We are delighted to have these wonderful Dhamma & meditation offerings to share with you. Please mark your calendars and participate as much as you can. New moon daylong retreats are offered at our new monastery monthly (on Saturdays close to the new moon). There are evening Dhamma & meditation teachings at the Dhammadharini Monastery as well as those offered in Fremont, Oakland, Alameda, San Rafael, Santa Rosa and Ukiah by Dhammadharini Bhikkhunis. Scroll down for details. The complete calendar of public events can be found here. ❧ Vassa, the Monastic Rains Retreat, July 8 - October 5 Since ancient times, Vassa is the season when Buddhist monastics undertake a three-month period of stability, stopping most of their outside travels, and deepening their practice and communal life,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.Joining in the Vassa Practice Together It is a long-standing tradition for Theravada Buddhist people to make special effort to draw near to the Triple Gem and specially exert themselves in the practice during the Vassa period. Thus, in Southeast Asia the Vassa is called "Buddhist Lent." People will go to spend the entire Vassa practicing together in the monastery, or for some period, or specially endeavor on their own to give up habits that do not serve them well, and to put in place habits that do serve and well support them. It is a special time to cultivate Dana (Generosity & Charity), Sila (Ethics & Moral Virtue & Integrity), and Bhavana (Meditative Cultivation & Contemplation of Dhamma). Having monastics in our midst and being able to be with them is a support for us. Even if you are far away, we can link together by intention to support one another. We encourage you to make the utmost of the rare opportunity we have, knowing it is a limited-time opportunity. Our bhikkhunis are most kindly offering us these ways to join them in the practice:
Events this vassa and beyond:❧ Day Long Work Retreat at the Monastery, Sunday July 30Welcome to join with friends from Wat Buddhanusorn in Fremont for a day of service & Dhamma. We will focus on trimming and caring for grass, landscape and fruit trees. There will be useful activities for all levels of skill and fitness. You can come early during the cooler morning hours, any time after 7 am. There will be a Dhamma reflection and a shared meal at 11:00, and a second hour for Dhamma reflection at 4:00 pm. ❧ "Exploring & Unfolding the Path of Nonviolence in Ourselves & In Our World" Meditation, Dhamma Talk & Dhamma Discussion with Ven. (Ayya) Tathaloka Theri, Tuesday August 1stWelcome to join Dhammadharini's founding abbess Ayya Tathaloka and the Dhammadharini monastic community for this special evening of meditation, Dhamma reflection, Dhamma sharing and discussion on this most timely and important topic for all of our lives. Arrival 6:30-6:50pm. Sitting meditation 7pm. Dhamma reflection & sharing: 7:40-8:30pm. This evening is offered by the teacher as Dhamma Dana. Donations for the monastery are gratefully accepted (useful things list here). Some meditation cushions and chairs are available - welcome also to bring your own cushion. Join our monastic community in welcoming long-time bhikkhuni Ven. Sucitta's transfer of Buddhist monastic tradition/communion from the Korean Buddhist Kwan Um Order to the Theravada Bhikkhuni Sangha. Ven. Bhikkhuni Sucitta (Bo Hyun Sunim) is well-trained in the Korean Buddhist tradition, with 22 years in monastic life and 17 years as a fully ordained bhikkhuni.
Upcoming Day Long Retreats at the Dhammadharini Monastery - Mark your calendars | Saturday, September 16, 2017 | Saturday, October 21, 2017 What a way to spend Labor Day doing something great for the Sangha! Welcome all aspiring volunteers -- Main Volunteers Day is Sunday the 3rd, but it's possible to come early on Friday or Saturday and stay over at the hermitage. If you'd like to stay in a kuti (little cabin), please RSVP ASAP. Campsites are also available, bring your own tent and sleeping bag. There will be volunteer projects for all levels of skill, strength and ability. Carpooling may be available from the East Bay. Contact organizer Erika for more information. RSVP to Aranya Bodhi Hermitage. You are welcome to join for all or any part of the day's festivities. This year, Mahin & Sepali Gunasekera & their family will offer the Kathina cloth together with dye and thread to the Bhikkhuni sangha. The materials are offered early in the morning, and must be measured, cut, sewn and dyed to make a finished monastic robe, all in one day. Following the ancient tradition, the sangha will choose one worthy and capable member to receive the Kathina cloth. There will be Dhamma talks, a meal offering, a chance to help with sewing, and activities throughout the day. |
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9:30-10:00 |
10:00-10:45 |
10:45-11:00 |
11:00-1:00 |
1:00-2:30 |
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Instruction for beginners to Buddhist meditation
Meditation
Set-up for potluck meal (welcome to bring a dish to share)
Blessings, meal dana, pot luck and meal clean up
Sutta Study.
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Tuesday 7:00-8:30 pm — "Meditate with a Monk" meditation instruction, meditation & Dhamma reflection followed by Q&A (open group - drop in)
Wednesday through Sunday 7:00-8:30 pm — Evening puja, sutta chanting and silent meditation
~ Periodically with Marin Sangha, San Jose Vipassana and others (check calendar here to see schedule)
May all benefit greatly in their meditation and growth in mindfulness, insight & wisdom!
Friends are always welcome to visit the monastery and the hermitage individually or in groups, to offer meal dana, meditate, listen to the Dhamma, or help out with practical chores. Please contact us to plan your visit.
Dhammadharini Monastery
at the western foot of Sonoma Mountain
6791 Sturtevant Dr., Penngrove CA 94951
Tel: (707) 583-9522 or 9523
Dhammadharini's Awakening Forest Hermitage: Aranya Bodhi
on the Sonoma Coast
PO Box 16, Jenner, CA 95450
Tel: (707) 340-4281,
Email: awakeningforest@gmail.com