Fwd: News from Viimutti Buddhist Monastery

[Buddhist Society Auckland University]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Vimutti Buddhist Monastery <vimutt...@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 11:20 PM
Subject: News from Viimutti Buddhist Monastery
To:

 

 

 

"In the world, inclusive of its gods, substance is seen in what is insubstantial. Beings are tied to their psycho-physical existence, and so they think there is some substance, some reality in them. But whatever be the phenomenon through which they seek their identity, it turns out to be transitory and untrue, for what lasts for a moment is deceptive. That which is not deceptive is Nibbana: this is what people of worth know as being real. With this insight into reality their hunger ends: cessation, total calm."

The Buddha

Sn 756-758  

 

News from Vimutti Buddhist Monastery

 

The Community

A new monastic resident, Venerable Mudito, arrived November 21 and plans to stay at the monastery for an extended period of time. He is originally from Brazil and has been living as a monk in Thailand for the last six years. We wish him well in his endeavor to attain Nibbana. We are indebted to Khun Nacha and Khun Somkiet for arranging his ticket and expediting his visa, together with the help of our secretary Mike.

 

From November 20-28 Vimutti hosted its first long retreat, with 40 people attending. Ajahn Chandako's teachings focused on the Gradual Training, a comprehensive set of guidelines for overcoming ignorance. We could not have accomplished the retreat without the help of our three wonderful managers: Maree, Sunil and Dayananda. They worked hard to ensure that the retreat went smoothly for the benefit of others. The other hero of the retreat was Khun Nacha. She and her family and friends provided first quality Thai food for nearly every day of the retreat. Auntie Benita, undaunted by her 80 years, provided a nutritional breakfast each day. Sadhu to our president! Rosalind and Mike did a great job with the registration. Commencing with a Maori land blessing ceremony by an elder of the local Tainui tribe, the week of intensive meditation encouraged a bit more peace in the world. Seeing the valley full of people of all ages putting their heart into meditation and having them make a connection with the land gave rise to much pleasant feeling.

 

New Year's Eve

Everyone is invited to join us on New Year's Eve for our annual tribute to non-wild and crazy ways to celebrate the illusion of conventional passing of so-called time. We are allowed to indulge in the elated joy of clarity and the radical behavior of changing our perceptions. Meditation will begin at 8:00pm, followed by Dhamma VDOs, a Dhamma talk, the Great Vow ceremony, paritta chanting at midnight and the post-midnight feast. This is also a good opportunity to bring something special to put in the stupa.

Where: the Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Road, Mt Wellington

 

The Vimutti Stupa

 

Enshrining Personal Items

We have now extended the time for people to offer personal items to be included in the base of the stupa until January. So far we have received a wonderful array of items and personal messages. Thinking about what to include has been an opportunity for people to contemplate their lives, their loved ones and what is truly meaningful to them. We have received many touching bits of people's lives, alive with much history and sentimental value.

 

It is an extremely rare opportunity to be able to enshrine something personal in a stupa. The intention to include an object that has special relevance and meaning makes a kammic connection between your stream of consciousness and the relics. If it is done with the proper intention and devotional motivation, it will reduce the number and severity of any obstacles to practicing the Dhamma and increase the likelihood of you coming in contact with the teachings of the Buddha in future lifetimes. When you visit and circumambulate the completed stupa you will know that part of your life is enshrined there as well.

 

It is best if the items are not larger than a rugby ball. For example: ashes of loved ones, photos, special stones, earth from sacred sites, crystals, gems, greenstone, jewelry, artifacts, stone carvings, items which have a powerful symbolic value, or cards written with your individual aspirations or hopes for our planet. Another recommended item is Kiwiana: symbols and souvenirs of New Zealand… koru art, glass kiwi coasters, a carved kiwi bird, a rugby ball, a sheep doll, etc.

 

You can bring items to Vimutti Monastery or to the Auckland Buddhist Vihara, and the Sangha will look after them until the ceremony of placing them inside the base.

 

For the complete details, background and architectural sketches, please see

The Vimutti Stupa

 

ATBA Annual General Meeting

 

On Sunday, November 14, the ATBA held its Annual General Meeting at the Auckland Buddhist Vihara. The committee welcomed two new members, Chintaka Samaranayake and Victor Keo.

Spiritual Director's address

by Ajahn Chandako  

This year marked the 7^th rains retreat that the Sangha has been resident at Vimutti Monastery, and although in the Ultimate Dhamma there is no going forward, backward or staying still, on the conventional level the past year has brought some major steps forward for both the monastery and the ATBA.

 

Meditation Hall

Just over a year ago we built a simple and beautiful meditation hall and celebrated its opening with a large ceremony and gathering. This hall is a temporary structure, but it made it possible to hold our first residential retreat with Luang Por Sumedho, with over 50 people attending. In a week’s time we are planning to hold our first 9-day residential meditation retreat there.

 

Visiting Sangha

In the past year we have been honoured to host many leading members of our Sangha from around the world. In addition to Luang Por Sumedho, Ajahns Amaro, Sucitto, Vajiro, Chandapalo, Kalyano, Chandasiri, Khemasiri, and Jutindharo all came to spend time at our monastery.

 

ATBA Constitution

We accomplished a major revision of the ATBA constitution to reflect the current situation of having a monastery with a residential community; a constitution that is closer to the guidelines outlined in the Vinaya; and one which is easily comprehensible by the average person. This was a very important step. Without the revisions made, both the Sangha and supporters were hesitant to continue investing time, work and donations in the monastery due of lack of security. Now we have a constitution that can adequately protect the Sangha, ATBA members and supporters from further afield.  

 

Official Branch Monastery

In December of last year at the World Abbots Meeting held in Thailand, we completed the process leading to Vimutti Monastery’s acceptance as an official branch monastery of the Luang Por Chah tradition.

 

Stupa

In the last year we began and refined plans for building a Stupa. Before the recent rains retreat, construction plans were nearing completion. Earthworks and actual construction are set to begin in January.

Shortly after New Year's, 2010 we held a large land blessing ceremony on the stupa site led by Luang Por Sumedho and attended by dozens of monks and nuns from all different Buddhist traditions.

 

Other Building Projects

In addition to these larger projects we completed another kuti dwelling and numerous smaller building improvements: a pavilion overlooking the valley, two covered porches, a composting toilet, a bell tower, a bridge and clotheslines.

 

Land Purchases and Landscaping

We were able to expand the boundaries of the monastery with two important land purchases. These were essential for the long-term viability of the monastery as well as for protecting the environment and generally increasing the aesthetic beautification of the land. One pond has been created on the new land and two walking tracks were made on old land. Once again we planted over 1000 trees, bringing the grand total to 7902 that have been planed in the last six years. Those people who remember how the property looked 7 years ago understand the amazing transformation the land has undergone.

 

Long-term Vision

In former times, people generally had a more long-term vision and concern for future generations. We see this for example in old stone buildings that have outlasted modern homes and the great foresight of the visionaries of the 19^th century who planned many major cities, parks and botanical gardens. They were not merely concerned about themselves and their lifetime but wanted to create something that would be of service for generations to come. I have tried to approach the development at Vimutti in a similar way, with the idea of making it viable as a forest monastery for as long as possible into the future.

With this in mind, the first priority has been to secure a suitable environment. This requires guaranteeing seclusion, relative quietude, a thriving natural environment and a buffer zone from suburban development. Without these, it is difficult to find Sangha members who wish to come here to practice meditation. It is for this reason that land purchases have been of such great importance.

 

Without the land purchases we have already made, the original 72 acre monastery might have been viable for 20-30 years. After that, there would likely be a tipping point when the impact of the neighbouring development would significantly compromise the monastery. Investing a great amount of time and money into a project with the prospect of only short term viability seemed hardly worth the effort.

 

Another benefit of the land purchases is that according to district planning laws, having over 100 acres qualifies us to have a second ‘house’ with accompanying outbuildings. With only the original 72 acres, we would have been much more limited in the possibilities of our development.

Of all of our positive steps forward in recent years, I feel that the land purchases have been the most important. This will be instrumental in preserving the healthy functioning of the monastery and establishing the Dhamma in New Zealand.

 

Risks

With all of these positive developments happening at Vimutti we also need to be aware of the realistic risks to the monastery. First, as already mentioned, is housing development on neighbouring land. Since the monastery land was purchased, five new houses have already been built on properties adjoining the monastery. Vimutti is only a 45 minute drive from downtown Auckland, so suburban development could predictably swallow up and surround the monastery before very long.

 

The land purchases we have made have already prevented one house from being built close to our border, but still we could potentially have one built next to the stupa site or one overlooking the back of the property.

 

Five times neighbouring land has been available to purchase at a reasonable price, but because of hesitations the opportunities were lost. This led to the houses being built overlooking the front of the monastery, and potentially more in the back. In the end, it will cost the ATBA more money should these parcels be available in the future.

What then is the solution to save the monastery from development? One of the most helpful outcomes would be if members of our community would buy the land next to the monastery and move there. That way we could be relatively assured of neighbours who would respect the atmosphere and tranquillity of Vimutti. Already there are opportunities for renting and maybe buying houses next to the monastery. If you are interested in this possibility, please contact us.

 

A second potential risk to the monastery is some form of severe economic hardship that would make it difficult for people to visit Vimutti from Auckland. This possibility gave rise to the idea of Sambodhi Eco-Village on part of the recently purchased land. This would be a small community of 8-10 people who wished to live a semi-monastic or meditative lifestyle while still retaining significant independence. It would in effect create a Buddhist village that mirrored the traditional symbiotic relationship between a monastery and a local community that is typical of Asia. Sambodhi could potentially be a lifeboat for the people fortunate enough to live there as the land is fertile and suitable for sustainable living. The village would ensure nearby support for the monastic community as well as being an example to the wider society of how human beings can live in a sane and harmonious way.

 

Conclusion

I feel satisfied that Vimutti Monastery has been developing in a consistently positive direction and is fulfilling a service to people who wish to practice the Buddha Dhamma in a wide variety of ways. We continue to have an excellent and enthusiastic community. As long as there are people benefiting from the Dhamma practice at the ATBA, I will be honoured to assist in whatever way I can. What is wonderful about our monastic and lay community is that we are not doing all of this merely for our own benefit, but are motivated to create something that is larger and more meaningful than all of us put together, to create the opportunity for people to support, practice and cultivate peace in the world and wisdom that goes beyond the world. This is truly beneficial.  

  

Upcoming Meditation Retreats

  

Day of Peace

Saturday, December 18, 8:30 am-4:00 pm

Taught by Ajahn Chandako

 

This is a valuable opportunity for beginners and experienced meditators alike. This full day of meditation instruction is an excellent way to keep up with your dedication to inner peace. Meditation is a vital skill for developing calm and insight on the path to enlightenment. It has also been shown to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system and keep the left prefrontal cortex from deteriorating with age. It is a practical way to recharge your batteries and to train mindful awareness for integration into daily life. It is good to bring loose fitting clothing, a sun hat and some food for a shared lunch.

 

Held at: Vimutti Buddhist Monastery, Bombay

Registration: no need to register beforehand

 

Dana

All retreats and teachings held at Vimutti Buddhist Monastery are offered on a ‘dana’ basis. Dana is Pali for ‘generosity’. Offering teachings freely is a vital principle to uphold. This system of mutual generosity means that there are no registration fees: no charge for the facilities, the food, the management, caretaking, accommodation or the teaching. To engage wisely with a system of dana means that instead of an attitude of paying for goods and services, a retreatant makes good kamma (merit or punna) by donating whatever amount feels right: neither too much nor too little. The natural result of generosity is an internal brightness and joy that creates a wholesome and fertile mental environment for developing meditation.

 

Need a Ride to the monastery?

If you are looking for a ride to Vimutti Monastery, you can post your request on our ride sharing calendar. If you are planning to drive to the monastery and have room for another person, check the calendar to see if someone needs a ride.

Click here to see the carpooling calendar

 

Free Firewood

Free pine firewood is available from the monastery land for anyone who would like to have it. Some is already prepared but most would need to be cut with a chainsaw.

 

 

Upcoming Events

For Vimutti Buddhist Monastery and the Auckland Buddhist Vihara

 

Click on these links to find out more: 
Good Kamma Day, Open Day, Day of Peace

    

Saturday, December 18, 8:30am-4:00pm 

Day of Peace, a one-day meditation workshop with Ajahn Chandako
Vimutti Buddhist Monastery, Bombay

Sunday, December 19, 10:30 am 

Open Day, with Ajahn Chandako

An opportunity to meet the ATBA community

The Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Rd., Mt. Wellington

 

December 31, 8:00 pm—after midnight

New Year's Eve Celebration with Ajahn Chandako
The Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Rd., Mt. Wellington

Bring in the New Year with meditation, clarity, community, Dhamma talks, paritta chanting and the ceremony of vows.

  

Every Sunday 10:00-11:00am (except Open Day)
Chi Kung lessons with Venerable Chang Shean
The Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Rd., Mt. Wellington
This meditation in movement is an outstanding way to relieve stress, balance energy and develop mindfulness. 
Sister Chang Shean is a Taiwanese Bhikkhuni who offers these lessons freely on a donation basis. All proceeds go to the ATBA.

Every Sunday 3:00-4:30pm
Dhamma School
The Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Rd., Mt. Wellington
Give your children a good start in life with the ATBA Dhamma School. Available for any child or teenager from the ages of 5-18.  Contact Benita 09 520-1392 Every Sunday, 7:30 pm

Meditation, chanting and listening to a Dhamma talk

The Auckland Buddhist Vihara, 29 Harris Rd., Mt. Wellington

 

Useful items to donate to the Monastery

 

Large plastic storage boxes

Plumbing skills 

Old carpet to use for weed matting

 

Anumodana

We rejoice in the good kamma made by the following people:

 

Steve for mowing

Dayananda for managing the retreat

Sunil for managing the retreat

Maree for managing the retreat

Nacha for supplying most of the food for the retreat, offering Ven. Mudito's plane fare and organising his visa

Rosalind, Benita, Sumana, Nuk and Bruno for helping with the retreat

Vinitha for two mattresses and sewing a cover

Philip, Priscilla and Edward for helping with the recent land purchase

Beth for a stupa donation

John for offering chairs for the Vihara

  

 

By the power of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, 
may these offerings be a cause for you to realize 
the freedom and peace of Nibbana.

 

Download the ATBA Chanting

Evening Chanting 
The Buddha's Words on Loving-kindness, the Metta Sutta

 

 

Basic Introduction to Buddhism

 For a simple, straightforward and easy to read introduction to the teachings of the Buddha, click on the following link 

What is Buddhism?

 

Carpooling

To make it easier for people to visit the monastery and to reduce your carbon footprint, we have now set up a ridesharing system. If you would like to come to Vimutti but do not have a vehicle, or you would like to share a ride and petrol costs with others, please have a look at the carpooling page of our website. Both people looking for a ride and people who wish to offer a ride can post information on the site. Ridesharing is environmentally friendly, economical and brings people together.

 

Click here to see the carpooling calendar

 

 

 

Definition

Vimutti: [Pali] Release, liberation, emancipation; freedom from the fabrications and conventions of the mind. The suttas distinguish between two kinds of liberation.  Liberation through wisdom (pañña-vimutti) describes the fully enlightened mind of a Buddha or an Arahant. Liberation through awareness (ceto-vimutti) is used to describe either the unbounded but temporary liberation of mind in deep samadhi (jhana) or the supramundane state of samadhi in the completely purified mind of a Buddha or an Arahant.

 

Visit our Website

For complete information on Vimutti Buddhist Monastery and the ATBA, including maps, please see our website

www.vimutti.org.nz

 

We wish you all much benefit and happiness from practicing meditation and leading a good life.