Vassa Support Opportunities
Coordinated by Meira
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The monastic community of KBV will observe the Vassa from July 21, 2024-October 17, 2024.
Vassa is translated as: 1. The year 2. Rain. The Vassa, the three months annual "rains residence" observed by Theravada Buddhists, takes place during the wet season, which is understood as the wet season in historical India at the time of the Buddha. The Vassa lasts for three lunar months, usually from July to October. |
The KBV Bhikkhunis are planning to use this three month period for a much-needed retreat. Ayya Santussika intends to continue offering the Saturday morning program on-line, and each day one of the bhikkhunis will receive the meal offering and chant a blessing.
During this time, the lay community has the opportunity to show our devotion and appreciation by supporting the monastic community with food and other necessities.
It is also an opportunity for the lay community to deepen our practice of renunciation by intending to renounce something during the Vassa.
There will be several ways to make offerings.
1. For those who are far away, you can offer money for food and a local person can deliver it.
2. For those who are local, there will be two opportunities per week to bring food offerings, including bringing food offerings from those who are far away.
3. For those who have stayed at the hermitage and who know their way around without any guidance from the Ayyas, there is an opportunity to stay for a period of time and to serve the retreat. This means, cooking, cleaning, and looking after things.
4. Frozen food can also be offered so that there is backup in case something unexpected occurs.
I will coordinate financial offerings to support the bhikkhunis during the vassa.
You can fill out the form below, and email me at [email protected] with any questions. Please also leave your phone number.
To sign up to make an offering in person on an available date (see calendar below), please email Nancy at [email protected]
Yours in Dhamma,
Meira
During this time, the lay community has the opportunity to show our devotion and appreciation by supporting the monastic community with food and other necessities.
It is also an opportunity for the lay community to deepen our practice of renunciation by intending to renounce something during the Vassa.
There will be several ways to make offerings.
1. For those who are far away, you can offer money for food and a local person can deliver it.
2. For those who are local, there will be two opportunities per week to bring food offerings, including bringing food offerings from those who are far away.
- Please note that all food should be prepared at home.
- The food should last the Ayyas 3 days.
- The Ayyas are observing Noble silence. They will be available to receive the offerings and to offer a blessing.
- The monastics at KBV are vegetarian and also avoid the following foods: chickpeas, mung beans, tofu/soy (small amounts of soy is ok, like soy sauce), tomatoes, black pepper, peppers of any kind and spicy foods (no chilis, but spices like cumin and turmeric are ok).
- Please arrive by 11:45am for grocery delivery and to offer the meal at 12pm.
- You're welcome to stay for the meal if you wish and eat with the stewards after the blessing is chanted by one of the bhikkhunis.
3. For those who have stayed at the hermitage and who know their way around without any guidance from the Ayyas, there is an opportunity to stay for a period of time and to serve the retreat. This means, cooking, cleaning, and looking after things.
4. Frozen food can also be offered so that there is backup in case something unexpected occurs.
I will coordinate financial offerings to support the bhikkhunis during the vassa.
You can fill out the form below, and email me at [email protected] with any questions. Please also leave your phone number.
To sign up to make an offering in person on an available date (see calendar below), please email Nancy at [email protected]
Yours in Dhamma,
Meira
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To sign up to make an offering in person on one of the available dates, please email Nancy at [email protected]