Springtime at the Hermitage

wild douglas irises on the saddle

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.

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.

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.


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.

Kitchen trailer delivered and installed:

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.

***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.

***Brian W. will build a deep cabinet and laminate counter, converting a the trailers living room into expanded work-space.

***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.

*** Over $3,000 in donations have been received, and another $3,000 pledged. This leaves $3,500 still needed to repay the cost of this trailer. Funds were "loaned" by the Dhammadharini Board, from assets that are Board-designated for other purposes.

Progress on Micro-hydro project:

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.

Road Work:

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. If funds are donated we think it proper to take care of a few more rough or muddy patches.

Kutis and Laundry Shed:

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). 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.

Meal Dana:

mindfulness at work

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. 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.

Administration:

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.

Work Weekend, June 18 and 19:

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. If you can participate or help us publicize this work weekend with your local sangha, please contact awakeningforest [at] gmail.com

wild azalea

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.

With metta and appreciation for your help and good wishes,
Aranya Bodhi Sangha

2011 Vassatime Retreat

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dhamma and meditation instruction will be determined based on the needs of participants.

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.

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).

Hermitage Trailer Update & Invitation from Friends of the Hermitage

Wind, rain, leaks, mold, and mildew won.

The old kitchen trailer succumbed.

~

 A new used trailer has been found.

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!

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.

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.

$4,500 in donations are needed

to pay the costs that remain.

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.

Invitation to Participate

Friends of the Hermitage group invites the participation of all supportive friends who would like to join us.   If you wish to donate, see http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana ... Be sure to indicate the purpose of your gift, and kindly drop a note to awakeningforest@gmail.com 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.

Sara Sacksteder
on behalf of
Friends of the Hermitage

First Family Retreat at Aranya Bodhi

We 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 blog post.

She should have also mentioned helping with Hermitage chores, taking trash to the dump, and picking up propane and gas. Thank you, Becca.

Kataññutā

Kataññutā is gratitude, literally knowing what was done.
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.
She wrote, "This has been an amazing happy adventure for me. Makes me smile."

my ego wants to kill me

drawn out

where breath meets breathing

penciled in gold leaf by

the engraver's fine stroke

this door that wasn't here before

this

deadbolt lock

and a

key of moss

…

nothing is here, only breathing

...

my ego wants to kill me

smash me through the door into the fire

scalp me, trade me

for trinkets on the craving aisle

here it was for love

there it was for power

a trillion times for love

a trillion times for power

sorted now like duff on the forest floor

...

there is only breathing, nothing more

braiding water breathing

sifting air breathing

beating heart breathing

earth-touching sole breathing

marajina samaneri

24 march 2011

aranya bodhi hermitage, california usa

at my teacher's feet

monochrome daylight

beach thunder on the horizon

watermarked skies

at my teacher's feet again

unseen, her sigh is internal

how much, she may be thinking, more will i forgive you...

outside greening comes and goes with the wind of a two-week rain

the moon wanes, vultures plane across the canyon

how much more, she may be thinking, will i give you...

at my teacher's feet

the winter wren, the field mouse, the novice

the roots of trees, the forest, an empty hut

ten fetters, seven factors, five powers, Four Truths

converge in three syllables:

Khamāmi.

marajina samaneri

23 march 2011

aranya bodhi hermitage, california, usa

Today's Puzzler

Can you guess how the raccoon has been breaking into our brand new temporary kitchen pantry?

Seeking a New Kitchen

For better or worse, the kitchen is the heart of a monastery. We all thrive when its atmosphere is simple, patient, and considerate; never vain, chaotic, or opinionated.

Physically, many monastic kitchens are more functional, than pretty. At my training center in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, families would cook all night in a simple pavilion with a deeply sooted fireplace and wiremesh all around for the monkeys. At the aramaya in Bamunugedara, novices crouched on the floor, skilfully holding the knife by the toes and pushing the veggies down against the sharp blade. Even at the nicer bhikkhuni dwellings it was a shock to walk from the dignified, spacious public rooms back to narrow grey kitchens.

Our kitchen trailer at Aranya Bodhi was "rustic." In the whirlwind of work before our 2010 Vassa retreat, we had the chance to pick up several free trailers, and our volunteers devoted many hours to fixing them up. This is what folks do here on the Sonoma Coast for an inexpensive structure that can be set down quickly.

Two of the three trailers we obtained in 2010 have been fine for their purpose. Our Sangha trailer is bright, clean and warm inside. Our tools trailer is dry, white and big enough to keep the many things in order. Even our two plastic sheds have lived up to their promise, staying dry and mouseproof; while a 10 x 10 Kelty tent has been good enough to keep some extra supplies dry.

But the kitchen trailer was always a problem, never mouseproof and never weatherproof. We tried various repairs, replaced part of the interior ceiling, and had the roof tarred and resealed. We painted and scrubbed inside and tackled the ubiquitous mold from several angles. The leaking roof never stopped and before the heavy rain started, the entire trailer was tarped, leaving it dark inside but safe from additional water seepage. We gave metta to mice.


Winter offered another unique learning experience: the northern redwood rainforest. For weeks, every morning was a new adventure in cleaning. One day, the pedal sewing machine was full of white mildew; then our Pali Canon; on another morning, every piece of bamboo in the entire hermitage sprouted long hairy white mold; the walls and ceiling of the Samana Kuti molded before it could be painted. Blue green mold came back weekly in the new kitchen china cabinet. These were the weeks of constant cleaning and extra effort to install heaters to protect the library, yurt and kutis.

The kitchen has been Sr. Marajina's domain this winter. Besides cooking and serving, she has been most vigilant about cleanliness. Through her efforts, we've had safe, nourishing, comforting food, in an atmosphere of genteel poverty, the look of really old spaces that are thoroughly and constantly scrubbed.

Recently, we have realized the mold problem in that trailer is more serious than surface cleaning can care for. The ceiling has developed black mold which has made the place unsuitable for use. We have abandoned the kitchen trailer and have set up a temporary kitchen in the lower landing in the building which was destined to be the laundry room.

Prolonged exposure to mold causes allergic reactions and health complications. Sr. Marajina had been feeling nauseaus each day after working in the kitchen for a couple of hours. She has experienced headaches, chest tightness, shortness of breath and irritable mental formations. Because of her preference for working alone, others were spared the brunt of it, but Ayya Sobhana also had shortness of breath and difficulty with speaking and chanting.


Aranya Bodhi Hermitage needs a new kitchen trailer soon. It should have a leak proof roof and be mold-free. A used travel trailer in good condition, no larger than 8' by 30' to fit up our narrow driveway would be quite suitable. We are hoping for complete inside plumbing, a toilet, shower, lavatory, kitchen sink, and small clothes washer; a propane stove and heater. The standard propane appliances will be just right; in the summer they are supplemented by our outside cooking and washing pavilion.

Aranya Bodhi does not presently have the funding to purchase this trailer, having used our budget for three kutis and the laundry room.

If you can find a donated trailer, or would like to help in any way, the time is now. http://www.aranyabodhi.org/dana

A Sky Full of Dippers

Sky Full of Dippers: the Anagarika's Tale

by Marajina, Anagarika ~ Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, CA., USA

February 13, 2011

At night, from my bed on the floor of Samana Kuti, I look up at the starry sky over the canyon. It peaks through oak and redwood limbs passing panoramically through three large windows. The divide between inside and outside disappears, the walls disappear, the roof disappears… and the floor, as if suspended in the trees, finely, finely gives to the giving of the wind. I dwell in the divinity of the northern Sonoma coastline, resident steward at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage and the luckiest puggala on the planet.

A Theravadin bhikkhuni forest hermitage is a rare find in the world. I still marvel at how conditions coalesced to bring someone across the country to this precious situation so scarcely encountered. In this forest, cavernous grandmotherly stumps anchor their retinue of young redwoods to precipitous constantly shifting cliffs. Hillsides harbor the seasonal water color of wild orchids and native grasses... and landslides fell hillsides. Trees born in the mineral rock of the last tectonic upheaval cover millenia of stories as they pass to the soil their own earthen tales. Many voices, one samsara.

This February 19th, eight months after arriving on Ayya Tathaaloka's invitation to help Aranya Bodhi Hermitage on its first Vassa, I will go forth as a samaneri here. Eight months ago there were no kutis here. There were no outhouses, no showers, no meditation hall, no library, no laundry facilities, no electricity or phone. These were hardly missed in a benevolent forest of waterfalls and winding emerald trails. Ayya Sobhana, Venerable Adhimutta and I passed thirty degree nights with just a hot water bottle for warmth, remaining as residents after the area's coldest summer in fifty years to its wettest December in local memory while a hermitage slowly came to creation through the kindness and generosity of many faithful who believed a hermitage for bhikkhunis could be created here.

Here it is.

Arms around the area and around the world embrace Ayya Tathaaloka's long range vision of a Theravadin bhikkhuni forest hermitage. Arms around the area and around the world uphold, Ayya Sobhana's daily prioress task list. The support which houses, feeds, clothes and cares for this fledgling monastic community is utterly moving and inspiring.

When I look up at night, I am reminded of our friends who believe in the way of the bhikkhuni. I see a sky full of dippers filled with the promise of the savaka's path, showering down on us with faith and love, supporting the aspiration of our daughters, sisters and mothers by supporting the Buddha Sasana as the Blessed One left it for us. It is truly marvelous and wonderful. This Dhamma and Discipline is an amazing, amazing thing. Its continuity is enabled from the hearts and hands of the loveliest people in the world, into the heart of the bhikkhuni sangha. Those who share in Ayya Tathaaloka's and Ayya Sobhana's vision of a true fourfold sangha are unafraid of the commitment this unparalleled work in the world entails.

Marajina Anagarika at Samaneri Pabbaja w/ Ācarinī Ayya Sobhana 

Being witness to this, being here with this, sharing in this has been the greatest blessing of this puggala's life … and this is only the beginning. 

Are We Surviving?

In the Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta (D26), the Buddha recounts a mythical future time, when the whole world goes mad with depravity and war. There will be "sword-intervals" when beings mistake one another for wild beasts, and kill each other. During one such time, a few beings will think of hiding in the remote forest. Protected by raging rivers and rugged mountains, they survive on wild roots and fruits. Only after the war do they emerge from their hiding places and rejoice together of one accord, saying, "Good beings, I see that you are alive!" They now see the terrible results of society's addiction to evil, and resolve to do good, starting with reverence for life. Thus their beauty and life span increase, and the virtuous way of life becomes more complete and refined, finally culminating in the arising of Metteyya Buddha.


This is how it has been for us here at the Aranya Bodhi. Away from the racket and stress of our modern times, the hearts grow tender. Our daily news show is to watch the afternoon fog roll up the creek valley, from the ocean.

The internal war, the uprising of our own kilesas, gradually dissolves. We are learning how to take care of our own practice for liberation, and also how to care for each other, with just enough space and enough sharing, enough structure and enough freedom.

Several people have asked how we are surviving at Aranya Bodhi, in the cold and rain. Friends, we are surviving and thriving. We have time to walk in the forest and meditate well swaddled in blankets. When it really rains, all the better for meditation.

We have undertaken several projects to make our Hermitage more comfortable. The Samana Kuti is complete except for its paint and wood stove. This kuti sits high on the mountain where the forest is more open and lighter. It overlooks an exceptionally broad old logging road, a grand avenue in the middle of nowhere. Anagarika Marajina has finally given up her tent in its deeply shaded and quiet place, to take up kuti living.

On our main landings, we have installed two propane heaters, in our Dhamma-Sala-Yurt, and the Sangha trailer. In the yurt with its high ceiling and large space, the heater cuts the chill just enough to be comfortable. We are using this space when company comes visiting.

The Sangha trailer is now truly cozy, a real refuge when the bones need to be warm. We are confident that books are safe from mildew, and have brought in the Dhamma library that Bhante Gunaratana donated last year. The internet, computers and lights are running on a gas generator. So the Sangha Trailer is now our study hall, classroom, internet cafe, small shrine room, and sick-bay all in one.

One of the challenges this past Vassa was laundry. It is traditional for monastics to wash their robes by hand, but with the afternoon sun going behind our mountain and the evening fog rolling in, the cloth just did not dry. When California's rainy season arrived early, we gave up on the laundry line, and started a regular run to the laundromat, an hour's drive away. It has been a priority to create a really warm, dry laundry room, and now here it is, on the sunniest corner of the lower landing. We'll start out with a new double-utility sink, inside clotheslines, and a wood stove. Later, when we have full electricity, an efficient washer. I imagine this room to be a place for washing, dyeing, head-shaving and conversation.

Two more kutis are being built this winter. The Mangala kuti is nearly finished, thanks to a generous donation from Kemanthie Nandasena. The Ratana kuti will go up next. All of our kutis and buildings have been built by an excellent local builder. They will all need their inside and outside paint and furnishings, when the weather dries out in spring.

Finally, a very rough and steep patch of road, which caused several flat tires last year, has been beautifully gravelled and smoothed out.

There is more to do [see projects on the sidebar]. Your interest and support are greatly appreciated, indeed indispensable for the remaining projects to go from dreams to realities.

Lay Steward Sought for Aranya Bodhi

Aranya Bodhi - the Awakening Forest Hermitage is seeking a lay Steward. Aranya Bodhi, a natural forest wilderness on the Sonoma Coast, offers a rare situation for a lay woman during this present auspicious re-energizing of the bhikkhuni sangha. Our new steward may be a monastic life aspirant or a sincere Dhamma practitioner willing to live by the eight monastic precepts. We offer the opportunity to live within a Theravadin forest bhikkhuni community, in your own empty hut, surrounded by roots, cliffs, leafy canopies and creeks.

This February 19th, our present steward, Anagarika Marajina will receive her going forth into monastic life. Following the forest style monastic code, our monastic women do not personally use money and do not drive. The lay steward will be primarily responsible for hermitage errands involving the use of money and driving. Additional responsibilities will depend on her talents and interests. While we would love for our new steward to stay for a long time, we can appreciate shorter term stays of at least one month.

Aranya Bodhi is a new bhikkhuni hermitage supporting two to three monastic women during the winter months and up to ten lay and monastic women during the three months of Vassa, from July to October. We are entirely off grid, with communication being provided by Internet. There is no phone on the hermitage. Accomodations are rustic and the climate year round is cool within the forest.

To learn more, please visit our blog at http://awakening-forest-hermitage.blogspot.com/; and email awakeningforest@gmail.com

Kathina at Aranya Bodhi — Saturday October 30

 

 

Please mark your calendar and come for Kathina observance
at our hermitage on the Sonoma Coast of California.

Saturday, October 30

 R.S.V.P. and obtain driving directions at awakeningforest@gmail.com
For those who would like to arrive on Friday, October 29, 

there will be some space for visitors to camp out or to sleep in our Dhamma Hall yurt.

Kathina is one of the most important events in the Buddhist Calendar — a time of charity, a time for good works, a time to offer and receive blessings and forgiveness. 

For the monastic Sangha, Kathina comes after the three-month Rains Retreat (Vassa), during which time the monastics put aside their normal duties and travels and commit themselves more deeply to practice.  The Kathina ceremony marks the time when the Sangha re-engages with the world, resuming their usual travel and teaching activities. 

In the Buddha's time, the monastics' robes were muddy, wet and worn by the end of the rainy season.  Seeing this, lay supporters obtained the Buddha's permission to offer new robes and other requisites at this time. He made Kathina one of the significant ceremonies in the Buddhist calendar, an occasion for monastics and lay devotees to gather together in mutual respect and harmony.

Following the ancient procedure, our donors will offer plain white cotton to the Sangha.  The Sangha will then elect one knowledgeable Bhikkhuni who has stayed at the Hermitage for the entire Vassa, to receive the Kathina cloth.  Once they receive the cloth, the Bhikkhunis must measure, cut, sew and dye the Kathina robe — all in a single day!  The day ends with a ceremony called 'Spreading the Kathina', which refers to dismantling the robe-sewing-frame.  Now Vassa is complete and the Bhikkhunis will soon depart for their work in the world.

This will be the first Kathina celebration for the Dhammadharini community of Bhikkhunis.  It is the first time we have in residence the five bhikkhunis needed for the formal Kathina transaction.

Tentative schedule:

The day begins with overnight guests offering the Kathina Cloth and Breakfast Dana at 7:30 a.m.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.       Arrival for day visitors
10:30 - 11:00 a.m.     Buddha Puja Chanting
11: 15 a.m.                Lunch Dana
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.        Dhamma Talks
4:00 p.m.                  Tea
Around 4:30 p.m.      "Spreading the Kathina"

For a list of requisites useful to our Hermitage, please see the sidebar on this page.

Joy

Dhammadharini's 5-Year Anniversary
& Bhikkhuni Ordination
at the Hermitage

We awoke the morning after to find the forest filled with and pervaded by joy.

It was a day of joy.

On August 29th, our Dhammadharini support foundation celebrated its five year anniversary with the full ordination of four women novices at our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage.

It was a beautiful day and the culmination of years of effort by so many monastic and lay friends and supporters. It was also a new beginning for both the new bhikkhunis and for Buddhism in North America, as this was the first Theravada Bhikkhuni ordination ever to be held here performed entirely by the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha together with the Theravada Bhikkhu Sangha. Around 200 friends came to celebrate and witness the event, including eminent Dhamma teachers Ruth Denison from Dhamma Dena Desert Vipassana, Ajahns Anandabodhi and Santacitta from the Saranaloka nuns' community, and Sylvia Boorstien representing Jack Kornfield and the entire Spirit Rock community. It was wonderful to have so many dear friends in Dhamma gathered together on in the heart of our forest hermitage, and the hall and whole area was decorated and adorned by Deva Flower's friends Sumana and Apple. Amidst the chanting of "Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu," flower petals were sprinkled upon the long line of processing monastics and candidates as the gong was rung and they silently walked up the road to the ordination platform between rows of friends and family.

Those Ordained

Ven Suvijjana had her samaneri pabbaja on the mountain saddle adjacent to the Awakening Forest just over two years before (see earlier post below), and has been training with Ayya Tathaaloka at Dhammadharini Vihara, the Bodhi House and at the hermitage for the past four years. Ven Adhimutta was ordained a novice by Ayya Tathaaloka even before that in Australia at Santi Forest Monastery where she trained under the tutelage of Bhante Sujato. Ven Phalanyani has trained as a nun in Thailand with Ajahn Suphan and Ajahn Noah at Wat Ram Peong and ordained as a samaneri with Ayya Tathaaloka at our hermitage. Ven Thanasanti had been a samaneri for the very longest time, having her pabbaja with the venerable Ajahn Sumedho in England nineteen years ago.

The Ordaining Sangha

Venerable elder bhikkhunis Ayya Gunasari and Ayya Satima traveled from the Mahapajapati Women's Monastery in the Mohave Desert and from the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara, and Ven Madika came from the Great Determination Hermitage in Ohio to fulfill the quorum for the ordaining Bhikkhuni Sangha. Ayya Sudhamma and Ayya Sobhana, both of whom trained at the Bhavana Society with Bhante G (and thus have excellent Pali-language pronounciation) served as the Kammavacacarinis or Chanting Acaryas for the ordination. Ayya Tathaaloka Theri, having surpassed 12 vassas since her own bhikkhuni ordination, was appointed by the Bhikkhuni Sangha as the Pavattini or Preceptor for the ordination of her students.

One by one, all four women were ordained on one side by the Bhikkhuni Sangha, while friends and family members bore witness together sitting outside our sima ordination platform.

After being ordained by the Bhikkhuni Sangha, the four one-sided bhikkhunis then went over to the assembled Bhikkhu Sangha for the confirmation of their ordination which completes the bhikkhuni upasampada.

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, founding abbot of the Bhavana Society and legendary Dhamma teacher, was the senior bhikkhu present and served as the Ovadaka Acarya, which means that he had the honor of giving the new bhikkhunis their very first Dhamma teaching directly after their ordination. The abbots of American Buddhist Seminary Temple in Sacramento and Buddhi Vihara in Santa Clara together served as the bhikkhu Kammavacacaryas or Masters of the Chanting. Venerable Ajahn Pasanno, abbot of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, Bhante Pannasara, Bhante Punnananda, Ajahn Yatiko, Bhante Wimalaratana and Ven Varanyano Bhikkhu more than filled the quorum for the Bhikkhu Sangha completing the ordination.

Bhante G gave a beautiful Dhamma talk on the special meaning of a buddha being born in the world, and on his own dedication to women's ordination in his 60 plus years of monastic life. He spoke of how glad he was that two of his students, venerable Ayyas Sudhamma and Sobhana had served as Acaryas for such an important and historical occasion.

Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi had recorded Dhamma words of Anumodana on video to be shared with everyone as well in his absence that was not able to be uploaded, but fortunately all the bhikkhunis were able to hear it from him live via Skype.

After the ordination, friends had prepared many trays to offer Sanghadana to the entire Ubhato Sangha - the word the Buddha used for the highest blessing of the complete Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Sangha together. Sylvia Boorstien offered a beautiful large standing Kwan Yin image from the Spirit Rock community together with a yurt heating system, and Kerstin Hall of Padmasambhava Peace Institute offered a Tibetan prayer wheel that turns powered by solar panels! These were wonderful gifts for an off the grid women's monastic hermitage.

And after the Sanghadana, the entire Sangha, including bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, siladharas and anagarikas -- and most importantly new bhikkhunis -- all chanted traditional Pali verses of blessing together led by Bhante G.

It was a beautiful and joyful day, with so much mudita so strongly pervasive at time that it seemed the air was alive and fragranced by this quality. One friend reported feeling tsunamis of joy. Other friends mentioned that it felt like a deep healing, the turning of a bend, and coming out into the clear and wide open way of the Buddha's.

And joy filled the forest and resounded through it, from the tops of the mountain trees, deep into the silent redwood fairy rings, and down to the flowing waters of the creek, out to the ocean.

Sukho buddhānaṃ uppādo
sukhā saddhammadesanā;
Sukhā saṇghassa sāmaggi
sammaggānaṃ tapo sukho.

~ * * * ~

Happy is the birth of Buddhas,
happy is the teaching of the sublime Dhamma;
Happy is the unity of the Sangha,
Happy is the discipline of the united ones.

-- The Buddha
Dhammapada, Buddhavagga 16

As quoted by Bhante G in his keynote Dhamma Talk upon concluding the ordinations

Sangha Entering First Vassa at Aranya Bodhi

Warm Dhamma greetings from our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, in Vassa.

Pictured are Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni (center), Ayya Sudhamma Bhikkhuni (right front), Adhimutta Samaneri (mid-rt), Phalanyani Samaneri (fore-rt), Ayya Sobhana Bhikkhuni (left front), Suvijjana Samaneri (mid-left) and Anagarika Marajina (fore-left) in the hermitage's Dhamma-sala yurt. Full photo album is here.

For all those who worked so hard to prepare this beautiful space, it was an aspiration come true when, quietly this past Monday morning, in our yurt Dhamma-sala surrounded by mist-shrouded redwoods, 7 women dedicated to monastic life entered into the traditional Buddhist vassa retreat period.

This is the first year, in North American history, that our Theravada Buddhist women's monastic community has gathered together to observe the vassatime retreat together. It is a beginning; a beginning that is the culmination of many years of dedicated effort and slow nurturing of the causes and conditions for women's *Sangha* to come together.

Our first week of retreat together has been one of intense yogi work, lovingly collectively laboring to prepare and arrange the public and monastic commons areas, tent and kuti sites and trails for our full 3-months retreat time together - the completion of the past 2 years and 2 months of efforts by so many dear Dhamma friends. This month of August will be spent here in our Awakening Forest in monastic community life training, and preparatory training for ordination for the 3 samaneris who will be being fully ordained as bhikkhunis at the end of the month. The remain two thirds of the vassa retreat is dedicated to deep, quiet meditation retreat time, in seclusion and together, in the heart of the practice here in this great forest land.



Our thanks to all dear friends whose dedicated efforts, in kindness and generosity, have made and are making this retreat possible. We hope that this time will bring profound benefit to not only our own hearts and lives, but to our society as a whole, to our world, and all living beings.

Abiding pervading all quarters of the all encompassing world, with a heart of loving kindness, compassion, joy and great peacefulness,


The Sangha at Aranya Bodhi

Now We Are Four

This post is a follow up to "Now We Are Three" from last month.

On July 18th, after weeks of very much intense hard physical labor preparing the hermitage --raising the yurt, building outhouses, putting together a solar system, building kutis -- early one mistly morning, the four of us wrapped our robes over both shoulders, and set of to our neighboring bhikkhu monastery in Redwood Valley, Abhayagiri.

July 18th was Ajahn Amaro's last day at Abhayagiri, where he has been founding co-abbot for more than the past decade. The following day he was to return to Amaravati, the monastery where he had trained for many years before, to become the abbot there. We went went to ask his forgiveness, according to the Thai tradition. We were warmly and beautifully welcomed by the monastic Sangha there, despite our late arrival due to road blockage by a bike-a-thon along the way. Ajahn Amaro gave an inspiring talk to all on forgiveness, and the meaning of "Abhay" which in Thai means forgiveness and in the Pali language -- fearlessness. This was especially meaniningful for Ayya Tathaaloka and for all of us. We deeply appreciated the visit with both Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno, together with our venerable monk brothers in the Holy Life.

But really, we were not four -- we were five -- as we went together with Anagarika Marajina, the newest member of our monastic community. So, really, it should be: "Now We Are Five" -- soon to be more.

Peace and Loving Kindness to All

The Yurt Is Up

Full slideshow here

by Sara Sacksteder  - June 23, 2010

Shortly after the summer solstice of 2010, an excellent, skillful crew assembled the large yurt at our hermitage. Many thanks to Kemanthi, who gathered her friends for a pizza party fundraiser to buy and offer a 27 foot diameter, well insulated yurt. For now, this will be our main indoor space for Dhamma talks, meals, and meditation. It can seat up to 30 people comfortably for meditation and up to 50 for a talk.

It is impossible to state how important Jill has been. She has been stewarding the land and spearheading and doing so much of the development work. On this day she had arranged to have Tina, Charles and Michael available to provide the expertise and the wonderful good cheer necessary to put up the yurt. Tina and Charles found a way to be available to answer questions and give guidance all day long. They also kept us right on track until the last nail was in place. Michael found answers to problems repeatedly throughout the day. He spent a lot of the day hoisting things up to be placed on the central ring of the Yurt and then helping with the placement of the yurt ceiling beams, ceiling liner, ceiling insulation,and the roof.

Dominic and Brian were invaluable. Dominic spent much of his day at least 12 feet above the ground with Michael supporting and inserting beams into the central ring of the yurt, placing insulation and installing the roof. Brian found a way to be in the right spot to help with his height and strength all day long (on one occasion he was in the wrong spot, I clipped him on the head with a beam as I swung around). I saw him help with placing the ceiling beams, the side walls, the side wall insulation, and the external walls of the yurt.

Jurasri provided transportation for Sister Suvijjana on the way up and for Ayya Tathaaloka and Sister Suvijjana at the end of the day. She gave us wonderful food in large quantity. She helped with every stage of the raising of the yurt. She also donated much needed plates and silverware to the hermitage. Jill Zwicky arrived just in time to infuse some fresh energy and effort. I saw her doing whatever was needed and spent the most time with her as she was helping to install the insulation between the inner wall and outside wall of the yurt. Sister Suvijjana arrived on Tuesday. Ayya Tathaaloka arrived on Monday evening with Sister Adhimutta.

Sister Adhimutta will be staying on the land from now until at least the end of the Vassa. Marcia arrived on the land last week and is also going to stay and help with the many hermitage projects that we would like to complete before the Vassa actually begins. All worked all day to complete the yurt.

Warm welcome and thanks for all the efforts of the newest arrivals and best wishes for a wonderful time leading up to and during the Vassa. We started the work day, paused at lunch and ended the day with chanting led by Ayya Tathaaloka.

The hermitage is on the way. None of this could have happened without your help. We continue to need your contributions for the development of the hermitage. Thank you.

Getting Ready for Full Operation

 Ayya Tathaaloka, Ayya Sobhana and Beebe at the site of a future kuti

The Aranya Bodhi: Awakening Forest Hermitage is on the way to becoming a comfortable setting for monastic women and dedicated lay aspirants to practice for liberation… (Read more...)

The yurt platform ... soon to be our main Dhamma Hall

Now We Are Three

Warm greetings, dear friends of our sangha,

I am very glad to share the news with you that the Venerable Ayya Sobhana Bhikkhuni has accepted my invitation to become a full time resident of our Aranya Bodhi Hermitage, special Monastic Advisor to our Dhammadharini board, and full time co-leading participant in our hermitage project.

In past years, Ayya Sobhana has visited our Dhammadharini Vihara on numerous occassions, as well as our Bodhi House and hermitage land. We have travelled together to Germany at HH the Dalai Lama's invitation and to Australia on two occassions. She participated in our first bhikkhuni camping retreat together as well as coming this previous winter for a month long retreat on the land together with our Samaneri Suvijjana. She knows the land well and has a great love and respect for it. Her advice was invaluable at our recent Easter weekend Visioning Retreat which she participated in, as well as subsequently with our Dhammadharini board meetings.

Ayya Sobhana has been a student of Bhante Henepola Gunaratana ("Bhante G") since 1989, served on the Board of Directors of the Bhavana Society during the 1990s, and took novice ordination at the Bhavana Society in 2003; her full ordination was at Dambulla, Sri Lanka, in 2006. Bhante G has now given Ayya Sobhana formal independence — meaning that she is competent to independently practice and to serve the Dhamma.

During her eight years of residency at Bhavana Society, Ayya Sobhana worked closely with Bhante G as an assistant; provided continuity for the ever-changing community of female residents and guests; learned Dhamma and teaching skills under Bhante G's tutelage; learned Vinaya rules and protocols and became adept at their modern applications; learned Pali language; counseled and taught lay residents and retreatants; consulted with the Board of Directors; learned to lead traditional rituals of Theravada Buddhists; managed logistics of dozens of retreats led by senior monks, and began leading retreats herself at Bhavana. As her skills have become known, she has been increasingly invited to teach at outside venues including Philadelphia, Annapolis, Hot Springs NC, Washington DC and Calgary. She also revised the Pali-English chanting book, Bhavana Vandana: Devotions for Meditation; managed the Bhavana Society's library; and served as Kammavacacarini (Advocate) in the October 22, 2010, bhikkhuni ordinations in Perth, Australia.

We are blessed by her many skills and talents that she brings with her, and hope that our hermitage will be a most excellent place for the practice in nature that she has found so conducive, together with her heart to share such space and opportunity with fellow monastic-minded women of similar heart and intent.

Bhante Gunaratana's Support

Graciously, Ayya Sobhana's mentor Bhante G has fully blessed and encouraged Ven Sobhana's participation in our Aranya Bodhi Awakening Forest Hermitage project.

We are very appreciative of Bhante G's unstinting outreach to women over many years. He has now announced his support for bhikkhunis to establish their own independent centers, recommending this above our practicing in the shadow of the bhikkhu communities. The Bhavana Society will donate a starter library of Dhamma books to the Aranya Bodhi Hermitage. Bhante G has pledged his ongoing support: to participate in women's full ordination when invited to do so; to visit our hermitage to teach or lead retreats; to continue as an Senior Advisor to the North American Bhikkhuni Association; and to invite qualified monastic women to lead public retreats at the Bhavana Society. Finally, by sending Ayya Sobhana to Aranya Bodhi Hermitage (at some inconvenience to the Bhavana Society), Bhante G is helping in a most practical, tangible and wise fashion. Thank you, Bhante G!

With a heart full of metta and great gladness, gratitude and appreciation,

Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni
for our Dhammadharini Sangha

first Bhikkhuni Training Retreat on the land

Becoming Sangha

The first Theravada Bhikkhuni Training Retreat in North America was held on our hermitage land from June 9th through 16th.

Bhikkhunis came from all around America: Ohio, South Carolina, Minnesota and California. For seven days, led by Ajahn Chandako, a senior Western bhikkhu in the Thai forest tradition, we focused on mindfulness in the forest tradition monastic discipline for our own development and for developing our sense of community - Sangha - with one another.

This is a big step for us here in North America, as most of our bhikkhunis have been and are strong, independant individuals. Spending time, learning how to train together as a community - as a sangha - with one another, is a very big step ahead.

~ Participants ~

- Ven Ayya Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni, Theri - Dhammadharini, Aranya Bodhi Hermitage

- Ven Sudhamma Bhikkhuni - Carolina Buddhist Vihara

- Ven Satima Bhikkhuni - Minnesota Buddhist Vihara

- Ven Maduka Bhikkhuni - Great Determination Hermitage

- Sr Suvijjana Samaneri - Dhammadharini, Aranya Bodhi Hermitage & The Bodhi House

~ Training Teacher ~

Born in America, our training teacher, Ajahn Chandako, lived and trained in the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah, and is currently abbot of Vimutti Buddhist Monastery in New Zealand. He spends retreat time each year in the early summer at the King's Creek Hermitage near Vajrapani in the Boulder Creek area of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

~ Teachings ~

Saraniya Dhammas (see Anguttara Nikaya - Numerical Discourses of the Buddha - AN 6.12)

Natha Karana Dhammas (see Numerica Discourses - AN 10.17)

Kor Wat - Monastic Discipline of the Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah

Vinaya - The Original Buddhist Monastic Discipline

Community Building, Mindfulness and Respect in Monastic Discipline

See the full Slideshow from our Training Retreat here at
Awakening Forest on Picasa

Anumodana

~ ~ ~

~ ~

Many thanks to all friends who made this historic first training retreat possible, especially: Jill, Ruwinie, Christopher, Jerry (Jinaraso), Brenda, Kemanthi, Joan, Asha & friends from Sacramento, Supatra, Sima & Siman, Jacqueline & Nai'a Rose, Shari, Brian and family, David and tipi.com, Dominic & Gaora, Judith, Jeannie & Kitty, Khun O, Liz, and especially Ajahn Chandako.