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    NOVEMBER 2003 UPDATE

    Dear Friends,

    It's been two weeks since I moved into the Abbey, and it's been wonderful. People from Boise, Seattle, Missoula, and Coeur d'Alene came for our first work party on the move-in weekend. The house didn't even have a cup or a spoon, and people's generosity in donating household items has been wonderful. The kitchen is almost complete due to your kindness. We had a lot of fun working together during the work party and shared a touching dedication that Nanc led at the end. More work parties are being planned.

    The Autumn Forest

    The house is warm and comfy. Walking in the woods and meadow is healthy. I've met some of the neighbors and people in the local town of Newport. As in all small towns, news went ahead that a Buddhist nun had moved in. People have been very friendly, and I'm learning about the forest and wildlife from them. The former owners, the Unruhs, have been up to visit twice, and I hope they stay involved with the Abbey. It feels as if they built the house and cared for the land with so much love for the 22 years they lived here in preparation for us to have an abbey.

    Alice and Tracy Take Refuge

    Many people have asked, “What the next step?” Over the winter, we will begin remodeling the garage into a meditation hall. Finishing the first floor of the house so we'll have one or two more bedrooms, a sitting room, and another bathroom will follow. Then there's winterizing the small log cabin to be a retreat place. Spring will see lots of work in the garden, and we will have a Welcome Day for all our supporters as well as local Buddhists in the Spring of 2004.

    Of course, all this is a collective dependent arising, depending on funds as well as volunteers offering their construction, plumbing, and electrical skills. Those of you on our snail mail list will receive a letter soon; those of you who aren't will want to check www.sravastiabbey.org for ways to contribute. Everyone's generosity is greatly appreciated – we have monthly payments (mortgage, insurance, taxes) of almost $2100 and need to purchase materials for the above remodeling projects.

    The resident community will grow slowly, to facilitate a common vision and harmony in practice. One woman has already applied to begin training in preparation for ordination, and I'm corresponding with some monastics and lay followers who are also interested.

    Friends of Sravasti Abbey, a group of lay followers who wish to support and help the Abbey, is up and running. Their dedicated and joyous help is a great help as we together contribute to the flourishing of the Dharma. If you're interested in joining them, please see “Get Involved” on the website.

    A tremendous outpouring of enthusiasm followed our announcement that Sravasti Abbey has a home. Here are some examples:

    From Tsenzhap Serkong Rinpoche:

    Well done, Well done I know you will do it. Also I already told my teacher about that. He asked me to give his best wishes and prayer to you and members of Abbey. Soon I will send you a poem for the Abbey, it will take time because I have to ask Alex (Berzin) to translate it.

    From Bets, Seattle:

    Fantastic! Thanks so much to you, Ven. Chodron, for having the vision and for giving us the opportunity to help bring the Abbey to fruition. I so look forward to the day when you're joined by other monastics at that beautiful place where you can practice the pure Dharma and continue to benefit countless beings.

    We had a little celebration at DFF tonight, reciting the “King of Prayers” with our hearts filled with joy and aspirations that all who visit, see, or even hear about the Abbey quickly realize all the stages of the bodhisattva path, and rejoicing at all the work of so many people that has come together to help make it a reality.

    From Ulric, Portland:

    These are exciting times and I can hardly keep still out of joy. I watch abbey news the way most people watch CNN or Fox news: glued to the internet waiting for new info! Will there be any grand weapons of mass compassion striking the Pacific Northwest anytime soon? Stay tuned to Sravastiabbey.org! I am sure all the bodhisattvas and Buddhas are rejoicing with us as the Dharma wheel begins a new round in the West.

    From Gunaratna, an inmate in Ohio:

    I am dedicating 1,000,000 Tara mantras and daily Tara prayers for the success of Sravasti Abbey and the spread of Buddha's pure teachings in the West and in our world.

    From Mary Ann Jones, the Sellers' realtor:

    Chodron, it has certainly been our pleasure to help you with this purchase. I don't know when I have had a more pleasant experience. You are one of he kindest persons I have ever met…May this property be a real blessing to you and your group. Thanks many times over.

    And, in October, I attended the Ninth Annual Monastic Conference in California. These Western and Asian monastic friends and colleagues from a variety of Buddhist traditions eagerly looked at the photos of the Abbey. They oooo-ed and ahhhh-ed and rejoiced in the birth of Sravasti Abbey. They also shared their advice and experience in everything from getting building permits from the County to training new monastics. Their support is much appreciated, and I hope in the future, Sravasti Abbey will be able to host one of these monastic conferences.

    New photos are on the website. Check them out!

    May wisdom and compassion always be in your hearts,

    Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

 
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