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Some Recent News

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Ven. Caganando, Ajahn Jayanto and Jeff Miller in August

Dear Everyone,

Warm greetings from Boston Vihara, where as the traditional reflection has it, “the days have been relentlessly passing” – that is, with our now established routine of pujas, almsrounds, meal offerings and various teaching events. As always, you are welcome to join us for any of these events any time.

Except for the next week. All events are cancelled during this coming week (from Sep. 23–29), as we will be visiting Ajahn Viradhammo and the monks at Tisarana Monastery (and no doubt also paying a visit to Ayya Medhanandi and the nuns at Sati Saraniya Hermitage), the nearest branch monastery of our community, in Perth, Ontario.

As many of you will know, after six weeks of faithful and diligent service helping Ven. Caganando and I as a temporary anagarika (novice/attendant), Jeff Miller flew home to Sebastopol CA at the beginning of the month. Jeff helped enormously in keeping things at the vihara ship shape, and engendering a welcoming atmosphere to all who came during his time here. We wish him all the very best in his practice and life back in California.

Jeff has been ably replaced by John Nishinaga, another California resident who, having worked for a couple of years in Boston has been living at different monasteries for much of the pat year, including having spent the last two months at Abhayagiri before arriving here. Like Jeff, John had asked to take the Eight Precepts as a ‘temporary’ anagarika for the two months he will be here (the usual commitment for anagarikas in our communities being for one year), and shortly after he arrived John undertook the training involved in a traditional ceremony here at the vihara.

John Nishinaga taking the Eight Precepts

We’re working on updating the website and there are a few more events in the pipeline, so we’ll try to send out another message sometime this week with that information. In the meantime, the three of us here at the vihara wish you all the blessings associated with the work of bringing the Dhamma into our lives.

With Metta,

Jayanto Bhikkhu

  

 

Help Needed to Store Dhamma Books

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We are looking for volunteers to help store boxes of free-distribution Dhamma books for approx. one year. Generous supporters in Asia have been kind enough to produce and ship thousands of Dhamma books which can be available for distribution in our temporary vihara and, hopefully, the future monastery over the coming years. As the monks will be leaving at the end of October – to return sometime in the middle of next year – they need help storing all these books.

If you have room in a (relatively dry) basement or attic etc. and think you can take a few boxes, please let us know. Over 200 boxes will arrive in about two weeks, and we are gathering names of volunteers to coordinate it all.

Email : contact@jetagrove.us

or call : 617-510-8051

We are also looking for people with good backs who might be free to help us move these boxes. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to lend a hand (date to be determined).

 

 

Day-long Retreat in Temple, N.H.

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Please join us for a day-long retreat at a lovely secluded farm on the slopes of North Pack Monadnock Mountain in Temple, New Hampshire. Ajahn Jayanto will lead a day of meditation practice, with alternating 45-minute periods of sitting and walking meditation, instructional talks and chances for questions and discussion. All levels of experience are welcome.

The farm is pleasant 1 1/2-hour drive from Boston (near Peterborough, NH) – and is one we are considering as a potential site for a monastery. There will accordingly be time for those who wish to stay on afterwards to see a bit more of the property. There are about 20–25 places in the meditation space we will use and they are filling up already, so please contact Bruce Kantner at the address below to register as soon as you know you’d like to attend.

(Please note that as this is not a meditation center, amenities will be simple. Use of the facilities of a nearby house, and of a port-a-loo will be available. We will practice in a stand-alone meditation cabin which resides in a tree-lined field.)

Rides from Boston may be able to be shared – please contact us if you’d like to come but would need a ride.

Map and directions > 

Hope to see you there! 

Event:   Day-long Meditation Retreat

Where:   32 Derbyshire Ln, Temple, New Hampshire, 03084   

When:   September 21, 9–5 p.m.

Cost:   Free (please bring a bagged lunch) 

Registration: To register, email Bruce Kantner at: 

bruce@tellink.net

 

 

Sunday Meditation Workshops Schedule

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This is an update on the schedule for the continuing Sunday meditation workshops in Arlington.

Aside from the two consecutive Sundays of Sep. 29 and Oct. 6, when they are not taking place, the workshops will continue to be held from 2–5 p.m. each Sunday from now through to (and including) Oct. 20.

There are two Sundays when our usual venue, the TS Center at 21 Maple Street in Arlington, will not be available. On Sep. 22 and Oct. 13 we will instead hold the workshops a few blocks away at The Arlington Center, at 369 Mass Ave in Arlington (directions here >).

Hope to see you there!

 

Harvard Divinity School Events

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On Monday and Tuesday, Ajahn Jayanto will give a talk and lead a meditation, with an opportunity for questions and discussion, at Harvard Divinity School. The events are sponsored respectively by the HDS Buddhist Ministry Initiative, and Harvard Buddhist Community. They are public events, and anyone interested is welcome to attend:

1) 

Harvard Divinity School Buddhist Ministry Initiative
Buddhist Ministry Colloquium Series

 Renunciation and Making Peace:
 Giving Up the World to Save It

Monday, September 9
2–4 p.m.
Harvard Divinity School
Divinity Chapel
Divinity Hall, 3rd floor

2)

Guided Meditation and discussion

Tuesday, September 10
5.30–6.30 p.m. (it may run till 7)
In Andover Chapel (on the second floor of Andover Hall)

 

Moon Day Dhamma Talks

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Along with the evening pujas which take place every night from 7– 8 p.m. (unless the monks are away) , there are also weekly Dhamma Talks offered by Ajahn Jayanto on the ‘Moon Days’ after the usual 7 p.m. chanting and meditation, usually between 8 and 8.45 p.m. Everyone’s very welcome. These dates change according to the traditional lunar calendar – please check the Events Calendar; they are also listed below. You can also find the moon day calendar on this website, or download a PDF of the 2013 moon days here:

Moon Days Calendar (download PDF)

Moon Days when a Dhamma Talk will be given at the vihara:

Wed. Aug. 14
Wed. Aug. 21
Thurs. Aug. 29
Wed. Sep. 4
Thurs. Sep. 12
Thurs. Sep. 19
(Break) 
 Friday Oct. 4
Sat. Oct. 12
Sat. Oct. 19
Sun. Oct. 27

 

Meal offerings and almsrounds

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Offering a meal

Almsround in Allston

As the monks have settled in to life at the vihara, they’ve established a routine of going on almsround in Allston or Cambridge each morning between 9 and 11 a.m., returning to the vihara to eat the meal there at 11 or just after. You are welcome to join them at the vihara (or meet them on almsround) any day, bringing a small offering of food if you wish, and joining them for the meal. It would be helpful – though not necessary – to let them know by email or phone beforehand that you intend to come, particularly because on some days they may be away.

You can also offer to provide a whole meal for the two monks and Jeff (the almsround can be modified or foregone for that day). Contact them to ask what and when might work best.

Almsrounds Routes

Harvard Square

While some days may differ, a routine has developed where most Mondays the monks will walk to Harvard Square and be in that area, standing or walking slowly, between about 9.30 and 10.30 a.m. before walking back.

Central Square

Similarly on most Fridays, the monks will walk along Western Ave. to Central Square, Cambridge. They will likely be in the Central Square area, standing or walking slowly, between about 9.45 and 10.15 a.m. before walking back.

Allston

On most Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the monks walk from the vihara to Brighton Ave., and along Brighton to Harvard and Commonwealth Aves., ending up at the Brown Sugar Café on Commonwealth at around 10.15 a.m.

 
 

Puja and Dhamma Talk, Tues. Aug. 6

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Evening and morning pujas have been taking place regularly at the vihara, and you are welcome to join us for these periods of silent meditation and some chanting. Because we will be not be at the vihara on some days, please call or email to let us know you intend to come. That way we can get back to you if that day’s puja has been cancelled. (If you hear nothing back from us, then just come along as planned.)

Tomorrow, Tuesday Aug. 6, Ajahn Jayanto will offer a Dhamma Talk after the meditation as part of the evening puja. All are welcome.

Times:

Daily Evening Pujas: 7–8 p.m.  (7–9 p.m. with a Dhamma Talk)

Daily Morning Pujas: 6–7 a.m.

 

Puja and Dhamma Talk, Tues. July 30

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Evening and morning pujas have been taking place regularly at the vihara, and you are welcome to join us for these periods of silent meditation and some chanting. Because we will be not be at the vihara some days (including this evening), please call or email to let us know you intend to come. That way we can get back to you if that day’s puja has been cancelled.

Tomorrow, Tuesday July 30, Ajahn Jayanto will offer a Dhamma Talk after the meditation as part of the evening puja. All are welcome.

Times:

Evening Puja: 7–8 p.m.  (7–9 p.m. with a Dhamma Talk)

Morning Puja: 6–7 a.m.

 

Arrival

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Ajahn Jayanto (right) and Ven. Caganando arrive at the Allston vihara.

 

Dear everyone, 

I’m happy to say that Ven. Caganando and I have both arrived in Boston, and are getting settled in to the rented Allston townhouse that is to become ‘Boston Vihara’ for the next three months. We have been joined by Jeff Miller, who will be living with us and helping to attend to the various needs that arise while serving in the role of a temporary postulant, or anagarika. Jeff plans to be with us until September 1, when he will ‘hand over’ this role to John Nishinaga, who will serve in the same capacity until we depart on October 31.

It’s great to be here. We are appreciating the fruits of the hard work by many supporters over many months that has gone into finding, renting and preparing a suitable place for monks to live in Boston for such an unusual period of time: from July to the end of October. I hope that being here for this period will allow us to more fully explore the possibilities and get a sense of the interest for a forest monastery somewhere in New England – one which I’d expect would serve the Boston area as a resource for quiet sanctuary, inspiration and practice.

To this end we are interested in exploring areas in the region that may be suitable for a forest monastery, and even properties that may be available. We are looking for quiet, forested land, ideally around 100 acres or more. So if anyone has any leads, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

As to our activities here in the Boston area for these three months, it’s all pretty open. We have scheduled a series of meditation workshops to be held on Sundays at the Theosophical Society in Arlington Center, from 2–5 p.m., beginning August 11. And we are looking for a place (or places) where we can hold a regular weekly public evening meditation and Dhamma Talk – preferably somewhere not too far from Allston. I’m also happy to respond to invitations to groups in the area or farther afield.

The daily routine we will keep here at the vihara may vary according to when we have other events planned – and when we are away. But we expect that most days we will have morning and evening pujas (group meditation with a bit of traditional chanting) from 6–7 a.m. and from 7–8 p.m. You are most welcome to join us for these periods. It would be best to let us know beforehand that you plan to come, however, because some days we may not be here, or the schedule may have changed.

Mealtimes (around 11 a.m.) are another time when everyone is always welcome to come and take part. Once again it would be best if you contacted us beforehand to see if we’ll be here as well as to let us know you’re coming. We plan soon to put up a calendar on this website which will indicate whether we will be at the vihara available to receive food offerings for the meal on any particular day, and if anyone is scheduled to come, so people can easily check.

Another part of our daily routine will be the traditional almsround. How exactly that will unfold is still to be discovered, but Tan Caganando and I intend to continue walking on almsround each day and will therefore regularly be available to receive food offerings in our bowls on the streets of, at least, Allston and Cambridge. Stay tuned for another announcement about this once we have a routine established – and in the meantime don’t hesitate to approach us if you wish, if you spot us walking or standing with our bowls in the morning in the local area.

That’s all for now – please feel welcome to join in in whatever way you wish. 

All blessings,

Jayanto Bhikkhu

 

 

Sunday Meditation Workshops

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Beginning on Sunday, August 11 Ajahn Jayanto and Tan Caganando plan to lead a meditation workshop each Sunday, from 2–5 p.m. These will take place at the Theosophical Society in Arlington Center (directions below).

The workshops are an opportunity for newcomers and beginners to learn meditation and ask questions, as well as for experienced practitioners to engage in group practice and Dhamma discussion.

Everyone is welcome – as always the workshops are free and without expectation of a donation. You can come to any or all of them: they will be stand alone sessions, meaning it doesn’t matter whether you have attended any of the other workshops.

Meditation Workshops – Directions:

The TS (Theosophical Society) Center is at 21 Maple Street in Arlington Center. It’s a light blue-gray house behind number 19 Maple Street.

The TS Center website has a page with extensive directions for getting to the center by public transportation and by car, and it includes clear parking instructions. Here's the URL for the page:

 www.tsboston.org/directions.php

 

 
 

Asalha Puja and Precepts Ceremony

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Monday, July 22 is Asalha Puja, one of the more important days on the Buddhist calendar, and the day before the monastic community enters the traditional three-month Rains Retreat, or Vassa. There will be an evening puja at the vihara, from 7–9.30 p.m., which will include some traditional chanting, group meditation and a Dhamma Talk. There will also be a Precepts-taking Ceremony for Jeff Miller, who will become an anagarika, or postulant, for the six-week period he will be staying with the monks and helping at the vihara.

You are welcome to join us for the evening – though please call the vihara or email (via the Contact page) in advance to let us know you are coming so that we have an idea of the numbers (thanks!).

 

A few items needed

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The meeting of the Vihara Support Group on June 9 was by all accounts a fruitful and enthusiastic one. About 20 people met and discussed plans for the coming visit and making ready the premises which will become the temporary Boston Vihara. Many people are donating or loaning various items for use for the three months the monks will be staying in the unfurnished apartment, from coffee mugs to shower curtains. There are a few more items that could be useful listed below. Please use the contact form to send us a message if you'd like to help.

Furnishings needed: 

* folding chairs

* folding table (3 ft x 3 ft or larger) and/or simple desk

* one 9x12 or 8x10 rug, or two 6x9 rugs that complement each other

* vacuum cleaner (small is fine)

* cotton blankets

* saucepans

 

 

Vihara Support Group forming

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Some of the people involved in finding a place for the monks this summer are assembling a group of supporters to prepare the monks’ vihara (residence) before they move in, and to provide assistance to the monks during their stay in Boston.

We hope you’ll be interested in this endeavor, and that you’ll be able to come to the kick-off meeting of the Vihara Support Group. It’ll take a community effort to make the monks’ stay in Boston fruitful and pleasant for all of us, and this meeting will start the process of organizing the support that’s needed. Here are the details:

      Date:  Sunday, June 9, 2013

      Time:  2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m., with cookies and cold drinks to follow

      Place:  Home of Dorothea and Charlie Bowen in Lexington, MA

      Contact:  Please ask for details via the form on the Contact Page

If you’re planning to come, please let us know by Saturday, June 8.

If you can’t come this time, but you want to be included in the activities of the Vihara Support Group, please let us know and we’ll keep you informed.

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Looking for a lawyer

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Jeta Grove is looking for legal assistance in reviewing non-profit incorporation documents for the State of Massachusetts. In addition to reviewing the bylaws for Jeta Grove Foundation, we will need to set up a second non-profit for the monastic community, along the lines of Abhayagiri Monastic Foundation.

This process will need to closely involve Ajahn Jayanto and the monastic community, and therefore probably wouldn’t take place until the monks arrive this summer.

If you have the necessary qualifications, or know a of lawyer who may be interested in helping in this way, please let us know via the Contact page.

 

Looking for a residence

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UPDATE: A residence in Lower Allston has now been ​secured.

The process of looking for a residence in or around Boston is underway. A group of supporters who live in the Boston area have been asked by the Jeta Grove board to search for suitable locations to borrow or rent which will house the monks and become this summer’s ‘Boston Vihara’.

The period in question is roughly the four months from July – October 2013, although it could be the three months from roughly July 20 – October 20. If you know of any leads (or have a house or apartment in the Boston area you’d like to loan or rent to us for that time) or have any questions about this please contact us via the form on the Contact page.

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Jeta Grove receives tax-exemption

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The Jeta Grove board members are pleased to share the good news that Jeta Grove Foundation received its 501(c)(3) classification from the IRS on 14 December 2012. Jeta Grove Foundation has been classified as a Public Charity, so financial contributions are tax deductible for U.S. tax payers. The exemption status is retroactive ​to December 29, 2011 – so any donations that have been made to Jeta Grove after that day are tax deductible.

More information about Jeta Grove can be found on ​the Jeta Grove website.