Buddha Day Walks
29, 30 and 31 MayThree Walking Day Retreats to Celebrate Buddha Day
Saturday 29, Sunday 30 and Bank Holiday Monday 31 May
Led by Sagarasri and Maitrisara
Buddha Day is such a significant festival to us. But under COVID restrictions, we won’t be able to interact indoors, making it difficult to see how we can hold a festival at the Buddhist Centre. So we had an idea for an outdoors festival – a walking one. And over three days – 29, 30 and 31 May. This is a way to spend time with each other in beautiful countryside at a wonderful time of year.
How will it work?
This is a yatra, a sacred walk. Walking connects us with the Buddha who spent a lot of his life walking. At three points during the day, we will stop, rest and hear a story about the Buddha. After each story, we will mindfully and silently walk for about 20 minutes in single file, reflecting on what we’ve heard and practising mindfulness of walking. Between the silent walking sections, we can interact and communicate.
Here is a little video from one of the locations where we will stop, next to a river near Offchurch.
The walks are:
Saturday 29 May A lush and large woodland with a medieval history near Bromsgrove.
Sunday 30 May A country park and nature reserve on the edge of Leamington Spa and a walk to a local village for those that want to (and back along a canal).
How will it work?
This is a yatra, a sacred walk. Walking connects us with the Buddha who spent a lot of his life walking. At three points during the day, we will stop, rest and hear a story about the Buddha. After each story, we will mindfully and silently walk for about 20 minutes in single file, reflecting on what we’ve heard and practising mindfulness of walking. Between the silent walking sections, we can interact and communicate.
Here is a little video from one of the locations where we will stop, next to a river near Offchurch.
The walks are:
Saturday 29 May A lush and large woodland with a medieval history near Bromsgrove.
Sunday 30 May A country park and nature reserve on the edge of Leamington Spa and a walk to a local village for those that want to (and back along a canal).
Details on the short part of the Sunday walk: Hard (non-tarmac), level and wide path suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs. 1.5 miles round trip. No steps. Toilets at car park (including accessible toilets). Please contact the Buddhist Centre office if you need to know more.
Monday 31 May Up on the wooded hillside and heathland above a pretty village called Elmley Castle near Evesham .
Each walk is 4-5 miles though on Sunday some may like to stay around the country park where there is also a children’s play area. While others might like to walk to a local village and back that day.
All the details are here. The group size is capped at 30 for each walk, so do book soon if you’d like to come. Book here.
