It was an effort to arrange infrastructure & organize retreat of such a scale in the miniscule but most beautiful landscape situated in rural lap of northern Maharashtra. Nashik one of the major city of northern Maharashtra, located nearly 20 kms lies 'Deshwande' village, the birth place of famous poet Mahakavi (Great Poet) Wamandada Kardak. His poems and songs were mainly on Babasaheb Ambedkar. This neglected village is covered with beautiful hills. Within lakes a glimpse atop these hills gives an awesome view of the amazing village. The village has about 35 to 40 house. All of them are farmers mostly grow onions, rice and other vegetables. The one thing special about this village is that everyone is Buddhist and related to Mahakavi Wamandada Kardak somehow.
Ultimately village got its repute from literature of this famous poet. Here's National Network of Buddhist Youth (NNBY) got an opportunity to remember Wamandada Kardak’s's legacy. This brought the 3 day retreat began from 16th July to 18th July 2010 with the benevolence objective "Growing Together With Mutual Love" which was the theme of the retreat.
The retreat took place at “Mahakavi Wamandada Smarak Samithi” a place of about 2 acres developed few years ago by the local municipality (government) in remembrance for the great poet. But since its opening no activities has been taken place. Recently NNBY National Council Meeting was held in Nashik which was led by Dhammachari Kumarjeev during the month of May 2010. During that time the council members visited Deshwande village and saw “Mahakavi Wamandada Smarak Samithi”. They also interacted with the local villagers. The next day Kumarjeev had a short meeting with Praveen Kardak (Grandson of Wamandada Kardak), Dhammamitra Santosh Inamdar (Sinner) and Uttam Shetty at Nashik. This was where the actual retreat was planned for the development of local youths and starting activities at International levels for upcoming young poets.
Retreat began with 60 participants under the spiritual leadership of Dhammachari Dharmashalin (UK). Participants were from Nashik, Sinner, Sangamner, Manmad, Nandurbar, Pune, Chandrapur, Mumbai, Shirdi. These participants were actively joined by local village populace to listen to the Marathi translation done by Dhammamitra Bharati Shetty of all English talks delivered by Dhammachari Dharmashalin.
The retreat began with Puja and introduction of Dharmashalin by Dhammamitra Santosh Inamdar (Sinner). After that Dharmashalin gave the idea of what we were supposed to do for the next two days.
Next day began with the 7am morning maîtri bhavana meditation and practicing Chinese martial art form 'CHI-GUNG'. Then under the leadership of Dhammachari Dharmashalin we all ferried the village, meeting each person and calling them for attending the dhamma talks was enthralling. We all interacted with the local schools and meet the students. Some of them sang beautiful songs to welcome Dharmmashalin in their school. All the children were very excited as this was the first time a foreigner visited their village and that too in their own school.
After the lunch sessions all the NNBY members started cleaning the retreat place. Taking out the weeds, grasses and digging holes for planting trees. Cleaning session was held thoroughly for cleaning the nearby surroundings as it was not well maintained for long time. Everybody enjoyed the session and that is illustrious from their joy of working. All the work hard paid-off in the evening which was marked by cultural activities. Opportunity saw the Wamandada Kardak's song cherishly sung by the artists. To mention amongst them was "Bheema tujya matache jar pach aste" most stirring. Infact village's dholki maestro was himself on the dholki (Drum).
Last day after morning meditation, tree plantation were done by the NNBY members and the local villagers. All the participants together took part vigorously, that was evident from the helping hands watering and nourishing the plants with sense of friendliness for each other. Retreat got its true meaning after Dhammachari Dharmashalin emphasized the benefits of growing 'maitri' in our heart not only for our near-dear friends but for all living human.
Concluding ceremony of the retreat began with felicitation of valuable efforts taken by individuals and to mention particularly Santosh Inamdar, Pravin Kardak, Raju Kardak and other of theMahakavi Wamandada Kardak Smarak Samiti's trustees. Also not to mention the efforts of Dhammamitra Uttam Shetty (Nashik) who took herculean responsibilities of registration, media other than being a pillar, as organizer of the retreat. In the program NNBY members Dhammachari Vasitkumar (Mumbai), Pranali (Mumbai), Kiran (Nashik), Arhant (Chandrapur), Amol (Mumbai) gave the presentation regarding the activity of NNBY around India.
Finally retreat was concluded by the open talk of Dharmashalin among all village populace. In the talk Dharmashalin gave the importance of Panchsheel (Five percepts) and explained how one is related with another. If we break one precept the how it supports to break another one. Finally Dhammapalangatha by Dhammachari Ratnashur (Nashik) concluded the retreat with joys and tears.
We as a member of NNBY would also take this opportunity to thanks Dhammachari Subhuti for allowing his secretary Dharmashalin to give his few days for this NNBY retreat. Also for all the villagers who supported by not just by participation but also donating in many ways. Donations were mainly in form of some materials like rice, cereals, oils, vegetables, flour and many such things. The food were prepared by the villagers themselves. They also allowed the girls to stay at their home as there were no separate facilities for females at the retreat place. Special thanks for Dhammamitra Niru (Pune) who took the responsibility for decorating beautiful shrine for the event as well as for preparing food for Dharmashalin during these days.
Only remain to say that one of such distinct retreat ended with kind call of Buddha's words
"EHIPASSIKO AKALLIKO OPANAYIKO".
