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1 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.” 2 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 3 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 4 “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. 5 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. 6 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 7 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. 8 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] 9 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. 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 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. 16 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