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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
Ajahn Punnadhammo needs a steward to serve the winter retreat at Arrow River Forest Hermitage for the months of February and March 2020. If two months are difficult, the critical requirement is for at least the month of February.
Main duties would include cooking and serving the meals and some handy work / experience in maintenance would be an added bonus. Some driving may be needed intermittently.
Arrow River Hermitage allows one to live closely with nature and offers a Dhamma experience that is simplified and without distractions.
Given the nature of the hermitage and the weather, people accustomed to outdoor winter activities will find this an invigorating experience.
Anyone interested can contact Aj. Punnadhammo by emailing him at abbot@arrowriver.ca. Details of Arrow River Forest Hermitage can be found on their website: https://www.arrowriver.ca/… Read the rest
Notice of the Annual General Meeting for the Year 2018
Date – Sunday, 17 November 2019.
Place – Tisarana Buddhist Monastery –
Time – 1:30 PM
The Directors of the Board of Tisarana Buddhist Monastery cordially invites all members of good standing to attend the Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to be held on Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 1.30 PM.
A special resolution to change the Bylaws will be made at the AGM to facilitate the monastery’s online banking and payment of bills that will reduce the required number of signatories from two to one.
Sincerely,
Tilak Gunawardhane
Secretary to the Board
November 1, 2019… Read the rest
On Sunday, 27 October, the Tisarana community will be celebrating this year’s Kathina ceremony starting at 10:30am. Doors open at 9:00 AM.
The event will be held at the Stanleyville Hall across the street from the St. Bridget Church in Stanleyville, which is only 5 minutes from Tisarana Monastery. The address is 844 Stanley Rd, Stanleyville, ON K0G 1K0. Everybody is invited to participate in this auspicious occasion.
The Kathina ceremony is a 2,500-year-old tradition celebrated across Buddhist monasteries around the world. Following the end of three-months rains retreat period, the Buddha allowed for the lay community to make offerings of cloth and other requests to the Bhikkhu Sangha. The word “Kaṭhina” refers to the frame on which cloth is attached to while sewing robes. Cloth offered on Kathina will be used that day to produce a robe that will then be offered to one of the monks. The Kathina ceremony signifies and celebrates the deep relationships between the lay and monastic communities.
The doors will open at 9AM and the preliminary ceremonies will began at 10:30AM, followed by a meal offering and blessing. At 1PM, the Kathina offering ceremony will take place followed by a Dhamma reflection. This year’s Kathina offering is sponsored by a group of Ottawa Buddhist families and friends.… Read the rest
The Saturday Meditation for 26 Oct 2019 has been cancelled. We ordinarily have a 1:30PM event on Saturdays, which includes a guided meditation and Dhamma talk, open to the public. This particular Saturday, however, is a bit overbooked and so we’re obliged to cancel.
Please consider attending our Kathina celebration, which will be on the following day, 27 October.
The next Saturday Meditation will be on 02 November.… Read the rest
