Ven Jakuen Konin Cardenas will receive the Going Forth (Ten Precepts Samaneri Ordination) on May 12th at Buddhi Vihara in Santa Clara. On the same date Samaneri Cittananda of Karuna Buddhist Vihara will receive Bhikkhuni Ordination.

Click here for more info ~ all are most welcome to attend the ceremony!

Ven Konin will join the Aloka Vihara resident community and we are rejoicing in having a new Dhamma sister!

If you would like to offer a gift for Ven Konin’s ordination, please check this list and let Ayya Santacitta at <westcoastsisters@gmail.com> know, if you intent to offer an item.

With our lovely support team: Kappyias Lucy & Mindy, Retreat Manager Rodney and Yoga Teacher Emily.

Please click here for our Dhamma talks from this retreat.

The Aloka Vihara Resident Community will be in Winter Retreat this year again from January 15 – April 15, 2018.

Visitors are welcome to join us for the Evening Puja & Dhamma sharing at 7:00 pm on Full, New and Half Moon days:

• January 16/24/31
• February 7/14/23
• March 1 (Magha Puja)/9/16/24/31
• April 8

We welcome meal offerings during Winter Retreat ~ if you would like to offer a meal for the nuns, please get in touch with the Vihara Steward at <retreatresponse@gmail.com> or call 530 647 8262 and leave a message.

Please click here for the Aloka Vihara Dana List.

Please be aware that the nuns and resident supporters will be observing Noble Silence during this time, but you are most welcome to stay for the meal and meditate in the shrine room.

We welcome you to join us for a Vesak Celebration at the vihara, commemorating the birth, Awakening and Parinibbana (death) of our teacher, the Buddha.

Please arrive either for the meal at 11:45 am (bring a vegetarian dish to share) or at 1:30 pm for chanting, meditation, Dhamma Sharing & Buddha Bathing Ceremony. There will be Tea & Discussion at 5 pm at the end of the afternoon.

Enjoy our Photo Gallery 2017 ~ ‘A Year of Ordinations’

Join us for our first Community Work Day of the year at Aloka Vihara on Saturday, May 19 – and please bring a friend or two!

We will work from 8:30am – 3:30pm with a break for lunch at 11:45am (please bring a vegetarian dish to share).

You are invited to arrive for 8:30am or for the meal at 11:45am.

At 8:30am we will begin with a short meditation and Dhamma reflection to set the tone for the day. 

The main project will be digging up concrete from behind the house with a jackhammer and moving the debris to the dump. No special skills needed, but strong arms & backs are a bonus! The concrete is contributing to a damp problem in one the downstairs rooms and we would like to remove the concrete and re-landscape. For those who prefer lighter work, there will also be weedwacking and gardening. 

If you plan to come, please RSVP by mailing to <info@alokavihara.org>.

We hope to see you at the vihara on Saturday, May 19!

With metta ~
Ayya Anandabodhi

More dates for Community Work Days

Our community will be in Silent Retreat from November 22 – December 1.

If you wish to offer a meal, please click here.

Besides the meal time, the vihara will not be open for visitors during this retreat.

Last week the Aloka Vihara Community honored Jill Boone for her many years of leadership and founding of the Saranaloka Foundation, her ongoing dedication to the Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery and the well being of the nuns.

Thank you!

2017 Kathina Celebration Photo Gallery by Emily Carpenter

Kathina Results ~ Anumdoana for your support!

We like to recommend Qi Gong teacher Isabelita Papa, who is regularly teaching at our daylongs and several venues in the Bay Area.

Spirit Rock, Woodacre: Self-Healing through Gentle Qi Gong, 6 Mondays, October 16 – November 20, 1:30 – 3:30 pm.

Emeryville: Mindful Qi Gong, Wednesdays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, on 4321 Salem Street & 43rd.

www.Gratefulmoments.com