On the outskirts of Hanoi is quiet pagoda, Chua Dinh Quan. I think they are some how affiliated with Thich Nhat Han, and Plum Village but I am not sure. I went to their day long Buddhist retreat for the second time. It is a total trip. Very fun. The pagoda is run by nuns, and most of the participants are woman also. We start the day at 8am with songs with hand gestures in Vietnamese, and sometimes English. Then we do a bit of walking meditation that feels much more like a stroll through the garden. Sometimes this is followed by calisthenics. We then do mediation for a bit then a talk follows. But the talk seems to be more down to earth than some big lofty sermon. We then have lunch and then "deep relaxation" which really means a delightful nap in the heat of day. Siesta. Followed by meditation and then another discussion. I leave at that point. I take the bus out there which is very cool. It takes me past were the real people live. I love it. The first time I went I was a bit surprised and annoyed by the casualness of the day but the second time, it was really fun. It is a vacation day for sure. Although, watching and practice English with and bossing around the foreigner seems to really make their day. Not necessary great for me, but it certainly adds to the fun if I am in the proper mood. Fun. That is the only way I can describe the day.
