Birken in Vancouver - October 25-30, 2012

[Birken Forest Monastery]

Week of Events in the Lower Mainland
October 25 - 30, 2012

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to inform you that Ajahn Sona will be visiting Vancouver from October 25-30, 2012, for a second annual week of events in the lower mainland.  As was the case last year, Ajahn Sona will be based at Baldwin House for the week and will also give an evening Dhamma talk on Oct. 25 and lead a Day Retreat on Oct. 27.  There will be a mini-Kathina on Sun. Oct. 28 – a small almsgiving ceremony where lay supporters will have an opportunity to express their gratitude and support for monastics through meritorious acts of generosity (monetary and/or material donations to the monastery).  This week of events will enable friends and newcomers in the Metro Vancouver area to take part in dana offerings and share in the Dhamma without the four-hour drive to the monastery! 

DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Events at Baldwin House:

Daily Schedule: Thursday, October 25 – Tuesday, October 30
Location:  Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby, V5E 2T2 (see map)
7:00 – 8:00 am  Breakfast Potluck
9:00 – 10:00 am  Sitting Meditation
11:00 am  Main Meal Potluck (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn to follow)
4:00 pm  Tea Time (Question & Answer with Ajahn)
7:30 – 8:30 pm  Evening Chanting and Sitting Meditation

**A note on the informal events at Baldwin House:
~ You are welcome to participate in any of the breakfast or main meal potluck offerings (if you plan to be present for the meal, please bring some food to share with the group).  You are also invited to take part in any of the morning or evening meditation sessions, as well as tea times, to be led by Ajahn Sona.
~Address: 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby, V5E 2T2 (Please see PDF map to Baldwin House attached below; Google Maps provides transit schedules for those who wish to travel by bus.)
~ Parking at Baldwin House: The public parking lot is located on the east side of Deer Lake (next to Sperling Ave.).  Please note that the City of Burnaby closes the gates at 9pm.  Limited street parking is also available on Sperling Ave.

Other Events:

Thursday, October 25 – Evening Dhamma Talk at Van Dusen Botanical Garden
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Floral Hall Pavilion, VanDusen Botanical Garden 5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.), Vancouver, B.C., V6M 4H1

Saturday, October 27 – One-Day Meditation Retreat at UBC Asian Centre
Time:  9:00am – 4:00 pm (see schedule attached below)
Location: Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, UBC Point Grey Campus, Vancouver
Please note:
~  In the time-honoured tradition of offering food to the Sangha, a family  of Birken supporters has generously offered to provide lunch to all monastics and retreatants at this day retreat.
~ Chairs will be provided at the venue.  If you prefer to sit on the floor,  please kindly bring your own sitting gear (meditation mat and cushion/bench).

Sunday, October 28 – Mini-Kathina Ceremony – Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex
Time: 10:00am – 1:30 pm
Location: #110 – 16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey, B.C., V4N 0E9
9:30 am   Assemble at Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex
10:00 am   Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Sona
11:00 am   Food Offering (Midday Meal Potluck – please bring a dish to share)
12:30 – 1:30 pm  Kathina Offerings

No registration or fee is required for any of these events.  Donations are welcome.
Contact: medi...@birken.ca   

We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver!

Birken Forest Monastery (‘Sitavana’)
http://birken.ca | medi...@birken.ca
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