MARCH 2005 UPDATE
Dear Friends,
Venerable Chodron and the Vajrasattva retreatants are in silence for a few more weeks yet, so this March Abbey update is again coming from the Friends of Sravasti Abbey board of directors.
Flora and Aida model the new Sravasti Abbey T-shirts
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The Abbey has been very quiet as everyone goes deeper with Vajrasattva. Venerable Chodron continues her retreat in the little cabin at the foot of the garden, coming to the house for meals. The Vajrasattva retreatants spend most of their time in the meditation hall, completing six meditation sessions each day. They also engage in daily housekeeping chores, take walks in the Abbey's beautiful forests, and study Dharma topics. The practice community - which includes Susan in the kitchen and Nerea as sometime Spanish translator and chief support person - lives harmoniously as they each pursue a common intention to transform their minds through practicing the Dharma.
It's amazing to reflect on how the Abbey has developed in so short a time. A year ago, the little garden cabin was still chilly and dank with plastic covering the cracked windows. Today, Venerable Chodron is snug; meditating in what has become a well-insulated, warm, and cozy retreat cabin. A year ago, the log structure in front of the house was an empty two-car garage. Today, that building is a beautiful meditation hall filled with the presence of the Dharma. This time last year, the downstairs bedrooms and sitting room were under construction. Now, five of the women on retreat sleep there and everyone enjoys the tea room, tape library, and sitting area. All of this has come about through the dedication and generosity of countless individuals from all parts of the world. We can rejoice that so much positive effort has come together to create excellent conditions for this Vajrasattva retreat.
The retreat ends with a closing ceremony on April 1, and the Abbey will re-open immediately with a full schedule of Dharma activity. Venerable Chodron heads to Smith College in Massachusetts April 7 - 10 for a conference on "Women Practicing Buddhism: American Experiences." Then she begins a schedule of teachings with stops in Boston, Cambridge, Phoenix, San Francisco, and San Jose before returning to the Abbey in late April. You'll find schedule details at www.thubtenchodron.org/Activities/activities.html.
The Dharmic seeds Venerable has planted continue to ripen, even when she is on retreat. Snow Lion Publications (www.snowlionpub.com) has just released her newest book, "How to Free Your Mind: Tara the Liberator." Writing about the book, Venerable Tenzin Palmo says, "With her usual clarity Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron skillfully weaves the practice and theory of Arya Tara together with the Lam-rim path, to provide a fascinating and very helpful guide for those interested in the Tara practice."
Meanwhile, back at the Abbey, the gardens will need attention as soon as Nanc comes out of retreat, so bring your trowel and plan to volunteer some spring time at the Abbey if you can. No need to wait for a formal work party. If you come in the last week of April, you'll be able to meet Eric Vogel, the architect who is developing the Abbey's master building plan. It's a thrill to listen-and sometimes participate-as Venerable outlines her vision and Eric offers ideas for manifesting it. For information about visiting and volunteering service, go to Visiting and Calendar pages on this site.
Finally, we want to thank all of you who responded so generously to our request to fund the development of the master plan. Quite a few of you have also become monthly donors, which is so helpful for stabilizing the Abbey's support. And for all of you-donors, volunteers, and well wishers-may the positive motivation that inspires your enthusiasm for Sravasti Abbey bring you happiness on every level and contribute to peace in our world.
Thank you so much,
Friends of Sravasti Abbey board of directors
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