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News Updates, Page 6

Tisarana Vesak 2020

Dear friends,

On the occasion of Vesak, the Tisarana community wishes you and your family life’s choicest blessings. Legend has it that the full moon night of the month of Vesakha witnessed the birth, enlightenment and final release of the Buddha.

Recollecting the life and teachings of the Buddha inspires and uplifts our hearts, spurring us on along the path. The simplicity, universality and timelessness of his teachings brings acceptance to the way things are.

Sabba pāpassa akaram, kusalassa upasampadā. Saccitta pariyodapanam, etam Buddhānasāsanam.

To avoid the unwholesome, cultivating all things wholesome. Purification of the mind, this is the teaching of all the Buddhas.

Dhammapada 183

We hope that you will enjoy the outdoor shrine we have created since visiting the sala is temporarily not possible. Join us in spirit as we remember the Buddha and recommit to his teachings on this special day.

With best wishes,

The Sangha and residents at Tisarana.

More photos here… Read the rest

Luang Por Viradhammo’s Birthday Celebration

On this mild spring day, the community here at Tisarana celebrates Luang Por Viradhammo’s 73rd birthday. As an expression of gratitude, the resident monks chant a number of selected Parittas, with a brief introduction and history of each one and its significance in the Thai Sangha. Luang Por offers some words expressing his appreciation for the community being diligent and living in such harmony. We hope you enjoy the chanting and photos.

Photos: https://photos.tisarana.ca/index.php?/category/37

Anumodana as well to our supporters who organized food donations from many families in Ottawa which were delivered here recently (a whole truck load!).

… Read the rest

Announcing Tisarana’s Blog

We’ve started a plain-vanilla blog, probably the closest we’ll get to social media. Here you might find occasional posts by various monastery residents about monastery life, including a kick-off post today by Tan Khemako. You can find it under the “News” menu item at the top of the site, or here.… Read the rest

Dhamma Documentaries (Video One)

As many of us are restricted to staying at home more often, we thought we would share some inspiring Dhamma videos (all of which can be found on YouTube) every couple of days to make our increased time at home more beneficial. Many of you might have seen a number of these, but they give a good insight into where our tradition came from, and what life was like for the early Sangha.

First on the list: The Mindful Way – Buddhist Monks of the Forest Tradition in Thailand with Ajahn Chah

May all beings be well & happy.… Read the rest

Covid 19 / Coronavirus Update

Functioning guidelines with regard to COVID 19 / Coronavirus

In keeping with Health Canada guidelines detailed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, we request our community to follow guidelines below until further notice. We will update you when conditions change, but until you hear from us, please note the following:

Events:

All pubilc events at Tisarana have been cancelled until further notice.

  • All pujas will be restricted to the resident community
  • Saturday afternoon public meditation sessions will not recommence until further notice
  • All New Guest Orientation events have been cancelled for the time being
  • The Sala is not open to non-residents for meditation or gatherings

Overnight guests:

Until further notice we will not be open for overnight guests. If you have made a booking to stay with us after April 1, 2020, we will email you a letter of cancellation.

The booking form will not be available online until Health Canada lifts restrictions on public gatherings.

Dana & Food:

The kitchen is a high-risk area for the spread of infection and disease. We request that

  • All groceries and food be dropped off at the designated drop-off table, just outside the front entrace.
  • The kitchen area will be restricted for the use of residents only
  • Once you have dropped off your dana, it will be offered to the sangha by the residents
  • The Anumodana will be chanted daily but given the size of our hall, proper social distancing can not be practiced.
… Read the rest

New Bank account details

Starting March 1st, 2020, Tisarana Buddhist Monastery will start banking with TD Canada Trust instead of Scotia Bank. Please access the ‘Financial Contributions’ page on this website for details.

Most donations will not be affected by this. If you have set up a monthly automatic contribution to Tisarana, we have successfully moved these transactions from Scotia Bank to TD.

We request that those sending us wire transfers please make a note of our new account details. Please feel free to share this update with anyone who you think might need this information and might not have received this update.

Sincere gratitude and appreciation from the Sangha, Board and the Tisarana Community!… Read the rest

Update from Luang Por Viradhammo on his visit to Asia

Dear friends,

I’m back from Asia and thought I’d send you my New Year greetings and share news of the past few weeks before settling in to our winter retreat. With the beginning of a new year and a new decade, I wish you much peace, health and contentment for the times ahead. May silence, stillness and wisdom be our guides as we traverse the path of Dhamma to reach ultimate happiness and the unconditioned.

My entire visit was extremely fulfilling in many ways. Meeting Dhamma friends and mentors in Asia, travelling with friends from Canada and teaching retreats in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia were highly inspiring and uplifting. Observing the commitment, generosity and care of so many people was bearing witness to Dhamma manifesting in daily life. Friends in Asia have been so supportive of our Dhamma Hall project that their generosity has resulted in an advance to the start date. Stay tuned for an update on our website.

My first port of call was Tokyo in response to an invitation from a friend who worked at the Royal Thai Embassy there. Japanese woodworking is in a class of its own and in many ways, quite unparalleled. This old woodworker was in joinery heaven.… Read the rest

New Year’s Puja 2020

On New Year’s Eve at Tisarana we’re planning to mark the event by having an extended practice period which will go on until midnight.

7:00 PM – Puja: Evening chanting and group meditation
8:00 PM – Dhamma talk
9:00 – 11:15 – Open practice period (walking and sitting meditation)
11:15 PM – Last group sit of the evening
11:45 PM – Paritta chanting by the monastics to bless in the new year

All are welcome, please join us. … Read the rest