Bhikkhuni Sangha Camp at Aranya Bodhi May 27-31, 2013
Dear Venerables, Path Sisters & Friends, Warm greetings from winter sunshine in the Awakening Forest, I
write on behalf of our community to welcome you to join us for
Bhikkhuni Camp just after Vesak this May at our Aranya Bodhi Forest
Hermitage on the Sonoma Coast of Northern California.
our hermitage For those of you who have not
been here before, our hermitage is off-grid on hundreds of acres of
fairy-ring redwood, Douglas fir and Tan Oak forest just off the Pacific
Ocean. The climate is normally warm and mild in May, the forest and
meadows full of wildflowers. Seasonal rains normally end by the Vesak
full moon, so this is the ideal time for camping. Our land is accessed
by private road and comparitively very safe with regards both humans and
forest wild life. Although our name is "Aranya Bodhi", it is not truly
"aranya" or wilderness by Vinaya standards as we can see and hear our
neighbors, although the atmosphere is very much one of great natural
quiet and seclusion. We have a large monastic sima which cows cannot
cross allowing women spaces of seclusion within the greater natural
precincts of our monastic sanctuary. our gathering
We would like to welcome elder (theri), middle years (majjhima) and new (nava)
bhikkhunis, samaneris, anagarikas and monastic life aspirants to join
us. For bhikkhunis and samaneris, this time will offer a rare and
precious opportunity to come together for a few days as a community of
recluses, to share and learn from one another. Ayya Tathaaloka, Ayya
Sobhana, Ayya Thanasanti, Ayya Anandabodhi, Ayya Santacitta and others
will have recently returned from a two week inter-traditional Vinaya
Seminar at Sravasti Abbey--Life As A Buddhist Monastic Woman II. This
will give us a chance to share in council with one another about what we
as Theravada bhikkhunis learned during this time and how it may inform
us. We may also have a special council together for those who are North
American Bhikkhuni Association members, and the plans for this
association.
For
aspirants, this may be a precious opportunity to be in the presence of
and spend time with a wide variety of bhikkhunis from various
backgrounds and far flung places. We would like to offer a short time
each day with a few of the bhikkhunis and samaners and one council
during the retreat time especially for monastic life aspirants to meet
with a larger number of the bhikkhunis and be able to ask questions,
discuss and reflect together.
support There
is no charge to any participant. This gathering will be supported by the
Friends of Dhammadharini and DharmaCreek. We welcome your support as
well. This gathering is completely freely offered from a heart and
space of generosity. If you personally (except bhikkhunis and
samaneris) or your non-profit organization or support foundation is able
to contribute, that is wonderful. If you are a friend of the Sangha
and you would like to be a part of a support team of friends, just let
us know and welcome. We do not know yet if travel assistance may be
available through the Alliance for Bhikkhunis or Dhammadharini or not.
This will depend upon whether there are donated funds designated for
this purpose. Please do let them know if you would like to participate
and are in need of such assistance.
specs 25-26 May: Vesak All
who would like to are welcome to join us for the weekend of Vesaka
celebrations before our Bhikkhuni Camp, or for the week beforehand to
help with preparations.
27-31 May: Bhikkhuni Camp - May 27 morning and early afternoon arrival - first evening gathering at the hermitage
- May 28, 29, 30: Our Gathering, Councils & Forest Dwelling together - May 31: final morning gathering, afternoon departure
Special Note: The
Retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center co-led by Ayya Medhanandi and
Ajahn Sucitto begins the evening of May 31st. There will be a shuttle
going from Aranya Bodhi Hermitage to Spirit Rock for retreatants, so
there will be a comfortable and conducive segue for those who would like
to come to California for both the Bhikkhuni Camp and the Spirit Rock
retreat. your camping gear This will be the third such
camping retreat at Aranya Bodhi, the first being in 2008 and the second
in 2009. As those who have participated before may already know,
All
participants should bring their own camping gear and eco-friendly
toiletries as we have very limited supplies at the hermitage. Please
inquire for a list of useful gear to prepare and bring. If you would
very much like to attend but are not able to stay in a tent, there will
be a very small number of kuti spaces available. Please inquire about
availability if such a space might enable your participation. helpful emails and web addresses
Aranya Bodhi Hermitage | www.aranyabodhi.org
Email: awakeningforest@gmail.com Dhammadharini [Support Foundation] | www.dhammadharini.net Email: dhammadharini@gmail.com
Alliance for Bhikkhunis | www.bhikkhuni.net
Spirit Rock Meditation Center | www.spiritrock.org Retreat Page: http://www.spiritrock.org/calendarDetails?EventID=3418
Retreat Registrar for Monastics: Katie MacKenzie Please
do write to us at our hermitage at the email above for more information
and to let us know if you would like to participate.
I
look forward to seeing and being together with all of you in this
beautiful space of forest land so blessed and conducive for women's
practice and liberation in the Buddha's Way. With much loving kindness
and thoughts of every good blessing, Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni-Theri
Freedom Kuti Aranya Bodhi ~ the Awakening Forest With much loving kindness
and thoughts of every good blessing, Tathaaloka Bhikkhuni-Theri
Freedom Kuti Aranya Bodhi ~ the Awakening Forest | Hermitage History |