Kathina 2014 photos

The Santi Nun’s community (ever so growing …!) likes to share the happy memories of a very beautiful robe-offering ceremony after completing the Vassa in Santi Forest Monastery.

Once again thank you for your outstanding support during Vassa and also at “Kathina” here.

Kathina 2014 – Click here for more photos

Kathina

This saturday the 26th of October is Santi’s Kathina Ceremony. Everyone is welcome!

Schedule for Kathina

9.00–9.30	Arrivals
9.40–10.40	Orientation Didgeridoo + Welcome to Country
10.40	Lunch Preparations Alms Round
1.00	Katina Ceremony Talk by Nuns about meaning of Katina Blessing Chanting Kathina Offering Requisite Offering Thanks and Gratitude to Supporters
2:30	Tour Around Santi

Vassa 2014

Santi Forest Monastery is preparing for Vassa, the annual Rains Retreat.

During this period the community will focus on meditation practice. We will be giving up idle chatter, using computers, email and telephones, unnecessary duties and errands that take us out of the monastery.

By avoiding these causes of attraction or aversion that grab our attention and unbalance the mind, we can open ourselves to the possibility of stilling inner chatter and developing deep silence. Only through cultivating a calm mind, can we experience a deeper understanding and ultimately release from Samsara.

Vassa starts 12th June

Vassa ends 8th October

Katina ceremony 26th October

During Vassa, Santi will continue to accept meal dana. If you wish to offer dana, please either:

• send an email to santioffice@gmail.com,


• go on line to http://ift.tt/1rfdG9q and fill in the Dana Form or


• leave a phone message. (We may not be answering the phone but messages will be checked daily.)

However, during Vassa the accommodation office with be closed and we will be unable to accept guests. Bookings will open again in the first week of October.

This year there are 5 nuns, 1 monk, 5 lay women and 3 lay men staying for the whole of the 3 months Retreat.

• Bhikkhuni Nirodha, Co-Abbot of Dhammasara Nuns Monastery in Western Australian, took Bhikkhuni ordination at Dhammasara in 2009.


• Venerable Adhimutta first ordained in Thailand as a Mae Chee in 2005 (at Wat Ram Poeng with Ajahn Suphan), subsequently going forth as a Samaneri at Santi Forest Monastery in 2008 and then as a Bhikkhuni at Aranya Bodhi in 2010 (with Ayya Tathaaloka Theri as Pavatini).


• Bhante Nandiya is a Kiwi Monk. He ordained as a Novice at Santi Forest Monastery in 2011, and as a Bhikkhu at Bodhinyana Monastery in 2013. He has done a great deal of work on the Sutta Central website.


• Ayya Esika, born in Bowral, first ordained as a Sayalay (10 – precept nun) in Burma in 2007 and is spending her first Vassa at Santi.


• Samaneri Patacara , born in Switzerland, took samaneri ordination at Santi in 2009.


• Samaneri Sukhi from Malaysia, took Samaneri ordination at Dhammasara in ???

Some photos of our lay friends that are coming for Vassa 2014.

• Gia Hieu and Tam Ngan are regular supporters


• Tom working hard as usual.


• Kerrie helping out in Santi’s kicthen.


• Fred exploring Santi.


• This is Vinita, our driver


• Thilina


• Cindy is also coming for Vassa.


• And of course there is Spot.

Visit of the Vietname Community

Long-term supporters Gia Hiew and Tam Ngan organised a visit from 150 members from our Vietnamese community at the end of March to see the development of the Buddha Rupa in the big cave. It was a beautiful day, with rice-Pindapata on the lawn, chanting in the big cave and a tour of the monastery.

      

Photos

Selection of photos from around Santi Jan-March 2014: