Download vision for the center - Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center

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UIBDS 12-POINT MISSION DEVELOPMENT PLAN - Updated OCT- 2013
[Organization Profile]
12 point Guidelines first established in 2003 under UIBD Society and
includes
PREFACE STORY,
AN INVITATION
MISSION STATEMENT
VISION AND GOALS,
PROGRESS FOR THE CENTER
PUBLISHING REPORT
FINANCIAL NOTES
NEW PROJECTS AND PLANNING
FINAL NOTE
Preface Story
Washington,DC.
In the year 2001, while at the Washington Buddhist Vihara, an American
Buddhist monk named Venerable U Vimalaramsi (Bhante) decided to
embark on a project after being encouraged by a Nepalese monk to set up a
home-base in the USA for Americans to learn meditation directly from the
Pali suttas and for American monks to find safe haven when they returned
from Asia.
The project began as a visualization that slowly evolved and is now well
underway still growing in the Forest of the Ozark Mountains in Missouri. It
began with a small group of 6 Americans who wanted to learn how to
Research, Practice, Preserve and Teach original Buddhist Meditation. They
wanted to know if what the Buddha found could still be uncovered in a
traditional way right here in America. Bhante Vimalaramsi was working as
closely as possible with the foundation Buddhist teachings called the Suttas.
It seemed likely that he was using a source closest to the Buddha’s own
teaching. Those who participated did so in order to improve their own lives
and had hopes of improving the lives of others in the future.
This is how it all began.
“An isolated piece of land was offered in the mid-western state of Missouri
where we could all sit at the roots of trees in the forest, or even build a
platform in a tree to sit upon while examining Buddhist meditation in depth
without being disturbed to try to find the answer to how painful emotional
suffering comes to be and if the cessation of suffering can actually happen.”
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This went on for two years on an isolated Ridge about 7 miles away from
any people near Lesterville, MO in the Ozark mountains.
It was there, in 2003, the plan was incorporated into a Missouri non-profit
501 (c) (3) corporation called United International Buddha Dhamma Society
Inc. [UIBDS]. This happened while on top of an isolated ridgetop in the
mountains.
A couple of years later, a 30 acre parcel of land was offered for purchase
with no down-payment needed in the heavily forested area about 13 miles
outside of Ironton, MO. The land was better at this location for survival. To
begin with, there was only thick forest and old lumber roads that were
uncleared. No open building areas had been cleared. There was only one
small old feeble house to be cleaned up for general use next to a small 25ft
trailer and a salvagable single-wide house trailer not too far away to house
Venerable Vimalaramsi to live in. The old house had an operating welland a
good bathroom. Today there are training kutis and monks housing. Initially,
the house promised not to fall down for a couple of years and part of it still
stands used primarily for maintenance equipment storage!
The clearing of land began on the forested property that first summer.
Supporting students trickled in little by little, inch by inch for meditation
instruction and to help with the clearing. Online internet connections first
began in 2003 on the ridge and now continued in 2004 from this site. Sister
Khema began to reach outwards into an expand her classroom effort by the
end of that year. The interest at that time was to find out what was going
on in Western Buddhism as far as other study methods and to see if anyone
was interested in trying something new that was turning out to be quite
remarkable.
In 2005, Ven. U Silinanda, who was Venerable Vimalaramsi’s Upacaya
(spiritual father and the one responsible for his ordination) became ill.
Bhante Vimalaramsi spent about four weeks in his then considered spiritual
home temple in Half Moon Bay, CA. After an operation, Bhante spent two
weeks in the hospital by the side of his teacher on night shifts to assure that
no woman would have to assist Ven. U Silinanda during the night. He was
very devoted to his elder teacher at this time. Bhante had to leave to return
to the center in Missouri for incoming students. Just before he left, he was
given a coveted outer robe of many pieces given to him for his great
compassionate service.
At that time, Sister Khema was still a lay person and she had been on the
East Coast visiting family. When she returned to the Missouri location, she
had a message to drive to the West Coast (alone) to pick up Reverend and
bring him back to the center. When drove to Half Moon Bay from Missouri
and was sequestered alone for two weeks time. It was during part of this
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time, while using the Library and studying that she got the idea of setting
up an Online retreat with whomever would try it. Having gained permission
to try this, 9 people followed the first retreat with only Audio for their
Dhamma Talks. That was the beginning of the Online Retreat program.
After that 3 retreats per year were offered for the next 5 years. Then, in
2012, this program expanded during the summer months from MAY-SEP
offering one Online retreat per month with between 8-14 people attending.
This was a Dana based program to help support the ongoing work of the
center. During these 9 day retreats, the average time for interview
questions and responses was about 6 hours per day .
Some wonderful guardian dogs joined the project to protect people who
worked in the forest and to protect the land in the late part of that year.
Gradually, the land opened it’s heart, embraced the growth of the center,
and today still offers more.
By the year 2006, word began to spread about a practice. The meditation
approach had been refined and results began happening for people rather
regularly when they followed the instructions and kept the practice going in
their daily life.
That year, Venerable Vimalaramsi was nominated to become the first
lifetime representative for the United States of America for the World
Buddhist Council Conferences which had been planned for every two years
since 1998. His inauguration would take place in 2008 at the opening
ceremony for the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism in Kato, Japan. It was
reported that this was the largest Buddhist Conference in the modern
world.
Several donations began to happen so that building could progress on two
areas of the property. The lower area entrance led into a Monastic’s area
with several kutis for training, and housing for the Abbot and office space.
The Upper area began expanding into five cabins to house meditators on
retreat, a bath house, a Dining Hall and Kitchen, a Library space with
eventual plan for a Dhamma Hall and small shrine.
In 2010, 52 additional acres containing an old mill were purchased to
expand the total land to 103 acres of forested land now containing wellmaintained gravel roads which will eventually become hardtop roads. Each
year the project continues to develop and, slowly, additional people begin
show up who will continue to move forward and carry on the original plan.
Many points of the plan are already in the making and other points have
been completed. Each year it progresses, little by little. Venerable
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“Bhante” Vimalaramsi has become the Supreme Representative for the
United States of America for the World Buddhist Council in Japan and will
attend the next 6th Buddhist Conference in December of 2014 in Japan.
Due to the World economic situation, this conference has already been
planned and cancelled twice during the interlude since the last conference
in 2008.
At this time, all Buddhist Traditions basically see they need to come
together more for Peaceful objectives in the world and the preservation of
the teaching. Slowly this is happening through various concerted efforts.
Within UIBDS such a goal is visualized to create a grand Buddhist creative
works conference” open to all traditions challenging them to bring along
and share what is working best for Lay people to encourage them to take
Buddhism into their daily lives in today’s world. This seems to be a prime
way to preserve Buddhism for future generations in this Century.
The goal of such a conference would be to put into words and expound on
the high value of Buddhist Teachings for the daily life of modern man. By
reclaiming the priceless value of the teaching for today’s world, this would
ensure its survival.
Today, the visualization and this project continues right here in the Missouri
Forest homebased at Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center.
The Invitation:
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center, DSMC. is a project supporting a journey that
could change your perspective for life! You are invited to come to DSMC and to
help develop Anathapindika’s Study Park located in Iron County, Missouri- USA.
This is the home of the “Buddhist American Forest Tradition”, an American
Buddhist project which oversees the development of an American Monastery
and Lay Meditation Center. DSMC supports the research, practice,
preservation, and teaching of Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM).
TWIM is a precise Buddhist practice found in the early Pali texts that anyone
can learn and carry into daily life. This practice yokes together serenity and
insight practices as prescribed in early suttas (MN-149:10- “…Serenity and
Insight appear in him yoked evenly together…”so that one can fully see and
understand the complete Buddha Dhamma.
Many Buddhists agree that it is truly time for an American Sangha using English
for the primary teaching language to arise and move forward to help preserve
Buddhism. This has been brought up and spoken about by many Asian monks
for a long time. Now, over the past 10 years this has quietly begun to happen.
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All instructions, dhamma talks and interviews are carried out in English with
much Pali notation. Teachings are strictly kept in alignment with early texts.
Therefore, they do not contradict themselves and are much easier to follow as
prescribed by the Buddha in the Parinibbana sutta.
In the very heart of America within a beautiful rustic forest setting, there is
now a unique opportunity to practice meditation with a Master guiding teacher
whose unique understanding of the earliest Pali Suttas is expressed in clear,
simple English.
The Abbot and spiritual teacher for this Buddhist American Forest Tradition is
a Buddhist American Forest monk, Most Venerable Sayadaw Gyi “Bhante”
Vimalaramsi Mahathera. He has over 38 years of Meditation study and
practice and dedicates himself to the development of a simple concise way of
teaching in ENGLISH, the Dhamma. Here you will learn about suffering and the
cessation of suffering. You will understand the path and how to pursue it in
daily life continuously retraining your mind.
DSMC works to provide a safe haven especially for American monks and nuns
who have trained in Asia but who now want to live in the USA in an English
speaking forest environment under the protection of a supporting monastery in
keeping with their vinaya. DSMC looks forward to the future development of a
lay community village on adjoining land that may support a future Alms round.
At DSMC meditation students often consider that this training is like being
ushered into the next level of understanding the Buddha Dhamma. Nothing is
held back. This meditation approach stresses the usefulness of Buddhist
practice in daily life. The practice does not separate itself from everyday life.
By presenting a very easy, simple to understand usable practice, the meditator
learns to keep Right Effort going continuously through a simple and harmonious
practice of monitoring the behavior and movement of mind’s attention. This
practice retrains mind to let go of unwholesome states and eases your
suffering! The results can be priceless.
The usefulness of this practice is daily life, improving one’s production across
the board is extremely valuable in this fast moving modern world. The new
perspective and confidence that arises is immediately evident to those around
the students in life.
Experienced meditators come here to deepen already established personal
practices. The practice of TWIM “tweaks” any existing practice and takes them
to a higher level of understanding. It has been compared to tweaking an engine
to run perfectly. Approaching Buddhism from this angle at DSMC is like
unraveling a Rosetta stone. The practice brings together many loose pieces of a
puzzle people already found.
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Personalities change into positive directions! Reactions often stop and peaceful
responses begin! Clear understanding and interconnectedness supports this
metamorphosis. After listening to the texts with simple explanations to decode
some of the translations, understanding can burst forth when read with clear
meanings. Students are encouraged to personally verify all instructions in their
own practice according to the guidelines given in the Kalama Sutta. Baffling
meanings are unraveled. Translations come together into single message. Full
clarity can be reached and inner peace.
It turns out that a few unraveled words can reveal many hidden meanings that
then result in smoother deeper meditation!
The Buddha discovered the true nature of HOW everything works in each
present moment. He revealed for us the true nature of everything and if
precisely followed, his instructions bring immense relief into our lives
almost immediately.
Properly gaining this knowledge, a great understanding takes place. Uncovering
an impersonal process going on within our experience. One becomes free from
guilt, conquers fear, overcomes doubt, surpasses restlessness, and gains a new
plan to better manage disturbing emotional states like depression, grief,
anxiety, or fear.
The instructions were left for us to pass along to as many people as possible in
all walks of life. The Buddha gave us this practice to reclaim happiness. People
of all faiths find valuable scientific tools for living within these teachings. The
Path leads to peace and is a great gift for all people.
If you take the time to personally study with a trained guiding teacher, through
this simple terminology, you can discover the Buddha’s investigation strategy,
his development charts, his instructions about what to learn, and his progress
charts along the way. The way to open your heart and have clear Meditation
will be revealed as you listen closely to the original lessons and drills the
Buddha created. Everything is taught through slow clear understandable English
translations. Persons with English as a second language do not have difficulty
listening to these talks. That is unique in itself.
Join us here at Dhamma Sukha, which means in Pali, 'Happy Teachings', and
learn what fun this is to share with others. We hope you will support us as we
continue to build your center for meditation practice and retreat. Monastics
and Lay people alike come here to study. They come to find an island of truth
and to reclaim their rightful intended smiles.
This practice lightens your load! The instructions will bring a solid confidence,
a new zest for life. You will reclaim a lightness of being and find the smile you
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thought disappeared with youth! It’s a great practice to use in daily life to
compliment and brighten any spiritual path you have already chosen.
You are welcome to come to the center for a personal retreat year round now!
The first time you visit us, you may attend for a period of 4 days minimum to
two weeks maximum. After that time you can continue with guidance via
online communications.
Let us know if you are interested in a weekly meditation class or online training
programs. The website is updated to let you know what is going on and there is
a Facebook page for Bhante Vimalaramsi where you can follow the progress
happening at the center.
A Sunday School program is now being offered. You may schedule time to come
in for a weekend to help with maintenance in Spring, Summer or Fall, light
building or clean-up programs or you may drop by for a Blessing, a Dhamma
lesson or to donate supplies. Traditionally, you can pitch in on pot luck
weekend meals [offering of Dana meal] during the summers on Saturdays and
Sundays. Dhamma talks can always be requested and happen regularly in the
evenings when retreatants are here. Just ask.
Come and join us for this new kind of American Buddhist Tradition!
This presentation of the Buddha’s teaching is spreading around the globe at this
time and is translated into 9 languages with 3 more in progress. Requests have
come forth from 5 nations so far to train their monastics so they can help build
new centers or return to their own temples and teach the Dhamma in this way.
It it truly reaching people. It is truly changing their lives. Support is slowly
building. If you are seriously interested in training in this monastic line and are
seeking a life of service in this century, please contact Sister Khema and set
up time to carry your inquiry further through her to Most Ven. Bhante
Vimalaramsi Mahathera, Abbot and spiritual director for DSMC.
May you reach Nibbana quickly and easily in this very lifetime.
Metta and smiles.
Ven. Sister Khema
Update October 2013
UIBDS-DSMC Mission Statement:
To research, practice, preserve, and teach Foundation Buddhist Teachings
in English through a dedicated American Buddhist Forest Tradition
developing Religious, Charitable, and Educational programs for all people to
participate in support of Happiness and World Peace.
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Mission Expansion Statment
--To accomplish these goals, to create a supported monastic ordination
program and lay community, working side by side, for both Men and Women
of all races, color and creeds who wish to understand the relief of suffering
in today’s world that Buddhism can bring;
--To develop an adjacent research/study center to assist completion of
Buddhist research programs.
--To offer compassionate service programs for physically disabled persons,
including veterans and disaster victims by teaching meditation for the
management of depression and other difficult physical challenges. (Those
assisted can be physically and/or mentally injured.)
The Pineheart Mission
--To set aside land for a future small co-operative housing project where lay
people will eventually support a traditional Pendipat (alms round) for
resident monastics living in the monastery as a separate LLC or D
Corporation project.
--To create and preserve a self-contained Peaceful Living System through
the responsible co-operation of all persons involved in support of all
Religious, Charitable, and Educational projects carried out through the
teaching of Buddhism.
Vision and Goals
12 Point Development Plan and Goals:
Locate and purchase land in a safe location near the Middle of the United
States of America in a forest setting where this multi-12-point program and
mission statement can be carried out without heaps of blocking red tape at
every turn.
The land will become known as “Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center” and the
study project will eventually become “Anathapindika’s Park Complex”:
*
NOTE:
designates those points already fulfilled or underway at this time.
Further information about each point may be procured from Sister Khema
at [email protected]
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Phase One
Buddhist Studies and Training to begin with:
1.
*Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center (DSMC) will create an
organized worship and practice setting with meditation areas and
programs specifically oriented to teach Buddhist Tranquil Wisdom
Insight meditation. This will, in turn, support an organized Buddhist
Spiritual Path for lay and monastic people taken from the instructions
left in the early Buddhist Pali Canon;
2.
*Monastic Training for American Men and Women- This program
will include flexible temporary 2 week or long-term ordination
programs upon approval, a full Monastic program, and personal
retreat program while residing in primitive Woodland Kutis (small
cabins). It will offer a retreat program for short and extended periods
of seclusion and training. It will also offer cooperation with
University independent Buddhist study programs by request when
developed.
3.
* Media and Class Outreach Development- develop
- to develop a successful online support discussion list- [2003-2013]
presently serving over 700 worldwide members in an effort to help
support their training practice and/or introduce them to this
practice.
- Online 7-day retreats taught to persons all over the world will occur
now monthly, offering close access to teachers. [2005- 2013]
-Outreach classes share the meditation training in nearby towns and
cities [2011-2013 May – October] and eventually to be held yearround.
-Ven. Bhante Vimalaramsi and Ven. Sister Khema have crossed the
United States several times to network with other Dhamma centers in
the USA and reached even further out to the world!
- Outreach development includes development of new technologies
to teach Dhamma including but not limited to SKYPE, I-POD
broadcasting, Online Retreats, Support Group online Training,
personal coaching by email, and Website teaching programs.
- Development of onsite Publishing of flyers, pamphlets, books and
research papers.
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4.
*
5.
*A Buddhist studies and research development center -researching
-Develop Audio and Video mediums that will offer many
Dhamma talks online. [2004-2013 D. Johnson Media Development]
-Matching transcripts appear for various talks and materials are
partial translations appear now in up to 9 languages.
-Further books, community leader and teacher programs are being
developed.
Basic Buddhist Meditation instructions, expressly hoping to evolve
into a small extension Buddhist University (Anathapindika's Park
Complex) in connection with a Sri Lankan University to offer lay
persons and monastics, future certificate, diploma and degree
programs in covering various approached to the study of
Buddhism; this will happen through satellite affiliation with
overseas University programs in Buddhist Studies, ethics, counseling,
etc. and most likely originating through Sri Lanka if DSMC can be
networked into an offsite location. This has been suggested by and is
supported by several guest scholar monks over several Rains Retreats
at the center. [Expressly we hope to develop such a relationship
with SIBA to fulfill this aspect of development]
6.
*A nature conservation project including, bird, animal and bat
sanctuary development, *public park gardens and woodland paths for
walking contemplation; year-to-year these are all slowly being
constructed and maintenance is continued.
Phase Two
Compassionate Service Work Development:
7.
*Dhamma English Language training for foreign Monks/Nuns who wish
to have continual exposure to English and to learn to teach Buddhist
Meditation and the Suttas in English with explanations and exercise
drills. [ 2004-2013
8.
*A compassionate service program, including an area on the land
specifically built for physically challenged persons including returning
Veterans or other persons with mobility issues. Create a place in the
country for short or extended retreats, support training along with their
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personal support companions if needed [In 2007 a disability cabin was
donated for this express purpose].
Phase Three
This phase concerns the later development of an “Alternative Eco-Conscious
Co-Housing Community” to evolve adjacent to the Monastery and Meditation
Center Project. There is no assumed timeframe for this. This needs a
creative manager and action thinker to arrive with preferable experience in
property management who believes in this concept and can bring this dream to
reality! <grin> [ In time, this person will show up.]
9.
*
An Eco-conscious co-housing development project for single and
family persons wishing to live in an environment where Meditation is a
mainstay of the community and residents work together in support of
each other's personal goals; one day this will include a home schooling
system; summer meditators can opt to set up a small cabin in this area
along side an open pasture where deer and other wildlife can be
observed. This is in the early sketch stages of planning now. *- (An
additional 52 acres have been purchased in 2009 and a portion of this
land will likely be used for this project to begin until 2012.
10. Cottage Industry to support the village location:
Such an industry development plan would consist of a small individual
cottage industry projects that would create a means of support for
incoming residents such as sub-contracting and making carved wood and
paper products; pottery goods, online work such as book indexing or
auction sales; spinning and weaving. Other forms of work could be
encouraged as well (Satellite connection with good DSL speed is present
at this time and speed can increase with more residents on site)
11. Alternative Healing investigation area will help to network within the
community area.
The goal is to Create an Alternative Healing investigation center
Such a center would make available to people in the surrounding
communities various information in one location so they can come in to
do personal research into such things as Tai Chi, Reiki, Reflexology,
Color, Light, Sound, Stone and Aromatic Oil Therapies, and so forth.
Nothing is for sale here. This strictly concerns supplying basic
information for personal investigation and is a no touch experience. The
concept is to offer books on various subjects and make available an area
for study of that subject. Occasionally invite expert Teachers to come
in and share their knowledge. Concept Under development. [ So far this
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is not a priority for development yet]
12. Create a First response team to assist any nearby area disasters.
Such a team would be composed of members living at the center to be
trained in first response for Natural disaster emergences. The team will
respond to cases of a mass emergency of any kind in cooperation with
other community agencies in the case of floods, storms, fires, tornados
or other such contingencies. (this is a future plan for future residents).
13. Build a Community Hospice program.
This would offer an alternative for any ageing Buddhist monks, nuns, or
lay persons to live in the surrounding mountain area with a volunteer
support staff and facility so people do not have to move far from their
families to use hospice services…(this is a future plan and may happen
on the adjacent property where the co-housing will be).
This is a pioneering effort. Some of the early monastic participants turned
their lives over to the Dhamma in the traditional way by giving service to
others. It is difficult to find Westerners who truly are willing to give up their
lives and to build such a place today. But we declare that, “if we build it,
they will come.” And many have come.
The evolution of this project continues each year entirely based on donations
from all over the world. Over 3-4000 students worldwide are estimated in
support of the project in various ways at this time. Those personally involved
with it so far, come from many diverse backgrounds.
Progress for the Center
over the past 13 years,
2005 – purchased initial 30 acres of land, sites cleared, and building has
gone on for first cabin. Power was been brought onto the property!
2005 and 2006 Tour of the United States North, East, South and West to
visit many other Dhamma locations. Included some fund raising for the new
location by donations.
2005- donations were given for three cabins with more planned. Two wells
are operational. A bathhouse building was constructed in the meditation
center area.
2005-2013 Began the Joshua Tree Retreats to end after 8 retreats in 2013
on this location.
2005-2006- Two foreign monks trained in the center for a Rains retreat
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period to practice English, study suttas, and Dhamma talk training.
Bhante gave a retreat in New York at Chuang Yen Monastery.
2006- Made Trip to Japan for nominational tour of Ven. Vimalaramsi to
represent USA to World Buddhist Council Conferences.
2007- Construction began on the new kitchen/ Dining hall/All-purpose
building with a beautiful surrounding porch planned for completion of the
building.
2008- Continued construction in the monastics area and meditation center
area
2008- Trip to Japan for Dedication of the Royal Grand Hall of Buddhism and
Inauguration of position for United States of America announced at the 5th
World Buddhist Conference.
2008- Formally announced the Buddhist American Forest Tradition and the
teaching of TWIM practice found in the texts at the 5th WBC Conference in
Japan
2009- Media Directior, David Johnson moved to center to increase media
work for Dhamma.
2009- 2012- Teaching in Germany, Indonesia, South Korea began and
continues.
2009- Sister Khema began teaching in California
2010- Many Pali books donated for the future Library research work. In the
fall,the new Library was opened for the Rains Retreat.
2011- Sister Khema taught two retreats in Indonesia.
A wonderful large box garden was built and planted by a student from the
Canary islands.
2 nuns visited the center through Rains Retreat to study suttas and
meditation.
A full Tipitika in Pali and in English was donated to us from 2 students in
England.
2011-A blessing ceremony took place for the kitchen/dining hall building in
Spring.
2012-The outside cement porch for the Kitchen building was completed in
and outside eating tables were installed.
2012- Bhante Vimalaramsi gave retreats and several talks in Indonesia and
South Korea again. The group in Indonesia bought land for building a new
center dedicated to TWIM.
2012-New Landscaping was done with special donations on the upper
Meditation center area to develop a Buddha garden area and in the
monastic area.
- A guest building was put up for visiting monks in the monastic area. A
nun’s building with an office was completed.
-Sister Khema taught in Houston, Texas for five days.
-Sister Khema visited Sri Lanka as a intern lecturer, gave talks, and studied.
-New trees were planted by donation along the entrance driveway.
-A new tractor was donated to assist land maintenance.
-The internal road system was upgraded making the upper walking areas so
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smooth a wheelchair can be used.
-A Gazebo was donated for a new sitting area in the monastics area.
-A group retreat came into the center this summer accompanying one of our
own student teachers from Minnesota and was very successful for 6 people.
-Backdoor steps, and the herb garden at the back of the kitchen building
were completed by Vesak Day in 2012.
2013- MAY dedication ceremony for the Meditation Hall!
- Buddha Butterfly Garden construction began with stone paths.
-Two ridge-tops are now cleared for possible memorial shrine locations [
donated energy and equipment to complete this].
-Five online retreats took place monitored by Sis. Khema.
Sister Khema had surgery on her knee in Singapore and was supported by
students while there.
- Requests came in for Bhante to return to S. Korea, Indonesia, Bangladesh,
and Malaysia.
-Sister Khema taught in Columbus, Ohio for five days.
- New stone walking paths were completed in the monastics area to help
when the rains come [2013].
PUBLISHING REPORT Update
-The “Moving Dhamma” now has two volumes completed.
-“Breath of Love” book was published and transcribed for online availability
as an Ebook also. This was a new edition of “the Anapanasati Sutta: A
practical Guide for Breathing Meditation” including a gloassary, and
instructions for Metta (Brahma Viharas), Walking Meditation, and
Forgiveness Meditation.
-A collection of suttas called the Barebones Series was planned and begun
with commentaries by Bhante Vimalaramsi in support of the TWIM practice.
This will include 68 suttas.
-Sister Khema is working on a collection of articles and also Dhamma topics
referenced in the suttas in support of the TWIM approach to meditation for
readers.
We have now decided to publish through Ebooks primarily and by donation
for other publishing. Other new books are in the works too.
Financial Notes:
Monthly support is slowly increasing and funds are now being directed
towards general operations.
New Projects going on now and in planning stages:
1. A New bath house is under constructions for the Monastics area below.
This will include a separate laundry area.
2. A new larger bath house building is being planned for the Meditation
center.
3. Landscaping to improve drainage on some of the roads is planned for
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2014.
4. Further new construction of 2 more yogi training cabins will happen in
the monastic area.
5. 10 adjoining acres that have been partially cleared and reserved for an
eventual Women’s area compound specifically sited on nearly level forest
land with a short easy walk to the Dining Hall by a lighted path through the
forest. That’s the plan. This land site will have a ground breaking ceremony
most likely in 2014. 8-10 Kutis will be spread out within a safe area
surrounded by forest with one single main hall for meeting, teaching, and
welcoming lay people for blessings which will be central for that location.
The site will include a well, bath house with laundry, and combined power
system.
Presently we are just beginning to look for support donations to complete
this project. Contact [email protected]
Raw materials such as rock, stone, sand, water, and wood are usually available
for building on the land.
FINAL NOTE:
People from far and wide around the globe are taking interest now. Many seek
the center out because they found out we go back to the original way of
presenting Buddhism. We begin with Dana-Sila-Bhavana which is the basic
teaching of all forms of pure generosity to open the heart. Then advice is for
good operational morality by teaching the precepts. Then we begin the
retraining of mind. By doing this, we are returning to the idea a person must
first be prepared before moving into successful meditation. This approach is
working.
After the initial training we then move on into Sila-Bhavana-Panna. These three
remind us about the continual importance of morality in support of our
completion of the path with full understanding and wisdom. These three steps
are what we hear about mostly today without emphasis on the first three. But
if we skip the exercise of the first three, this is skipping the original
preparation period and, in our experience, this kind logically explains why the
progress described in the early texts does not happen in most cases today.
Certainly, if some of it does happen, it isn’t happening within the same rate of
time as described in the texts. This seems to be part of a modern “slippage”.
Using TWIM, people worldwide are glad to get back to basics with good results.
They learn something they can use at home. What has been found does not
belong to anybody. It comes from the master teacher,: The Buddha. This is a
part of the Buddha Dhamma which needs to be shared freely with every
schoolchild and tradition and become included inside their own training where
it will help people find relief from suffering in this century.
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Being able to take Buddhism home with a clear understanding and objective,
and using it all the time is what can change this world. People begin to realize
the value of PEACE. Anyone can use this practice to become happier in life to
some degree. That is why it is becoming so successful.
All you have to do is let go, use it, include the relax step and the smile where
it should be and then feel the relief happening. Let’s all make the Buddha
Dhamma totally secure for future generations. Help us to bring Buddhism
HOME. Please consider joining us on this adventure at some level.
We are also looking for persons wishing to serve as advisory board members
who can help us think through creative new solutions to meet our goals. There
is no legal responsibility involved with volunteering for the advisory board. This
is a voluntary think tank position. We want to hear your suggestions. You
don’t have to be from Missouri to be on this board. You can be from anywhere
in the world. In fact, even if you are not on the board, you can ask to be placed
on the think tank list so we can ask you occasionally for advice to carry forth
new ideas to happen in a field you may have expertise in!
Please join with us to revive this wonderful meditation practice that moved so
many towards peace in the time of the Buddha. This practice is still alive and
well today. The center is reaching out for further donations and participation
this year as we move forward worldwide. We are seeking new alliances to
support the work done at DSMC. We need your help for everyday continuation
of this Dhamma work.
Transcription and Translation Volunteers have cropped up all over the world
(U.S., Canada, Poland, England, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Spain,
Russia, the Netherlands and most recently, Bangledesh, Vietnam, South Korea
Indonesia AND Rumania. ) sorry if I left anyone out!
Help us to build a strong Buddhist World Peace Center everyone can gain from.
If you wish to help please contact us.
May you all reach Nibbana quickly and easily in this very lifetime! And may
your smiles shine and brighten up people’s days!
Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi, Abbot
Ven. Sister Khema, Secretary and UIBDS Chairman
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center and Anathapindika’s Park Complex
8218 County Road 204, Annapolis, MO 63620
Center Tel: 573-546-1214
Mobile:
573-664-6606