Aloka Vihara News

  Here at the monastery we are aware of the pandemic, and the illness and deaths it has unexpectedly brought on. This can be strong medicine for us as practitioners, a reminder of the fleeting nature and value of all human life, a reminder to use our time well, to demonstrate compassion and wisdom. Therefore, as an additional support at this time, Ven. Dhammadipa will be offering online metta (kindness)…

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, April 18 for our first Community Workday of this year! No special skills required ~ there will be all kinds of work ~ heavy and light ~ outdoors and indoors. Please arrive by 8:30 am for a short meditation & reflection, to set the tone for the day. We will work from 8:30am – 3:30pm with a break for lunch at 11:45am.…

The Aloka Vihara Resident Community will be in Winter Retreat this year again from January 15 – April 15, 2020. Ven Dhammadipa, Shannon, Linda, Janice, Heather, Ayya Niyyanika Ayya Santacitta, Ayya Ahimsa, Ayya Anandabodhi Visitors are welcome to join us for the Evening Puja & Dhamma sharing at 6:30 pm on Full, New and Half Moon days: January 17, 24 February 1,8,15,23 March 2,9,16,23 April 1,7,14 We welcome meal offerings…

Taught by the Nuns of Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery Sunday, December 27, 2020 – Sunday, January 3, 2021 Jesuit Retreat Center, 1001 Boole Road, Applegate, CA An Invitation to Simplicity & Letting Go   During retreat we come together as community to support each other in our practice, consciously letting go of the past and opening to the New Year with whatever it may bring. We create a monastic environment…

On November 7, Ayya Anandabodhi & Ayya Santacitta had their interviews to become US citizens and we were both approved. Ayya Santacitta is still awaiting her date for Naturalization, while Ayya Anandabodhi’s went through a little more quickly and on November 20 she joined 579 people from 64 countries for the oath Ceremony in Sacramento. Having this opportunity to become a citizen of the United States brought up strong feelings…

~ Click here for the 2019 photo gallery ~

Here are some links to The First Free Women, the book of poems that many of you have heard us read during teachings over the past 18 moths or so. If you are looking to get a copy for yourself or for a friend, the optimum way to order this book is from your local bookstore: IndieBound (supports local bookstores) You can also order online: Shambhala Barnes & Noble We…

  La Venerable Dhammadipa ha regresado de su viaje a la comunidad Montaña Despierta, ubicada en la ciudad de Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Sus enseñanzas fueron grabadas, y ahora están disponibles en el sitio web Dharma Seed. Oiga las aquí. Venerable Dhammadipa has returned from her trip to the community of Montaña Despierta, which is located in Xalapa, México. Her teachings were recorded, and are now available on Dharma Seed. You…

Our new road into the forest starts behind the main house ~ a 0.8 mile loop with great views ~ making it possible to access the AVFM property more fully than before. Please come and enjoy a beautiful walk, when you visit the vihara next time!

Recently the 4 resident nuns of AVFM, with the support of the Saranaloka board, formulated the vision and mission for their work together. Vision: Supporting Awakening Together Mission: A training monastery of forest nuns living the teachings of the Buddha and of the Earth for the benefit of all beings. Please click here for more info.