Greetings
from Mexico! 2002 has been an active year full of significant events for our organization.
As the fourth anniversary of the Dhamma Vihara approaches, we are pleased to announce that
Theravada Buddhism is growing in the fertile soil of Mexico and would like to share with
you our news and projects. And as we repeat in every newsletter, we extend a warm
invitation to our Dhamma friends in the United States and beyond to come for a visit. The
Dhamma Vihara is a very suitable place to practice the Buddha's Teaching. Please come and
discover this by yourself!
Ø Dhamma
teachings in Puerto Vallarta.
In April, Venerable U Nandisena and Santisukha visited the tourist resort of Puerto
Vallarta in the Pacific coast to conduct a retreat and a novice ordination in which four
Mexican children ordained temporally as novices.
Ø Bhikkhu
Thitapuñño visits the Dhamma Vihara.
In mid April we were honored to receive again the Mexican-born Buddhist monk Bhikkhu
Thitapuñño. This time, thanks to the generosity of donors, who prefer to remain
anonymous, a cabin was completely remodeled and offered to him so he can use it anytime he
stays in Mexico. Bhikkhu Thitapuñño, who came together with his mother Margarita and his
Canadian assistant, taught a meditation retreat and gave inspiring Dhamma talks.
Ø Meeting
of the Buddhist Community in Mexico City.
In April, the Buddhist Community of Mexico, a group that includes both Theravada and
Mahayana Buddhists, celebrated its third annual meeting. Leaders of the different
traditions, Tibetan, Zen and Theravada, gave talks to a large gathering, including Ven. U
Nandisena.
Ø Buddha's
Day.
We celebrated the Triple Blessed Day, Buddha's Birth, Enlightenment, and Death, both in
Mexico City and in the Dhamma Vihara with Dhamma talks and Pali chants. This has become a
fixed celebration in the Dhamma Vihara and among the Theravada groups in Mexico.
Ø Children's
Retreat.
Part of the activities of the Dhamma Vihara is to offer the Buddha's Teaching to Mexican
children and youths. For that purpose, a children's retreat was held at the end of July.
As one of the adults who helped with the organization of the retreat later pointed out,
"This retreat gave the children an access to spiritual life that otherwise they would
never have".
Ø Sitagu
Sayadaw visits the Dhamma Vihara.
This was Sitagu Sayadaw's (U Nyanissara) first visit to Mexico. After visiting the city of
Monterrey and the pyramids of Teotihuacan, he flew to Xalapa and paid a visit to the
Dhamma Vihara. The children and adults who were waiting gave him a warm welcome. And we
were fortunate to listen to his Dhamma talks. He has promised us a longer visit next year
in the month of July.
Ø Telephone
line installed!
We are pleased to announce the installation of a telephone line in the Dhamma Vihara. This
has been made possible thanks to a generous donation from our Vietnamese supporters and
others in the United States. Now, if you wish to call us from the United States, you can
dial 011-52-228-811-0080.
Ø New
electric installation.
One of our supporters in Canada and a Mexican devotee made a generous donation that
allowed us to completely upgrade the electric system and also buy a new kitchen stove,
refrigerator and an integrated washer and drying machine. This means a big change in the
living conditions of the Dhamma Vihara. To give you just an example, before, during the
winter, we experienced frequent power shortages because the electric system could not
handle the increased demand of electricity.
Ø Abhidhamma
Day at the Dhamma Vihara.
Starting October 2002, we began the celebration of the Abhidhamma Day or Day of Lights.
Following the tradition in Myanmar, we chanted Pali Texts and illuminated the night as
happened more the 2500 years ago when the Buddha descended from the plane of Tavatimsa
accompanied by Devas and Brahmas.
Ø Bhante
Gunaratana next visit to Mexico.
We
are pleased to announce that the renowned Sri Lanka monk Bhante Gunaratana will visit the
Dhamma Vihara April 9-15, 2003. More information can be obtained in our web page which is
listed above in the letterhead.
Ø
Venerable
U Silananda. “Last August I had the chance to attend the
lectures: “In-depth classes on Satipatthana Sutta” given by Sayadaw U Silananda
at the Tathagata Meditation Center. It was a
great opportunity to listen again his teachings, seeing him recovering so fast and
enthusiastic as ever. May he enjoy a long and
healthy life! Also, it was very touching to
see how well taken care he is by his devotees at TMC.
Thanks for your help and hospitality.” Rutty
Bessoudo.
Ø The
dining hall needs a floor and a ceiling.
The
dining hall has a rough concrete floor and no ceiling. As winter approaches, this area
becomes cold and wet, and our visitors and
residents that need to eat breakfast and lunch find this place inhospitable. Please help
us to put a floor and a ceiling in the dining hall.
Ø More
rooms for yogis.
Although
great part of the new building has been completed, still under way is the back part which
includes twelve more rooms and four bathrooms for meditators. At this time only the
foundation of this section has been completed. Once this section is finished we will be
able to hold larger retreats and more regular Dhamma activities. We appeal to your
generosity so we can finish this project.
Ø Monthly
pledge.
Some
of you are already making a monthly donation to support the monastery. We would like to
invite others to join the monthly pledge. This will allow us to concentrate more in our
Dhamma projects.
Ø Volunteers.
We
are looking for volunteers who would help us with the daily chores at the Dhamma Vihara.
This is a great opportunity to practice service to the Triple Gem, one of the ten
meritorious deeds. If you or someone you know are interested, that has already practiced
Vipassana, please contact Rutty Bessoudo at rbessoudo@hotmail.com.
May
the Triple Gem shower blessings upon you!
Dr.
Bertha Imaz Lira (correo@cmbt.org)
President
October,
27, 2002
(If
you wish to make a donation for the Dhamma Vihara, please write your check to CMBT and
send it to: Dhammananda Vihara, Attn. Mexican Monastery; 17450 South Cabrillo Hwy.; Half
Moon Bay, CA 94019; USA. You may also make a direct deposit in the CMBT account in Bank of
America. Account name: Centro Mexicano del Buddhismo Theravada A.C. Account number:
#01817-02397)