Karuna Buddhist Vihara

Cold outside, warm inside at Karuna Buddhist Vihara

2/1/2023

January floods and February snow, but we weathered the storms just fine :)

While the region endured torrential rains, causing landslides on some main roads and areas of flooding, KBV came through just fine. Similarly with the snowstorm--so far! Lots of downed trees and branches means lots of firewood and maybe some bonfires with friends in the future.

The spring-fed creek is KBV's water source. It's hard to believe that in September it may go dry!

Rainwater sluiced off the slopes, making beautiful waterfalls visible from the kitchen window!

Click here for more fun winter wonderland photos!

It's ok, the Buddha was completely cool already. ;)

Snowed in!

Ajahn Brahmali Visits Karuna Buddhist Vihara

Monastics explore the Santa Cruz Mountains. From right, Ayya Santussikā, Anigarika Sarana, Ayya Cittānandā, and Ajahn Brahmali

Ajahn Brahmali visited KBV for about a week in late January. He traveled here from Bodhinyana Monastery in Australia. He offered daylong retreats, afternoon programs, and evening dhamma talks at several South Bay Dhamma centers. We so much appreciated his warmth, humor, and inspiring presence and Dhamma sharing.

Recordings of these talks:

Wise Reflection for Unwise Times for the Sati Center/Insight Meditation Center - Saturday 1/21
Dealing with Craving a KBV event - Sunday 1/22
Is your Meditation Stagnating? Here's Why at Insight Meditation South Bay - Monday 1/23
How Faith Leads to Stream Entry at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery

Gathering in the sala

Exciting news! The new KBV in-town Meditation Center

Nice outdoor space for events like daylong retreats and Kathinas

Thanks to the moving crew, especially Neeta and Saket for renting and driving the van through the mountains to help the KBV community come together in person again!

Starting Wednesday, February 22, we started to get together again in town! We are so grateful for all the efforts and generosity of individuals and the community that make the opening of this new center possible. It will be wonderful to create and come together in a space of our own. Gathering at the center while including those on-line will become easier, too. The location is 909 Coachella Avenue in Sunnyvale. Please park around the corner at the shopping center at E Duane Ave and San Rafael St. The KBV nuns are looking forward to meeting with old and new friends in-person and on-line in this lovely, easily accessible, homey environment with reliable fiber optic WiFi. And, sutta study moves back to Wednesday nights.

Progress in building the Elder's Kuti

It's fun to see progress. Support for this shelter is so beneficial for alms-mendicants following the Buddha's path. You can see how the Kuti is held by redwood trees and beside the little creek. Not only is building going on, but also the landscape around it is being cleared of brush and downed or dead trees. It will be so satisfying to see the finished kuti and park-like surroundings. Supporters can imagine elders, starting with Ayya Santussika, well sheltered in this private abode, while still near the main cabin.

Alms-giving Celebration Sunday, July 23, 2023

What? This is different!
Why, you might ask. Isn't the alms-giving ceremony in the fall?
Because
Ayya Santussika will be spending the Vassa (Rains Retreat) abroad. Following the Almsgiving, she will depart for Perth, Australia. Then, after the Vassa, in November, Ayya Cittananda and Anagarika Sarana, accompanied by intrepid Dhamma friends, will meet with Ayya Santussika in Thailand.
SO
The annual almsgiving will be early this year

We are so glad to let you know that this year's alms celebration
will be sponsored by Kalen Krempley. Thank you, Kalen!

This moving of the annual alms giving is allowed, but we will not be
calling it a Kathina, due to this early date.
Future newsletters will give more detail for this auspicious celebration.

Upcoming Residential Retreats

May 12-17, Becoming a Noble Disciple: Cultivating the Mind and Life of the Ariyasāvako,
Taught by Ayya Santussikā. Offered via the Barre Center for Budddhist Studies.
www.buddhistinquiry.org/course/becoming-a-noble-disciple-cultivating-the-mind-and-life-of-the-ariyasavako/

June 2-15 The Buddha's Gradual Path: Spiritual Progress in Lay Life.
At Cloud Mountain residential Retreat.
Taught by Ayya Santussikā and Ayya Cittanāndā. 13 nights.
cloudmountain.org/retreat/the-buddhas-gradual-path/

June 23-28, Skillful Living in a World on Fire: Grounded in the Noble Eightfold Path
Taught by Ayya Santussikā. Offered via the Barre Center for Budddhist Studies.
www.buddhistinquiry.org/course/skillful-living-in-a-world-on-fire-grounded-in-the-noble-eightfold-path/

Exciting News for 2023

12/20/2022

Retreat Time

Paula taking out the trash at the hermitage

The KBV bhikkhunis had some much-needed time off for practice, reading and listening to dhamma, and discussion, all while being beautifully supported by our amazing volunteers Olivia and Paula. Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda are grateful for this precious offering, and are now feeling refreshed and ready to begin sharing the Dhamma again.

New Sutta Study Schedule

After a lot of feedback from the community, we've decided to move away from hybrid Sutta Study sessions, in order to provide more meaningful connection for each group. We will alternate between in-person sessions at the Palo Alto Friends (Quaker) meeting house and having Zoom-only sessions from the hermitage. Basically the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays of the month will be online, and the 2nd and 4th Thursdays will be in-person. Details/dates can be found on our homepage and calendar.

Upekkha (Elder's) Kuti Progress

The Upekkha Kuti is currently being constructed! Pretty soon, Ayya Santussika will no longer be inhabiting the tiny bedroom off of the shrine room in the main cabin. She will finally have her own space for rest and practice, in quiet solitude. This kuti will also be used to house other elder monastics when they visit the hermitage. We're hoping it will be finished sometime in early February.

New Year's Day(long)

A hybrid (Zoom and in-person) daylong meditation retreat will be held at the hermitage on January 1st from 10am to 4pm.

If you plan on coming in-person, please register here for updates on weather and road conditions. You can join online here.

The event will be held outdoors due to the rise in COVID cases during the holiday season.

We'll have a potluck meal offering, meditation, and Dhamma discussion using our traditional "Thus should you train" method for the new year.

Ajahn Brahmali

We feel very honored to be hosting Ajahn Brahmali of Bodhinyana Monastery for about a week in January.

We have a lot of gratitude for his wisdom, practice, scholarship, and support of the Bhikkhuni Sangha.

We look forward to kicking off the year by spending time together with him as he shares the Dhamma.

You can find details of his teachings at KBV and elsewhere in the Bay Area on our homepage.

2023 Retreats

The Bhikkhunis of KBV will be teaching several daylong and residential retreats in 2023. Please check our calendar and the corresponding links below for details.

Aside from the New Year's Daylong, they'll lead a daylong retreat at Wat Buddhanusorn in Fremont on February 4 from 9:30 - 4:30.

Ayya Santussika will teach a residential retreat entitled "Becoming a Noble Disciple: Cultivating the Mind and Life of the Ariyasāvako", held at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies from May 12-17.

From June 2-15, Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda will guide a longer retreat at Cloud Mountain for experienced practitioners on "The Buddha’s Gradual Path: Spiritual Progress in Lay Life". Cloud Mountain's website is not updated yet for this retreat, registration and description details should be on their site soon.

Later in June from the 23rd-28th, Ayya Santussika will team up with Ayya Santacitta to teach another Barre Center retreat, this time online. The retreat will cover "Skillful Living in a World on Fire: Grounded in the Noble Eightfold Path".

Anagarika Sarana

(From left to right) Ileana (Anagarika Sarana's mother), Isabel, Ivan, Bhante Nandisena, Cynthia, Anagarika Sarana and Alina.

And last but definitely not least, we have exciting news about Anagarika Sarana! Her visa went through in record time, according to the immigration attorney, so the devas are definitely on her side. We are expecting her arrival on December 26th. She had a beneficial few months at Dhamma Vihara in Veracruz, Mexico while we waited for immigration processing. She looks forward to finally being able to train at KBV.

Reflections on Kindness

Paula helped plant the bodhi tree near the new shrine

Upon coming out of retreat and engaging more with people again, what is striking is the varying degrees of kindness that can be found in the mind. Sometimes the mind is overflowing with kindness and other times ... well not so much. We see this in ourselves and others. Also, we may be kind to others and not very kind to ourselves. When we bring more attention to these varying degrees, maybe giving it a scale of 1 to 10, we might also become more aware of what increases kindness. How is our level of kindness affected by safety, kindness shown by others, meditation, generosity, discussing or listening to Dhamma, chanting, gratitude, happiness? What causes us to be more friendly, generous and considerate?

At some point in our practice, we recognize the vital importance of kindness. We don't want to say or do anything without it, especially when dealing with challenges. We start to notice that kindness is a natural outgrowth of spiritual development . We come to cherish it and encourage it in ourselves and everyone around us.

Communal Joy and Harmony

11/6/2022

Joy and Gratitude for the Almsgiving

This year's kathina sponsor, Lind Booth, makes an offering at the start of the almsgiving ceremony. From the left, Ayya Santacitta, Ayya Santusikka, Ayya Cittananda, Ayya Anandabodhi, and Anagarika Bethany.

Karuna Buddhist Vihara bhikkhunis felt joy and gratitude for support given during this almsgiving (Kathina). It was wonderful to meet again in person! There were 29 lay guests present as well as 36 joining on-line. The four-fold assembly was present: bhikkhunis, bhikkhus, lay women and lay men.

Before the meal, a line stretched across the grounds for lay practitioners to offer rice into each mendicant's bowl. This simple ritual is a sweet and intimate moment for all participating.

After the ceremony, Dhamma talks on the topic of joy were given by each of the eight monastics: Ayya Anandabodhi, Ayya Santacitta, Ajahn Kovilo, Bhante Jayasara, Anagarika Sarana, Anagarika Bethany, and of course Ayya Cittananda and Ayya Santussika. Ears and hearts were filled with happiness!

You can view the entire ceremony, talks and the virtual tour of the hermitage on the KBV YouTube channel (or enjoy the virtual tour separately).

More than $16,000 was raised for the vihara, along with many other useful material offerings provided by the generous lay community. Anumodana!

A few words from this year's almsgiving sponsor, Linda Booth

It was lovely to be at the Vihara for this year’s Almsgiving (Kathina) ceremony. When I offered the Kathina I knew that I wanted to help support Karuna Buddhist Vihara but I had no idea how much I would benefit from the experience.

It was a pleasure working with the Ayyas and all the volunteers who helped in so many ways and meeting so many dedicated practitioners. During the ceremony I had the privilege to offer the Kathina cloth. I felt metta all around me and so much joy in my heart. That’s the way with Dana. When our heart’s open to the spirit of generosity, we are enriched.

As many of you know, Kathina cannot occur unless someone comes forward to offer it. If you think you might be interested in helping for next year’s Kathina please reach out to the Ayyas or this year’s Kathina Committee at kathinacommittee@gmail.com.

Breaking ground and site preparation for the Elder's Kuti

Getting the digging done before winter's mud!

This kuti will be tucked into the forest next to a small seasonal creek. It is a short walk up from the main house and will have the necessary amenities for an elder to stay comfortably. Ayya Santussika will finally have a secluded space for rest and practice. It will also be a great place for senior monastics to stay when they visit KBV.

The site is beautiful and peaceful. But, in this photo, it is a building-site mess! The contractor will work through December to build the kuti, so that, hopefully, it will be ready for Ajahn Brahmali's visit in January.

Retreat time for KBV Bhikkhunis

Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda are getting some much needed retreat time from November 16th to December 19th. They will be supported by Olivia Winter and Paula Brottman, taking care of the monastery and the bhikkhunis' basic needs. It's wonderful that they've stepped forward to offer this precious opportunity for practice.

After the Ayyas finish their retreat, all the usual programs will start again, including a New Years day-long in person/hybrid at KBV on January 1st, a visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma on January 8th, and events hosting Ajahn Brahmali for four in-person/hybrid events beginning January 21st. See the KBV homepage for details.

Harmony
(as shared by the Ayyas)

When the Buddha would visit his monastic disciples, he would ask them how they are getting along with each other. He put a high value on communal harmony. After all, it is very difficult to deepen our meditation when we're at odds with the people we live with, and working to be harmonious is a big part of the practice.

If the Buddha were to stop by this afternoon, we'd have good things to report. He encouraged thinking, speaking and acting with loving kindness towards each other, sharing what we have, living according to the precepts and keeping the ultimate goal of awakening in mind. He said, "These six warm-hearted qualities make for fondness and respect, conducing to inclusion, harmony, and unity, without quarreling." (MN 48). We know this is true from our experience. We also find that it helps to tell each other often how fortunate we feel we are to be living with one another. It is nice to hear and good to say, with that deep feeling of gratitude and blessing.

Of course, no two people, who are honest with each other, will always agree. If we work through differences in perceptions, values, and opinions with mutual respect, attentive listening, an ease in letting go of our own views and lots of benefit-of-the-doubt, we can make good progress in coming back into harmony. It's a bit of a dance, isn't it?

We are now headed into retreat time, but most of you are likely gearing up for the holidays. May all your gatherings with family and friends be peaceful, joyful and harmonious.

With much metta,
The Ayyas of KBV

The New, the Old and the Timeless

10/15/2022

First, "The New"
The beautiful new statue has arrived!
Thank you to everyone who has helped create this serene, natural shrine area.

A New Bhikkhuni Enters the World!
Ayya Santussikā and Ayya Cittanāndā took part in a bhikkhuni ordination in Winchester, Virginia. Ayya Kurunegala Dhammadinna is the new bhikkhuni. KBV Ayyas carried the role of chanting Acharyas, conveying the instructions and supporting the new bhikkhuni throughout the ordination. It was inspiring for them to be part of this monastic sangha of eleven bhikkhunis and twenty bhikkhus making this ordination possible. In addition to the bhikkhuni ordination, Ayya Dhammadinna's former husband, Bhante Kurunegala Siladassana, also ordained as a samanera there that day, along with a new novice nun, Samaneri Bhadda Kaccana. It was beautiful watching the simultaneous ordination of a new novice monk and a new novice nun, equal in the eyes of the Sangha.

Then "The Old" with Fond Familiar Friends
Seasoned Practitioners Gathered for Retreat
After a few years gap, the KBV Ayyas return again to Samish Island to lead a 5 day residential retreat, "Embracing Change, Mastering Letting Go", for the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society during the first week of October. The retreat was held on Samish Island, in the Puget Sound north of Seattle, Washington. Practitioners from far and wide enjoyed deep conversations and reflections on this calm, beautiful island, a perfect setting for being with the Dhamma. This photo shows a small group session under the gazebo.

Then "The REALLY Old"
Almsgiving - Kathina

Keeping a 2500-year-old tradition
2022 Alms Giving Ceremony (Kathina) "Joy on The Path"
Saturday, October 29th
at Karuna Buddhist Hermitage and online.
Tours, teachings, pindapata, giving and generosity in all directions,
celebration and blessings!
Including Ayya Anandabodhhi, Ayya Santacitta, and Anagarika Bethany in person
and Ajahn Kovilo, Bhante Jaysara and Anagarika Sarana on-line
This link will take you to all the details:
https://www.karunabv.org/event-details.html

As Kathina day approaches, it is so inspiring to see people coming together to help prepare and pitching in with various offerings. A big anumodana for all your good will, generosity and kindness!

And "The Timeless"
The Buddha's Teaching on Non-Conflict (as shared by the Ayyas)

We all wish for peace, but the reality is that conflict has always been a part of human life - both inner conflict and conflict with others. Over the past few days, here at KBV, we have been reflecting on the Buddha's teachings that guide us away from conflict and towards peace, tranquility and kindness.

In Majjhima Nikāya 139 "The Analysis of Non-Conflict", the Buddha gives a short list of ways to avoid conflict. This is not the kind of conflict avoidance that we commonly see in human behavior: trying to avoid people, situations, conversations, our feelings, etc. This list offers ways of speaking, acting and thinking that do not stir up conflict, that lead to peace and harmony, while still addressing situations and truthfully identifying issues. This list includes how to speak without praising or blaming others and how to discern between the pleasure that brings true happiness and pleasure that leads to competition and conflict. Largely, this is done through foreseeing the results of actions and speech, and through applying simple techniques that change results. For instance, leaving references to people out of our identification of harmful behavior and just sticking to citing the consequences according to Dhamma. There is no accusation and no conflict.

The Buddha applies this method himself in a beautiful way when he talks to his son, Rahula, about the consequences of lying in Majjhima Nikāya 61. Here he gives the lesson on what happens to those who shamelessly tell a deliberate lie, and he does it without accusing, belittling, scolding, or punishing.

If you want to dig deeper into this topic, check out the sutta references and watch for the talk on it (given on Saturday 10-22) soon to show up on the KBV YouTube channel.

We wish you all much peace and happiness (and much less-than-the-normal conflict :)
- The Ayyas

Joyful Progress at the Hermitage

9/11/2022

Almsgiving (Kathina) 2022, October 29th
"Joy on the Path"

This year’s Almsgiving (Kathina) will take place on Saturday, October 29.
We are planning to offer a hybrid
event which will be held outdoors
at KBV and on Zoom.

For more than 2500 years, this joyful tradition has been a time to acknowledge the friendship and mutual support of monastics and the lay community. You are welcome to join us for any part of the day you can attend.

For full details of the event, please see Almsgiving (Kathina) 2022.

Attend in-person at the hermitage: please register here to receive directions, weather contingency plans, and road condition updates.
Join us online: Zoom link, please email us for the password.

The Upper Creek Bridge is Complete

A way to transport heavy construction materials to hillside kutis!

The new bridge just fits the new Utility Terrain Vehicle. It's a strong bridge, built and installed by KBV friends and Hermitage neighbors. Just big enough. Well anchored to the earth below. This bridge makes it possible to transport building materials and supplies on the rough, steep road up the hillside, for the Dhamma Vicaya kuti, pictured here, and also for the Sati Kuti future building site further up the hill with a planned solar project.

Mosaic for top of the new outdoor shrine

This gorgeous mandala mosaic was crafted by Ayya Cittananda, to grace the new outdoor shrine and Buddha statue area located between the main house and burbling Deer Creek. Some of the stained glass was gifted from friends in Felton, CA, while more glass and other materials were provided by supporters in Texas. Isn't it wonderful to see crafting art as a part of the practice? Soon, Karuna Buddhist Vihara will not only have mere infrastructure necessities, but also a lovely, peaceful outdoor shrine space for quiet reflection.

Community Work Day

September 25th, 9am to 4pm
Community Work Day, Vegetarian Potluck,
Tea + Happy Dhamma Time
(Dhamma discussion, Q&A)
Please email us if you'd like to attend

Retreats

There's still space for the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society residential retreat at beautiful Camp Samish in the Puget Sound.
October 4th--9th "Embracing Change, Mastering Letting Go"
Registration Details

The talks from the June 2022 Cloud Mountain retreat taught by Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda are now available on Dharmaseed. The retreat is called "Infusing Every Aspect of your Life with Dhamma." The Dhamma talks are public and the Q&A sessions are for retreatants only. If you attended the retreat and need the code, request it by writing to us at info@karuanbv.org.

Sutta Study moved to Thursday nights

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Join weekly Sutta Study/Dhamma Sharing in person or via Zoom
To attend in-person, go to the
Friends Meeting of Palo Alto (Quaker House)
957 Colorado Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
The Friends Meeting House requires in-person attendees to be vaccinated and masked indoors.
Chairs available. BYOC (Bring your own meditation cushions)
To attend on Zoom, go to this address
Or call 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 856 6901 4034
Password: Please email us for the password

Dhamma Reflection

Having a good day?

What does it mean to have a good day?

From the ordinary, worldly perspective, this usually means that things are going the way we want them to go. The things we like are happening. The things we don’t like are kept to a minimum. The weather is fine. The traffic is light. The people around us are doing the things we think they should be doing and not otherwise. Basically, our defilements aren’t being poked. And there certainly are no tragedies. Our loved ones are safe. Our wealth is secure. Our health is good enough. …

As a Dhamma practitioner, you already know that so much of what was just mentioned is out of our control and the opposite is not just likely to happen, but inevitable, with “bad days” always on the horizon. So for the practitioner, what is a good day?

There is a beautiful sutta in the Middle Length Discourses called “A Single Excellent Night” (MN 131) that describes being aware of mental states as they arise and not taking anything as ‘self.’ Isn’t this exactly where we get caught? Every example in the ‘ordinary, worldly perspective’ is based on our perception of ‘me and mine.’ As human beings, we naturally see everything from our personal perspective -- “How is this related to me? How does this affect me?” And this is why we suffer, mired in dukkha.

So how do we shake ourselves out of this perspective? First, we notice that we are suffering. Even on “a good day,” there is dukkha in warding off the “bad day.” In the present moment, we recognize what we are actually feeling and its connection to this notion of ‘self.’ At that moment, we’ve gained some distance, a more realistic perspective, and there is often already some relief right there. As we continue to reflect in this way, the grip of ‘me and mine’ loosens, more relief comes and we are setting the course for the ultimate freedom from suffering regardless of conditions. At any point in our development, when we are practicing in this way, we are truly having a good day.

You might find the verses from MN 131 worth memorizing.

“Let not a person revive the past
Or on the future build his hopes;
For the past has been left behind
And the future has not been reached.
Instead with insight let him see
Each presently arisen state;
Let him know that and be sure of it,
Invincibly, unshakeably.
Today the effort must be made;
Tomorrow Death may come, who knows?
No bargain with Mortality
Can keep him and his hordes away,
But one who dwells thus ardently,
Relentlessly, by day, by night--
It is he, the Peaceful Sage has said,
Who has had a single excellent night.”
– MN 131 translation by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi

New Things are Happening!

8/2/2022

The workshop is up and ready for use, and so is the new UTV!

The finished workshop and new UTV

The much-needed new workshop is now complete, sitting snugly next to the storage "turtle". The structure is ready just in time to house the new UTV (Utility Terrain/Task Vehicle) and will also hold lumber, tools, a workbench, and other materials. The new UTV is important for carrying construction materials and passengers up the steep hill to kuti sites. Thanks to all the many donors, volunteers and workers who made these possible! The workshop and UTV will be essential to the Hermitage development in the coming years.

Kuti #2 is Almost Finished

Ayya Santussika sits on the front step of the second kuti.

The second kuti is nearly finished, only needing caulk, paint, and curtains. It's located up the hill from the main house in a beautiful clearing by a creek bed. This kuti is wired for electricity, ready for potential solar. The new UTV has already come in handy hauling materials to the site.

Where Do You Put a 400 Pound Buddha Statue???

Ayya Cittananda builds the shrine pedestal.

The garden below the main house will soon have a new shrine, with an exquisite volcanic stone Buddha rupa that has been generously donated by a devoted couple from the East Bay. Ayya Cittananda and others have been constructing a large pedestal with cottage stones, hopefully with a mosaic top as a finish. The plan is to plant KBV's Bodhi tree, hang the beautiful new monastery bell nearby with a path around for circumambulation, and create a sitting area for ceremonies. We're looking forward to completing this sacred outdoor space in time for the Kathina Celebration.

Kathina Committee Volunteers Needed

This year’s Kathina will take place on Saturday October 29. We are planning to offer a hybrid event again which will be held outdoors at KBV and on Zoom. A committee is being formed to help with technology, site preparation, flowers, etc. If you would like to help please email me at lindabemail5@gmail.com
- Linda Booth, Kathina Sponsor

Dhamma Reflection

Hermitage garden tree rupa

I cherish the opportunities I have to be kind, generous and to share the Dhamma. Currently, a theme running through those opportunities has been the clarity that happiness and suffering exist in the mind. We often think our happiness is outside ourselves. We reach for something "out there" for happiness or maybe just for a bit of relief from discomfort. We are also generally convinced that our suffering comes from outside ourselves. After all, aren't there at least half a dozen things you can point to right now as the source of your pain, irritation, or aggravation? We also reach into the future and into the past to evoke both happiness and suffering.

When we stop to reflect, we recognize that the happiness or relief we find in this way is so fleeting. And the suffering is endless. Then we might conclude that we just need to work harder, be more patient or smarter in the way we engage with the world, the past or the future. But actually, this isn't the problem. The problem begins with the wrong view that happiness and suffering are outside the mind. Shifting to the right view that real happiness lies within the mind and that suffering cannot invade the mind once we understand it, changes the whole field of experience.

This shift does not come from positive thinking, spiritual bypassing, or wishing or willing it to be so. It comes from practicing all the factors of the Noble Eightfold Path. The beauty of this is that in any moment, from the beginning of our practice as we develop virtue, samadhi and wisdom, we can pause and remember that the problem and the power lie within the mind. That's where the game changes.

- Ayya Santussika

With Mettā
The Newsletter Team

The Hermitage is Growing!

6/15/2022

The foundation for the new workshop is curing.

The Workshop
As the weather warms, the Ayyas are making progress on the new workshop. Thanks to generous supporters and volunteers, the concrete foundation is poured and is curing. This foundational step brings us closer to a workshop to store construction tools and a utility task vehicle (UTV) which will carry tools and materials to kuti building sites up the hill. The UTV will be purchased when the metal structure workshop is completed later this month.

Bridge building begins in March 2022.

The Bridge
The UTV will need a sturdy bridge to cross the spring creek up behind the house, and work has started on this aluminum bridge. As soon as the site is cleared this month, the bridge will need crossbars placed for it to be moved to its permanent site. Then, it will need its decking installed and anchoring performed. We hope to have a work party help with next steps for the bridge.

Ayya Santussika teaches in White Salmon, Washington, in May.

White Salmon
Ayya Santussika taught in White Salmon, Washington, in May at the invitation of the Columbia River Theravada Circle (CRTC). For this first visit to the Columbia River Gorge area she taught on “The Joy that Leads to Awakening.” Over twenty gathered at Yoga Samadhi to hear the Dhamma from Ayya. We have much mudita for the invitation by CRTC. Perhaps this first step will lead to others in the Gorge area.

Ayya Cittananda and Ayya Santussika teaching together in 2020.

Cloud Mountain
Both Ayya Cittananda and Ayya Santussika led a seven night retreat at Cloud Mountain in Washington state in early June. Twenty-two practitioners attended to hear teachings on and practice with "Infusing our Life with the Dhamma" This is the Ayyas' third year teaching at Cloud Mountain.

We Found a Bell!
While in Washington state, the Ayyas visited a noted bell maker to see about a bell for the Hermitage. They found a beautiful bell with a copper patina and a sound that makes their hearts sing! The bell maker is able to make an 8 foot tall stand, all metal and portable.

With the help of supporters, this bell and its stand can be installed at the Hermitage this summer. It will call people from throughout the property to come in for the meal or meditation. Please contact us if you have questions about supporting the bell.

Dhamma
The foundation leads to the workshop, the workshop leads to the UTV. The bridge brings the UTV to the construction. Construction leads to the kutis. The Buddha used the image of rain on a mountain to illustrate natural progressions.

"It’s like when it rains heavily on a mountain top, and the water flows downhill to fill the hollows, crevices, and creeks. As they become full, they fill up the pools. The pools fill up the lakes, the lakes fill up the streams, and the streams fill up the rivers. And as the rivers become full, they fill up the ocean." [SN 12:23, Bhante Sujato translation]

"It's the same with our practice. Developing virtue leads to joy, which leads in turn to tranquility, to happiness, to deep stillness, to knowledge and insight, to disillusionment, to dispassion, and finally to awakening. " - Ayya Santussika

As always the home page has the upcoming events, and the teachings are posted on our video channel.

Much mettā,
The Newsletter Team

Cold outside, warm inside at Karuna Buddhist Vihara

January floods and February snow, but we weathered the storms just fine :)

Click here for more fun winter wonderland photos!

Ajahn Brahmali Visits Karuna Buddhist Vihara

Exciting news! The new KBV in-town Meditation Center

Progress in building the Elder's Kuti

Alms-giving Celebration Sunday, July 23, 2023

Upcoming Residential Retreats

Exciting News for 2023

Retreat Time

New Sutta Study Schedule

Upekkha (Elder's) Kuti Progress

New Year's Day(long)

Ajahn Brahmali

2023 Retreats

Anagarika Sarana

Reflections on Kindness

Communal Joy and Harmony

Joy and Gratitude for the Almsgiving

A few words from this year's almsgiving sponsor, Linda Booth

Breaking ground and site preparation for the Elder's Kuti

Retreat time for KBV Bhikkhunis

Harmony(as shared by the Ayyas)

The New, the Old and the Timeless

Then "The REALLY Old"Almsgiving - Kathina

And "The Timeless"The Buddha's Teaching on Non-Conflict (as shared by the Ayyas)

Joyful Progress at the Hermitage

Almsgiving (Kathina) 2022, October 29th"Joy on the Path"

​The Upper Creek Bridge is Complete

Mosaic for top of the new outdoor shrine

Community Work Day

RetreatsThere's still space for the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society residential retreat at beautiful Camp Samish in the Puget Sound.October 4th--9th "Embracing Change, Mastering Letting Go"Registration Details

Sutta Study moved to Thursday nights

Dhamma Reflection

Having a good day?

New Things are Happening!

The workshop is up and ready for use, and so is the new UTV!

Kuti #2 is Almost Finished

Where Do You Put a 400 Pound Buddha Statue???

Kathina Committee Volunteers Needed

​Dhamma Reflection

The Hermitage is Growing!

Harmony
(as shared by the Ayyas)

Then "The REALLY Old"
Almsgiving - Kathina

And "The Timeless"
The Buddha's Teaching on Non-Conflict (as shared by the Ayyas)

Almsgiving (Kathina) 2022, October 29th
"Joy on the Path"

The Upper Creek Bridge is Complete

Retreats

There's still space for the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society residential retreat at beautiful Camp Samish in the Puget Sound.
October 4th--9th "Embracing Change, Mastering Letting Go"
Registration Details

Dhamma Reflection