Dhammadharini

We are looking forward to our upcoming New Moon Uposatha program Saturday March 13th. This week's talk will be offered by Ayya Khema's disciple Dhamma & Meditation teacher Leigh Brasington. Leigh will speak about "Dependent Origination." Leigh has been a good friend in Dhamma to our community throughout this winter retreat, facilitating our practice with video talks of Ayya Khema, and occasionally speaking with us by zoom. We very much appreciate Leigh's willingness to offe...r this for our community! Our Uposatha program will have two parts: Refuges & Precepts in the morning and Meditation & Dhamma Sharing in the evening (California time). You are welcome to join for one or both parts. This Uposatha, for Refuges & Precepts, will be offered by our venerable Ayya Sucitta, from the Dhammadharini Monastery This Saturday March 13th Uposatha Programs: 8:30am: Join Ven. Sucitta Theri to undertake the Three Refuges and the Uposatha Eight Precepts. 7pm-8:30pm: Join Leigh Brasington for meditation, Dhamma talk, and Dhamma discussion.

Watch Magha* Full Moon Sangha Day Livestream with our Bhikkhuni Teachers - Refuges & Precepts with Ven. Ayya Sudhamma Theri at Charlotte Buddhist Vihara: https://youtu.be/d1sOkjlfKlU?t=507 Meditation & Dhamma with Ven. Ayya Tathlok Theri at Aranya Bodhi forest hermitage: https://youtu.be/dakmMWVATXw?t=1231 ... *Magha Purnima/ Magha Puja / Navam Poya / Sangha Day #maghapuja #navampoya #SanghaDay

GETTING FREE! "Getting free of the prison of 'self' - by seeing causation" - Registration is now open for this retreat led by Bhikkhuni teacher Ven. (Ayya) Sobhana Theri from March 30 - April 4, 2021. This is an "at home" retreat, hosted by Southern Dharma Retreat Center.... Ayya Sobhana will be completing 3 months of winter retreat with Dhammadharini on March 28th and begin leading the "Getting Free" retreat on March 30th. Registration: https://southerndharma.secure.retreat.guru//at-home-retr/ Retreat Description: https://southerndharma.secure.retreat.guru//at-home-retr/ Dependent Origination is what the Buddha came to understand when he awakened. That understanding permanently erased all the defilements and brought an end to rebirth. He very often pointed to Dependent Origination as the essence of his teaching. But for many students and seekers, the description of Dependent Origination in the early texts is almost impossible to understand. Ayya Sobhana will make this rich set of teachings more accessible as a new way to understand daily life, and a set of themes for contemplation. Ayya Sobhana’s approach is in line with the mainstream of Theravada Buddhism, informed by Western science and philosophy. The retreat will include lectures based on the early Suttas, guided meditation, and discussion. She will leave you with a set of readings to practice with on your own. About the teacher: https://southerndharma.secure.retreat.guru//ayya-sobhana/ Ayya Sobhana is a Harvard graduate and trained with master Dhamma and meditation teacher Bhante Henepola Gunaratana for 25 years. Her primary practice is the Eightfold Noble Path, that is, integration of meditation with ethical living and compassionate relationships for the sake of liberation. She went forth into monastic life as a Samaneri in 2003 and obtained full Bhikkhuni ordination at Dambulla, Sri Lanka in 2006. In 2010 Ayya Sobhana moved from the Bhavana Society of West Virginia to Aranya Bodhi Awakening Forest Hermitage. Aranya Bodhi is a private redwood forest preserve and retreat for Buddhist monastic women on the Sonoma Coast of Northern California. In 2016 she was appointed Vice Abbess of Dhammadharini, offering teaching and training at both Aranya Bodhi and the bhikkhuni community’s new Dhammadharini Monastery in the Sonoma Mountain area of Penngrove, California, north of San Francisco. She teaches around the Bay Area, and on both coasts of the US, offering retreats at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Southern Dharma Retreat Center, and in the next months at Buddhist Insights of New York and Cloud Mountain Retreat Center. Her primary practice is the Eightfold Noble Pathintegration of meditation with ethical living and compassionate relationships for the sake of liberation.

Mudit!!! as we enter #womenshistorymonth - Happy 18th Bhikkhuni Upasampada Full Ordination Anniversary to Ven. Sudhamma Theri, Thai Bhikkhunis' Ven. Dhammananda Theri, and Mahapajapati Monastery's Ven. Gunasari Theri -- fully ordained in Sri Lanka at Mt. Lavinia Tapodharama on 28th February 2003. Ayya Sudhamma made history as the first American* woman ordained in Sri Lanka in the Theravada tradition, likewise Thai Ayya Dhammananda as the first Thai woman, and Ayya Gun...asari and Ayya Saccavadi as the first Burmese** women ordained in Sri Lanka. **Another Burmese woman had ordained as a Bhikkhuni prior to this in America in 1988: the late Ven. Guruma Daw Gunawati who passed away in 2019; and *other Americans such as Ayya Tathlok, who received bhikkhuni ordination in USA together with women from Sri Lankan and Nepal in 1997. Learn more about these brave, groundbreaking Buddhist women here: The photos here were generously shared by Ven. Sudhamma during Dhammadharini's Sanghamitta Day program on Dec 26th 2020: https://youtu.be/KFlzQDZypUM?t=6042 Ayya Sudhamma also wrote about her experience of Bhikkhuni Ordination in "A Radiance of Nuns" here: https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/article/a-radiance-of-nuns/ . Ven./Loung Mae Dhammananda Theri has also often spoken and written about her path to Bhikkhuni ordination. Your can learn more about Ven. Ayya Gunasari Theri here: https://www.mahapajapati.com/ayya-gunasri.html The former Ayya Saccavadi (now Sacca Bricker) also wrote about her Bhikkhuni ordination experience here (with photos): http://www.americamyanmar.net//BhikkhuniOrdinationHeirIInh

Sunday Dhamma Talk from Ven. Ayya Suvijjana Theri at Heartwood Refuge & Retreat Center - The gift of Dhamma is the highest gift

March 8th 2021 United National International Women's Day Outstanding Women in Buddhism Awards 20TH ANNIVERSARY Hosted for the first time in the west by Heartwood Refuge & Retreat Center. Warm welcome all dear Venerables and Dhamma friends - Registration: https://heartwoodrefuge.org/retreats/1172/... California time PDT 6am New York time EDT 9am Germany time 3pm / 15:00 Sri Lanka time 7:30pm / 19:30 Thai time 9pm / 21:00 Taiwan time 10pm / 22:00 #internationalwomensday #InternationalWomensMonth #internationalwomensday2021 #HerStoryOurStory #womeninbuddhism

From our most most recent class of bhikkhun thers: our Dhamma sister, Ven. Bhikkhun Phalañn Ther, fully ordained in 2010 at Dhammadharini's Aranya Bodhi forest hermitage, now abbess and teacher of Anenja Vihara Bhikkhuni Arama in Germany - ..... from publisher Buddhika Sanjeewa: "This is the World’s First International Bhikkhunis Magazine & Website especially for all Buddhist Nuns in the world. Also, this is the Sri Lanka's Most Popular & Leading Monthly International B...uddhist Magazine, Bhikkhunis on November 2020 Edition - 02. Bhikkhunis International Buddhist Magazine has been successfully distributed to 40 countries in the world so far. Frequently, I distribute to the world’s high & main Buddhist Temples, International Buddhist organizations, the world’s famous Buddhist Monks (Masters) & Nuns (Bhikkhunis) selected worldwide High Commissions & Embassies. Also, especially distributing overseas during International Buddhist Conferences & Forums. Now, I have 02 International Buddhist Magazines & 02 International Buddhist Websites, named Mettavalokanaya & Bhikkhunis. My all Buddhist magazines and websites will distribute free of charge worldwide, not for sale. You can download & read our all Magazines via online. Please visit our web pages as follows. 01 - Bhikkhunis International Buddhist Magazine - November 2020 - Edition - 02.... https://bhikkhunis.com/bhikkhunis-international-buddhist-/ 02 - Bhikkhunis Official Buddhist Website.... https://bhikkhunis.com/ Thank you very much for visiting my magazines. Blessing with metta..!! Buddhika Sanjeewa Founder / Chairman / Chief Editor Bhikkhunis & Mettavalokanaya International Buddhist Magazines& Websites" See more

Last Call: End of our Kathina Season - Last Call for Kathina Giving with our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha Dear Dhamma friends, tonight is the Eve of the Full Moon here in Northern California, and at dawn tomorrow, this year's Kathina Season comes to an end for our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha. If you would still like to make a Kathina donation and have it included in the Kathina Sangha Dana, there are approximately 12 hours remaining from the posting time of this message.... Donations may be made via this page: https://www.dhammadharini.net/support Please remember to mark your gift for "Kathina" and fill in any dedication and special purpose for your gift. A Kathina Wish List of useful Sangha requisite gifts is here: https://docs.google.com//17w-agb4Oqujl280PKYFNgSUxBp/edit Thank you so much and "Anumodana!!" to everyone near and far who has joined together with this year's Kathina robe cloth donors in offering Kathina Sangha Dana in support of our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha. Note: this year is a lunar leap year* and thus there were two options (one a lunar month later than the other) for Vassa and Kathina for our worldwide Theravada monastic community. Due to this, some other monastic communities--particularly of Burmese, Vietnamese, and some South Asian Theravada traditions--will be completing their Vassa today. They will start their Kathina Seasons with this coming Halloween Blue Moon beginning at dawn on Oct 31st. So, you will still have opportunities to make Kathina offerings to them for one more month, starting at dawn on the 31st (California time = PDT-Pacific Daylight Time). With gratitude for everyone's kindness, generosity and support, May every good blessing of the Buddha-dhamma and Sangha be with you! * https://www.timeanddate.com/date/buddhist-leap-year.html. ....photo credits.... sunset photo thanks to Ven. Phap Anh: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=3713103975413099&set=pcb.3713104792079684 photo of the almost full moon from Linda Spadaro thanks to Lauren Whitney: https://www.facebook.com//a.138456366220/3559488780783696/ photo of Dhammadharini founding teacher Ven. Bhikkhuni Tathlok Mahatheri from her FB page.

So much appreciating all your good works supporting the revival of our Bhikkhuni Sangha in it's homeland of India Alliance for Bhikkhunis, Ayya Yeshe and Bodhicitta Foundation. Anumodana Sadhu!!

Welcome to "tune in for a dose of hope and inspiration" from Thai Bhikkhunis Ven. Dhammananda Theri and friend Cindy Rasicot

Congratulations to Kathina robe recipient Venerable Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni, the Bhikkhuni Sangha and all our Dhamma kin at Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery for Spreading the Kathina early this morning October 26th! Sadhu...Sadhu...Saaaaadhu...Anumodama!!! ... Photos thanks to Ayya @Niyynik Bhikkhun!

Dear venerables and friends of our Dhammadharini Bhikkhunis' community, please note that our monastic community is preemptively evacuating from our monastery on Sunday morning thru Tuesday, to avoid being in the direct path of the predicted high wind storms and high fire danger. We are going north to a COVID-safe vihara in Redwood Valley out of the path of the most severe storm danger. We wish all well and safe in our local area, and all being well, hope to return to our monastery and hermitage after the storm on Wednesday. "Dhammadharini Sangha care for upcoming wind event Sun-Tue": https://groups.google.com/g/dhammadharini/c/wtk-UtJpNws

Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina 2020 with Kathina Civara Dana Robe Offering led by Tharangee & Manuka of the Jayakody Family with friend Dunilka Rathanayake on Saturday October 17th at Dhammadharini Sonomagiri Bhikkhuni Arama (Dhammadharini Monastery) in Penngrove California. This year with Coronavirus pandemic, for everyone's safety and well-being, our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina was very small and personal with only the families and very close friends of ...our principal Kathina donors present in person with our Bhikkhuni Sangha for the Kathina robe cloth offering. However, for the first time, we offered around 350 people the opportunity to join in our Kathina live via Zoom and Youtube Livestream, including a 12 hour Dhamma Talk and Meditation Marathon with breaks for "Kathina Cam" during the cutting, sewing and dyeing of the Kathina robe by our Venerable Bhikkhuni Sangha. We would like to express our joyful appreciation to all of our Kathina donors and participants, especially our Tharangee, Manuka and Dunilka and Families, together with the members of our Dhammadharini Support Foundation and Inspiring Generosity Committee, and the Venerable Bhikkhuni Sangha of Dhammadharini who observed the Vassa this year at Dhammadharini Monastery and Aranya Bodhi Hermitage together with Venerable Bhikkhunis from Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery in the Sierra foothills who joined us from across the state to complete the Bhikkhuni quorum for Kathina Civara Dana Sanghakamma, offer great Dhamma teachings, and help us complete the sewing and dyeing of the Kathina Robe of Merit by dawn the next day per Vinaya. Anumodana - Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!!! - to all participants! Note: it is still possible to participate and make a Kathina offering up till October 30th, in person or via Zoom. Here's info: https://www.dhammadharini.net//kathina-in-person-%252526-z Photos here are thanks to the photography dana of Don Danushka Jayakody, Nekkhamma Upasika Patipada and Anagarika Thavira - thank you!

Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina Dhamma Talk Marathon Saturday Oct 17th Live via Zoom and Youtube Livestream Kathina Ceremony 2020 | Dhammadharini Monastery Registration & Info: https://www.dhammadharini.net//dhammadharini-bhikkhuni-san... Making Kathina Offerings from Oct 18th thru Oct 30th: https://www.dhammadharini.net//kathina-in-person-%25252526 -- Dhamma Talk Marathon Schedule -- 10:30am* Ven. Sucinta Mahatheri: Dhamma for Challenging Times 1:45pm* Ven. Suvijjana Theri: Reflecting on the Nature of Things & Letting Go 2:45pm* Ven. Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni Dhamma for Challenging Times 3:45pm* Ven. Ahimsa and Ven. Niyyanika Bhikkhuni Tending to the State of Mind 4:45pm* Ven. Sobhana Theri Dhamma Discussion: Leading a Way of Life That Helps Us Enter Deep Meditation 6:30pm* Ven. Tathaloka Mahatheri Freedom from the Three Fires - For Our Liberation followed by Meditation until the Kathina robe is complete *California time = PDT = Pacific Daylight Time (all times are approximate) | Welcome to join for all or any part. Registration & Info: https://www.dhammadharini.net//dhammadharini-bhikkhuni-san

Warm welcome to our Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina Ceremony 2020 | Dhammadharini Monastery Sat Oct 17th (California time)! Yes, you can join live via Zoom or Youtube . Registration/Info: https://www.dhammadharini.net//dhammadharini-bhikkhuni-san

We welcome all of our Dhamma friends to join our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina Sangha Gathering Offering the Robe of Merit online Saturday October 17th! It will be a full day to beautifully celebrate community and generosity, with activities including: MORNING| Offering of Cloth to the Bhikkhuni Sangha AFTERNOON | Dhamma Talk Marathon during Sewing & Dyeing of the Kathina Robe... EVENING | Meditation, followed by Spreading the Kathina, celebrating and Blessing Chanting when the robe is complete TIME | (approximately) 9am to 8pm Pacific Daylight Time = California time (join for all or part). REGISTER to receive more details and participate in the event. We will send a more detailed program schedule by mid-week. Please register here for the online event! https://www.dhammadharini.net//dhammadharini-bhikkhuni-san The Zoom link and password will be sent by email, 24 hours before the event. Everyone is also welcome to watch the event on our YouTube Livestream. To make a Sangha Dana Offering and join in the joy of Kathina Giving during this auspicious season, please see our Top Five Kathina Giving List (below). For more ideas and giving opportunities, see our Kathina Wish List and other ways you can Support our Bhikkhunis . KATHINA SANGHA DANA Top Five Kathina Giving List We welcome all contributions towards these projects. Overall Whole Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha Support #1 - Basic Essentials: Lodgings, Medical, Food Monastic Medical Fund $5-10K Mortgage and Food +$500/month (one time offering or recurring donation pledge) at Dhammadharini Monastery #2 - Dana Sala pavilion $35K ($10K already offered) #3 - New shed/workshop $6K at Aranya Bodhi Hermitage #4 - Tree-work fund $300 (protecting roadways/ cabins) #5 - Heaters for 2 cabin kutis $500 each Please register here for the online event! https://www.dhammadharini.net//dhammadharini-bhikkhuni-san Would you like to make a Kathina offering in person or by Zoom? Dhammadharini is keeping strict COVID protocols, and unfortunately we cannot welcome the wider community to join us, in person, on the day of Kathina. However, per the traditions, once the Kathina robe has been offered, all offerings made for the remainder of the Kathina Season partake in the merits of the Kathina. There are two ways that friends can make a more personal offering to the Bhikkhunis during the remainder of the Kathina Season - which continues up till the full moon October 30th: 1. Schedule a time to visit the monastery (outdoors only, one household at a time, with masks and maintaining social distance from the monastics). 2. Schedule a time for a short Zoom session with a Bhikkhuni to make a virtual offering. By mid-week, we will be posting more information on how to schedule your offering. With Dhamma joy, -The Dhammadharini Community"

We are happy to announce that our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha has completed their Vassa and Pavarana! --Welcome to Bhikkhuni Sangha Kathina Oct 17th-- Read the full news here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/dhammadharini

Bhikkhuni Sangha Founding Anniversary full Bhikkhuni Upasampada ordination of Ven. Dhammadipa Bhikkhuni at Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery in the Sierra foothills Northern California, with our Dhammadharini co-teacher venerable Bhikkhuni Pavattini-Upajjhaya Sobhana Theri as preceptor. Congratulations from all of our Dhammadharini bhikkhunis' community to new Bhikkhuni Ven. Dhammadipa, and to the ordaining Venerable Bhikkhuni Sangha and Bhikkhu Sangha. Photos here are our favorites from the whole album newly published by Aloka Vihara here. Thank you Aloka Vihara for sharing these beautiful photos! https://photos.app.goo.gl/NYaj99a9NHXf9bxVA #internationalbhikkhuniday - 2020

Commemoration of International Bhikkhuni Day at Suññat Bhikkhun rma - Ni Vin Viên Không in Vietnam led by Venerable Bhikkhuni Preceptor and Teacher Ayye Viditadhamma Theri. #internationalbhikkhuniday Sadhu! Sadhu! Lành thay!