4 most unique highlights of the Ninh Binh meditation retreat

Ninh Binh meditation retreat is held in one of the most ideal locations in Vietnam, thanks to its rare combination of tranquil nature, sacred spiritual space, and a slow, peaceful pace of life. It takes place at Bai Đinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh. Let’s explore 4 most unique highlights of Ninh Binh meditation retreat!

1. Spiritual Rituals in Ninh Binh meditation retreat

In Buddhism, there are many meaningful spiritual rituals that take place in pagodas and monasteries, or are practiced daily at home by lay Buddhists.

These include the ritual of bowing to the Buddha as a heartfelt expression of reverence and gratitude—honoring the Buddha for coming into this world and tirelessly seeking the path to complete liberation, bringing true happiness to humanity. There are also prayers for world peace and aspirations for everyone to live better, more wholesome lives.

Another essential practice in Ninh Binh meditation retreat is chanting sacred sutras—profound teachings left by the Buddha for the world—and applying those teachings to our present daily lives. These may include Compassion and Repentance Sutra, the Buddhist Daily Chant, The Four Mindfulness Foundations Sutra, The Sutra of the Eightfold Path, and the Non-Self Sutra, among others.

2. Sitting Meditation in Ninh Binh meditation retreat

The basic meditation technique in Ninh Binh meditation retreat

First, sit in the full lotus position.

Second, keep the body still and relaxed.

Third, abide in the body and be aware of all of it.

Fourth, contemplate the impermanence of the body.

Fifth, notice (but do not control) your breathing in and out.

These five things are all effective in resolving our unwanted thoughts. The principle of practicing meditation in Ninh Binh meditation retreat is to use a combination of many things to purify the mind. We must memorize and practice all these things.

+ The first is to sit in the full lotus position (all Buddhas of the past, the present, and the future, do it). You sit upright with your shoulders level and comfortable, place your left hand in your right hand, palms upwards. At that time, your two soles, two palms, and lower abdomen (with the CV4 Acupuncture Point inside) are considered to be located in the same place, corresponding to the five parts of the mind: one part for the lower abdomen, two parts for two palms, and two parts for two soles. Only in the full lotus position, can these five parts of the mind be gathered together? The heart and the head do not count as parts of the mind in practicing meditation.

+  The second is to keep the body still and relaxed. If the body is stiff, the brain will be tense; if the body isn’t still, the mind cannot be calmed. Therefore, keeping the body still and relaxed means keeping the mind calm (= to have fewer unwanted thoughts). Following Buddha’s path, we should treat the body as the root of the mind, and it’s the golden rule of the practice of meditation. Later, when we progress in meditation, we will find that we should never leave the body, at the beginning as well as at the end of our spiritual practice.

+  The third is to abide in the body and be aware of all of it. When we pay much attention to the body, the brain will be less active. So, abiding in the body and being aware of all of it is a powerful technique to quiet the mind, subduing strong unwanted thoughts. Don’t pay attention to the outside world but the whole body, from head to toe. Always correct the position of all parts of the body. Though you should be aware of the whole body, pay more attention to the abdomen (especially the bottom of the abdomen where the CV1 Acupuncture Point is located) and the legs and feet. We should be aware of it gently but not forcefully. The CV1 Acupuncture Point is located at the bottom of the abdomen but is responsible for the head. When it is strong, the brain will work very well, and thus we will become more intelligent and be easier to see our hidden mistakes, and after a long time, we will have intuition.

Besides, we need inner strength or inner power (from our practice of qigong) to be able to abide in the body and be aware of the whole body regularly. Those who possess great inner strength always feel their life energy, so they’re easy to remember their whole bodies. Inner strength helps nourish the brain.

Practicing qigong is to strengthen the part of the body from the navel down to the bottom of the abdomen, where there are three extremely important points: the CV4 Acupuncture Point, the CVI Acupuncture Point, and the sacral. The sacrum is the yin root of the body, the place where one’s inner strength is located and grown.

At the beginning of the practice of meditation, we were instructed “sit in the full lotus position; keep the body still and relaxed; abide in the body and be aware of it,” now you should be gently aware of the sacrum also (right at the sacrum, no higher that). Our inner power will gradually appear and it will support our practice of meditation.

+ The fourth is to contemplate the impermanence of the body. When we’re well aware of our bodies, our

minds will have few unwanted thoughts our bodies will be stable, and our inner strength will be full, and thus, our attachment to the body will appear. Being attached to the body is also being attached to the self, and that’s why Buddha teaches us to contemplate the impermanence of the body, setting up the foundation to eliminate the self.

In the Kayagatasati-Sutta, Buddha carefully teaches how to contemplate the body: the practitioner must see the change of the body from young to old, ugly, and sick, and then die, and then the body continues to decay, its bones also dissolve into ashes, then the ashes completely disappear. We have to do it to totally remove our attachment to the body. You see, Buddha’s thoroughness, rigor, subtlety, wisdom, and compassion are incomparable, and thus our reverence for Him will be never sufficient.

+ The fifth is to notice (but not control) your breathing in and out.

Breathing is the core of meditation, anyone who practices meditation must understand the meaning of breathing very well.

We breathe to sustain our lives, and breathing has two kinds: automatic breathing and active breathing. Automatic breathing means that even though we are not paying attention to our breathing, our bodies still breathe automatically, controlled by the unconscious nervous system. If we pay attention to our breathing (active breathing), it will immediately be controlled by the conscious nervous system.

Neuroscience has confirmed that when we breathe consciously (active breathing), our brains will immediately be focused and have few unwanted thoughts. This is a great property of man. In terms of medicine, we can say when the neural area responsible for breathing gets excited, other neural areas will go into inhibition.

Three solid foundations of meditation in Ninh Binh meditation retreat

Alongside this, in order for our practice of meditation in Ninh Binh meditation retreat to be successful, we must first prepare three solid foundations: morality, blessings, and qigong.

+ Morality is the purity of the mind, with solute reverence for Buddha, boundless love for sentient beings, and extreme humility.

+ Blessings come from our efforts to bring peace, happiness, and morality to everyone.

+ Qigong helps to keep our life energy in the lower part of the body, helping the brain to be stable when we practice meditation.

3. Walking Meditation in Ninh Binh meditation retreat

How to practice mindful walking in Ninh Binh meditation retreat:

+ Walk slowly: Move more slowly than usual to more easily sense and feel your body.
+ Focus on bodily sensations: Pay attention to the sensations in the soles of your feet, muscle movements, heartbeat, and body temperature as you move. Place the heel down first, then gently lower the entire foot. Keep your steps neither too long nor too short—just natural and balanced.
+ Connect with the breath: Synchronize your breathing with each step, gently being aware of every in-breath and out-breath without trying to control it.
+ Observe the five senses: Take in the surrounding scenery, listen to sounds, feel the breeze on your skin, and notice natural scents.
+ Return to the present moment: If the mind wanders (to work, plans, or worries), gently bring your attention back to the sensations of the feet, the whole body, and the breath, recognizing the body as it is, shaped by habit and ignorance.
+ Set an intention: Choose a period of time (5–30 minutes) for practice. This can be done while walking in a park, along a corridor, or during a quiet stroll.

4. Listening to Dharma Talks, and Learning Buddhist Teachings, Exploring and discovering the natural and cultural heritage of Ninh Binh during Ninh Binh meditation retreat

Ninh Binh meditation retreat often include Dharma talks—teachings given by experienced Buddhist practitioners who provide practical guidance, answer life questions, and help you find a more wholesome direction for your life.

Ninh Binh meditation retreat is not only a time to rest and find stillness, but also an opportunity to receive and engage in meaningful Dharma talks shared by experienced guides. Through simple, heartfelt teachings, you will gain a deeper understanding of Buddhism, the law of cause and effect (karma), mindfulness, and how to observe your inner world while applying Buddhist wisdom to daily life. This journey helps you not only relax, but also transform and nurture inner peace.

Ninh Binh meditation retreat goes beyond mindfulness practice by combining it with visits to famous scenic landscapes and exploration of local culture. Throughout the journey, you will immerse yourself in majestic nature while discovering historical, spiritual, and cultural values of the region—enriching your experience and deepening your practice in a more complete and meaningful way.

More than just a trip, Ninh Binh meditation retreat is a journey back to yourself. When you leave, you carry with you not only relaxation, but also a profound sense of peace within.