Bhavana Society Meditation Hall (courtesy this page)
The Bhavana Society Theravada Buddhist Monastery near High View, W.Va., in Hampshire County, has announced its retreat schedule for 2016 on the monastery’s website. Retreat sign-ups begin 30 days before a retreat begins and you are encouraged to sign up quickly as Bhavana retreats are attended by people from around the country and world and fill up fast. There is no charge for retreats, in the spirit of Buddhist traditions that sees teachings as given freely because they are considered priceless. But dana — generosity — is always welcome as Bhavana survives entirely upon the generosity of its supporters and visitors.
The Introduction to Meditation retreat, Thursday, March 24 to Sunday, March 27 is open for registrations, but only for women, as all the spots for men have been filled. Here is the schedule for the year:
| March 24-27, 2016 | Introduction to Meditation | 3 nights | Monastic Community | Beginner | Yes |
| April 19-23, 2016 | Introduction to Samatha & Vipassana Meditation Retreat | 4 nights | Monastic Community | Any | Yes |
| May 10-15, 2016 | Noble Eightfold Path Retreat | 5 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Intermediate | Yes |
| May 22, 2016 | Vesak Celebration Day | This is not a retreat. | Yes | ||
| June 6-11, 2016 | Monastic Retreat (Buddhist Monastics Only) | 5 nights | Bhante Gunaratana | Intermediate | Yes |
| June 20-25, 2016 | Awareness of Death Retreat | 5 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Intermediate | Yes |
| July 8-10, 2016 | Youth Retreat | 2 nights | Monastic Community | Youth Only | Yes |
| July 24-30, 2016 | Jhana Retreat | 6 nights | Bhante Gunaratana | Intermediate | Yes |
| August 18-21, 2016 | Introduction to Meditation | 3 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Beginner | Yes |
| Sept. 2-5, 2016 | Fall Family Work Weekend Retreat | 3 nights | Monastic Community | Any | Yes |
| Sept. 18-24, 2016 | Seven Factors of Enlightenment | 6 nights | Bhante Gunaratana | Intermediate | Yes |
| October 3-9, 2016 | Metta Retreat | 6 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Any | Yes |
| October 23, 2016 | Kathina Celebration | This is not a retreat. | Yes | ||
| Nov. 10-13, 2016 | Three Characteristics of Existence | 3 nights | Bhante Gunaratana | Any | Yes |
| Nov. 23-27, 2016 | Thanksgiving Retreat | 4 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Any | Yes |
| Dec 15-22, 2016 | Year End Retreat Part I | 7 nights | Bhante Gunaratana | Intermediate | Yes |
| Dec 24-Jan 1, 2017 | Year End Retreat Part II | 8 nights | Bhante Seelananda | Intermediate | Yes |
