The OBS is committed to making Buddhist teachings accessible to people regardless of their financial circumstances. Live-streaming retreats, in part, fulfill this purpose enabling many more people to hear the Dhamma than can be physically accommodated in our residential retreats.
In addition, the Rhona Goodspeed Bursary provides financial assistance for a person of limited financial means to experience an in-person retreat. The Rhona Goodspeed Bursary has been made possible through a generous donation received from the Rhona Goodspeed Bequest. One bursary-sponsored place is made available to each OBS residential retreat.
You may receive one bursary in a calendar year. Bursary recipients are required to contribute a flat rate of $100 (Canadian) towards retreat costs. The bursary covers the remaining accommodation and meal costs. A voluntary donation for the teachings is encouraged.
The OBS cancellation policy also applies to bursary applications; the $100 fee is non-refundable if the bursary recipient drops out after the cancellation date and no one can be found to take the retreat spot.
Bursary applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Of limited financial means;
- Some silent retreat experience through having attended at least a one-day residential or non-residential retreat or ‘day of mindfulness;’
- Some familiarity with Theravada practices is recommended (eg chanting, bowing, taking precepts); and
- Ability to pay a $100 non-refundable flat fee towards the costs of the retreat (to be paid
after being accepted as a Bursary recipient).
Please note that the application deadline is listed on the poster for the retreat. It can be found on the retreat page: https://ottawabuddhistsociety.com/activities/latest-updates/retreats/
If you would like to apply for a subsidized bursary place, please copy and paste the application form below and send it to retreats@ottawabuddhistsociety.com.
RETREAT BURSARY APPLICATION FORM
Full name …………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………
Contact email address ………………………………………………………………………………..………………….
Residential address …………………………………………………………………………………….………………..
Contact phone number …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Retreat you want to attend ……………………………………………………………………..…………………..
Date …………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………
Please outline the following, as best you can:
Your financial situation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Why you want to attend the retreat in question ……………………………………………………………
Your previous silent retreat or ‘days of mindfulness’ experience ……………………………………
Any previous experience with Theravada Buddhist practices…………………………………………….
New Retreatants
A note for those who are new to Theravada residential retreats.
Retreats are run with guidelines in place which enable participants to gain the maximum from their time away from worldly concerns. All retreatants are expected to adhere to the 8 precepts listed below. In accordance with these precepts:
- Two vegetarian meals are provided each day: breakfast and lunch. A small late afternoon snack is also provided.
- Retreats are conducted in noble silence; aside from questions to the teacher and retreat managers, all participants are expected to respect the condition of silence.
- For those bursary recipients who are less experienced there will be a designated person on the retreat who can assist with any issues that might arise.
8 Buddhist Precepts:
- Abstaining from taking life.
- Abstaining from taking that which is not given.
- Abstaining from sexual activity.
- Abstaining from false and harmful speech.
- Abstaining from intoxicating drinks and drugs.
- Abstaining from eating at inappropriate times.
- Abstaining from entertainment and beautifying the body.
- Abstaining from using luxurious beds and furniture.