Support for our bhikkhunis comes from you, dear friends, in conjunction with our Dhammadharini support foundation.
In places where the Sangha gathers together, it is an important time of communion and community building and strengthening together. It is a time that provides opportunity for study and practice of Dhamma and Vinaya.
For new bhikkhunis and those in training, it is only when a bhikkhuni sangha is gathered together that there is the opportunity to train first hand in all of the rights and responsibilities of full Sangha functions. These practices and this knowledge and fluency is what unites smaller sanghas with the greater international Sangha.
These strengthen and support the monastic community and Buddhism as a whole, fulfilling the vision of the Buddha for the long term of the Sasana (sharing of the Dhamma) that he set in motion and established. Gathering and practicing together so puts down and deepens roots for Buddhism in America. It is our honor to be able to take part in this. Traditionally Buddhists have thought it to be a great merit to be able to have the opportunity to offer such support. One of our elder bhikkhu mentors, Bhante Seelawimala, translates "merit" (Pali: puñña, Thai: boon), as "positive energy". The positive energies of generosity and virtue are essential elements in the foundation of the gradual and progressive Path of Practice as taught by the Buddha. Having such a healthy, wholesome and positive foundation allows our practice of meditation and insight base to further stabilize and develop. This allows for liberating breakthroughs of wisdom to happen, rather than the breakdowns that can occur when the human mind/heart opens without the integrity of such a context and network of wholesome and positive energy, that is puñña in the supportive network of sangha. Supporting the Sangha during Vassa: the Monastic Rains RetreatSince ancient times, Vassa is a time when Buddhist monastics undertake a three-month period of stability, stopping most outside travels, and deepening their practice and communal life, This year's Vassa is from the full moon on July 8 until the full moon on October 5. Longtime friends of our community Mahin & Sepali together with their daughters--the whole Gunasekera Family--will be the lead supporters of our Dhammadharini monastic community's Vassa observance, and they have pledged to offer the Kathina cloth upon the completion of the Vassa. Doing so is a beautiful tradition from the time of the Buddha until now in the Theravada Buddhist cultures of South & Southeast Asia and around the world. The Gunasekera Family warmly invites you to join them in supporting and contributing to the Vassa. Offering the Four Requisites
Thank you and anumodana to those who have already pledged to offer monthly monastery lodgings dana.  food requisite |