Tilashins take 10 precepts instead of the 311 precepts.
Usually not used as a salutation.
Theravada
Ajahn/Ajarn/Ajaan
อาจารย์
Thai
“Teacher” or “Mentor”
Northern dialect traditionally refers to a senior monk such as an abbot who is over 50 years old. Sometimes this is used together with Ajahn. E.g. Kruba Ajahn.
Title of recognition given to senior monks for their past acts of service. The Thai Sangha authorities will make careful selection of these monks and the king bestows the title personally.
Northern dialect (Isaan) traditionally refers to a senior monk such as an abbot who is over 50 years old. Sometimes this is used together with Ajahn. E.g. Kruba Ajahn.
An honorific title to address to refer to junior monks (less than 10 years) or whose seniority is unknown. It’s akin to “mister” but only used for monks. Usually used with “Ajahn”.
Tahn Ajahn [name]
Vajrayana
Ani
ཨ་ནི་
Tibetan
“Nun” or “Sister”
Used to address a female monastic member who has taken the vows of a Buddhist nun.
Used to address a Zen monastic who has completed intensive training and received Dharma transmission.
[Name] JDPS
Soen(Korean name for Chan Buddhism)
Sunim/Seunim
스님
Korean
A Buddhist monk or nun.
Used to address a Buddhist monk or Buddhist nun. Note: It is considered respectful to refer to senior monks or nuns in Korea as Kun seunim (taken from Wiki)
Updated as of 13 July 2023 Table: List of salutations and terms to address monks and nuns from different countries and Buddhist traditions. Note: This list is non-exhaustive.
Phew! We’ve covered quite a list of salutations, haven’t we?
Do note that the use of terms might differ in various contexts. If you find yourself uncertain about which one to use in a particular situation, here’s a handy rule of thumb: follow the lead of regular temple goers in greeting the monastics. They often have an intuitive sense of the appropriate salutation. And if you’re still unsure, there’s always the catch-all term ‘venerable’ that can be used as a respectful and inclusive way to address monastic members. Remember, the most important thing is to approach them with sincerity and reverence.
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Did we miss any commonly used salutations or terms to address monastic members?
