tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22340003274520409462024-03-13T08:10:35.952-07:00Aranya Bodhi Awakening Forest HermitageInspired by the Theravada forest traditions, Aranya Bodhi Hermitage is a rustic, off-grid Buddhist women's monastic hermitage on 100+ acres of mountain forest and meadows on the Northern California Sonoma Coast. Aranya Bodhi is the monastic hermitage project of Dhammadharini support foundation, a religious non-profit organization in the State of California. Contact the hermitage at awakeningforest@gmail.com. Learn more at: dhammadharini.net > About > Aranya Bodhi.The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-16714682479805726502014-04-16T15:23:00.001-07:002018-08-24T10:12:44.923-07:00Please visit our new website<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1dw7D6Nq0napZP5wWzZz6SV0lsOrh_CaEWv19hTr6Jcn-lR6aRs_-uAoYRlsAhRwd3raBGpjGk-S3x3MhSHD-YrzSt2qdK2pj2lEFgl5QQVb1W56cCbMirUchhZFMzemKaM4HfOHaY/s1600/P1040192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKj1dw7D6Nq0napZP5wWzZz6SV0lsOrh_CaEWv19hTr6Jcn-lR6aRs_-uAoYRlsAhRwd3raBGpjGk-S3x3MhSHD-YrzSt2qdK2pj2lEFgl5QQVb1W56cCbMirUchhZFMzemKaM4HfOHaY/s1600/P1040192.jpg" width="112" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Go to </span><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://dhammadharini.net/">dhammadharini.net</a> </span><span style="font-size: small;">for up-to-date information about Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, as well as our bhikkhunis' new Dhammadharini Monastery in the Sonoma Mountain area of Penngrove, in Sonoma County, Northern California.</span></h2>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ayya Sobhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113251268004608555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-49660544856981879932013-06-16T21:17:00.000-07:002013-06-18T17:00:29.503-07:00Reply to "Welcome Back Ayya Tathaaloka & Ven. Nibbida"<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Dear friends,</span></i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">It is so good to be back in this peaceful forest surrounded by my Sangha sisters. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">To my surprise, i was greeted on return by a full hall of several groups of friends who came throughout the afternoon, which we all, young and older, spent enjoying meditation and joyful Dhamma reflection and discussion together.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM678WhOCtrp_wmWfaaO1DhgaCDyrNr6B0S9A8TQZ2lHU3Uye9NoDGHceGOcWDYGjLx9QIi5HnVWHOmLyKs20xTZDUW7ML71Y6Ern59XEYuLFdPhUhVS6ODuTBic04_ZufHCtb-JqoxHI/s1600/DSCN1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM678WhOCtrp_wmWfaaO1DhgaCDyrNr6B0S9A8TQZ2lHU3Uye9NoDGHceGOcWDYGjLx9QIi5HnVWHOmLyKs20xTZDUW7ML71Y6Ern59XEYuLFdPhUhVS6ODuTBic04_ZufHCtb-JqoxHI/s400/DSCN1655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138;">meditating together before almsmeal dana</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-rOg5Rkmc1O6MWbFVsGjpsTX7sAndzT1UqVWOz0yykdsbhe8QFO_t291eDa2TwhmL6Vo8SbXJ-Vb_A0ZUC3w65UG5hMbCb-1JJT_xpXVCEO1QwhIXdCY1D0R6rC9fsVo3t5gebRBD90/s1600/DSCN1671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-rOg5Rkmc1O6MWbFVsGjpsTX7sAndzT1UqVWOz0yykdsbhe8QFO_t291eDa2TwhmL6Vo8SbXJ-Vb_A0ZUC3w65UG5hMbCb-1JJT_xpXVCEO1QwhIXdCY1D0R6rC9fsVo3t5gebRBD90/s400/DSCN1671.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">making Buddha mudras with the children</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #274e13; font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">I returned to find that two new tent platforms had been built by -- <b>us!</b> -- while i was away :-). Several venerables and friends had their very first mentored experiences using power tools, as well as blessing the new platforms together. Friend Lee will be staying on one which is her new secluded spot of meditation. The other will become our temporary kitchen, as we are about to have an outdoor camp kitchen for a week or two of this fine weather while our hermitage's kitchen trailer undergoes much needed renovations. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPEf05Ut2X8SGKfU8YyHxCNcxwGCUiroVJFBH0uW-qoK7N9WcHqkgg0ZCIErIqYXNwuJRiZH0oIROwbF-0uJgZnuRyyqDBj847I26jmgX9Fl0MCSTR3OcXSX_l2PeurDDJP354LyuC_E/s1600/DSCN1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPEf05Ut2X8SGKfU8YyHxCNcxwGCUiroVJFBH0uW-qoK7N9WcHqkgg0ZCIErIqYXNwuJRiZH0oIROwbF-0uJgZnuRyyqDBj847I26jmgX9Fl0MCSTR3OcXSX_l2PeurDDJP354LyuC_E/s400/DSCN1596.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">teacher and student building the new meditation platform</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpApYEgnG7uOLKslizBLyLoQZYmZQahEdSZyPOFjmkXcc505eHsFsKrFMlF5C1_Ro78VaaCct5zilcKvGSJxWCDP6Q7lYGPiHrvM4PvbW1qgXIwgUbPOPd53anZxx7GxFQ885n7554fdE/s1600/DSCN1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpApYEgnG7uOLKslizBLyLoQZYmZQahEdSZyPOFjmkXcc505eHsFsKrFMlF5C1_Ro78VaaCct5zilcKvGSJxWCDP6Q7lYGPiHrvM4PvbW1qgXIwgUbPOPd53anZxx7GxFQ885n7554fdE/s400/DSCN1625.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">new temporary camp kitchen is up</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-dGcxWrlBgNbGSbESBBwGj0yiISar9rRZJ44-7ws987rd3GtkbfiRn0O_sn2D7lfQxCcWjS4v_KBSRRX_NjbYZREsgDzRURgWWcif5aIkch4kvowdn7CSGparknj5Mt7TvVgOuEmmN4/s1600/DSCN1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-dGcxWrlBgNbGSbESBBwGj0yiISar9rRZJ44-7ws987rd3GtkbfiRn0O_sn2D7lfQxCcWjS4v_KBSRRX_NjbYZREsgDzRURgWWcif5aIkch4kvowdn7CSGparknj5Mt7TvVgOuEmmN4/s400/DSCN1607.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">blessing this new place of forest meditation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;">we did it ourselves!</span></i></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">It brought joy for us to do it ourselves, and we also always very much welcome your helpful participation. Our </span><a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups#!topic/dhammadharini/woQsv9GVZkA">4th of July Volunteers Week at the hermitage</a><span style="color: #d9ead3;"> is coming soon! Please do join us for all or any part.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">I hope to write again soon to share with you a little about my time away with the Generation X Buddhist Teacher's Conference and the International Vipassana Teacher's Conference -- both very different and very valuable and enriching gatherings. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">Also, look out for further news on the coming Volunteers Week and other preparations for our Three-Monthlong Vassa-time Retreat which begins just 5 weeks from today. We have a full house here at the hermitage now with 7 bhikkhunis and samaneris as well as 3 aramikas (hermitage stewards) in residence -- a total of 10 of us :-)).</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">Sending metta to you</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">heart to heart,</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">from this peaceful patch of regrowth forest,</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">amidst these amazing and peaceful robed beings and friends,</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">in the life of the Dhamma ~</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="color: #d9ead3;">peacefully,</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="font-family: garamond, serif; font-size: large;">
<i><span style="color: #d9ead3;">Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
Pathfinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09805999389418125926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-54472973425978096652013-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:002013-06-02T20:01:45.612-07:00Interfaith Women for Peace visit our Awakening Forest <span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;">Good things on top of good things, gladdening the heart ~</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">Friends and sisters of the Tri-Cities Interfaith Women for Peace drove up the coast and joined us today in the quiet Awakening Forest, bringing abundant food to share for the late morning almsmeal offering, joining us for blessings and the meal, Q & A on everything from Buddha images to God and Nibbana, and then a walking tour of our women's monastic hermitage land, meditation sites and stupa. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">The meeting of Ayya Tathaaloka and Sr. Gloria, the abbess of the Dominican Sisters' motherhouse in Mission San Jose, in Fremont two years ago sparked the advent of Interfaith Women for Peace, which has now grown into a lovely and lively contemplative gathering of women religious leaders of multiple faiths in the San Francisco East Bay Area.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiN1SBmYC5FG8fXhoPNGcLGu0NKgdcgNndbH4yE5URKSJiS5ATyY3zBkTdLqmtkddcRU0oQi9p2gCjtJTnXvcQKZplhROmuLcs2JzUT509yz59DtYNCoOSMkl2MkyiotRzlqIwJL16Cc/s1600/DSCN1572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiN1SBmYC5FG8fXhoPNGcLGu0NKgdcgNndbH4yE5URKSJiS5ATyY3zBkTdLqmtkddcRU0oQi9p2gCjtJTnXvcQKZplhROmuLcs2JzUT509yz59DtYNCoOSMkl2MkyiotRzlqIwJL16Cc/s400/DSCN1572.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Meeting our Interfaith Women for Peace friends here in the forest</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">Today's visit of Sr. Annette, a Catholic nun of the Order of Notre Dame, Muslim sister Nabeela, Japanese Buddhist Sets and Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Barbara Meyers to our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage followed on Ayya Sobhana's presentation on Buddhism to an Interfaith Women for Peace gathering at the Peace Pagoda in Fremont last month.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP8cypsP0ubBQ9s-zmzN7S7NCaLMq6M4Y9msWpmXghyphenhyphenSgr-q_PdYSI6P6OQjkLF5KIhGwTCgLJqp4VisCksOVxd4z4_bgm7BQupSx8jdt9vjAWL5B5uUF_1Co9pDzQCK0T6f8l7FIQ5g/s1600/DSCN1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEP8cypsP0ubBQ9s-zmzN7S7NCaLMq6M4Y9msWpmXghyphenhyphenSgr-q_PdYSI6P6OQjkLF5KIhGwTCgLJqp4VisCksOVxd4z4_bgm7BQupSx8jdt9vjAWL5B5uUF_1Co9pDzQCK0T6f8l7FIQ5g/s400/DSCN1570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ayya Tathaaloka, when asked about the concept of God, speaking on Nibbana, "the Unconditioned" </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">Ayya Sobhana comments ~</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">"We felt such a connection with these women, who care enough about mutual loving-kindness, compassion and peacefulness. This is so meaningful. It is not just a theoretical interest in interfaith relationships, but a genuine heart connection. Its really beautiful and lovely."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ayya Sobhana giving a walking tour of the land and speaking on the Dhamma while showing Kalyana Kuti</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iVfb8Zx0ldVAM9idhyphenhyphenNcsQHXqUYLVglhBti1327wGZ0xsKMGrPnBiHd8SE4CxFeQ6CBT5rTw6Z0K6v4-2UgcMLg9xeVigcLeeG8tnIMs8ZuH5uqUtQXWNEoI_nENbtg2DrHklyKvchk/s1600/DSCN1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iVfb8Zx0ldVAM9idhyphenhyphenNcsQHXqUYLVglhBti1327wGZ0xsKMGrPnBiHd8SE4CxFeQ6CBT5rTw6Z0K6v4-2UgcMLg9xeVigcLeeG8tnIMs8ZuH5uqUtQXWNEoI_nENbtg2DrHklyKvchk/s400/DSCN1575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">In the blessings of the good heart</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">of peace and kindness,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">and the bright heart </span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">inclined to truth and the Way,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">Yours truly,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;">Aranya Bodhi Sangha</span></div>
Pathfinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09805999389418125926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-30714003729953822232013-06-01T22:14:00.000-07:002013-06-02T00:00:18.935-07:00Heart, Land & Sangha Time | Vesak-week Bhikkhuni Camp at Aranya Bodhi<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; text-align: right;">
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #93c47d; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Heart, Land & Sangha Time</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b>2013 Vesak-week Bhikkhuni Camp at Aranya Bodhi </b></span> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7ZxqooYxzOoORZEESiUrIVjY2ktgUBnVFCbXiCwPt_I_lKQyw84_xe-ADwrPR-a9wDNTQIQ9mM1mFZ_in3PfSBmm0AnVo1D-l2ZfC_uSkYuPO78wr-tAfKfjMU5UZ8E6kNShIEJqfa8/s1600/Vesak+Bhikkhuni+Camp+Monastics_DSCN1556+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7ZxqooYxzOoORZEESiUrIVjY2ktgUBnVFCbXiCwPt_I_lKQyw84_xe-ADwrPR-a9wDNTQIQ9mM1mFZ_in3PfSBmm0AnVo1D-l2ZfC_uSkYuPO78wr-tAfKfjMU5UZ8E6kNShIEJqfa8/s400/Vesak+Bhikkhuni+Camp+Monastics_DSCN1556+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">For all dear friends of our Bhikkhuni Sangha </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">and Venerables far and wide ~</span></span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Warm greetings from the quiet peace of the Awakening Forest, our Vesak-week Bhikkhuni Camp now complete.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">For 5 days this past week under the bright Vesaka moon bhikkhunis and samaneris from around the country and around the world gathered for "Bhikkhuni Camp", the third time Bhikkhuni Camp has happened on this hermitage land, although the first time since our hermitage has come into being here.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Let us share with you something of this year's camp. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">the camp</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Bhikkhunis and samaneris stayed in little huts in this redwood forest by the ocean, or pitched tents up high on the mountain meadow called "the saddle". Our hermitage land was in full spring bloom, with myriad forest and meadow flowers and birds singing. On the first day -- our day of gathering -- after a long and unusual spring drought, a heavy spring rain came in, moistening the land and alleviating the fire danger. The second day monastic campers experienced the famous mountain mists, and then the sun broke through clear and bright, blessing all our remaining days together.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><b><span style="color: #e69138;">participants</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni-theri from the Pacific Northwest, USA </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, Dhammadharini), </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Sudhamma Bhikkhuni-theri from North Carolina, USA </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(itinerant teacher, Bhavana Society), </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Sobhana Bhikkhuni from Iowa, USA </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, Bhavana Society), </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Suvijjana Bhikkhuni from Northern California, USA </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, Dhammadharini), </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni from Wales, UK </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aloka Vihara),</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Ayya Dhammadhira Bhikkhuni from Southern California </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Mahapajapati Women's Monastery),</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Sr Sumedha Samaneri from Seattle, Washington, USA </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Ekayanamagga Galena Aranya, Sri Lanka),</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Sr Santacari Samaneri from Adelade, AUS </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aranya Bodhi Hermitage / Pa Auk Tawya May Myio & Chanmyay Myiang, Mingaladon, Myanmar (Burma))</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Sr Jayati Samaneri from North London, UK </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">(Aloka Vihara)</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><span style="color: #e69138;">meditation in the elements</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b> chanting together </b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b> monastic council</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Early in the morning monastics gathered to chant together in our DhammaSala yurt, or to each practice sitting, walking and standing meditation independantly in the clear and elemental beauty of the forest and meadows. Later each morning bhikkhunis and samaneris gathered for Council together, speaking on matters important to the heart of this path and the way. Topics ranged from our individual practice and experience to the important matters of monastic communal life to working together on knotty points of monastic discipline--delving into the Pali-text Bhikkhuni Vinaya which hasn't been practiced for so long and now once again returns to life. Each day a different bhikkhuni teacher led the council, so we all learned from and benefited from each others' unique experience and methods.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><span style="color: #e69138;"> <i>pindapata</i> ~ almsround</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Later in the morning all of us arranged our almsbowls and upper robes and set off walking silently, in line as a flock of geese, moving through the forest, down the mountain tracks, cross the creek, and emerging in the little forest village on the other side of the canyon. Two houses in this tiny forest village had specially welcomed us to come by for pindapata on two days of the camp, but after the second day, they invited us back for the next two days as well!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97MgOK6mEj_XblZA6PwPPE7uaQ7HoI5p1ybL3ZS_EhsCxscWNhf1AANb5hBpniSsC_OKUUd7BLmrMLjaemTxigDmXQBUAbZGi_yOrZmIAm7FJPzP44RZSMo47Rg6m-hnarEXfb2U9UhE/s1600/Vesak+Week+Bhikkhuni+Camp_Pindapata_P1030764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97MgOK6mEj_XblZA6PwPPE7uaQ7HoI5p1ybL3ZS_EhsCxscWNhf1AANb5hBpniSsC_OKUUd7BLmrMLjaemTxigDmXQBUAbZGi_yOrZmIAm7FJPzP44RZSMo47Rg6m-hnarEXfb2U9UhE/s400/Vesak+Week+Bhikkhuni+Camp_Pindapata_P1030764.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekmawRUvhyphenhyphenqcDJrcSJRg2swJJ2BIFdS-LPXUGspvMSHl92x4V2kTWBwucDjLEssnaTlLw_ixaUiys4iCM_s-ejUUB3e3tSOIqm-OIfEXi_QW3_w3nVGjaNoy9UpIZFhLcfjz-Dq_KGA/s1600/Vesak+Week+Bhikkhuni+Camp_Pindapata_P1030777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEekmawRUvhyphenhyphenqcDJrcSJRg2swJJ2BIFdS-LPXUGspvMSHl92x4V2kTWBwucDjLEssnaTlLw_ixaUiys4iCM_s-ejUUB3e3tSOIqm-OIfEXi_QW3_w3nVGjaNoy9UpIZFhLcfjz-Dq_KGA/s400/Vesak+Week+Bhikkhuni+Camp_Pindapata_P1030777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavAGHaVWwkng7SWUQmHgm3nRp5qgiXNdfy_9nvSYT4NULgAqUjWZHOJ5BGhhUNgpigmCX7eUymJpp_9EHLwK3S09kReZ1bQEmEc39oO88RQFYTaypetD3pjcTHVDWz4asI6Lj2MfPifk/s1600/P1030797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavAGHaVWwkng7SWUQmHgm3nRp5qgiXNdfy_9nvSYT4NULgAqUjWZHOJ5BGhhUNgpigmCX7eUymJpp_9EHLwK3S09kReZ1bQEmEc39oO88RQFYTaypetD3pjcTHVDWz4asI6Lj2MfPifk/s400/P1030797.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b> sharing blessings & sharing in Dhamma</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">When we were invited in to receive almsfood and take our meal at the forest village dwelling; on receiving food we chanted ancient Pali verses of blessing and appreciation. For the first time, we also chanted the "Y<i>ata varivaha...</i>" verses in English as well, led by Ayya Dhammadhira and Ayya Anandabodhi. This was beautiful, everyone sharing in their thoughts of dedication for loved ones and aspirations on the Path. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">[<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id8dfd3zqz1ibew/bAVZXF36uc/Anumodana.WMA">listen to the English Anumodana chanting here</a>] </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">After the meal offering and drying of alms bowls in the sunshine, each day a different bhikkhuni teacher offered the <i>Anumodana Dhamma-katha</i>, a Dhamma reflection offered in gratitude and appreciation to those who have made the offering. After the Dhamma reflection, all those gathered enjoyed lively Dhamma discussion. On one day the discussion went on for several hours! It was wonderful to hear Dhamma reflections from different bhikkhunis each day and to have excellent Dhamma discussion amoungst dedicated lay and monastic practitioners and community leaders. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id8dfd3zqz1ibew/6L1o7AzYBa?n=17519892">[listen to some of the Dhamma reflections and Dhamma discussions here]</a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><span style="color: #e69138;"> creek walk & time on the land</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Jill Rayna, leader of the DharmaCreek Sangha, kindly offered a "creek walk" to gathered monastics and supportive friends. Creek Walk is a highly mindful experience walking the pools, waterfalls and great logjams and boulders of the creek that flows down through our land from north to south, and out into the ocean. It is excellent for getting deeply in touch with the four-fold elemental nature of the land, water and air, heat (and coolness); internally and externally, in these bodies as in all of nature. Thank you Jill for offering this!</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluZud264GFVvHWNMnsfN2hd48lhraI9Bi1D92lvrL7WbU2bb5R0dQZtP8Gr09lO0HRpjleMnzMB1T-D-TcB_uXDQIrv2wjsSxNsA3B1u2V0qyMBRaoUeB92OEYVVs1jvNapqQ7VbWDX4/s1600/P1030838+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluZud264GFVvHWNMnsfN2hd48lhraI9Bi1D92lvrL7WbU2bb5R0dQZtP8Gr09lO0HRpjleMnzMB1T-D-TcB_uXDQIrv2wjsSxNsA3B1u2V0qyMBRaoUeB92OEYVVs1jvNapqQ7VbWDX4/s400/P1030838+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b> evenings on the saddle with the stupa</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Later in the evening, as the light began to fall, we all gathered up on the high mountain saddle around the ancient Shilla reliquary stupa that graces our Aranya. Sitting together, we spoke as sisters quietly, and then all became silent to listen to a Dhamma talk from one of the longtime monastics, senior bhikkhuni teachers. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiBDhTJ3AH6iXfwp9S0nLOCJQNVsqbff7tJej94ZvMP98fzsvBEjirQ8pTeBX-FHy_wabX6h99vHwG-WkbfkmWG7ObyMm87qgA1dIWqB60jnMsiyqq5Hedo5ICqUB_6FJhis9eHkOK5U/s1600/P1030868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiBDhTJ3AH6iXfwp9S0nLOCJQNVsqbff7tJej94ZvMP98fzsvBEjirQ8pTeBX-FHy_wabX6h99vHwG-WkbfkmWG7ObyMm87qgA1dIWqB60jnMsiyqq5Hedo5ICqUB_6FJhis9eHkOK5U/s400/P1030868.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">On one evening, Ayya Dhammadhira chanted for us the <i>Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta</i>--the Discourse on Turning the Wheel of the Dhamma--again, in English, in a beautiful rendition rendered during her past Winter Retreat time. It is so good to hear the Dhamma in one's native language so beautifully and well expressed. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id8dfd3zqz1ibew/_qRFB1qtUm/Dhammacakkappavattana_TurningTheWheelOfTheDhamma_inEnglish_chanting.WMA">[link to the Dhammacakka English chanting here]</a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u62Kz4dvP2W-MtSVTnNrbCXKDa61akZ7zfw3UCeEpJ_SO92muuMHBfqKyQz5c1riBAI2JunSfzrWqcE-cMfVk_wgNtsCuZinIUgthG1qCA6fKz2xtwz3ANB58PgnKpmMoAopVQG0Qq8/s1600/P1030878+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_u62Kz4dvP2W-MtSVTnNrbCXKDa61akZ7zfw3UCeEpJ_SO92muuMHBfqKyQz5c1riBAI2JunSfzrWqcE-cMfVk_wgNtsCuZinIUgthG1qCA6fKz2xtwz3ANB58PgnKpmMoAopVQG0Qq8/s400/P1030878+(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrespGHi6b4YFd8rIh7HnOMmwqmM8fG5U3b6wKpHT5-2M88xdpirV98uHQLLgxRIGG1ZQLnUXQmPUpbIclG-0y-W0598FpsAV-7mSQRoBWjfDEfGcJuYQoXrsQG8KRFZ0GywYxkdqrhE/s1600/P1030871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrespGHi6b4YFd8rIh7HnOMmwqmM8fG5U3b6wKpHT5-2M88xdpirV98uHQLLgxRIGG1ZQLnUXQmPUpbIclG-0y-W0598FpsAV-7mSQRoBWjfDEfGcJuYQoXrsQG8KRFZ0GywYxkdqrhE/s200/P1030871.jpg" width="132" /></a> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #93c47d;"> </span><span style="color: #e69138;"> <i>katannyuta</i> ~ gratitude</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Our days and nights passed together in this way. No one was eaten by cougars or coyotes; the land was filled with peaceful metta and a great appreciation for the life of all co-dwelling living beings. No one fell down the mountainside on the steep trails; a spirit of mindfulness and the goodness of the training held and protected and blessed us all. And no one even met a timber rattlesnake, scorpion or tarantula, although we learned lots about them thanks to Samaneri Sumedha's excellent orientation. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Many thanks to gifts from local friends and the supporters of the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, there were jugs for hot water to keep us warm, and propane to heat the water. There was a new shower tent in which to bathe, and eco-friendly bio-degradable soap to bathe with. Many thanks to Jill Rayna, there was a newly recleared trail to walk pindpata and cross the canyon to the village on the other side; and thanks to friends there, the welcome place to walk to, and a place for friends to gather. Many thanks to local friends from near and far who offered our daily almsmeal, warming and sustaining these bodies, our vehicles for living the holy life in the way of the Buddha.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ95v_QNDrDXbdymPzfJIZeJsoPud10rEP_TaQ2X_vjWxFrDVCvsBgIbMAwIRi2YKZEe93hsJtt4j_NDTnn0TjV-mvgY52tvAqB6ut74nvREzRD4Us3xuwVbKkMQ-x54F-hSn7pD4Oo8/s1600/P1030881+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJ95v_QNDrDXbdymPzfJIZeJsoPud10rEP_TaQ2X_vjWxFrDVCvsBgIbMAwIRi2YKZEe93hsJtt4j_NDTnn0TjV-mvgY52tvAqB6ut74nvREzRD4Us3xuwVbKkMQ-x54F-hSn7pD4Oo8/s400/P1030881+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Many thanks for the friend who has so generously offered the use of this beautiful Aranya land to us, our women's monastic community, its elders and new bhikkhunis, its aspirants and friends, and those who seek solace together in the forest recluse life. And deep, deep thanks and gratitude to friends Lee, Tess, Holly, Ashley, Jill, Ann, Jeannie, Ying & Hisayo, Maryann, Lal, Jocelyn and Amanda who, together with our Dhammadharini Support Foundation, were the team of supportive friends who made it all possible.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">With much love and appreciation,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">sharing the abundant blessings of this time,</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><i>Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">for all of our forest hermitage sangha</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
</div>
Pathfinderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09805999389418125926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-61691527485938834042012-10-14T17:42:00.003-07:002012-10-14T20:02:33.700-07:00Building our own toolshedOver the past few months, the bhikkhunis and residents of Aranya Bodhi, along with many skillful friends, have been building a beautiful new toolshed. Sherene, Justin, Janaka, Lal, Erika, Malachi, Lulu, Julie and Ais, Jamyrson, Kat Kelly and Lisa,
Wink, Joan, Maheshi, Kitty, Nancy, Geri, Teresa, Dina Marie, Healah, Ven. Pasada, Sr. Santacari, Ayya Sudinna ... all of them now have left their mark on our hermitage in this helpful structure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UvY-tVkhWxA/UHsyPg1NH0I/AAAAAAAABT8/A1bhX6c9tLo/s1600/toolshed19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UvY-tVkhWxA/UHsyPg1NH0I/AAAAAAAABT8/A1bhX6c9tLo/s320/toolshed19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It is certainly suitable for a hermitage to create such a clean and orderly space for our building supplies and tools. In the Suttas and Vinaya, we hear stories of the first monastics building their own huts. This is a proper kind of work, to be done mindfully and in full awareness. <br />
We may compare this physical project to our right effort in the Dhamma practice: There is the decisive moment when we arouse energy to begin the work. Then we apply energy, stepping on the gas, but in a well directed way, balanced and sustained. Then, we don't give up. Although the body may need to rest, we sustain unremitting, seamless mindfulness, not stopping, not giving up and not turning aside until the goal is finally reached.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ms7_lUCNKXc/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ms7_lUCNKXc?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ms7_lUCNKXc?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vakJG1viLg/UHtbn7EbfVI/AAAAAAAABUQ/MdfJHlArXvk/s1600/P1010023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vakJG1viLg/UHtbn7EbfVI/AAAAAAAABUQ/MdfJHlArXvk/s200/P1010023.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
We will get a skilled builder to take care of the shingles on that steep roof, but there is still time for volunteers to help finish up this project in October and November, before the winter rains set in. Contact <a href="mailto:awakeningforest@gmail.com" target="_blank">here</a> if you are interested.<br />
<br />
We have put a few items in our <a href="http://www.aranyabodhi.org/Events/kathina-11-3-2012" target="_blank">Kathina</a> <a href="http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana/wish-list" target="_blank">useful things list</a>, coming on November 3.The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-60354710168795131982012-09-04T10:52:00.000-07:002012-09-04T10:52:32.985-07:00A new samaneri enters the world<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">A very beautiful thing ~<br />
<br />
A new samaneri entered the world on Sunday 2 September, together at our Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitag.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-vAyy98GhQ/UEY_ufmtwKI/AAAAAAAABTY/YCilCfWQub0/s1600/Samaneri-Pabbajja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L-vAyy98GhQ/UEY_ufmtwKI/AAAAAAAABTY/YCilCfWQub0/s320/Samaneri-Pabbajja.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-14430582584719559492012-07-12T13:56:00.002-07:002012-07-12T15:54:32.766-07:00Tranquil Progress<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecatoj28UGtjwstn-HqkgTABx7QF6h_6c-R5_N6QCc7vWy9T7_tM2ReYe01y1bI_OqjRNavG5q81A0hxnGV49FbsaBloB0zq6QtWaZxCe8MQS-jvYnJ6Zfcg8hI_-X5etH14QeyphAE8O/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecatoj28UGtjwstn-HqkgTABx7QF6h_6c-R5_N6QCc7vWy9T7_tM2ReYe01y1bI_OqjRNavG5q81A0hxnGV49FbsaBloB0zq6QtWaZxCe8MQS-jvYnJ6Zfcg8hI_-X5etH14QeyphAE8O/s320/IMG_1730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meritorious work </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnMQxy0zV_iR6qDst8BmiPI6kp8JXDPux9ru_UwhiYyb3Vr9dn8ybS-YZkx4VFtWOY8lTPoQ49vTYJcRzNOYBOGxmNPL3sPixYVjx1KL4J8X4AhjEO6yfAOFggGR_aQeB6VKND0HdAFsV/s1600/IMG_1722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCnMQxy0zV_iR6qDst8BmiPI6kp8JXDPux9ru_UwhiYyb3Vr9dn8ybS-YZkx4VFtWOY8lTPoQ49vTYJcRzNOYBOGxmNPL3sPixYVjx1KL4J8X4AhjEO6yfAOFggGR_aQeB6VKND0HdAFsV/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another meritorious work </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div style="word-wrap: break-word;">
<div>
To all friends of Aranya Bodhi Hermitage,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
During the past few weeks, our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage has been blessed with the brief visits of several women who are exploring how to go deeper into the full practice of Dhamma, whether through bhikkhuni training or as <i>upasikas,</i> close friends of the monastic community. We have felt inspired and uplifted by Wink, Joan, Maheshi, Kitty, Nancy, Geri, and Teresa. Each one is glad to be here in the forest, appreciative of our Dhamma teaching, content to follow the daily rhythms of silence and courteous conversation, manual work and the internal work of meditation, accomplishment and doing nothing at all.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And at the very same time, Ayya Tathaaloka and the Dhammadharini Board of Directors, assisted by our Vassatime resident Sayalay Santacari, have been looking for Dhammadharini's next in-town monastery, envisioned as the place where we can more easily be in contact with our local lay friends, and provide a suitable dwelling for those bhikkhunis who are not physically well to spend the whole year in a primitive camp-style abode. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The in-town monastery and the forest hermitage will then complement each other. Actually, the existence of a strong in-town monastery makes it possible for the hermitage to fulfill its role. In town, there may be the chance to serve and assist the frail or elderly monastics. In the forest, the chance to be alone among the elements. In town, the chance to offer teaching and ministry for many people and families. In the forest, the chance to teach one or two students at a time. In town, the chance for close, loving supervision of novices and new bhikkhunis. In the forest, the space for those who can practice on their own. In town, the chance to network with the world on high-speed internet. In the forest, the chance for a more ancient life-style. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What a gift it is, and what an accomplishment that Dhammadharini is able to pursue this important new project without losing the momentum of our community life. We particularly appreciate that Ayya Tathaaloka and Sy. Santacari are subjecting themselves to many hours of computer work, driving around the Bay Area, and talking to many people, while we at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage have the pleasant chores of constructing a toolshed with our own hands, re-tapping the spring and building a natural filtration system. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Recently the number of women coming to us as well qualified monastic life aspirants has increased from a trickle to a steady stream. Ayya Tathaaloka and our sangha have been considering, how can Dhammadharini welcome this next generation. What is best for sustainable growth of our sangha? </div>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Job one is to develop a mature monastic sangha, with numbers of well trained and well practicing bhikkhunis who see eye-to-eye on the way to practice our Dhamma and Discipline. This work takes time, but it is well underway. </li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Then we need the ongoing sustained relationship with our lay community. For various reasons, during the past two years while the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage was getting established, Dhammadharini has had less presence than before in Fremont and East Bay Area. There was not the constant 24-7 availability to our lay supporters, as had been developing in the previous years. When we get into our new in-town center, this lack will be corrected.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">And finally, there is a need for a proportionate match between our practical needs and the available support. As it is now, a few large gifts have made it possible for Dhammadharini to carry on, with its town center at Bodhi House and forest hermitage at Aranya Bodhi. The construction of a simple infrastructure for the Hermitage and medical insurance for a growing sangha have been the major items, as our community grew from 2 to an average of 6 residents. To the extent that enough support is forthcoming, both for the purchase of the new center and for our ongoing expenses, we can open more opportunities for those women at our gate who wish to go forth as bhikkhunis.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then, when well-practicing monastic women and lay practioners are in constant contact, the inspiration is mutual. We all benefit. We fulfill the Buddha's plan for his Dhamma and Discipline to thrive for a long time. </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div style="word-wrap: break-word;">
<div>
With Metta, </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div style="word-wrap: break-word;">
<div>
Ayya Sobhana </div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
<div style="word-wrap: break-word;">
<div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-16555355154192029952012-04-19T20:54:00.008-07:002012-04-19T20:59:27.431-07:00Bhikkhuni Ordination - May 6, 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKnaeHDuCx65v1U0C3sQYHvMJmby8iOvQ-mGa0qiIwDZSSKWIjrafPOKEmKntpVp2AdfoDnV7Tp_9VHxyo4MUrTb9bZz-A3J6L6N83ErdaRUvjmgRbRbxegG-R8jUProBogZ7wbwAE1Yl/s1600/curlicue5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKnaeHDuCx65v1U0C3sQYHvMJmby8iOvQ-mGa0qiIwDZSSKWIjrafPOKEmKntpVp2AdfoDnV7Tp_9VHxyo4MUrTb9bZz-A3J6L6N83ErdaRUvjmgRbRbxegG-R8jUProBogZ7wbwAE1Yl/s320/curlicue5.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dhammadharini Support Foundation </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and our Bhikkhuni Sangha, </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>together with the Bhikkhu Sangha of the American Buddhist Seminary, </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>are pleased to announce the upcoming </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>full bhikkhuni ordination </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>of our Dhamma Sisters </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Samaneri Marajina and Samaneri Nibbida, </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>on this next full moon, </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Vesak, </i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>May 6, 2012.</i></span></div><div style="color: #fce5cd; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<i><br />
</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This year's ordination is meant to be simple and quiet, a normal event in the cycle of Buddhist monastic life. The first part of the ordination will be a sunrise ceremony at our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage. In accord with the ancient procedure, the candidates will first be questioned, accepted and ordained within the Bhikkhuni Sangha. The ceremony at Aranya Bodhi will begin at 5:00 a.m. with pre-dawn meditation, concluding at 7:30 a.m.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We will then take the new bhikkhunis, "ordained on one side," to the Bhikkhu Sangha at the American Buddhist Seminary Temple in West Sacramento. At 11:00 a.m. we will join the ABS Temple's Vesak Dana and Celebration honoring the Buddha's birth, awakening, and <i>parinirvana</i>. In the early afternoon, the new bhikkhunis will present themselves for acceptance by the Bhikkhu Sangha. This ceremony completes the ordination. Our sisters Marajina and Nibbida will then be established as full and complete members of the Dual Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha.</span><br />
<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</i><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All are welcome to attend.<br />
<br />
The ABS Temple's Vesak Celebration and Bhikkhuni Ordination will begin with precept ceremony and meditation at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, at the ABS Temple, 423 Glide Avenue, West Sacramento, CA 95691. You are welcome to bring a cooked dish for the 11:00 a.m. Dana. For information about the ABS Temple, visit http://www.middleway.net. If you will attend the ceremonies at ABS Temple, please rsvp to Eunice "Samvaree" Cerezo, ozerece@msn.com.<br />
<br />
If you will attend the early morning ceremony at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, please rsvp to awakeningforest@gmail.com. We will email the driving directions. Those wishing to sleep overnight in our m<span style="background-color: white;"></span>editation hall (yurt) may bring their own sleeping bags and arrive after 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 5. The hermitage is located within a gated community, so you must have the gate code to reach us.</i></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOVqvEiuZFk/T5DabJdPr0I/AAAAAAAABSY/W2KUCXsSgzo/s1600/curlicue5_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOVqvEiuZFk/T5DabJdPr0I/AAAAAAAABSY/W2KUCXsSgzo/s320/curlicue5_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><br />
</i></div>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-44726986595404608682012-04-18T16:15:00.008-07:002012-04-24T18:13:32.310-07:00Look who's coming for Vassa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
A:link { so-language: zxx }
</style><span style="font-size: small;">A
full Bhikkhuni Sangha will again come together for Vassa 2012 at
Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, practicing close to nature, living very
simply, and carrying out the ancient monastic forms set forth by the
Buddha. </span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vassa
is a traditional yearly retreat period when Buddhist monastics give
up wandering and practice in one place for three months. In order to
synchronize the lunar calendar and the solar calendar, 2012 has been
determined as a Buddhist “leap year” by Thai astrologers, which
means that our Vassa will be later than usual, from August 3<sup>rd</sup>
to October 30<sup>th</sup>. </span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">~</span>
</div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most
of our Bhikkhuni Sangha will also be on the land before Vassa, for
the long, pleasant days of May, June and July. We hope to make
these months a special time to share with our lay supporters and
friends. We will be welcoming visitors at the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage
on the Sonoma Coast; maintaining a presence at our in-town center,
the Bodhi House in Fremont; and teaching in both places.</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">~</span>
</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXOGkhlYSzw/T48lj0r3UNI/AAAAAAAABPw/QzFtaMDTRRA/s1600/02.+Ayya+Tathaalok+Theri+and+Ayya+Sobhana+Bhikkhuni+Preparing+to+Give+Offerings+to+the+Stupa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXOGkhlYSzw/T48lj0r3UNI/AAAAAAAABPw/QzFtaMDTRRA/s200/02.+Ayya+Tathaalok+Theri+and+Ayya+Sobhana+Bhikkhuni+Preparing+to+Give+Offerings+to+the+Stupa.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ayya
Tathaaloka Theri (left), will be dividing her time between Aranya
Bodhi Hermitage and the Bodhi House in Fremont. Ayya Sobhana
Bhikkhuni (right), will be on the land at our hermitage.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzxK_ZVG6i4/T48nItV1NzI/AAAAAAAABP4/fUCtH6XTz-o/s1600/21ASudinnaPindipatKathina08_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IzxK_ZVG6i4/T48nItV1NzI/AAAAAAAABP4/fUCtH6XTz-o/s200/21ASudinnaPindipatKathina08_0046.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Ayya
Sudinna Theri, who participated in our first Bhikkhuni Sangha Camping
Retreat four years ago and led at Dhammadharini Vihara
while Ayya Tathaaloka was in India 5 years ago, will join the
Hermitage at the beginning of May and plans to stay through Vassa. What a
blessing it will be to have two theris with us!</span><span style="font-size: small;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-_buwBDBxQ/T48oG8pc3BI/AAAAAAAABQw/n5vVLuYBrUY/s1600/IMG_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o-_buwBDBxQ/T48oG8pc3BI/AAAAAAAABQw/n5vVLuYBrUY/s200/IMG_1530.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> ~</span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Ven.
Suvijjana, member of the Dhammadharini women's monastic community
since 2006, will be continuing on at the Hermitage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uQciT74PIQ/T48oY6-KkGI/AAAAAAAABQ4/HpE3OxKSyOI/s1600/march+2012-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4uQciT74PIQ/T48oY6-KkGI/AAAAAAAABQ4/HpE3OxKSyOI/s200/march+2012-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Ayya
Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni (right) and Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni (left),
will be staying at the Aloka Vihara in San Francisco, and frequently
visiting the hermitage on Uposatha full moon and new moon days.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwfV8IBVqEk/T48w8GQJ0SI/AAAAAAAABRE/jGojiJID20E/s1600/DSC_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwfV8IBVqEk/T48w8GQJ0SI/AAAAAAAABRE/jGojiJID20E/s200/DSC_0827.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div align="RIGHT" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Ven.
Munissara Bhikkhuni (left) and Ven. Pasada Bhikkhuni (right) recently
ordained at Dhammasara Monastery in Australia under Ayya Tathaaloka's
auspices. Ven. Pasada hopes to be at the hermitage this Vassa and Ven Munissara for the 2013 Vassa.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mC9V-0sWlN8/T48xT0nzUzI/AAAAAAAABRM/u4JoMkXTGF0/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mC9V-0sWlN8/T48xT0nzUzI/AAAAAAAABRM/u4JoMkXTGF0/s200/IMG_1352.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> Samaneri
Marajina, trained here on the land, plans to receive full bhikkhuni
ordination on May 6, and hopes to divide her time between the
hermitage and outside training. She will be at the hermitage for
Vassa.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjdiS0T_BtU/T48xWqxYwPI/AAAAAAAABRU/mdKqIJlkPr8/s1600/IMG_1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BjdiS0T_BtU/T48xWqxYwPI/AAAAAAAABRU/mdKqIJlkPr8/s200/IMG_1534.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div><div align="RIGHT" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Samaneri
Nibbida plans to receive full bhikkhuni ordination on May 6 returning on June 12 to Australia on June 12 to continue her training at Sanghamittarama.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5R45PjqN400/T48ySaeILaI/AAAAAAAABRk/3wc3FyWQouk/s1600/santacari2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5R45PjqN400/T48ySaeILaI/AAAAAAAABRk/3wc3FyWQouk/s200/santacari2.jpg" width="118" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sayalay
Santacari (from Australia), trained with Ven. Ariya Ñani in Myanmar,
and is now with Ayya Upekkha Bhikkhuni at Sanghamitttarama,
Australia. She will be joining the Hermitage in June and staying
through Vassa. She aspires to going forth as a samaneri.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our lay residents will include Upasika-to-be Margaret Darby, who served at the Dhammadharini Vihara in 2010, along with Geri Feldman and Sherene Smith. There is still room for another lay resident, particularly during May-June and September-October.
</span></div><div align="CENTER" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Our
friends around the world</b></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
renascent Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha is still young, and we are
developing our communities, building traditions, and supporting
younger monastic women to <span style="font-style: normal;">establish
themselves and grow in the Dhamma.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kN7p3CLWzAI/T486cYk0FdI/AAAAAAAABRw/kMbh6qf1pX8/s1600/IMG_1279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kN7p3CLWzAI/T486cYk0FdI/AAAAAAAABRw/kMbh6qf1pX8/s200/IMG_1279.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">We
rejoice in all the new bhikkhunis and samaneris obtaining ordination
this year, here at Aranya Bodhi, at the Dhammasara Monastery of
Australia, and at the Dharma Vijaya Temple in
Los Angeles. Every year they are more abundant, like the luxurious
crop of dandelions on our lower landing.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">And
we rejoice for those who trained with us over the past two years, now
riding the wind like dandelion seeds to far corners of our world. </span>
</div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Amma Thanasanti Bhikkhuni at Awakening Truth, Colorado. <a href="http://awakeningtrugh.org/">http://awakeningtruth.org/</a> </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Ven. Phalanyani Bhikkhuni at the Ekayana Magga Aranya, Sri Lanka. <a href="http://phalanyani.sirimangalo.org/">http://phalanyani.sirimangalo.org/</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xupT26-mlV4/T489QPwVmgI/AAAAAAAABR8/HRQlFvSydC4/s1600/Dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xupT26-mlV4/T489QPwVmgI/AAAAAAAABR8/HRQlFvSydC4/s200/Dandelion.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Ven. Adhimutta Bhikkhuni, creating a new community under care of the New Zealand Bhikkhuni Trust</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sister (soon to be Ven.) Nibbida, returning to Sanghamittarama, in Australia, where she will join with Ayya Upekkha Bhikkhuni (of Singapore) and Bhante Jaganatha in creation of a new Dual Sangha monastery. <a href="http://bsv.net.au/">http://bsv.net.au/</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
net of friendship and sangha is gradually evolving, as the various
centers are established. We are particularly close to
these monastic women at other places who were ordained with Ayya
Tathaaloka as preceptor.</span></div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">At Dhammasara Monastery, Australia ...Ven. Nirodha Bhikkhuni and Ven. Hasapanna Bhikkhuni ... Samaneri Gotami, Samaneri Upekkha, Samaneri Karunika ~ <a href="http://www.dhammasara.org.au/">http://www.dhammasara.org.au/</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage, Australia<i> ... </i>Ven. Ajahn Vayama Bhikkhuni and Ven. Seri Bhikkhuni ~<a href="http://patacarabhikkhunihermitage.wordpress.com/"> http://patacarabhikkhunihermitage.wordpress.com/</a> </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Awakening Truth, Colorado ... Amma Thanasanti Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://awakeningtrugh.org/">http://awakeningtruth.org/</a> </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Nirotharam Bhikkhuni Arama, Thailand led by Ajahn Nandayani Bhikkhuni ... where Ayya Tathaaloka gave Samaneri ordination to Ven. Munissara Bhikkhuni and several others ~ <a href="http://www.nirotharam.com/"> http://www.nirotharam.com/</a> </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Aloka Vihara, California ... Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni and Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://www.saranaloka.org/index.html">http://www.saranaloka.org/index.html</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Sati Sariniya Hermitage, Canada ... Ajahn Medhanandi Bhikkhuni and Ven. Nimmala Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://satisaraniya.ca/">http://satisaraniya.ca/</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
also share the special ties of friendship with our colleagues who
have frequently joined together in the ordaining sangha.</span></div><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">At Mahapajapati Monastery, California ... Ayya Gunasari Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://www.mahapajapati.com/index.html">http://www.mahapajapati.com/index.html</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">At Santi Forest Monastery, Australia ... Ayya Sudhamma Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://santifm.org/santi/about/">http://santifm.org/santi/about/</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Affiliated with the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara ... Ayya Satima Bhikkhuni ~ <a href="http://www.mnbv.org/">http://www.mnbv.org/</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-54281783545632702242012-04-03T08:06:00.001-07:002012-04-03T08:09:49.052-07:00Someone LIghts a Fire<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">seasoned woodfire oak,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">exhales into the gray ocean air, </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">the two entwine in </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">gray, tinged with space</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">tinged with salt</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">tinged with a memory of snow that rests on breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">here a whale is breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">here a slug is breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">baby ant breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">newt, salamander, frog breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">sisters and brothers, mothers, all beings</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">breathing</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">words crumple in a damp newspaper ball,</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">damp fir twigs</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">cardboard toilet paper roll</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">paper</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">the oak, a gift from her teacher</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">someone lights a fire</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">pīti softens the corners of the room.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Marajina Samaneri</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">March 26, 2012</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Aranya Bodhi Hermitage</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-37955455232314696392012-01-29T07:55:00.000-08:002012-01-29T08:20:56.320-08:00What's CookingDear Dhamma Friends,<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The kitchen trailer work was completed last week and we were able to resume cooking inside a building. We had been cooking outdoors. Walls to protect from wind and cold, and a roof to protect from rain are very welcome during our winter season. Everyday when we return to our kutis, the monastics reflect on the wise use of shelter. "Wisely reflecting, we use shelter only to protect from heat and cold, merely to ward off the touch of gadflies, mosquites wind, sun and reptiles; for the enjoyment of seclusion." On the Sonoma Coast during winter, our shelters also protect from frost and forest beings seeking warm, dry places. Though buildings require maintenance, they enable us to stay here - the only Theravadin bhikkhuni hermitage in the United States and one of only two hermitages for bhikkhunis on the American continents. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The kitchen now has a dehumidifier that has been collecting up to two gallons of moisture from the air everyday. By reducing humidity and increasing air circulation, two conditions for mold growth, it helps to ensure a healthier environment for all of us. There is also a freezer to keep perishable food for longer periods of time when cold and rain prevents our family of supporters from visiting. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We are very grateful for your loving attention and generosity. Without you, there would be one less place for Buddhist women to find refuge in, one less place in the world for the benefit of all sentient beings. Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu! </div><div>Rejoicing in your merit</div><div>and with Metta,</div><div>the Aranya Bodhi Monastics</div>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-5465643945958548372012-01-12T14:26:00.001-08:002012-04-15T10:23:48.059-07:00The Challenges of Winter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;" ><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:serif;color:#99ff99;">Dear Friends,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style=" ;font-family:serif;color:#99ff99;" >I hope the holidays brought you and your families joy and the happiness of being together. Thank you for the lovely support you've provided to our monastics during these winter months at Aranya Bodhi. It is because of your generous gifts of such things as heaters, electricity, shelter, food and clothing that they are able to live the Holy Life, a rare and priceless opportunity.<br /><br />This winter has brought a few unforeseen challenges. The wonderful kitchen trailer, recently purchased has been found to have structural deterioration which allowed mold to grow inside a couple of walls and possibly the ceiling. Minor renovation must be undertaken to eliminate the mold and replace the deteriorating wood. To provide the proper conditions after the repair, a dehumidifier, which provides air circulation and moisture removal from the air is very important. In addition, we were unable to repair our hermitage chest refrigerator and it has become necessary to purchase a small freezer for food storage in our remote forest. The freezer would be very helpful when friends make the long trip and bring larger quantities of grocery dana.<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#99ff99;"><span style=" ;font-family:serif;" >These essential repairs will cost about $2500. <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/dhammadharini/supporting-our-bhikkhuni-sangha/donations">Your generous support </a>of this emerging bhikkhuni hermitage is essential and gratefully appreciated by all of us.<br /><br />Much gratitude for your friendship and support,<br /><br />Shari Gent, President<br />Dhammadharini Board of Directors</span><span style=" ;font-family:Times;" ></span></span></p><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); "><span style=" ;font-family:serif;" ><br /></span></div></span>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-75904650923221033702011-12-16T18:27:00.000-08:002011-12-16T18:47:15.989-08:00Silent Light<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9hgCfr6OLJCk5lKIlwnuuVoNlFYg8dxoKAYlxEvm8UgdyXns9y_0REqDXwflPzL94spnUXIsJgFKFpEeVfpfwXZ12oStVEHvMqUT4nPoJ6MXVaDApDkvW3ipSpi3mGZevzDMSKM7cSL_/s1600/IMG_1463.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9hgCfr6OLJCk5lKIlwnuuVoNlFYg8dxoKAYlxEvm8UgdyXns9y_0REqDXwflPzL94spnUXIsJgFKFpEeVfpfwXZ12oStVEHvMqUT4nPoJ6MXVaDApDkvW3ipSpi3mGZevzDMSKM7cSL_/s320/IMG_1463.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686919204028300146" /></a><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">This is our first post to the Aranya Bodhi blog that is not made possible by a gasoline generator. I am writing from the Sangha Hall on the electricity provided by our newly connected solar electrical system. Though the sun has yet to shine upon the completely wired array, the batteries arrived fully charged and are providing the power right now. Eric, Mike and Rody from Pure Power Solutions made a lot of progress today. Eric (top photo) installed our inverter and charge controller in the battery room. Mike installed the rails for an additional four solar panels on top of the laundry shed. This will add 450 watts more to our hermitage solar electrical system, for a peak potential of 1920 watts of electricity. The batteries are strung together in six groups of four batteries each. The generator was filled with diesel fuel, tested and connected to the inverter. Tomorrow morning as the sun comes over the hillside, the battery bank will begin its cycle of charging on the sun's power.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nfXnCYmXIq8Qn3G4X7zXkuQHegzhm8hfho5QyTGLdJ1ZxtcC_WvkCt_xFtPU2kRLP30ChwcznG1cLtSR2k4HVuGSJlOFg693UFNhvAVSmhMPoyppSnvt-QdaaOo13ckkMo7gKgm5Ya_N/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nfXnCYmXIq8Qn3G4X7zXkuQHegzhm8hfho5QyTGLdJ1ZxtcC_WvkCt_xFtPU2kRLP30ChwcznG1cLtSR2k4HVuGSJlOFg693UFNhvAVSmhMPoyppSnvt-QdaaOo13ckkMo7gKgm5Ya_N/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686919895960543138" /></a><br /><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Rody gave us the gift of an ac outlet directly on the inverter so we could have electricity right away. The Sangha Hall and kitchen trailer now have household ac electricity by way of extension cords until our ac electrician can install the proper wiring in January. For now, our cook can can make use of a rice cooker and the microwave oven. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Because the sun will not be able to provide all the electricity year round and we are presently experiencing the shortest days of the year, the diesel generator will be keeping the batteries charged. This means that we will be using diesel fuel instead of gasoline but rather than using the generator directly, we will be using it indirectly and far less often. Rody told us that red diesel is less expensive because it has no highway tax -the generator is strictly for off road use :) so we are asking our friends to help us look in our nearby cities of Santa Rosa and Petaluma for a red diesel provider.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Stack, our ac electrician is tentatively scheduled to help us on January 5<sup>th</sup> and 6<sup>th</sup>. With her help, we will have electrical outlets for each of our main buildings. So a lot has already happened to get us to this point from the very first thoughts of how to bring electricity to our remote forest wilderness. And still there is a little more left to do. A little more to plan on and wait on but for now we have silent light. There is no generator running. A little more on the horizon.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">with Metta</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Marajina Samaneri</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br /></p>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-87397981475719514182011-12-07T15:51:00.000-08:002011-12-07T16:53:28.505-08:00On the Horizon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVAi4z8c9PhG1gWBqqr3nWoYxXt2vAV3wdUlwyUZyxWl9aju1mszFvIt3dXfYSbtHFfcmBgcMd4RB19ZuX0dlko7dBJ6mWsF53Rv3vEctDn3l-WQXZmucTfWm8uQH-FmNYkl9j72l-kD/s1600/IMG_1438.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVAi4z8c9PhG1gWBqqr3nWoYxXt2vAV3wdUlwyUZyxWl9aju1mszFvIt3dXfYSbtHFfcmBgcMd4RB19ZuX0dlko7dBJ6mWsF53Rv3vEctDn3l-WQXZmucTfWm8uQH-FmNYkl9j72l-kD/s320/IMG_1438.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683547051062868930" /></a>A few additions came into focus on our horizon today.<br /><div><br /></div><div>This is Rody. He's been great to work with us, designing our solar electrical system. He is familiar with micro hydro as well - that's how we met him - and is installing these components with our future in mind. Rody is beside the 7kw diesel generator which will be used to charge the batteries on our shorter wintry days. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUB_DompArx7ZtpjD9a_aMiB78hBMsrQUsUJK5NFwu0I_i-FbFC-f_nslBbAWuLwwrqYvVR5jwuETOlknxiOv-FFFOT-G0Sm4DzeBfjP6FS31wLT9LYcWasbcvcpOkR5ax91Mk1HXreAj/s1600/IMG_1431.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUB_DompArx7ZtpjD9a_aMiB78hBMsrQUsUJK5NFwu0I_i-FbFC-f_nslBbAWuLwwrqYvVR5jwuETOlknxiOv-FFFOT-G0Sm4DzeBfjP6FS31wLT9LYcWasbcvcpOkR5ax91Mk1HXreAj/s320/IMG_1431.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683546201796940242" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Six strings of four 6 volt comercial batteries line the floor of the grass hut in the lower landing. The grass hut may now be called the battery hut. These commercial batteries are sealed, eliminating the need to open battery cells, or use sulphuric acid. They can last up to 15 years with proper care. The inverter and generator will work together to keep them charged and equanimous (aka equalized) to the specifications of the manufacturer.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYen8_kLPem4CuEtzAQANOqXi0H6wWwQkxzf1Y-vgQ6OPGh0tFgUOtVVRpg4_-sK0E67wCWzJ0_dd5gpDPFu-yqljornnbHG3geKqT_TyG_1cT3OjK7Hn-5oK3gX4v3aQsYuwk3kL476A6/s1600/IMG_1434.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYen8_kLPem4CuEtzAQANOqXi0H6wWwQkxzf1Y-vgQ6OPGh0tFgUOtVVRpg4_-sK0E67wCWzJ0_dd5gpDPFu-yqljornnbHG3geKqT_TyG_1cT3OjK7Hn-5oK3gX4v3aQsYuwk3kL476A6/s320/IMG_1434.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683544864570576546" /></a>This is Joel, at the top, and Mike, at the bottom, installing the sixth panel.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KtOXrA6-lTdTdiyDR0XKPnBlMTigs2tAzEaxDCRGm_XJjiJuIi5C8iCDZIaqNzKhyphenhyphendrNtNxNAH3JiHwrbm0k1pFAmtaDc3oLMyl5R4S9ZWt9ZZlDziwdhrg05JNAdrrGQDtWP3ctc0Lv/s1600/IMG_1445.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KtOXrA6-lTdTdiyDR0XKPnBlMTigs2tAzEaxDCRGm_XJjiJuIi5C8iCDZIaqNzKhyphenhyphendrNtNxNAH3JiHwrbm0k1pFAmtaDc3oLMyl5R4S9ZWt9ZZlDziwdhrg05JNAdrrGQDtWP3ctc0Lv/s320/IMG_1445.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683542245672973154" /></a><div><br /></div><div>This beautiful 1470 watt array peers into the horizon from the lower landing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rody, Mike and Joel will be returning next week with the inverter, and will wire everything together then. </div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-43749926815092363142011-12-04T14:30:00.000-08:002011-12-04T14:36:05.918-08:00A Chance to HelpDear Friends,<div>Having stayed with us for seven months, our lay steward Gwyn, who had been helping us with errands, recently departed. Due to the remote nature of Aranya Bodhi we are not visited daily and nuns rely on help for certain errands. There is an ongoing and regular opportunity for help to be offered regarding driving, and filling our propane and gasoline tanks. If you can help please contact awakening forest@gmail.com</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, </div><div>Nibbida, Samaneri</div>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-13122904344286586722011-11-17T20:42:00.000-08:002011-11-22T20:44:45.497-08:00Meditation Retreat Time Nov 17 to 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZSic5EF3-8/Tsx5KvcdjmI/AAAAAAAABPc/UOM0TyoKTv8/s1600/Ven+Suvijjana_+Meditation+with+Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZSic5EF3-8/Tsx5KvcdjmI/AAAAAAAABPc/UOM0TyoKTv8/s320/Ven+Suvijjana_+Meditation+with+Creek.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cfe2f3;">~ non-abiding ~</span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">Dear Friends of the Hermitage,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">The Bhikkhunis and Samaneris of our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage will be away for a Special Thanksgiving Meditation Retreat with Sayadaw U Jagara and Shaila Catherine from November 17th thru 28th. Ven Suvijjana has kindly remained at the hermitage as caretaker, together with our beloved land steward Jill. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">Contact awakeningforest@gmail.com if you would like to come to offer dana or visit during this time.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">Come November 28th, we will once again have 3 bhikkhunis and 2 samaneris resident at the hermitage.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">With loving kindness from the quiet and peaceful forest,</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">Hermitage Dwellers and Non-dwellers </span></span>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-9987660500875122512011-09-30T15:39:00.001-07:002011-09-30T15:39:44.559-07:00October Events
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dear Dhamma Friends,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I write from the lower landing, the
redwoods are drinking in a cool morning mist. Our 2011 Vassa is just
about over, in time for the true seasonal rains of northern
California. It has been a quiet time these three months. With the
blessing of a month long time of seclusion for each monastic and lay
resident, one can see how the community is maturing and progressing
both collectively and individually. The first year laid much of the
foundation for the current state of energy here. As we see the gifts
of so many faithful supporters and the work of those who have devoted
their time coming to fruition in the form of a practicing bhikkhuni
sangha in the United States, a sense of awe arises. A 2600 year-old
tradition preserved in the pages of the Pali Canon, having held its
breath for centuries, is now breathing anew for women.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The month of October will bring us many
opportunities to welcome you to our hermitage as well as to our
activities in the neighboring areas. We are sharing our calendar
below and inviting your presence on many very special occasions.
Share with us the joy of the blossoming efforts of years of
preparation and dedication as our second Vassa at Aranya Bodhi
concludes.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Presently, thanks to your
loving-kindness and generosity, our food store is filled to capacity.
You are most welcome to visit and offer meal dana throughout the
month of October and especially on these days indicated below. <a href="http://www.aranyabodhi.org/calendar">View
our Calender </a>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
View our Calender
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>12
Oct:</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Full
Moon Uposatha - End of Three Month Vassa-time Retreat - Aranya Bodhi
</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Pavarana</span></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(End of Vassa Monastic Community Meeting). Meal dana welcome.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>13
Oct:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2
bhikkhunis go for Pavarana to Wat Buddhanusorn, Fremont</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>14
Oct:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Visit of Ven Bhikkhuni Metteya with Alfred and Metta to Aranya Bodhi
(Meal dana welcome).</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>15
Oct:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Visit of Ven Bhikkhu Khemaratana and Ven Bhikkhu Jaganatha (Meal dana
welcome)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>16
Oct:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ven
Bhikkhu Analayo's teaching at Spirit Rock (2-4 pm), Ordination
Rehearsal at Spirit Rock (5-7 pm).</span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.spiritrock.org/calendarDetails?EventID=3161">"Mindfulness
According to Early Buddhist Sources"</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Bhikkhus and bhikkhunis stay at Spirit Rock and with nearby
hosts.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>17
Oct:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Bhikkhuni Ordinations at Spirit Rock (9:30 am to 5 pm), Western
Buddhist Monastic Gathering begins at City of the Dharma Realm in
Sacramento (7:30 pm)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Oct
18:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ven
Bhikkhu Analayo's teaching at Sati Center in Redwood City </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.spiritrock.org/calendarDetails?EventID=3161">"Dynamics
of Insight Meditation" and "Protecting Oneself and Others
Through Mindfulness"</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Ven Ayya Medhanandi and Bhikkhuni Nimmala's visit to Aranya Bodhi</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Oct
17-21:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Western
Buddhist Monastic Gathering, Sacramento</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Oct
22-23:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">ABS
Kathina, Sacramento</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Oct
27:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">New
Moon Uposatha Lunar Observance at Hermitage (Meal dana welcome)</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="color: #0c2700;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Oct
29:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Aranya
Bodhi Hermitage Kathina (end of Vassa - awarding the Robe of Merit)
Celebration</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: small;">With
Metta,</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Baskerville;"><span style="font-size: small;">the
Community at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage</span></span></span></div>
Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-75535820463121902042011-08-11T08:49:00.000-07:002011-08-11T09:00:00.828-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q5yWxZBDZizfaKtE9KIQoU8k1m0ZWgvncV0gqfP5jBk3eTE-5AIXrqnsXPBRQnVvDSrHFRkjeGaas_J4Vl8KWi4jFLD8olS61t0xba02d2Sy990t44zJvDFSlvd-rqGmaQYg5kbo95NK/s1600/4325733036_b5f61da64d.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3q5yWxZBDZizfaKtE9KIQoU8k1m0ZWgvncV0gqfP5jBk3eTE-5AIXrqnsXPBRQnVvDSrHFRkjeGaas_J4Vl8KWi4jFLD8olS61t0xba02d2Sy990t44zJvDFSlvd-rqGmaQYg5kbo95NK/s320/4325733036_b5f61da64d.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639627663148571010" /></a>
<br /> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">a river of trees ripples downward from the mountain</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">the forest disapears into a current of onenesses</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">bird voices and human voices all the same</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">inside and outside, </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">all the same</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in">
<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">marajina samaneri</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">aranya bodhi hermitage</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">9 august 2011</p>Marajinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01248374605219375296noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-47771034761441644882011-07-31T21:01:00.000-07:002011-07-31T21:02:52.567-07:00Kitchen trailer is now fully supported ... and next priorities<div style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br />
<br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7LHxXJN2AHo/TjYdHRyLZmI/AAAAAAAABPM/t-PVm5N23ag/July%25252020%2525206.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7LHxXJN2AHo/TjYdHRyLZmI/AAAAAAAABPM/t-PVm5N23ag/July%25252020%2525206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures from informal talk after <i>dana</i> - July 20, 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="color: #b6d7a8; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b6d7a8;">Thanks to the help of many friends, our new kitchen trailer is fully paid for. A generous pledge from Ming Cassim of Australia has put us over the top. <br />
<br />
This trailer is comfortable and convenient, clean and safe, a great match for our rustic, off-the-grid hermitage. It was purchased last April, after storms and water damage had ruined the previous trailer.<br />
<br />
In addition to Ming, donors of the trailer include (alphabetically) Alliance for Bhikkhunis, Awakening Truth (Colorado Springs), Eunice Cerezo, Martha Craft, Pamela Kirby, Sumana Meissner, Ruth Turner, Brenda Walsh, Wat Buddhanusorn, Gwyn Waterfield, and Brian White. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-znkIjsy_6sQ/TjYZghG4NPI/AAAAAAAABO0/9kIt4E7ctJI/IMG_1344.JPG"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-znkIjsy_6sQ/TjYZghG4NPI/AAAAAAAABO0/9kIt4E7ctJI/IMG_1344.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Now that we have accomplished and paid for the trailer, along with new kutis and improvements for the 2011 Vassa season, we are turning our attention to other important projects. The following are our highest priorities as funding becomes available: <br />
<br />
1. Our land donor has given the use of this magnificent forest along with a bequest of over 250 acres. Implementing her intention will require a legal subdivision, entailing a series of expensive studies and permits. We are now estimating the cost at $60,000. <br />
<br />
2. For the past year, we have been working to develop a micro-hydro system, for eco-friendly year-around power from our creek. Electric power is essential for phone and email connection, and to protect our yurt and trailers from mildew during the winter rainy season. This crucial utility will replace the noise, pollution and expense of our gas generator, and reduce our use of propane gas. After consulting with several installers and experts, we are estimating a total cost of $15,000, with $10,000 already donated and $5,000 remaining. Our friends in the Sacramento Buddhist community came together in loving and practical ways to initate this project, and offered the first $10,000 donations. <br />
<br />
3. We now have 5 kutis. These are simple shelters for long term meditators. Joyfully, there are now more than 5 women who would like to be here for the coming winter. These are monastic women still in their training years, monastic life aspirants, and dedicated meditation practitioners. If there is support to do so, we would build one or two more kutis for the coming winter, including one accessible kuti for disabled or elder visitors. The cost for a heated kuti is around $8,000. An accessible kuti might be around $10,000. <br />
<br />
4. We have already received generous support for the monastic requisites during this 2011 Vassa retreat. Sumana Meissner, Udana Ratnabharathi, Brenda Walsh, an anonymous donor and other friends have contributed for food; the Alliance for Bhikkhunis, an anonymous donor and other friends are helping with bhikkhuni medical premiums. This past June, the Dhammadharini Board of Directors estimated about $12,000 in un-funded general expenses for the following five months … including everything from gas and utilities to potential uncovered medical expenses for our 5 bhikkhunis and 2 samaneris during the Vassa. </div><div style="color: #b6d7a8;"><br />
We have heard that the financial situation in the world is very unsettled. It is an incredible blessing that our Dhammadharini Sangha and women's monastic hermitage has been able to continue and to grow. Faced with the theme of uncertainty, so affirmed in the Buddha's teaching, we aim to sustain the type of community where women can practice well, perfect their virtue, and realize the fruits of the Buddha's path. We are confident that when the time is ripe, our practical aims will also come to fruition. <br />
<br />
With metta and appreciation, <br />
<br />
Friends of the Hermitage<br />
Hermitage Stewardship Committee<br />
<br />
</div><div style="color: #b6d7a8; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gqVSq-B8et8/TjYeWDeiTlI/AAAAAAAABPU/eUQOXLw6jis/July%25252020%2525202.jpg"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gqVSq-B8et8/TjYeWDeiTlI/AAAAAAAABPU/eUQOXLw6jis/July%25252020%2525202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ams3hV7X1ec/TjYYvYd5HNI/AAAAAAAABOs/bAlZ7iP_vV0/IMG_1343.JPG" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ams3hV7X1ec/TjYYvYd5HNI/AAAAAAAABOs/bAlZ7iP_vV0/IMG_1343.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jyPN21x865s/TjYZvGhfN8I/AAAAAAAABO8/Eh7vqbq9BH0/IMG_1347.JPG" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jyPN21x865s/TjYZvGhfN8I/AAAAAAAABO8/Eh7vqbq9BH0/IMG_1347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-43917912640177873942011-06-22T14:25:00.000-07:002011-06-22T14:57:56.551-07:00Big Painting Work Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH5X2d5KyLj2Dzqbh5f6g68vSeN6chhXHf_jEi1hLEkI2NRBcrDSjYsKV80e29O7GhyphenhyphenK6wGINwrEup9-qRcrZKQ87dtRAkGsBb17C__rBEBm689Iar142GEZWYuPNvNVziIFPHiZqTC8/s1600/IMG_1300.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuH5X2d5KyLj2Dzqbh5f6g68vSeN6chhXHf_jEi1hLEkI2NRBcrDSjYsKV80e29O7GhyphenhyphenK6wGINwrEup9-qRcrZKQ87dtRAkGsBb17C__rBEBm689Iar142GEZWYuPNvNVziIFPHiZqTC8/s200/IMG_1300.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621163311416400226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZlC67naoJVYyu_qWdlv7YHNMU7HV_hHGxjYeLYtq-qCXkDSH54zXY8iZ3OMsCxYt76kyfIyaS2Zde1-vRy_qky1u9Gf2ZrclnI35oHDFX6NBBuja3EcLZ3TkEQwr2_zSx8wmtyotC-g/s1600/IMG_1302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZlC67naoJVYyu_qWdlv7YHNMU7HV_hHGxjYeLYtq-qCXkDSH54zXY8iZ3OMsCxYt76kyfIyaS2Zde1-vRy_qky1u9Gf2ZrclnI35oHDFX6NBBuja3EcLZ3TkEQwr2_zSx8wmtyotC-g/s200/IMG_1302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621163306450465954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpncjrwrbYnIEmUVoUwV9AtfTmHV4GIfHc8LzVxvIGlhERj8a64BiHB-QFdoTid1P23OxSf8aRuHMvgdYqY8fspo5ASgYomlv1XhyUUhgSb5qsSLQPNB1YVqtm1tgsWjzg8kGW4neutCw/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpncjrwrbYnIEmUVoUwV9AtfTmHV4GIfHc8LzVxvIGlhERj8a64BiHB-QFdoTid1P23OxSf8aRuHMvgdYqY8fspo5ASgYomlv1XhyUUhgSb5qsSLQPNB1YVqtm1tgsWjzg8kGW4neutCw/s200/IMG_1284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621163301797063138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IZAfEtXuqgHwtXRsOxnTMMAqrUeCVQhyphenhyphenM31OhXUjmArvhssOLtN6JKJu9S4RB5vVkmGpEnWPiqOjZ3W72-sEJDHOL51ayJ3ACGND1qBXVKTSzJm560EApzNzx8p44kCqOJWR5WXbs0g/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IZAfEtXuqgHwtXRsOxnTMMAqrUeCVQhyphenhyphenM31OhXUjmArvhssOLtN6JKJu9S4RB5vVkmGpEnWPiqOjZ3W72-sEJDHOL51ayJ3ACGND1qBXVKTSzJm560EApzNzx8p44kCqOJWR5WXbs0g/s200/IMG_1280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621163302600861746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-P6qVSbMpONaMraHRV2HJ5VB4wjJ9QW86jA8W3VgqWplONSyzwQ0Dcn5pAZoDU_ofGRGltuw2D4ra22-ECELDNf3p0rxQiC2RXFJarl2ETpVP6Nb3rzbE1lLnrkOf-_nZJSvweGiNws/s1600/Ayya+and+Venus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-P6qVSbMpONaMraHRV2HJ5VB4wjJ9QW86jA8W3VgqWplONSyzwQ0Dcn5pAZoDU_ofGRGltuw2D4ra22-ECELDNf3p0rxQiC2RXFJarl2ETpVP6Nb3rzbE1lLnrkOf-_nZJSvweGiNws/s200/Ayya+and+Venus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621163319365830818" /></a><br />Thank you all who participated in the Aranya Bodhi work weekend on June 18 and 19. Fourteen friends and residents took part, and in a single weekend we completed the most difficult half of our kuti painting for this year. <br /><br />We had fun, and enough time for lunch, Dhamma discussions and tea. Our youngest helper, Venus was especially delightful. At 3 years old, she has clearly mastered the concept of painting. <br /><br />There is a second mini-work weekend planned for this weekend, June 25-26. The schedule each day:<br /><br /> 8:30 ~ Morning devotions<br /> 9:00 to 11:00 ~ Visitors arrive, setting up, preparing dana<br />11:00 to 12:30 ~ Dhamma reflection and lunch<br />12:30 to 5:00 ~ Painting<br /> 5:30 ~ Tea<br /> 6:30 ~ Evening devotionsAyya Sobhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113251268004608555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-82031719348639640532011-05-17T18:11:00.000-07:002011-05-17T18:11:40.129-07:00Springtime at the Hermitage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SW4HY30e_wU/TdMZQ42gyPI/AAAAAAAABOE/E8m0Q0o_sLE/s1600/IMG_1246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SW4HY30e_wU/TdMZQ42gyPI/AAAAAAAABOE/E8m0Q0o_sLE/s320/IMG_1246.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>wild douglas irises on the saddle</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
As the forest gradually dries out and warms up, among a profusion of wildflowers, there is a harmonious and well-practicing community of monastic women, not overburdened with projects, not putting very much burden on our friends, engaged with meditation and study, and working steadily to prepare for our 2011 Vassatime retreat.<br />
<br />
Four women are now living on the land: Ayya Sobhana and Samaneri Marajina stayed throughout the rainy winter, and Anagarika Gwyn recently joined our community. Upasika Jackie has done great service as Financial Steward. She arrived first of April and will be departing end of May. <br />
<br />
For the 2011 Vassatime Retreat, we expect Ayya Tathaaloka, Ayya Sobhana, Ven. Adhimutta, Ven. Suvijjana, Ven. Phalanyani, Sr. Marajina, Sr. Nibbida, Anagarika Gwyn, and several lay residents. Ajahn Bhikkhuni Thanasanti may be regularly visiting although not resident; and Ajahn Srs. Anandabodhi and Santacitta will be regularly visiting from their residence at Aloka Vihara. <br />
<u><br />
</u><br />
<u><i>There is room for one more lay woman who is comfortable with tenting and wishes to stay for a month or more, starting any time from June 1.</i></u><br />
<br />
<i><b>Kitchen trailer delivered and installed:</b></i><br />
<br />
Our new used kitchen trailer has been delivered, leveled, and connected to propane, so there is a beautiful, functional kitchen. It is a great comfort to the cooks and all of our residents to have such a clean, tidy and nice looking space.<br />
<br />
***Over the past few weeks, all the foodstuffs and kitchen gear were lovingly cleaned and reorganized into the new space. The mouse-proof pantry shed is moved to a more convenient location, with more shelving installed. <br />
<br />
***Brian W. will build a deep cabinet and laminate counter, converting a the trailers living room into expanded work-space.<br />
<br />
***There is only one last glitch to solve in order for the trailer's hot water and second refrigerator to work without blowing electric fuses. When that is done, we will have two refrigerators, hot water, hot shower, electric lights, and forced air heat ... all from a combination of propane and electricity. We are seeking a volunteer or inexpensive worker to make a house-call fix on the trailer's electric system. This should be someone familiar with DC electricity such as automotive or RV electric. <br />
<br />
*** Over $3,000 in donations have been received, and another $3,000 pledged. <i><u>This leaves $3,500 still needed to repay the cost of this trailer. </u></i>Funds were "loaned" by the Dhammadharini Board, from assets that are Board-designated for other purposes. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Progress on Micro-hydro project:</b></i><br />
<br />
Brian Fullner has done a physical survey of our creek, mapping the latitude, longitude and altitude of several waypoints. He is working on a report for the micro-hydro project. This information is key to getting a realistic expert bid for the project.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Road Work: </b></i><br />
<br />
We have had gravel laid on several of the muddiest and most eroded parts of our road, and widened an area near the green bridge where a small landslide made it difficult to maneuver the trailers in and out. In addition, the extremely rocky and steep ascent from the green bridge up to the saddle was rocked and graded last fall. It's now in excellent condition. There is still a need for more road work. The construction work at the Hermitage during the rainy months has contributed to wear and tear on the entire road, from Jill's front gate up to the green bridge. <u><i>If funds are donated we think it proper to take care of a few more rough or muddy patches.</i></u><br />
<br />
<i><b>Kutis and Laundry Shed:</b></i><br />
<br />
Thanks to many generous donors of the 2010 Vassatime retreat, we were able to to put up three new kutis and a laundry shed. The quality, speed and honesty of our contractor Rubisel Ventura have made it possible to accomplish a great deal with a small budget. Now that the weather is dry, we are staining decks, varnishing inside floors, and feel confident that the painting can be done before Vassa (See below about work days). <u><i>Skilled help needed: a volunteer carpenter to install click panel type flooring in two kutis; and a plumber to set up two utility tubs and a shower.</i></u><br />
<br />
<i><b>Meal Dana:</b></i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4dVinDr57w/TdMZcnnKBjI/AAAAAAAABOI/-iH5jLo9meo/s1600/IMG_1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d4dVinDr57w/TdMZcnnKBjI/AAAAAAAABOI/-iH5jLo9meo/s320/IMG_1255.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>mindfulness at work</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Considering the cost of gas and difficulty in driving to our Hermitage, Sr. Marajina and lay visitors have cheerfully prepared our meals from grocery dana and the Hermitage stores. During the winter, the Ratnabharathi and Senanayake families and Dominic Mc. provided meals. More recently June N. has been helping with local grocery shopping. She has been visiting regularly to look over what is needed. Also, we have received a carton of fresh-picked organic veggies from a the Bloomfield Farms in Petaluma. Farmer Michael Collins has been generous, flexible and cooperative to meet our needs. This subscription is now used up.<u><i> If anyone is interested in helping with the food requisite, but unable to bring dana in person, they may assist with June's project or with the organic farm subscription. </i></u><br />
<br />
<i><b>Administration:</b></i><br />
<br />
Jackie M. is working on a procedures handbook for the Hermitage Financial Steward, so that shopping and money matters will be consistently and properly handled. Jackie was instrumental in shopping for our kitchen trailer and many other logistical matters. Also, kudos to Martha C. who has willingly filled in on several occasions as our temporary Financial Steward. After Jackie departs at the end of May, Anagarika Gwyn Waterfield will be our Financial Steward.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Work Weekend, June 18 and 19:</b></i><br />
<br />
We would like to organize a work weekend for kuti painting on June 18 and 19. Rain-dates June 25 and 26 Volunteers could come for day visits on Saturday OR Sunday. The primary task is painting Kutis. We already have the tools and supplies on hand, so the organizational work is simple: Just getting the word out to our friends and communities, including some of the area sanghas; and organizing the pot-luck meal. If some of the volunteers want to stay overnight, we suggest they sleep in the yurt or camp out on the lower landing.<u><i> If you can participate or help us publicize this work weekend with your local sangha, please contact awakeningforest [at] gmail.com</i></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQn2WeSUwMk/TdMaDdZHG8I/AAAAAAAABOM/KgC53EVkk1E/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQn2WeSUwMk/TdMaDdZHG8I/AAAAAAAABOM/KgC53EVkk1E/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>wild azalea</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The weather recently has been extremely pleasant, with abundant wild flowers, a walkable creek, and blue skies for days on end. if you would like to visit for a personal retreat or to help with chores, you are welcome. We try to keep Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as very quiet days for seclusion and meditation. Thursday through Sunday, we focus on projects.<br />
<br />
With metta and appreciation for your help and good wishes,<br />
Aranya Bodhi SanghaThe Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-34549733924037266502011-04-22T20:10:00.001-07:002011-04-23T19:52:53.280-07:002011 Vassatime Retreat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzHF2DFbLMp4U6DnGgBvjsT9rIHsG3mDfj2OE5oW9tM9n9bhx1iQujSjTiW-WDeADNQP97zGznSgv-_CDs97RUB7j8sCvbjQWMFhrcL51sYDVvfiaypPEgomS33bdPFgZhyphenhyphenCVZ2j45dc/s1600/IMG_1078.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598609981265658434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzHF2DFbLMp4U6DnGgBvjsT9rIHsG3mDfj2OE5oW9tM9n9bhx1iQujSjTiW-WDeADNQP97zGznSgv-_CDs97RUB7j8sCvbjQWMFhrcL51sYDVvfiaypPEgomS33bdPFgZhyphenhyphenCVZ2j45dc/s320/IMG_1078.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 240px;" /></a>We are delighted to announce the 2011 Vassatime retreat at Aranya Bodhi, from July 15 to October 12. Retreatants may arrive up to one month in advance and stay afterwards until October 17th.<br /><br />This Vassatime retreat will be a time for individual practice in a wilderness environment. Our intention is to support a settled, quiet community where each woman will have the space to develop and sustain her own practice leading to liberation. Our local supporters would find a monastic sangha largely in seclusion, with the duty of teaching and speaking with lay supporters carried by more experienced Bhikkhunis.<br /><br />Communal training will be focused around the formal transactions which define the Bhikkhuni sangha: ordination (upasampada), entering the vassa, confession (apatti desana), teachings from respected venerable bhikkhus (ovada), recitation of the monastic code (patimokkha), invitation (pavarana), and for those who can stay on in October, the robes ceremony (kaṭhina). In the past, we have seen how Ayya Tathaaloka's approach to Vinaya is both accountable and compassionate, bringing out the full meaning of the early Vinaya texts without necessarily subscribing to later customs and commentarial traditions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4mJQuZHrlEFC-xveflVT1DBiwXjw8wQMqGIy7mtcjO_2gI5qM0R-73v34avmWMsOqvN4Cru3RJGdKBayAOyBidH6_i5Dh7nvAffspjTafnD5tgsobUFFG4kOyS1iZV4Z1mKP59T3yGM/s1600/DSC_7496.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598614740723178562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4mJQuZHrlEFC-xveflVT1DBiwXjw8wQMqGIy7mtcjO_2gI5qM0R-73v34avmWMsOqvN4Cru3RJGdKBayAOyBidH6_i5Dh7nvAffspjTafnD5tgsobUFFG4kOyS1iZV4Z1mKP59T3yGM/s200/DSC_7496.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 132px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>In addition to Ayya Tathaaloka and Ayya Sobhana, all four of the bhikkhunis who ordained at Aranya Bodhi in August 2010 will be returning this year for further training. That is, Ajahn Thanasanti, Ven. Adhimutta, Ven. Suvijjana, and Ven. Phalanyani. We will have two samanerīs (novices), one or two anagarikās (postulants) and several monastic life aspirants.<br /><br />Dhamma and meditation instruction will be determined based on the needs of participants.<br /><br />There is still space for a few lay residents during the Vassa, who enjoy camping in tents and can stay for a month or longer. They would have special duties assisting the community with chores involving money, driving and cooking. Our aim is to have enough lay residents to keep the chores light and allow time for personal practice.<br /><br />There are many opportunities to support this Vassatime retreat, by helping with buildings, trails, and painting in the weeks before July 15, offering local transportation, meal dana, or other requisites both before and during the retreat. If you wish to participate or support, please contact the Aranya Bodhi Prioress,Ven. Sobhana Bhikkhuni (bhikkhunisobhana [at] gmail [dot] com).<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2234000327452040946&postID=3454973392403726650"><blockquote></blockquote></a>Ayya Sobhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113251268004608555noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-77218256051353675812011-04-19T01:33:00.000-07:002011-04-19T03:11:50.950-07:00Hermitage Trailer Update & Invitation from Friends of the Hermitage<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Wind, rain, leaks, mold, and mildew won. </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b> The old kitchen trailer succumbed. </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b> A new used trailer has been found.</b></i></span></div><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_hXvsZzlLA/Ta1CZ2sCphI/AAAAAAAABNY/vDWrGchUBsc/s1600/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u_hXvsZzlLA/Ta1CZ2sCphI/AAAAAAAABNY/vDWrGchUBsc/s200/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+026.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTu9Ir02Kpk/Ta1CVbP48JI/AAAAAAAABNU/v1KC0uQ0Sq4/s1600/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WTu9Ir02Kpk/Ta1CVbP48JI/AAAAAAAABNU/v1KC0uQ0Sq4/s200/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+024.jpg" width="200" /></a><i><b> </b></i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17l1F1R7Gbs/Ta1eo21wc6I/AAAAAAAABNs/dcDkkcTAe4A/s1600/Trailer%2Bphotos%2B4.9.11%2B022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17l1F1R7Gbs/Ta1eo21wc6I/AAAAAAAABNs/dcDkkcTAe4A/s200/Trailer%2Bphotos%2B4.9.11%2B022.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Through the diligent work of many friends, the hermitage now has a new used trailer, complete with all the kitchen fixtures, shower, and a separate bedroom for a resident or guest. Thank you all for that! <br />
<br />
The new trailer will allow indoor cooking and shower facilities for the four monastic women and the lay steward now living on the land. In summer, especially during the Vassa retreat from July to October, up to 12 women will use the new trailer along with an outside camp-kitchen and shower tents.<br />
<br />
Out of the $9,500 cost of acquiring and installing this trailer, the Alliance for Bhikkhunis offered $2,000 and would like to invite Dhammadharini donors to join in this offering. Awakening Truth (Ajahn Thanasanti Bhikkhuni's support organization in Colorado) has kindly pledged another $3,000. Thank you to all these friends. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>$4,500 in donations are needed </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>to pay the costs that remain. </i></b></span></div><br />
<br />
The Dhammadharini Board of Directors offered to loan these funds to the hermitage (from Dhammadharini funds designated for other purposes), as the kitchen trailer had become an environmental health hazard. With 5-7 women in retreat at the hermitage, it had to be replaced urgently.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Invitation to Participate</i></b></div><br />
Friends of the Hermitage group invites the participation of all supportive friends who would like to join us. If you wish to donate, see <a href="http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana">http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana</a> ... Be sure to indicate the purpose of your gift, and kindly drop a note to <a href="mailto:awakeningforest@gmail.com">awakeningforest@gmail.com</a> so that we can announce when the goal is met. We will happily reply to any questions about this project and how you can participate.<br />
<br />
Sara Sacksteder<br />
<i>on behalf of</i><br />
Friends of the Hermitage<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjWgDzIXgvI/Ta1Cb2uIElI/AAAAAAAABNc/5VCy2gyFTKk/s1600/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XjWgDzIXgvI/Ta1Cb2uIElI/AAAAAAAABNc/5VCy2gyFTKk/s200/Trailer+photos+4.9.11+037.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Awakening Forest Hermitagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16861589819027214064noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-80217463678353104382011-04-10T11:11:00.000-07:002011-04-10T11:55:51.195-07:00First Family Retreat at Aranya BodhiWe all enjoyed Becca's week-long visit with two young daughters. It's a wonderful exercise to make the Dhamma and Discipline ... what we understand and how we behave ... meaningful for kids. By helping both ourselves and the youngsters, we make the Buddha's path beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle and beautiful at the end. Here is Becca's <a href="http://mamadhamma.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html">blog post. </a><br /><br />She should have also mentioned helping with Hermitage chores, taking trash to the dump, and picking up propane and gas. Thank you, Becca.Ayya Sobhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113251268004608555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2234000327452040946.post-14249182986182949382011-04-10T10:58:00.000-07:002011-04-10T11:10:31.942-07:00Kataññutā<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGINs6PpmdwzKZU2EZCehTVHSBvq_DHv49lufIBike3BCMxlpV6yzPl9F8oyuAkP4lLC8tqme19RlNxjnF2lN0fsJI_h2pflORc5M4Xai04vVlasjeWk2XF5YVtDJlUNh-oRHRTlxEPQ/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGINs6PpmdwzKZU2EZCehTVHSBvq_DHv49lufIBike3BCMxlpV6yzPl9F8oyuAkP4lLC8tqme19RlNxjnF2lN0fsJI_h2pflORc5M4Xai04vVlasjeWk2XF5YVtDJlUNh-oRHRTlxEPQ/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594018679042353794" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Kataññutā</span> is gratitude, literally knowing what was done. <br />Our gratitude to Martha Craft for serving as interim Steward to the Hermitage, from the day of Sr. Marajina's ordination up to Jackie Miller's arrival this week. Martha withstood the rough conditions, cheerfully dealt with propane tanks, gas cans, and hardware needs; chauffered the monastics to and from Fremont and SFO, and braved severe weather on the freeway. Best of all, she took a lively and joyful interest in our Pali and Dhamma studies. <br />She wrote, "This has been an amazing happy adventure for me. Makes me smile."Ayya Sobhanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10113251268004608555noreply@blogger.com1