Do you get down at the intersection of social justice and Buddhism? Looking to build community with other folks dedicated to practicing spiritual and political liberation?

We’d like to officially invite you to apply for our Build, Block and Be Leadership Retreat! To combine our superpowers for love and justice, BPF is assembling a select, three-day gathering in Northern California on June 29th – July 2nd, 2017.

Applications for Block Build Be 2017 are now closed.

We’ll sit and swim, plot and play, connect and rejoice together in gorgeous Petaluma this summer as we reflect on what each of us offers — Blocking, Building, and Being — at the intersection of Buddhism and social justice. Our days together will include

Relaxing, reflecting, and contemplating

Exploring topics in Buddhism + Racial Justice

Investigating how wisdom can support us inside and outside of organizing

Sharing our hopes and inspirations, holding space for our challenges and frustrations

This retreat is unlike many Buddhist retreats in that it is not silent. In fact, it is deeply interactive. Together, we will explore the questions tugging most strongly at our hearts, engage in collective deep inquiry about our social change work, and draw upon the wisdom of the dharma to support us in meeting the issues of our times.



The retreat is facilitated by committed dharma practitioners and teachers. However, it is not a dharma teaching retreat, and we want to emphasize that it is open to people of all faiths, lineages, and beliefs.

The retreat will begin Thursday, June 29th at 1pm in Richmond, California. We will caravan to Walker Creek Ranch, and will conclude the retreat at 3pm on Sunday, July 2nd. If you are coming from out of town and would like to arrive on Wednesday, we can help you find a local BPF host for your lodging Wednesday night.

LODGING & FOOD OPTIONS

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“From each according to ability, to each according to need.”

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We are gonna try to make this retreat hella accessible and fantastic. Our host Walker Creek Ranch has wheelchair-accessible, low-scent facilities with vegan and vegetarian food options upon request, as well as other dietary options according to your needs.

For the health and safety of fellow BPFers with chemical sensitivities, we ask that you please arrive and remain fragrance-free throughout the weekend. Here’s more on how to become fragrance free.

4 DAYS, 3 NIGHTS

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You can choose among 3 lodging packages for the 4-day, 3-night stay. (Prices include all meals for the weekend.)

CAMPING: $330

ECONOMY (Bunk Beds): $410

SEMI-PRIVATE: $520

In our efforts to stay consistent with anti-capitalist, sharing-based values, we will ask for contributions on a sliding scale according to what you can afford to offer. Full and partial scholarships are available for any of the lodging packages, and some assistance may also be available for travel.

The Application Form has more information about how to offer or request financial assistance or other supportive magic. We’re happy to try to find creative solutions so don’t be shy if there’s something you need. <3

3 STEPS TO REGISTER

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1. Complete Application Form

Your application form will let us know more about you, and about your needs and preferences for the retreat — including lodging selections, dietary needs, accessibility, travel scholarships, and all that jazz.

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2. If Accepted, Pay Deposit ($60)

If you are accepted into the retreat, you’ll be asked to pay a $60 deposit. Your deposit holds your place at the retreat and goes toward your meals and lodging. The deposit is non-refundable, so please do not pay the deposit until you have heard from us that you are accepted into the retreat. If you are not financially able to pay this deposit, please email lizhen@bpf.org to talk about waiving it.

3. Pay Balance (Due May 1, 2017)

Once you are accepted and submit your deposit, please wait patiently to hear from us about whether you’re accepted. We’re doing our best to respond to everyone speedily! If you’re accepted, we will be in touch and work out your registration fees with you according to what you can offer and how much we have in the scholarship pool for all participants. You’ll then complete your registration by paying any remaining balance after financial assistance is calculated.

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We hope this retreat will leave you feeling inspired and ready to renew your great offerings, personal and political, creative and radiant, in a web of radical dharma friends who have your back.

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Aware of the unnecessary suffering

Caused by racism, sexism, ableism, war,

economic exploitation, imperialism,

and other forms of systemic oppression,

We strive to bridge our practice in the Buddhadharma

with our work in the world

To further collective liberation for all beings.

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As buddhists, we do not seek state power

or religious leadership within mass movements.

Instead, we want to hone and improve our contributions

(individual and collective)

to social movements as they arise and evolve.

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*

Block Build Be is an annual leadership retreat coordinated by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, designed to gather leaders working at the intersection of Buddhism and social justice. Together, we explore the questions tugging most strongly at our hearts, engage in collective deep inquiry about our social change work, and draw upon the wisdom of the dharma to support us in meeting the issues of our times.