69 photos
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2021: A Year in Review
110 photos
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Fire Prevention and Forest Work
14 photos
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Thai New Year 2021
17 photos
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2020 Kathina
30 photos
Each year since the time of the Buddha, at the end of the three-month Rains Retreat, the lay communities near Theravada Buddhist monasteries have gathered to celebrate the completion of the retreat and offer to the monastic community gifts of cloth and supplies that will be useful for the coming year. The cloth is cut, sewn and dyed by the monks that same day to make a robe to offer to a member of the monastic Sangha. This 2,500-year-old tradition is still carried on here in the West, initiated by a lay supporter or group of supporters who request to organize the preparation and formal offerings. It’s a significant and joyful occasion that’s emblematic of the richness of the relationship between lay people and monastics, a relationship characterized by deep bonds of friendship and commitment to mutual support. All year round, the monastery functions solely on offerings from the lay community.
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Painting Casa Serena (After Photos)
14 photos
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From Novice to Monk
25 photos
“Bhikkhus, I allow you three robes: a double-layer outer robe, a single-thickness upper robe, and a single-thickness lower robe.” - Mahavagga (VIII.13.4-8) In accordance with standards set in Thailand, a candidate for monkhood at Abhayagiri must sew and dye a set of three robes, which will comprise most of his wardrobe until it wears out and must be replaced. This “triple set”consists of the sabong - a lower robe worn daily around the waist; the jiworn - an outer robe covering the whole body; and the sanghati - a double-layered robe folded up and worn over the shoulder during formal occasions. With very little experience sewing or dyeing, novice monk Dhammavaro had six weeks to complete this undertaking before his ordination ceremony in May 2020.
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Painting Casa Serena
16 photos
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Winter to Spring
17 photos
Bright flowers, green grass, and big clouds. Spring returns.
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Winter Retreat 2020
45 photos
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New Year's Day 2020
16 photos
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2019 Kathina
46 photos