What's New
(updated January 11, 2012)
Ayya Santacitta Bhikkhuni has been selected for the award, Outstanding Woman in Buddhism. She will go to Thailand to receive this award in person at the end of February. She is being honored for her contribution to the global empowerment of Theravada Buddhist women. Congratulations Ayya Santacitta!
Greetings to All from the Ayyas and Saranaloka
Read two end-of-the-year letters: from Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta offering thanks and a recap of the year; from Saranaloka Board President, Jill Boone, outlining a vision and practical issues for the bhikkhunis' community.
Zen Monk Visits Aloka Vihara
Zen monk and Vietnam veteran, Venerable Claude AnShin Thomas, and Wiebke KenShin Andersen visited Aloka Vihara on December 9th. Listen to the Dhamma talk given by Ven Thomas, titled 'Ending the Inner War' and please visit the website for Zaltho Foundation, founded by him.
Ongoing Bay Area Monastic Evenings with the Ayyas
Plan to join Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta for a monastic evening every 3rd Friday of the month in 2012 at IMC (Insight Meditation Center, Redwood City). There will be traditional Theravadan chanting from the Aloka Vihara chanting book, guided meditation, and sharing Dhamma from the heart. 7-9PM.
pdf with more information; print and share
'Nuns Sharing Dhamma" Sunday Evening Sittings
Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta are offering an evening of meditation, Dhamma reflection and dialogue on the 3rd Sunday of every month in 2012 at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave, Berkeley 94703 (map). 5:30-6:30PM: tea and conversation, 7-9PM: meditation, Dhamma reflection and dialogue.
pdf with more information; print and share
New Chanting Book Published
Our new chanting book is now available for download on our website. You can also read along while listening to some of the chants here or plan to come to our chanting workshops. We offer heartfelt thanks to Dennis Crean and others for the production of this publication.
After the Ordination Update & a Big Thank-You!
Take a minute to read this most recent letter (November 9th) from the Saranaloka Board that includes quotes from many attendees from the ordination, updates on upcoming retreats and a look at what to expect in 2012.
Hear Ordination Reflections & Talks
At the ordination of Ayya Anandabodhi, Ayya Santacitta and Ayya Nimmala on October 17th, there were many talks and reflections offered. Listen to them here as either streaming audio or download.
New Video of the Ordination
Here is a beautiful new 7-minute video of the ordination of Ayyas Anandabodhi, Santacitta and Nimmala. Many thanks to Ed Ritger and Mel Zeki for capturing the spirit of the day.
Sign our Ordination Guestbook!
Send your well-wishes to the two new bhikkhunis, Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta, who took ordination on October 17th. You can also read messages by others. Ordination Guestbook
Meet Our Advisors to Saranaloka Foundation
A group of esteemed individuals have come together in support of the vision of Saranaloka. meet them here
Read an Open Letter from the Nuns - August 30th
Only a few more weeks to go before our bhikkhuni ordination and we are well underway with preparations…. read more
A New Chapter for Aloka Vihara Nuns and Lay Community
May 7, 2011 marked an auspicious new chapter for the Aloka Vihara. Forty supporters gathered to celebrate the sisters' intention to take full bhikkhuni ordination on October 17 of this year and to then begin to create a training monastery for women in the Theravadan Buddhist tradition. read more and see photos
The Dhamma of Sustainability
Sister Santussika made a return visit to Aloka Vihara recently and offered an excellent talk on the state of our planet. listen here
Letter from Board of Directors:
Shifting Sands In San Francisco
The Sisters of the Aloka Vihara have just returned from England where they have taken official leave of the monastic community there in order to pursue bhikkhuni ordination, which is not offered in the Thai Forest lineage. Read an open letter from the Saranaloka Board which details the way forward and also announces the new Advisory Board for the Saranaloka Foundation.
Visit from a Tibetan Sister
Sister Chimey Lhatso visited Aloka Vihara for six weeks last fall. We enjoyed spending time with a good friend from the Karma Kagyu tradition. You can listen to a Dhamma talk by Sister Chimey Lhatso here.
Aloka Vihara Nuns Express Intention for Bhikkhuni Ordination
The nuns write: "The ready availability in the U.S. of bhikkhuni ordination offers us a new platform for the establishment of a training monastery for women. Taking all these things into consideration, we have come to the decision to move towards taking bhikkhuni ordination to provide a stronger container to pass on to other women." read more
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi Visited Aloka Vihara
On November 5th, 2010, we were blessed with a visit from Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi and friends at Aloka Vihara. Offering his time and energy to share the Dhamma, Bhikkhu Bodhi received many people for tea and discussion and shared glimpses of his vision of the unfolding of Buddhism in this postmodern age. We regret that the talk is not available for use on the internet.
The donations given that evening were for the benefit of Buddhist Global Relief and we are proud to let you know that our community offered over $500 to support this noble and worthy charity.
The mission of Buddhist Global Relief is to provide relief to the poor and needy throughout the world regardless of nationality, ethnicity, gender, or religion. All donations offered at Aloka Vihara on November 5th will go to support Buddhist Global Relief.
Ajahn Candasiri's Autumn Visit to Aloka Vihara
In October 2010, we were happy to receive Ajahn Candasiri at Aloka Vihara for a few days' visit. She met with our supporters for tea and gave a Dhamma reflection which you can find on our Visiting Teachers web page. Our board members also had an opportunity to speak with Ajahn Candasiri about our project, exchanging ideas and possibilities. Before leaving, Ajahn Candasiri accompanied Ajahn Anandabodhi on our weekly alms round. We hope this is the first of many visits.
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