Bak Poya Program will be observed on the Saturday, April 1st, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
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Bak Poya Program on April 1st
Monthly Retreat
I am writing on behalf of the Georgia Buddhist Vihara to invite you to the next day-long vipassana (mindfulness meditation) retreat on Saturday, March 18, 2016 from 7:30am to 5pm. This one-day meditation retreat
This retreat is open to everyone - those who are new to meditation as well as those who are experienced meditators. All meditation
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")
10:30–11:30am: Metta ("Loving-Friendliness")
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
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 Cula-Gopalaka Sutta (The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd), Majjhima Nikaya #34. You can access the sutta online here - http://awake.kiev.ua/dhamma/
4:30–5:00pm: Conclusion - Termination of the Eight Precepts by observing the Five Precepts
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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, March 18. 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 have 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
Madin Poya Program on March 11th
Madin Poya Program will be observed on the Saturday, March 11th, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
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Navam Poya Program on February 18th
Navam Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Navam Poya is this Full-moon day of February, which celebrates these events:
1. A large assembly of Maha Sangha for the first time.
2. The recital of the Ovada Patimokkha.
3. Appointment of Buddha’s two chief disciples
Sign up for the program
Navam Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, February 18, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Navam Poya is this Full-moon day of February, which celebrates these events:
1. A large assembly of Maha Sangha for the first time.
2. The recital of the Ovada Patimokkha.
3. Appointment of Buddha’s two chief disciples
MORNING PROGRAM
7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.
MORNING PROGRAM
8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.
9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: Sutra Discussion
11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM)
11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts.
12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.
3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.
5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program.
Duruthu Poya Program
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Duruthu Poya is this Full-moon day of January, which celebrates these events:
1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. (nine months after his Enlightenment, the Blessed One visited Mahiyangana, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. His mission was to restore peace, to create a state of freedom from war or violence.)
2: The Blessed One, offered Deity Sumana, some locks of hair. He placed it in an urn as a valuable Relic in the Mahiyangana Stupa.
1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s second visit was to Nagadipa, in the Jaffna District. The Awakened One, Buddha, visited Nagadipa, to settle a dispute between Mahodara and Chulodara, uncle and nephew respectively, who were about to wase war, to gain the ownership of a gem studded throne. Buddha, saw this and arrived in Nagadipa, emphasizing the value of harmony and ill-effects of hatred and settled the dispute without blood-shed.
Sign up for the program
Duruthu Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, January 14, 2017 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Duruthu Poya is this Full-moon day of January, which celebrates these events:
1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka. (nine months after his Enlightenment, the Blessed One visited Mahiyangana, in the Uva Province of Sri Lanka. His mission was to restore peace, to create a state of freedom from war or violence.)2: The Blessed One, offered Deity Sumana, some locks of hair. He placed it in an urn as a valuable Relic in the Mahiyangana Stupa.
1: The Perfectly Enlighten One, the Buddha’s second visit was to Nagadipa, in the Jaffna District. The Awakened One, Buddha, visited Nagadipa, to settle a dispute between Mahodara and Chulodara, uncle and nephew respectively, who were about to wase war, to gain the ownership of a gem studded throne. Buddha, saw this and arrived in Nagadipa, emphasizing the value of harmony and ill-effects of hatred and settled the dispute without blood-shed.
MORNING PROGRAM
7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.
MORNING PROGRAM
8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.
9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: Sutra Discussion
11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM)
11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts.
12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.
3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.
5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program.
New Year Blessings 2017
Georgia Buddhist Vihara warmly invites you, your families, and friends to spend the New Year with us with thoughts of loving kindness, to confer blessings, and for good health and happiness.
Dear friends,
Every New Year is a door opening to new beginnings, new resolutions, and new hopes each one strengthened and enriched by positive thoughts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion for all beings everywhere.
The Georgia Buddhist Vihara will conduct our special New Year’s celebration, during which we hope everyone will gather with us to invoke the holy blessings of the Great Triple Gem spreading happiness and peace throughout the world.
We wish most kindly to invite all of you to join us this New Year January 01, 2017, so that you, too, may receive the holy blessing of success as you begin your own New Year filled with blessings starting the very first day of the year and continuing each and every day thereafter.
Program:
11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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Pay homage to the Buddha and conduct offerings
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11:30 - 12:00 n.n.
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Offering Dana to Maha Sangha
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12:00 - 1:00 p.m
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Luncheon for participants
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1:00 - 2:00 pm
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Pirith chanting and blessing
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Afternoon Pirith chanting will be at 7.pm.
May all beings be happy, and content
May all be free from suffering, fear, and anxiety
May all your benign wishes come true
May you all remain healthy and peaceful
May peace and happiness be with you always!
With Metta
Bhante Wajirabuddhi
Unduvap Poya Program
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Unduwap Poya is this Full-moon day of December, which celebrates these 2 events:
1: The arrival of Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda,
from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Buddhist Bhikkhunis.
2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi-tree at Buddhagaya,
brought to Sri Lanka by the Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta.
Sign up for the program
MORNING PROGRAM
7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.
Unduvap Full Moon Poya Program will be Observed on Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
Unduwap Poya is this Full-moon day of December, which celebrates these 2 events:
1: The arrival of Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta, sister of Arahat Mahinda,from India in the 3rd century B.C. establishing the Order of Buddhist Bhikkhunis.
2: The arrival at Anuradhapura of a sapling of the sacred Bodhi-tree at Buddhagaya,
brought to Sri Lanka by the Venerable Arahant Theri Sanghamitta.
MORNING PROGRAM
8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.
9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: Sutra Discussion
11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM)
11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts.
12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.
3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.
5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program.
Il Poya
Il Full Moon Poya Program will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
- It is the last Poya in the rainy season.
- The announcement of the future Buddhahood of Maitriya Bodhisatva.
- The first Buddhist Missionary activity by Sixty Arahaths.
- Jatila Brothers-Uruwela, Nadi, Gaya followed the Buddhist Order.
- Pirinirvana of "Dharmasenapathi" one of the Chief Disciples Sariputta.
Sign up for the program:
MORNING PROGRAM
7:30 am – 8:30 am : Observance of the eight Precepts, Buddha Puja and Heel Dana.
Il Full Moon Poya Program will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm at the Georgia Buddhist Vihara. We invite you all to join the program.
MORNING PROGRAM
8:30 am – 9:00 am : Tea & coffee break.
9:00 am – 10:00 am : Vipassana Introduction.
10:00 am - 11:00 am: Sutra Discussion
11:00 am - 11:30 pm : Buddha Puja (MUST Start at 11:00 AM)
11:30 am – 12:00 Noon: Dana offering to the monastics and those who observe eight precepts.
12:00Noon – 1:00pm Luncheon
AFTERNOON PROGRAM
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm : Discussion (base on Abhidhamma) by Dr. Deeptha Jayaratne
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm : Tea & coffee break.
3:30-4:30 pm: Dhamma Desana by Baminiyanvila Dhammaloka.
5:00 pm: Pujava and end of the program.
Warmest Greetings!
Venerable Theros & Friends,
Warmest Greetings!
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Maha Sanga, sponsors, donors, supporters, volunteers, and everyone who contributed in many ways to make this a successful Kathina .
Thank you very much for all of you who supported the Kathina Ceremony on October 22nd, 2016. The Ceremony was a valuable opportunity to get us together to celebrate the Vassana, gain enormous merit, and practice giving. Once again, thanks for your kindness & genuine cooperation to make this event a success.
GBV Youth Group:
We really appreciate all our sons and daughters of the GBV youth group. You did a great job and well done !!! We appreciate the parents who encouraged their children.
We heard nothing but positive feedback and ample appreciations. Whole credits and Kathina merits goes out to all of you, who truly took ownership of temple activities. However, please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience (if any) you may have experienced in respect to the Kathina 2016 ceremony. Personally, we weren’t trying to be disrespectful you or your family what so ever, our common objective was to share the ownership of the temple activities. Our temple should be handed over to our next generation with Buddhist and Sri Lankan cultural values.
Kind Request:
Monthly Dana Calendar- http://www.gavihara.org/p/
Please be kind to provide monthly dana to Maha Sanga. Next month onwards, we have 6 more gaps to fill. I am sure we should be able to find 6 or more families to fill these gaps. We certainly understand the commitment, however, its our utmost responsibility to feed and take care of our monks. There is a choice to pick a date by a group (more than one family) and share it every month. If you interested, please be kind enough to reply to this email. We will add your name to the dana calendar.
Finally, May the blessing of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha be with you always. May you all have good health, peace, and happiness.
With metta,
Weerasekara family