Sima Creation at the Hermitage
A sima is a bounded space that is required for the performance of formal acts by the monastic sangha, such as ordinations. As you need a group of four bhikkhunis to perform formal acts, we are very grateful that we had the help of the bhikkhunis from Passaddhi Vihara to create simas at both the hermitage and meditation center during their stay with us.
Ayya Suvijjana and Ayya Niyyanika spent 3 weeks at KBV, between the hermitage and meditation center, while they incubated their new monastery, Passaddhi Vihara. Though they were busy organizing, it was wonderful spending time with dear sangha members of such learning, kindness, and integrity.
Retreat at Spirit Rock
| Teaching this five day retreat at Spirit Rock was also a great opportunity to enjoy the company of dear monastic sangha members, while helping the retreatants deepen their practice and understanding of the Dhamma. |  |
Work Parties and Projects - So many happy helpers!
Linda and Greg Booth came to help out and enjoy time together with the Ayyas at the hermitage. Greg worked full-throttle for a week to complete the wood tile deck for access to the downstairs bathroom, laundry/pantry, and power station rooms, and Linda kept us all alive and well with her healthy cooking and care.
Anumodana for the beautiful job!
Deborah Bowes sewed and installed a waterproof cover to protect from rain on the UTV.
No more wet seats or heads!
No more wet seats or heads!
Deborah also got a workout digging some steps for the slippery trail leading from the main cabin to the upper kutis. Anumodana for all your hard work, Deborah!
Fun with fire clearance, and fun with burn piles made of the usual fallen limbs and trees from over the winter. Stoking the burn pile is a happy task.
May, Nguyet, Ayya Cittananda, Maarten, and Jerelle following Ajahn Gunha's advice: the work is the happiness and the happiness is the work!
Vandana beautifying and pruning the outdoor shrine garden, to help keep the main cabin wildfire ready and safe.
Spring Community Work Day
From left to right: Ayya Santussika, Vandana, Maarten, Nguyet, May, Ayya Cittananda, Jerelle, Greg, Phil, Val, Linda, and Saket taking the photo.
Thank you all for coming out to help keep the hermitage safe for the coming fire season.
From left to right: Ayya Santussika, Vandana, Maarten, Nguyet, May, Ayya Cittananda, Jerelle, Greg, Phil, Val, Linda, and Saket taking the photo.
Thank you all for coming out to help keep the hermitage safe for the coming fire season.
A Different Kind of Fire Protection
Ayya Suvijjana and Ayya Niyyanika supported KBV in protecting the hermitage from wildfires by blessing all the buildings with the Quail's Protection chant.
Supporting the KBV Bhikkhunis During the Vassa
Meira has graciously offered to coordinate meal offerings and practical support for the bhikkhunis during the Vassa retreat this year. If you'd like to participate in useful ways, please click here for more information and details.
Upcoming Vesak Daylong Retreat
We celebrate with faith, confidence, and appreciation for the Buddha's enlightenment and teaching; what an example of how to use a human life! Two thousand six hundred years later we're still able to make so much progress in bringing peace and joy into our lives and into the world because of what he did.
The KBV Vesak celebration will be on Saturday, May 25, 9am-4pm at the KBV Meditation Center in Sunnyvale.
Please bring a vegetarian dish.
The KBV Vesak celebration will be on Saturday, May 25, 9am-4pm at the KBV Meditation Center in Sunnyvale.
Please bring a vegetarian dish.
Drawing Near
During Vesak, this is a time to draw near to the Buddha. How can we do that?
Certainly, whenever we sit in meditation or chant or reflect on Dhamma and a sacred feeling comes over us, then we are drawing near to the Buddha. Whenever our mind is filled with loving kindness, spiritual joy and happiness, or peacefulness, then we are drawing near to the Buddha. When our gratitude for the Buddha or the beauty of the Dhamma bring tears to our eyes, we are drawing near to the Buddha.
In Itivuttaka 91, the Buddha says that someone could walk right behind him, holding the corner of his outer robe, but if their mind is full of sensual desire, ill will and malice, without mindfulness, wisdom or stillness of mind, they are far from him and he is far from them. If someone were to be hundreds of miles away with a mind free of sensual desire, ill will and malice, with mindfulness, wisdom and stillness of mind, they would be near to him and he would be near to them.
We draw near to the Buddha through our practice, through developing and purifying the mind. And our ability to develop in the practice is greatly enhanced by drawing near to the Sangha, listening to the Dhamma, sharing the Dhamma and using the Dhamma as the framework and guide for our life.
Fortunately, there are many opportunities to draw near through visits to KBV and our sister and brother monasteries, through tuning in to Dhamma talks and programs, live or recorded, as found on Dharmaseed or YouTube, through participating in retreats and getting involved in helping out from near or far. Some of these opportunities can be found on our homepage or calendar. Others are shared by community members on the KBV Community WhatsApp.
We are closest to the Buddha when we see the Dhamma for ourselves and this is where our practice is taking us. It is up to each of us to step onto the path and walk.
With loads of metta,
Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda
Certainly, whenever we sit in meditation or chant or reflect on Dhamma and a sacred feeling comes over us, then we are drawing near to the Buddha. Whenever our mind is filled with loving kindness, spiritual joy and happiness, or peacefulness, then we are drawing near to the Buddha. When our gratitude for the Buddha or the beauty of the Dhamma bring tears to our eyes, we are drawing near to the Buddha.
In Itivuttaka 91, the Buddha says that someone could walk right behind him, holding the corner of his outer robe, but if their mind is full of sensual desire, ill will and malice, without mindfulness, wisdom or stillness of mind, they are far from him and he is far from them. If someone were to be hundreds of miles away with a mind free of sensual desire, ill will and malice, with mindfulness, wisdom and stillness of mind, they would be near to him and he would be near to them.
We draw near to the Buddha through our practice, through developing and purifying the mind. And our ability to develop in the practice is greatly enhanced by drawing near to the Sangha, listening to the Dhamma, sharing the Dhamma and using the Dhamma as the framework and guide for our life.
Fortunately, there are many opportunities to draw near through visits to KBV and our sister and brother monasteries, through tuning in to Dhamma talks and programs, live or recorded, as found on Dharmaseed or YouTube, through participating in retreats and getting involved in helping out from near or far. Some of these opportunities can be found on our homepage or calendar. Others are shared by community members on the KBV Community WhatsApp.
We are closest to the Buddha when we see the Dhamma for ourselves and this is where our practice is taking us. It is up to each of us to step onto the path and walk.
With loads of metta,
Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda