An opportunity to contribute to the infrastructure at Anandagiri
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Greetings fellow practitioners,
Currently at Anandagiri Forest Monastery we have undertaken the rebuilding of animportant central building, where the meal is offered to the Sangha members each day, and where Dhamma teachings and discussions occur between the community and our visitors after the meal each day as well. In many respects the ‘Dana-Sala’space is like the physical heart of the monastery. |
As it is the place where both bodies and minds are nourished, where generosity and loving-kindness are demonstrated, and where our interdependence is acknowledged and celebrated. As we all grow through encouraging and supporting one another.
The previous Dana-Sala was just an 6 x 8 metres structure, which literally wobbled and shook when people walked through it. It was rustic and charming, but had become too small after ten years of community growth. The new 12 x 12 metre, two-storeyspace will be able to accommodate many more monks, nuns and day guests much more comfortably. It has also been designed to open up the views of the lovelysurrounding hills that have been successfully reforested.
Whenever undertaking a significant building project, the committee and I have alwaystried to have an additional 20% available in the budget, before even commencing, tocover any unanticipated or unseen expenses. But with the costs of building products, deliveries and wages increasing faster than anyone had anticipated over the past sixmonths, unfortunately this was an insufficient amount this time. The good news is that we do have 85% of our required budget. The not so good news is that we currentlyhave a shortfall of 15% of what is needed. Naturally we wish to be able to honour thecontracts that have already been signed with our building teams. They are working very fast and very well and it would be best for all concerned if the projects could be completed.
In general I try not to use the Peace Beyond Suffering website to raise any funds. Everything on the website is gladly offered as a gift. I believe that this is only the third time in the nine years since creating the website that I have ever mentioned anopportunity to help. As always there is never any expectation. I am simply mentioning that there is an opportunity to support one of our projects if you would like to. I am mindful that some of you may actually appreciate being welcomed and included in the opportunity to contribute to the construction of one of our buildings.
For the sake of transparency I will mention that the building that was expected to cost around 6 million Thai Baht, is going to cost closer to 9 million upon it’s completion. We had prepared and set aside 7.5 million. If we receive the financial support that is needed, we expect the building to be completed in just two more months.
Please contact one of my helpers if you are interested to support this project at the email address below.
The previous Dana-Sala was just an 6 x 8 metres structure, which literally wobbled and shook when people walked through it. It was rustic and charming, but had become too small after ten years of community growth. The new 12 x 12 metre, two-storeyspace will be able to accommodate many more monks, nuns and day guests much more comfortably. It has also been designed to open up the views of the lovelysurrounding hills that have been successfully reforested.
Whenever undertaking a significant building project, the committee and I have alwaystried to have an additional 20% available in the budget, before even commencing, tocover any unanticipated or unseen expenses. But with the costs of building products, deliveries and wages increasing faster than anyone had anticipated over the past sixmonths, unfortunately this was an insufficient amount this time. The good news is that we do have 85% of our required budget. The not so good news is that we currentlyhave a shortfall of 15% of what is needed. Naturally we wish to be able to honour thecontracts that have already been signed with our building teams. They are working very fast and very well and it would be best for all concerned if the projects could be completed.
In general I try not to use the Peace Beyond Suffering website to raise any funds. Everything on the website is gladly offered as a gift. I believe that this is only the third time in the nine years since creating the website that I have ever mentioned anopportunity to help. As always there is never any expectation. I am simply mentioning that there is an opportunity to support one of our projects if you would like to. I am mindful that some of you may actually appreciate being welcomed and included in the opportunity to contribute to the construction of one of our buildings.
For the sake of transparency I will mention that the building that was expected to cost around 6 million Thai Baht, is going to cost closer to 9 million upon it’s completion. We had prepared and set aside 7.5 million. If we receive the financial support that is needed, we expect the building to be completed in just two more months.
Please contact one of my helpers if you are interested to support this project at the email address below.
Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu
14 June 2022
14 June 2022
‘Intuiting Our Home’ - Clear Mountain Interview
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Dear fellow practitioners,
Warm greetings! I recently had the good fortune to be able to visit Bodhgaya and to do some intensive meditation practice there once again. After that I also traveled to Nepal and visited Patan in the Kathmandu valley, checking up on some hand crafted decorative items destined for our new Dana Sala, which is currently under construction. I appreciated the change of scenery and focus for a period. Now I’ve returned safely to Anandagiri and am resuming my abbot and teaching duties. |
Today is actually my 50th birthday! (It creeps up on all of us doesn’t it!?) The tradition in Thailand is that the person having the birthday is the one who gives gifts, and so this seems a good opportunity to share a Dhamma talk. I was recently interviewed by Ajahn’s Nisabho and Kovillo. In the interview we explore the subjects of finding ‘Our True Home’, as well as cultivating a powerful quality of faith and appreciation that nourishes our spiritual life and practice, as well as developing a deep intuitive
connection to our practice which can guide our lives in more positively focused ways.
It was an interesting and enjoyable conversation. I hope that something contained within it may be useful or encouraging to you.
With loving-kindness
connection to our practice which can guide our lives in more positively focused ways.
It was an interesting and enjoyable conversation. I hope that something contained within it may be useful or encouraging to you.
With loving-kindness
Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu
04 June 2022
04 June 2022
The Skill and Benefit of Long Sits
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Greetings fellow practitioners,
Currently I am visiting my teacher, Tahn Ajahn Anan, for his 68th Birthday gathering. He is leading an online retreat for his overseas students and asked me to offer one of the talks. The theme of the talk is ‘The skillfulness of and benefits that come from longer sitting meditation sessions.’ I hope that some contained within the talk may be helpful to you. Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu
27 March 2022 |
10+ Years of Anandagiri
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Greetings fellow practitioners,
I recently gave a commentary upon a selection of 500 photographs to acknowledge and commemorate the fact that Anandagiri Forest Monastery has now been around for more than ten years since conception! The pictures and commentary retrace the journey and developments. I describe some of the joys and sorrows, struggles and victories involved in establishing a monastery from scratch. It was a long session shared during a livestream, and most of those who joined stayed until the very end. As one listener recently commented - ‘The love is in the details’. I hope that something shared here may prove relevant to your life in some way, feel free to have a look and a listen when you’ve time. |
Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu
09 February 2022
09 February 2022
