First night and day back in the forest ღ

[Tathālokā Bhikkhunī]

Dear friends,

yesterday evening, after 2 and 1/2 weeks away due to wildfire evacuations, we were finally able to return and "repopulate" the kutis are at our Aranya Bodhi Awakening Forest Hermitage with bhikkhunīs, sāmaṇerin and anāgārikās. Photos are from the moon today at 3am and sunrise at 7:30am from the back deck at Freedom Kuti, my place of retreat abiding.

I would also like to share with you -

This Sept 5th is a special day for me and a very special day for our good friend Anāgārikā Dhammavarā (Dee Carcieri).

For me, this Sept 5th is the silver 25-year anniversary of my receiving Sāmanerī ordination. Back then, having been a white-robed anāgārikā and ten-precept renunciate already for nearly ten years by that time, that was a big thing in my life! I'm glad to have "gone the extra mile" and made that effort. And this Sept 5th, I have the opportunity to pass on these blessings.

Anāgārikā Dhammavarā was introduced to Buddhism in college, lived for several years at lay meditation centers, and entered the life of a white-robed anāgārikā with Dhammadharini two years ago in September of 2018. This Sept 5th, she too aspires to undertake the Pabbajjā (the "Going Forth" to the Sangha) with the Sāmanerī precepts. As a teacher and preceptor now, I have the honor and blessings to support her in doing so, gladly, hopefully, here at our hermitage. More soon - from September 5th, and about our upcoming International Bhikkhuni Day live virtual Sangha Gathering coming up two weeks from now on September 19th, to which you are warmly invited. I also want to say one more time: thank you for all of your love, blessings and support during this extraordinary time. And for your practice of the Dhamma. With much mettā and muditā,

Ayya Tathālokā under the moon and stars and tall standing redwoods

in the Awakening Forest