There's two or sometimes more yatras
each year at the moment. We often about 30 people on the dharma
yatras, all the walking is done in silence, there are daily sitting
meditation periods (some silent, some guided), meditation instructions,
a guided basic yoga practice, meetings in small discussion groups
and dharma teachings. We usually sleep in tents, there's cooks
(but we give them a hand), and there's a support vehicle which
takes bags from one campsite to the next, so all you have to
take is a daypack. The daily walking is usually between eight
and sixteen kilometres per day but it varies, depending on the
yatra. Also on the dharma yatras we generally have a day of silence
where we stay in the one place, there's a meditation retreat
schedule and people are free to participate in the whole schedule
or not, as they choose.
The dharma yatra organisers and leaders/teachers
give their time on a dana basis. "Dana" is a Sanskrit
word literally meaning "generosity". In this context
it means that organisers and leaders/teachers don't receive anything
for their time from the money that people pay to come. This money
goes to food and the cook(s), hiring vehicles, petrol, camping
fees, and other yatra equipment (eg trailer for luggage, kitchen
tent). At the end of each dharma yatra there are bowls (one for
organisers, one for teachers) for money where participants have
the opportunity to express their generosity or appreciation in
return.
Have a look at some of the photos (and
poems, and a story) from past yatras:
2006 Nightcap - Mebbin (NSW)
2007
Nightcap - Wollumbin Caldera (NSW)
2008
Nightcap Circuit (NSW)
2009 Walking Man (NSW)
2009
Larapinta (NT)
2009
Nightcap Circuit (NSW)
2010
Walking Man (Qld)
2010
Mimosa Rocks - Gulaga (NSW)
2010 Lamington-Springbrook
(Qld)
2011
Mimosa Rocks - Gulaga (NSW)
2011 Nightcap
Circuit (NSW)
Yatras have led to various creative endeavours.
One has been a story based on the 2010 Lamington Springbrook
Yatra. That story appears as the second half of the book Mountains
Belong to the People Who Live Them by Lesley Synge.
About us: We're a loose group of people
who have been involved in Buddhist Insight Mediation practice
and (some of us) in yoga. For years we have run yatras as a community
initiative, a way to contribute, without any formal association
putting these events on. We have recently set up the Yatra
Bushwalking Club, a not-for-profit incorporated association,
and future yatras will be organised by the Club.
If you'd like to be on the mailing list
to hear about future yatras please email Ronny on:
