Sangha Milestones & the First Rains - Halfway through the Vassa

Tathālokā Bhikkhunī Oct 7

Dear friends,

We returned from the Tipitaka Chanting in Berkeley to the first rains here in the coastal forest at Aranya Bodhi. The golden, orange and red pine needles and leaves of autumn are now swept clean by the rains and the winds that came afterwards, the forest shining clean green in golden evening light on the coastal mountains.  With this past new moon, we entered into the second half of the three months (moons) of our Vassa.

This past new moon was a special and wonderful one.  As you may know, Ayya Sobhana, Bhikkhuni Dhira, Samaneri Niyyanika and i traveled to Mangalam Centers in Berkeley for the 3rd International Tipitaka Chanting. Some old friends may remember that nearly 10 years ago in 2007, i joined the Chanting for its second year in Bodhgaya at the site of the Buddha's enlightenment. This was a profound experience for me. But due to health, i've not returned since. Meanwhile, the Chanting has both continued and has been spreading around the world, and to my great joy, came three years ago to our own neighborhood - to Berkeley. :)

Now in the third year here in Northern California, we began with a Silent Peace Walk through Berkeley {see here} and then gathered in the beautiful main hall of the Mangalam Research Center of Buddhist Languages.

3rd International Tipitaka Chanting at Mangalam Centers in Berkeley Sept 29-Oct 1, 2016 (image courtesy of Berkeleyside)

In all these past years, the Chanting has been led by male monastic teachers of various countries where Theravada Buddhism has long been established: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia... Then, last year, we had an International group lead in Berkeley, with Ven Bhikkhu Bodhi and myself together with Ven Sumitta Thero from Sri Lanka.  People commented and remarked it was historical (in modern times) to have Western leaders, and to have a bhikkhuni leader. It was mentioned that the Councils which chanted and preserved the Early Buddhist teachings were led all by bhikkhus, with no record of any bhikkhunis' participation or leadership. So, some said that my participation then was unique to Buddhist history.  

This year also, something unique and special happened. Even from last year, i heard a number of people, including some organizers, suggest that it would be nice to have a session led entirely by the bhikkhunis.  This year, i was invited again to lead (rather than co-lead) the International Chanting session on the morning of the New Moon. However, i do not yet have my new bifocals, and can no longer see text clearly.

The idea came to mind to invite Ayya Sobhana to lead in the Bhavana Society style, with bhikkhunis as her co-leading team. She was amiable.  The Bhavana Society Forest Monastery was the first international Theravada Buddhist monastery in North America, and developed a simple, beautiful and easy-to-follow chanting style. Ayya Sobhana has had skill with this chanting developed over the past 30 years, as the Bhavana chanting itself developed. In fact, she served as editor for the most recent edition of the Bhavana Vandana Chanting Book not long before coming to Dhammadharini's Aranya Bodhi Hermitage six years ago.

So, this year, i had the unique honor to introduce a group of six bhikkhunis to lead on behalf of the International Sangha {watch/listen}.  Ayya Santacitta from Austria led the preliminary Invocation of the Devas. Supported by her, Bhikkhuni Chanda from Sri Lanka, Bhikkhuni Dhira from Germany, Bhikkhuni Punnacitta from Thailand and Ayya Anandabodhi from Wales, Ayya Sobhana--from that far away country of Iowa, USA--led the Chanting. Bhikkhunis from Myanmar, Vietnam and the Pacific Northwest (that's me) also joined in, together with all the assembled bhikkhus, upasakas and upasikas. Afterwards, Ayya Anandabodhi gave a truly wonderful and excellent explication of the sutta.

Later, we received a wonderful, kind & encouraging New Moon teaching from Loung Por Jutindharo, the president of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA. Afterwards, well-gladdened, our international group of bhikkhunis went to recite the Bhikkhuni Patimokkha. Bhikkhuni Sobhanacitta from Thailand, who has memorized the entire text, offered the recitation, and all of us much appreciated our sisterhood together in Dhamma -- the sense of Sangha as a real and deep treasure.

The next morning, with the faintest sign of the new moon in the sky, the Chanting complete, we departed Berkeley, and had alms round at Oakland's Little Saigon Market, before returning north to Aranya Bodhi, as the first rain showers began to fall -- like a blessing from the devas.

Returning here undertaking the second half of the Vassa, the heart-lights of love of the Dhamma and love of the Sangha shine strongly in their beauty at heart. I share the blessings with all living beings ~ 

Ayya Tathaloka

I​nternational Monastic Sangha gathered for Tipitaka Recitation at Mangalam Centers in Berkeley

Bhikkhunis in front row: r->l Bhikkhuni Chanda from Sri Lanka, Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni from Wales (and Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery in Placerville CA), Santacitta Bhikkhuni from Austria (and Aloka Vihara), Bhikkhuni Uttama from Burma, Bhikkhuni Susila from Vietnam, Tathaloka Theri, Sobhana Theri, Bhikkhuni Dhira and Samaneri Niyyanika from Dhammadharini (missing in photo 3 bhikkhunis from Thailand)​

The Ubhato Sangha (Dual Sangha) of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis Chant​​ers

The Buddha's Fourfold Community on its 2600-year Anniversary 
Gathered to Chant the Teachings

Ayya Sobhana Theri, Bhikkhuni Dhira and Bhikkhuni Punnacitta leading the International Group Chanting

Ayya Anandabodhi Bhikkhuni Expounding the Sutta at the Conclusion of the Chanting

Ayya T smiling sitting together with bhikkhunis' community amidst the Chanting assembly