GBV Kathina 2017

Kathina refers to the offering of a special robe (kathina Civara) carefully prepared by pious laity and presented by them to monks who have completed the three-month period of retreat called Vas in Sinhala and Vassana in Pali (literally, ‘the period of rain’).  Katina literally means ‘firm’ or ‘solid,’ as the offering of a Katina robe helps one to earn good, solid karma. The Katina Ceremony has a history spanning more than 2500 years.  A special element of the Katina robe offering is that it is not offered to an individual monk, but to the entire community of Sangha; to all noble disciples of the Buddha --  and not only to enlightened ones but also to those monks yet to be enlightened.  

The Katina robe can be offered only during a specified period at the end of the rains retreat, between the full-moon day of October and the full-moon day of November. It is a monastic tradition long preserved and observed by Buddhists all over the world and is highly revered as a unique, once-yearly opportunity to acquire merit. Georgia Buddhist Vihara will celebrate Kathina on 20 and  21st    of October 2017(below is the full program). This year Kathina Pinkama is sponsored by devout devotees; Dr, Amarasingha, Nanda family and Dhaminda and Sumudu Manamendra family.  You are invited to attend this meritorious Pinkama. Signup for Dana contribution list; please click here more details:

Program
Kathina Maha Pinkama 2017
Friday, Oct 20, 2017
7:30; 9: pm	Pirith Deshanwa/Maha Piritha and Dhammacakka Deshana
Saturday, Oct 21, 2017
5:.45 6:30 am	Bringing the Kathina Robe to temple by devotees.
7.30: 8:30 am	Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8.30 am	Breakfast for devotees
9.15  10:30 am	Group Discussion.
1:30 pm	The procession starts at the   parking lot and heading onto the Vihara pathway to main preaching hall with Buddhist flags and Robe. All are invited for this parade to carry the Kathina Robe make use of this rare occasion.
2: 2:45 pm	Offering of Kathina Robe by devout Dayaka.  Dr, Amarasingha, Nanda family and Dhaminda and Sumudu Manamendra family and spiritual friends.
3:00: 4:00pm	Kathina Dhamma Desahanawa/English and Sinhalese
4:30 to 5:30pm	Atavisi Pujawa and conclusion of the Kathina Ceremony

Nikini Poya

Nikini Poya Program will be observed on Saturday, August 12th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Nikini full moon day is observed one month after the commencement of “Wassana Kala“the rainy season: is of special significance for Buddhists due to a number of incidents that took place on this day.

Attainment of Arahatship by the Buddha’s chief attendant, Ananda Maha Thera, commencement of the first Dhamma Sangayana, Convocation to settle the Buddhist canon and “Pasu Vas” or the commencement of the “Vas” period by those who had not started the period of sojourn on the Esala full moon day are some of them. For Sri Lankans this day is further more significant because of the world famous Kandy Esala Perahera which normally ends on this day.

The rainy season in Dambadiva-India begins during the month of Esala (July – August). It is extremely cold in the snowy peaks of Himalayas and in the valleys where ascetics meditate under the shade of trees.

Due to cold weather and heavy rain it is not convenient for them to sit under trees and meditate. Even birds build sheltered nests to live in during this season with birdies. Some of them even migrate to other countries where there is less rain. Buddhist monks also sojourn with house holders during this season.

The “Pali” word “Vas” means the rains “Viseema” means dwelling. Therefore “Vas Viseema” means to sojourn during the rainy season. “Vassana Kala” or the rainy season of three months begins on Esala full moon day. Commencing the “Vas” period from Esala full moon day is called “Purmikawa” or “Pera Vas”. However the bhikkhus who could not commence the Vas period on Esala Full Moon day are allowed to start observing Vas on the Nikini Full Moon day. This is called “Pasuvas”.

Buddhist monks commence “Vas” on Nikini full moon day in keeping with the enactment called “Santhaha Karanaya” The circumstances which led to the enactment of “Santhaha Karanaya” was the hardships caused to the bhikkhus due to rain.

Nikini Poya day celebrates the first ever Dhammasangayana - The First Buddhist Council where what the Buddha said, was agreed upon and recited. This took place at the Sattapanni Rock Cave in Rajagaha (now Rajgir, India), under the patronage of Mahakassapa Thera and it went on for seven long months. It established the original authentic Tipitaka: The 3 Baskets of Sacred Text = The Pali Canon spoken by the historical Buddha and his disciples.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	(self Serving breakfast) Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	Noon	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts; (Self Serving lunch)
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion  MN9 Samma Ditthi Sutta MN;9
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Monthly Retreat

On behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long  vipassana (mindfulness) meditation retreat on Saturday, July 29 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). This one-day retreat is a great way to strengthen and enrich your spiritual practice, explore meditation practices from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, and explore firsthand the benefits of mindfulness meditation. 

This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation instructions and discussions during this retreat will be conducted in English. 

The following is a tentative schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive and prepare the vihara for the day’s activities

7:30–8:00am: Observance of the Eight Precepts and traditional Buddhist chanting

8:00–9:00am: Breakfast (as a group) and clean-up

9:00–10:00am: Guided vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation 

10:00–10:30am: Break (coffee/tea)
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:30am–12:00pm: Preparing lunch & traditional Buddhist chanting

12:00–12:45pm:  Lunch (as a group) and clean-up

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:45–1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30–2:30pm: Vipassana meditation

2:30–3:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) 

3:00–4:30pm: Sutta Discussion led by Ven. Wajirabuddhi Thera. 

·  The sutta/discourse that will be discussed is the Culātanhāsankhaya Sutta (The Shorter Discourse on the Destruction of Craving) found in the Majjhima Nikaya, discourse #37. You can access the sutta online here - https://suttacentral.net/en/mn37. Please print and bring a copy of the sutta to the Dhamma discussion.

4:30–5:00pm:  Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE NOTE:

Participants are asked to contribute (i) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (ii) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering – you may do so if you wish. It is also customary in the Theravadan tradition for those observing the eight precepts to wear white clothing to signify purification of morality, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a way of helping to support the resident monks who make the teachings available and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, July 29. I request that you RSVP (by email) in order to let us know that you will be joining us so we can adequately prepare for those who will be participating in the retreat. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about this program or other programs offered by the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, please feel free to contact me by email at justinhowell2112@gmail.com. 

I hope that you will be able to join us for this auspicious day. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will be having regular, day-long vipassana retreats throughout the year.  Additionally, I would encourage you to join the community for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:30 pm.  

May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful. 

With metta,

Justin

========================================
Justin Howell
Cell phone: 404.375.0264

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever."  -M. Gandhi

"You can't lead the people if you don't LOVE the people. You can't save the people if you won't SERVE the people."  - Cornel West

Esala Poya

EsalaPoya Program will be observed on Saturday, July 8th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.

Morning Program
7:30	–	8:30	a.m.	Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana
8:30	–	8:45	a.m.	Tea & coffee break
8:45	–	10:00	a.m.	Vipassana Meditation By Ven, Panamwela Wajirabodhi Thero
10:00	–	11:00	a.m.	Sathipattana Meditation
11:00	–	11:15	a.m.	Buddha Pooja (Must start @ 11.00)
11:30	–	12:00	nn	Dana offering to the Bhanthes and those who observe eight precepts
12:00	–	1:00	p.m.	Luncheon
Afternoon Program
1:00	–	2:30	p.m.	Sutra Discussion (Sallekha Sutta continue)
2:30	–	2:45	p.m.	Tea & coffee break
2.45	–	5:30	p.m.	Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deepta Jayaratne
		5:30	p.m.	Termination of the Sil and Gilanpasa Puja

Vas Aradhana;
 Vas Aradhana at 5:30 p.m
This year Kathina Ceremony will be sponsored by  Dr.& Mrs, Amarasingha and Nanda family and Mr & Mrs, Daminda and Sumudu Manamendra family.

GBV Monthly Retreat

On behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long  vipassana (mindfulness) meditation retreat on Saturday, June 24 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat will be held at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara (3153 Miller Road, Lithonia, GA 30038). This one-day retreat is a great way to strengthen and enrich your spiritual practice, explore meditation practices from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, and explore firsthand the benefits of mindfulness meditation. 

This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation instructions and discussions during this retreat will be conducted in English. 

The following is a tentative schedule of the day's events:

MORNING PROGRAM

7:00–7:30am - Arrive and prepare the vihara for the day’s activities

7:30–8:00am: Observance of the Eight Precepts and traditional Buddhist chanting

8:00–9:00am: Breakfast (as a group) and clean-up

9:00–10:00am: Guided vipassana ("mindfulness") meditation 

10:00–10:30am: Break (coffee/tea)
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness") meditation 

11:30am–12:00pm: Preparing lunch & traditional Buddhist chanting

12:00–12:45pm:  Lunch (as a group) and clean-up

AFTERNOON PROGRAM

12:45–1:30pm: Walking meditation

1:30–2:30pm: Vipassana meditation

2:30–3:00pm: Break (coffee/tea) 

3:00–4:30pm: Sutta Discussion led by Ven. Wajirabuddhi Thera. 

·  The sutta/teaching that will be discussed is the Mahāsaccaka Sutta (The Greater Discourse on Saccaka) found in the Majjhima Nikaya, discourse #34. You can access the sutta online here - https://suttacentral.net/en/mn36. Please print and bring a copy of the sutta to the Dhamma discussion.

4:30–5:00pm:  Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PLEASE NOTE:

Participants are asked to contribute (i) a light breakfast food (e.g., fruits, bagels, etc.) and (ii) a lunch dish (preferably vegetarian) to share with the resident monks and the retreat participants. It is common practice to bring flowers, candles, or incense to place on the shrine as an offering – you may do so if you wish. It is also customary in the Theravadan tradition for those observing the eight precepts to wear white clothing to signify purification of morality, though this is not a requirement for attendance.

During this special time, please consider making a monetary donation to the vihara as a way of helping to support the resident monks who make the teachings available and to keep the vihara open so that all people are able to practice and learn the Dhamma.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 24. I request that you RSVP (by email) in order to let us know that you will be joining us so we can adequately prepare for those who will be participating in the retreat. To confirm that you are planning on attending the retreat or if you have questions about this program or other programs offered by the Georgia Buddhist Vihara, please feel free to contact me by email at justinhowell2112@gmail.com. 

I hope that you will be able to join us for this auspicious day. If you are unable to make this retreat, please know that we will be having regular, day-long vipassana retreats throughout the year.  Additionally, I would encourage you to join the community for meditation instruction and Dhamma discussion on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.  

May you, your friends, and family members be well, happy, and peaceful. 

With metta,

Justin

========================================
Justin Howell
Cell phone: 404.375.0264

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever."  -M. Gandhi

"You can't lead the people if you don't LOVE the people. You can't save the people if you won't SERVE the people."  - Cornel West