This Saturday September 6th is the next Garden Party, time again for our monthly gathering tending to the forest. There is much to do in preparation for the Pah Bah, including some new planting, and getting campsites ready for all the visiting monks.
The day will follow the usual schedule, below.
Meal Offering: 11:00 AM. Feel free to bring a dish for the potluck style meal offering (please arrive by 10:30 if you’re bringing food).
Garden Work: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Please also feel free to bring any extra garden tools for the day (though that’s not necessary), and dress in your ‘garden clothes.’
Tea: 3:00 pm – 4:00 PM.
Pah Bah Reminder: September 20th & 21st
The Pah Bah is fast approaching – it’s being held on September 20th and 21st in Underwood, WA. Monks from near and far will be joining us for this auspicious occasion: Ajahn Jayanto and Ajahn Caganando from Temple Forest Monastery; Ajahn Cunda and a group of monks from Abhayagiri Monastery; and Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho from Clear Mountain Monastery. All events will be held at the Underwood Community Center, 951 School House Rd, Underwood, Wash.
Donations will support the development of the “monks retreat house” project.
We are excited to be working on a new project to support the elders in our lineage. The primary purpose of this two-story dwelling is to comfortably accommodate senior monks in our tradition for visits and periods of solitary retreat. Features will include an accessible sleeping room with an en-suite bathroom, separate living space for an attendant, a kitchenette, restrooms, and a peaceful meditation and gathering space with expansive views of the forest.
The schedule for the weekend’s events is below.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Meditation Retreat: 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
There will be structured periods of sitting, walking, and Dhamma reflections. This is a lovely opportunity to settle into the weekend and the community. Please bring a zafu or cushion if you need one.
Sunday, Sept. 21
Meal Offering: 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Pah Bah Ceremony & Dhamma Reflections: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
If you are attending the meal, please bring a dish to share to the kitchen and be settled into your seat by 10:30. Otherwise, please arrive by 12:30. The monks will be available in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday to talk with guests and take photos.
All are welcome! There is a big field, sports courts, and a playground for kids. If you are interested in helping or volunteering on either of the days, please contact jessicaswanson@gmail.com.
Hope to see you there!
Next Month…
There will be various activities and comings & goings, so watch for an update right after the Pah Bah with more details (and Pah Bah photos!).
“The Buddha praises putting forth effort to arouse skillful states of mind and making that your habit; and joy would be a great one. Just imagine if we were better at kindling joy, at remembering to arouse a sense of wholesome joy in the mind. It helps if we have a storehouse of good deeds, good merit, good karma. But sometimes we haven’t learned how to remember to delight in it, and to nurture and sustain joy, and create the habit of arousing joy in the mind.
In the teachings on dāna and the perfection of generosity, the Buddha talks about one of he aspects that enhances being generous is to recollect acts of generosity that we’ve done and delight in them.” – Ajahn Sudanto