This year’s Almsgiving Ceremony at Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery was organized by Emily Carpenter & Mindy Zoltnick of Friends of Aloka Vihara. It was a beautiful celebration of generosity and community. Despite the smoke from wildfires burning in the area and warm temperatures, more than 50 lay people gathered, along with five bhikkhunis and three anagarikas for this year’s ceremony.

The money raised in this year’s Almsgiving Ceremony has been designated to pay down the loan on the Aloka Vihara land purchase and for future development of the monastery. As of today, just over $24,700 has been donated, the most that has ever been raised at an Aloka Vihara Almsgiving Ceremony! People also donated items from Aloka Vihara’s wish list: a new wheelbarrow, circular saw, stamps and many other things.

Anumodana is a traditional Buddhist way of saying that we rejoice in your goodness and hope that it is a source of great peace, happiness and liberation for you! With very grateful hearts, we offer an anumodana to all of you and especially to Emily & Mindy!

You can see more photos from the day here.
(Photos are by Jill Schubert)