🌞Dhammagiri News #123 Wed 08 May 2024 |
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Ajahn Moneyyo back from Sri Lanka Sun 12/05
Ajahn Dhammasiha Travels 16/05 to 22/06
Working Bee Sat 18/05
Vesak One Day Full Moon Retreat Sun 26/05
Ajahn Amaro Visiting Thu 27/06 to Mon 01/07
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Dear Supporters and Friends of Dhammagiri, There's quite a few events coming up, and it's getting high time for me to send our this newsletter, to keep you all in the loop. This weekend, starting with the 07.30 am Refuge & Precepts session on Saturday 11 May, we're commencing free distribution of the 2nd batch of our Dhammagiri T-Shirts. The tees will be available from this weekend onwards at all sessions, as long as stacks last. We live in a world dominated by all kinds of wordly brands and logos, and frequently people wear these symbols printed onto their clothes right above their heart.
We want to offer an opportunity to wear something more meaningful, that sends a powerful Dhamma message to everyone who sees you in your shirt. So we have chosen the design of the shirts very carefully: |
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On the front, we have the twelve spoked Dhammacakka (Dhamma Wheel), representing the Four Noble Truths in their threefold aspects. On the back, we have depicted a 'Tiratana', an ancient Indian symbol of the Triple Gem, that one can find on early Buddhist monuments and artwork.
The top of the symbol represents the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha. Below that (the little triangular structures sticking out to the sides) is a 'Vajira', the Thunderbolt, a mythological weapon of Indra. It symbolizes the power of wisdom capable of destroying defilements like a flash of lightning. Below that is an 8-petelled lotus. The lotus represents purity, the ability to raise our heart above the pollution of worldly attachements, and become beautiful, fragrant and pure. The eight petals, and the rounded shape, remind us of an eightfold Dhammacakka representing the Noble Eightfold Path The writing in Pali (language of the Buddha) says:
"Buddhaṃ, Dhammaṃ, Sanghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi!"
"I take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha!"
This short, simple statement is nevertheless very powerful. If we truly commit to the Triple Gem, we're also committing to:
Kindness Generosity Compassion Virtue, in particular keeping the 5 Precepts Calmness, Tranquility & Meditation Awareness, Mindfulness, Wisdom, Insight, Knowledge, Understanding
Anumodanā to everyone who contributed to the design, manufacture and cost of our tees, helping that we can give them out for free distirbution 😊 |
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(By the way, though some supporters like to wear their tees when visiting Dhammagiri, our original intention is to wear them primarily outside the monastery. Those visiting Dhammagiri are usually already connected with the Dhamma, but those lost in worldy life outside the monastery need to see these uplifting symbols the most) 😊 We hope that the new tees will inspire many of you to take refuge in your heart; and to regularly conduct this little ritual as a reminder of your commitment, and to deepen your understanding of it's profound meaning. (Even more so with Vesak coming up!) As you are aware, you can join the ceremony here at Dhammagiri any Saturday at 07.30 am, and additionally on Sundays closest to the full moon at 09.00 am. Naturally, not everyone will be able to regularly come here. Thus we have made new recordings with improved audio quality for both our podcast and our Youtube channel, to make sure that everyone at any time can listen/watch and join in. Podcast Version (Apple) Click on image to listen on Apple Podcast (also on Spotify & various other podcast platforms) |
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Youtube Version Click on image to watch on Youtube |
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Buddhaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Dhammaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Sanghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Dutiyampi, Buddhaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Dutiyampi, Dhammaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Dutiyampi, Sanghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Tatiyampi, Buddhaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Tatiyampi, Dhammaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. Tatiyampi, Sanghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi. |
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Ajahn Moneyyo back from Sri Lanka Sun 12 May Ajahn Moneyyo really treasured his time in Sri Lanka. You can view his full itinerary, including map-links for visiting locations, here. He will arrive back at Dhammagiri late on Saturday 11 May evening, and will be joining the meal and t-shirt distribution on Sunday 12 May. He mentioned that he might publish a little blog post about his travels (watch out on our News Page if anything appears), and with Ajahn Dhammasiha away for 5 weeks, there will certainly be plenty of opportunity to hear from him about his experiences here at Dhammagiri. |
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Ajahn Dhammasiha Travel Itinerary 16 May to 22 June UK & Germany
Ajahn Dhammasiha's detailed itinerary for his travels in May and June 2024 is as follows:
🔶 Thu 16 May 14:45 Departure Brisbane International Airport, Singapore Airlines SQ 236 to Singapore SIN & London LHR (Fri 17 May) 05:55 am Arrival London Heathrow LHR, Terminal 2, SQ 322 from Singapore SIN
🔶 Fri 17 May to Wed 22 May Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, UK near London The weekend 18/19 May, Amaravati holds the combined celebrations of Vesak and the Ācariya Pūja on occasion of Luang Por Sumedho's 90th birthday |
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LP Sumedho is Ajahn Chah's most senior Western disciple, and currently (to the best of my knowledge) the most senior Western Theravada Buddhist Monk in the world (I would guess he's actually the most senior Western monk in any Buddhist tradition, though not 100% sure on that)
🔶 Wed 22 May to Mon 03 June: With Father/Family in Hannover and Berlin
🔶 Mon 03 June Evening to Mon 10 June Morning: Muttodaya Waldkloster, Bavaria near Bayreuth, Germany Father is still travelling together with me (though not staying in the monastery). Hope that he can witness us monks going amsround in one of the towns near to the monastery.
🔶 Mon 10 June Evening to Thu 13 June Noon: Cittaviveka Monastery, Chithurst, Hampshire, UK The first monastery in our tradition of Ajahn Chah in the West, established in 1979.
🔶 Thu 13 June evening to Thu 20 June evening: Amaravati Buddhist Monastery Joining the commemoration of Ajahn Chah's birthday on 17th June, and connecting with the large monastic sangha there, at a time when it's less busy than at the big event 4 weeks earlier.
🔶 Thu 20 June night: 22:05 Departure London Heathrow LHR, Singapore Airlines SQ 321 to Singapore and Brisbane
🔶 Sat 22 June 2024 morning 06:55 am Arrival Brisbane BNE, Singapore Airlines SQ 235 from Singapore I'll hopefully be back at Dhammagiri just in time for almsoffering 10:30 am 😊 |
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Working Bee Sat 18 May In preparation for the upcoming Vesak, there will be Working Bee on Saturday 18 May, 2024 at Dhammagiri to clean up, mow, weed, trim the hedges and clean the Dhamma hall. We will be starting at 7:30 am to avoid the heat. Remember to bring a hat, water, work shoes/boots and sunscreen. Additional mowers and whipper-snippers would be useful. 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 You are invited to bring Dana and share in the meal at 10.30 am if you wish. Much merit to all who are able to support. |
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Vesak One Day Full Moon Retreat Sun 26 May 🌕
Celebrating the Birth, Supreme Awakening, and Mahā Parinibbāna of the Buddha.
One Day Retreat with Chanting, Triple Refuge & Precepts Ceremony, Meditation and Dhamma Talk at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage.
🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝
Veask One Day Full Moon Retreat Program Sunday 21 April at Dhammagiri
08:30 am Arrival of participants at Dhammahall Silent Meditation 09:00 am Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem Observance of 8 or 5 precepts 10:00 am Preparation of food for Almsoffering 10:30 am Almsoffering Anumodanā & Blessing Shared Meal 11:50 am Vesak Dhamma Talk "Supreme Awakening of the Buddha" 01.00 pm Break / Walking Meditation 01:30 pm Sutta Chanting Silent Meditation 03:00 pm Evening Chanting Guided / Silent Meditation Dhamma Reflection on Vesak Sharing Merits with All Beings 05.00 pm End of program The ceremony at 9.00 am is not just for those observing 8 precepts as it includes the option of taking only 5 precepts Please observe Noble Silence out of consideration for yogis meditating all day. In particular, the back verandah is reserved only for those wishing to observe Nobel Silence It is possible to participate only for parts of the program, but please be seated in the Dhammahall at least 15 minutes before start of sessions.
🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 🌜 🌚 🌛 🌝 |
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On Vesak Day, we're commemorating and celebrating three main events in the Buddha's life, all of them occurring on the Full Moon of May:
1. Birth of the Bodhisatta In beautiful Lumbini Grove under Sāl trees ('shorea robusta'), with his mother Mahāmāyā standing and holding on to the branch of an Ashoka tree ('saraca asoca'), and the newborn Bodhisatta pacing 7 steps to the North.
2. Supreme Awakening ('Sammāsambodhi')
Meditating all night, seated on the Vajirāsana ('Diamond Throne' - actually several sheafs of kusa grass offered to the Buddha which he used as his seat ), facing east to the rising sun, under the Bodhi Tree ('Ficus Religiosa') at Uruvela/Bodhgaya near the banks of Nerañjana River
3. Great Final Nibbāna ('Parinibbāna') Lying on his right side in the Lion's posture, facing West to the setting sun, between the Twin Sāla Trees near Kusināra in the grove of the Mallas.
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"There is one person, whose arising in the world is for the welfare of the multitude, for the happiness of the multitude, who arises out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans, Who is that one person? It is the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the perfectly Enlightened One. There is one person arising in the world who is unique, without a peer, without counterpart, beyond comparison, unequelled, matchless, unrivalled, supreme among gods and humans. Who is that one person? It is the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the perfectly Enlightened One. The manifestation of one person is the manifestation of great vision, of great light, of great radiance; it is the manifestation of six things unsurpassed; the realization of the four analytical knowledges; the insight into the manifold elements that constitute our universe; the realization of the fruit of knowledge & liberation; the realization of the fruit of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and enlightenment. Who is that one person? It is the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the perfectly Enlightened One." (Anguttara Nikāya Ones 13.1, 13.5 & 13.6) |
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Ajahn Amaro at Dhammagiri 27 June to 01 July We're very happy and honoured that Venerable Ajahn Amaro has accepted our invitation to visit Dhammagiri. He will be staying with us from Thursday 27 June until Monday 01 July 2024. Ajahn Amaro will be leading a One Day Meditation Retreat on Sunday 30 June, 08.30 am to 05.00 pm at Dhammagiri, and join us for most of our regular programs Thu 27th, Fri 28th and to Sat 29th. On Monday 01 July we will offer almsfood to him at the international airport at 10.00 am (no monks at Dhammagiri that day). Ajahn Amaro is the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London, UK.
Born in England in 1956, Ven. Ajahn Amaro received a BSc. in Psychology and Physiology from the University of London. Spiritual searching led him to Thailand, where he went to Wat Pah Nanachat, a Forest Tradition monastery established for Western disciples of Thai meditation master Ajahn Chah, who ordained him as a bhikkhu in 1979. Soon afterwards he returned to England and joined Ajahn Sumedho at the newly established Chithurst Monastery. He resided for many years at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, making trips to California every year during the 1990s.
In June 1996 he established Abhayagiri Monastery in Redwood Valley, California, where he was co-Abbot with Ajahn Pasanno until 2010. He then returned to Amaravati to become Abbot of this large monastic community. |
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Ajahn Amaro has written a number of books, including an account of an 830-mile trek from Chithurst to Harnham Vihara called Tudong - the Long Road North, republished in the expanded book Silent Rain. His other publications include Small Boat, Great Mountain (2003), Rain on the Nile (2009) and The Island - An Anthology of the Buddha's Teachings on Nibbana (2009) co-written with Ajahn Pasanno, a guide to meditation called Finding the Missing Peace and other works dealing with various aspects of Buddhism. We will soon publish details of Ajahn Amaro's program with us here. |
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Looking forward to meeting many kalyāṇa mittas & family during my upcoming travels; and trusting that you will give full support to Ajahn Moneyyo during my absence, especailly for the Vesak event, and preperations for Tan Ajahn Amaro's visit. With Mettā & Muditā Ajahn Dhammasiha |
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Discover MoreClick on Links below: |
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