Hold steady. When it seems like the reminders of how uncertain everything is in Samsara are screaming louder than ever, it is time to step back onto the solid ground of mindfulness and clear comprehension. We can rely on that ability to take the position of the witness that we’ve been practicing for years and from that point of view, grounded in Dhamma, take action in our life and the world that is likely to be beneficial. When we see so much unkind action, we can choose to put an emphasis on kindness. When threats seem to loom larger, we can summon up our courage. When division and disharmony appear to flourish, we can put our energy into building and sustaining community, and hold steady as the fierce winds blow.
If we take this position of witness, observing the passing phenomena and the sense of self constantly changing, then fear loses its basis. The community we want to surround ourselves with is not one that emphasizes the belief in personal existence, but one that constantly reminds us to investigate and realize that which doesn't change. Even as we are in the process of this investigation, gradually coming to full understanding, letting go of the position of personality, we begin to experience how kindness and courage naturally arise. We start to genuinely directly experience cāga, the giving up and letting go of suffering.
-- Ayya Santussika
If we take this position of witness, observing the passing phenomena and the sense of self constantly changing, then fear loses its basis. The community we want to surround ourselves with is not one that emphasizes the belief in personal existence, but one that constantly reminds us to investigate and realize that which doesn't change. Even as we are in the process of this investigation, gradually coming to full understanding, letting go of the position of personality, we begin to experience how kindness and courage naturally arise. We start to genuinely directly experience cāga, the giving up and letting go of suffering.
-- Ayya Santussika
Enjoying time with Monastic Brothers and Sisters
Venerable Dhammadinna and the Eastbay Dhamma Group
For the past two months the KBV bhikkhunis have been immensely enjoying the company of their bhikkhuni sister, Venerable Dhammadinna during her stint as a visiting associate professor at UC Berkeley.
April 12th: The next meeting to discuss more verses from the Dhammapada is coming up this Saturday at Eastbay Dhamma, in Berkeley or online.
For the past two months the KBV bhikkhunis have been immensely enjoying the company of their bhikkhuni sister, Venerable Dhammadinna during her stint as a visiting associate professor at UC Berkeley.
April 12th: The next meeting to discuss more verses from the Dhammapada is coming up this Saturday at Eastbay Dhamma, in Berkeley or online.
| Redwood Vihara Kalyanamitta Time The KBV bhikkhunis welcomed dear, sweet Dhamma brothers, Venerable Jin Wei and Venerable Jin Chuan, to the Boulder Creek neighborhood as they permanently settled into Redwood Vihara. Friends for many years already, it was a very enjoyable day sharing community time, a meal, forest wandering and some good Dhamma. The next week, they took a very informative (and fun!) field trip to the local San Lorenzo Valley Museum in Boulder Creek, learning about and appreciating the interesting history of the area together. |   |
Helping Hands at the Hermitage - Community Work Day
Saturday, April 19
KBV Hermitage
9am: "How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS?!?!"
11:00am: Vegetarian Potluck
12pm: Merit-making time! Fire safety + other fun tasks
KBV Hermitage
9am: "How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS?!?!"
11:00am: Vegetarian Potluck
12pm: Merit-making time! Fire safety + other fun tasks
On top of the usual, imperative fire clearance, more tasks are at hand this time.
Assistance is needed with a variety of jobs, for all skill levels & abilities.
All are welcome for a day of Dhamma, community, physical work and a consequently good night's sleep!
Please email the Bhikkhunis if you plan to attend.
Assistance is needed with a variety of jobs, for all skill levels & abilities.
All are welcome for a day of Dhamma, community, physical work and a consequently good night's sleep!
Please email the Bhikkhunis if you plan to attend.
Help us make YouTube videos commercial-free for 2025
Members of the lay community ask again this year for you to consider watching or playing a lot of YouTube videos from the KBV YouTube channel. If there are 4000 view hours in a rolling previous 365 days, then people can learn the dhamma from the KBV Ayyas free from commercials and ads.
There are MANY worthwhile videos that the Ayyas have produced that are worth your
viewing time. Here are some playlists you might want to consider: The Paramis, The Five
Hindrances, The Eightfold Path, The Five Khandas, The Four Iddhipada, Chanting, BCBS Class, Self & Non-Self, guided Meditations, Body Deconstruction/Asubha, Buddhanusati and the Brahamaviharas.
Additionally, if you have enough mobile data or home internet data, consider plugging in at night and choosing a long playlist (like 2023 “How do we apply the dhamma?!?!") and click play all, or select the "loop" feature. The devas may be listening, or perhaps your pets.
Please consider weekly viewing to help ourselves and others watch these valuable videos ad
free. Ad free means no interruptions--so one can be in a meditative state while listening.
-- Paula Brottman
KBV YouTube channel
There are MANY worthwhile videos that the Ayyas have produced that are worth your
viewing time. Here are some playlists you might want to consider: The Paramis, The Five
Hindrances, The Eightfold Path, The Five Khandas, The Four Iddhipada, Chanting, BCBS Class, Self & Non-Self, guided Meditations, Body Deconstruction/Asubha, Buddhanusati and the Brahamaviharas.
Additionally, if you have enough mobile data or home internet data, consider plugging in at night and choosing a long playlist (like 2023 “How do we apply the dhamma?!?!") and click play all, or select the "loop" feature. The devas may be listening, or perhaps your pets.
Please consider weekly viewing to help ourselves and others watch these valuable videos ad
free. Ad free means no interruptions--so one can be in a meditative state while listening.
-- Paula Brottman
KBV YouTube channel
Upcoming Retreats
Photo taken by Eric Holtz
Vesak Daylong Retreat (Hybrid)
Saturday, May 17
9:00am – 4:00pm
Vegetarian potluck at 11:00am
909 Coachella Ave, Sunnyvale
Zoom Meeting Link
Everyone's welcome to join in celebrating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away. Program includes meditation, chanting, Dhamma talks, and a traditional "baby Buddha bathing" ceremony.
Residential Retreat
May 30 - June 4, 2025
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Disentangling the Tangle - Finding Freedom in Relationship with Ourselves, Others and the World
Ayya Santussika, Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Cittananda
Residential Retreat
June 6-19, 2025
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center
Cultivating the Seven Awakening Factors – the Sambojjhaṅga
Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda
Residential Retreat
June 30-July 6, 2025
Big Bear Retreat Center, High in the piney mountains above Los Angelas, California
Disentangling the Tangle - Finding Freedom in Relationship with Ourselves, Others and the World
Ayya Santussika and Ayya Santacitta
In the Spirit of Generosity: A Vital Addition to the Hermitage
The lay community is working to bring a new kuti and shrine to KBV next year. The vision for this is a structure large enough for puja and meditation, for both monastics and visitors at the hermitage. If you’d like to support this project, please visit the forest shrine kuti page.
-- Philip Chui
-- Philip Chui