| JULY 2004 UPDATE
Dear Friends,
Sravasti Abbey's open house and consecration on Sunday, June 13 was joyous. The week before, several people came from Seattle, Atlanta, and elsewhere to help us prepare, and it was one of the nicest and most harmonious preparations for a large event I've experienced in all my years of working in Dharma centers. It alternatively hailed, rained and sunshined on the date of the consecration, so we decided to have the ceremony inside. People were given tours of the house, garden, and land. I spoke about the history and vision of the abbey, and then Khensur Rinpoche did a consecration. About 50 people attended, many of whom we met for the first time, and all were enthusiastic about the abbey being here.
Our Buddha image arrived from Madison two days before Khensur Rinpoche's visit. The UPS man had heard the heavy crate contained a Buddha statue and was excited to learn about it. He even stayed to help us open the crate and carry the statue in the house, and he asked us to send him pictures of it after it was blessed! After the open house on Sunday evening, we set out all the statues and paintings to be blessed. Sitting there with Khensur Rinpoche, we were surrounded by Buddhas and bodhisattvas. It was one of those magical, special moments, when you feel the preciousness of both this life and our opportunity to practice the Dharma.
Monday we filled the large Buddha statue as well as several other statues that belonged to people in
the Coeur d'Alene Dharma group. Filling statues is hard work! For many months people from all over the Northwest had been 'rolling mantras,' that is, rolling into cylinders long sheets of paper with various mantras written on them. These, together with incense and precious objects that people offered, were then packed tightly into the statue. Many of the prisoners I correspond with sent things dear to them to put in the statue. This was especially touching because these people have very few possessions and yet, with great devotion to the Three Jewels, they made offerings.
Tuesday was the actual consecration of the abbey and land, as well as of the statues and paintings.
Khensur Rinpoche (with Dan Black in the background)
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Khensur Rinpoche did a special consecration of the land, hailed by Jan and Jigme blowing the conch as Khensur Rinpoche and the rest of us went to the upper meadow. There, we "caught" the reflection of the property in a mirror, invoked the Buddhas and bodhisattvas, made offerings and so forth, and then sent the reflection back to the property. Khensur Rinpoche climbed into our '77 truck for this last part, and we drove him around the property. He kept saying how beautiful the land and house are and how much potential there is here for the abbey and the monastic community. He was very enthusiastic and encouraging regarding the development of the monastic community at the Abbey.
Monday and Tuesday evenings Rinpoche taught in Coeur d'Alene. Barbara, Susan, Alice, Tracy and the rest of the Dharma group there did an excellent job organizing the teachings, which were well attended. Rinpoche taught on the three principal aspects of the path and Jhampa Shaneman (who was with me when we first found the abbey property last August) translated.
In addition to all those who helped us prepare for the FOSA meeting in May and for consecration in JuneHelen Ann, Kevin, Rebecca, Jan, Mel, Jigme, Nerea, Tom, and Miles, Dave, and Ordelwe've had several other visitors this monthDan, Lillian, Yeshe, Jigme, Deb, and Renee.
Construction has begun to transform the garage into a meditation hall. There's now a hole for the new footings, a pile of dirt, and no roof. Yippee! We're on our way!
Planning for the Vajrasattva retreat Jan. 5 April 1, 2005 is going well. If you're interested in attending, please see the info on the web or contact
at Kevin@jmco.com. If you would like to support the retreatants by offering, food, finances, or service (cooking), let Kevin know.
M'Tae is compiling the materials from the Friends of Sravasti Abbey board and volunteer meeting earlier this month. We hope to make portions of this available to you before too long. The board also delineated several new, creative volunteer opportunities. Twice a month, we do puja, prayers, and dedication for all our supporters. At each puja, the names of the donors from the previous two weeks are read out, so that everyone at the Abbey feels a personal connection to all of you who help us. This month FOSA Singapore sent colorful cards with donors'names, which we hung around the altar.
Many new photos are on the website (hyperlinks are included in this email).
Yours in the Dharma,
Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
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