cool mind
                warm heart
                                    green life

Dear Friends,

We are delighted to inform you that this year, Birken Forest Monastery (‘Sitavana’) is celebrating its tenth anniversary at its current location, near Kamloops, British Columbia.  Sitavana's growth and vibrancy over the past decade are testament to the vision and generosity of thousands, particularly in the Lower Mainland. To mark this occasion, Sitavana's founder and Abbot, Ajahn Sona, will inaugurate a week of activities to enable friends and newcomers in the Metro Vancouver area to share in merit and in the Dhamma – without the four-hour drive!

The keystone event of the week will be the Paa Pah Ceremony, to be held on Sat. Oct. 29th, 9:00am, at the Confederation Community Centre, 4585 Albert Street, Burnaby.  The Paa Pah is a traditional Thai ceremony where lay supporters have an opportunity to express their gratitude and support for monastics through meritorious acts of generosity.  Unlike the Kathina ceremony, which happens only once a year at the end of the rains retreat, Paa Pah ceremonies can happen at any time of the year.  The term ‘Paa Pah’ can be loosely translated as ‘forest of robes’.  Many years ago in Thailand, it was common for monks to make their robes from old rags that they found scattered around, oftentimes from corpses.  Supporters therefore began placing robes on tree branches in the forest as offerings to the monks.  This later evolved into the Paa Pah Ceremony.  Nowadays, the Paa Pah is an opportunity for lay supporters to contribute to the material needs of the monastics.  By partaking in these acts of generosity, lay disciples enable the Sangha to continue as a living vehicle of Dhamma.  

Sitavana is hoping to use any monetary donations received du ring this year’s Paa Pah ceremony for a number of “green” improvement projects currently underway at the monastery, including: a new high efficiency heating system using “wood-gasification” technology; super-insulation of the ceiling and windows of the main building; as well as custom interior and exterior insulated shutters and panels to greatly reduce the monastery’s heat loss during cold weather months.  The total cost of these projects is estimated at $26,500, with the monastics and other supporters providing much of the labour.  It is anticipated that these projects will reap significant returns through reduced fuel consumption over the next thirty years or more.  Moreover, they will greatly lessen the burden we incur on this planet that sustains us.  If you wish to contribute to Sitavana’s Monastery Efficiency Fund or any of the monastery’s other operating expenses, we invite you to make a donation at the upcoming Paa Pah Ceremony.  If you are unable to attend the ceremony, you are also welcome to send your donation (made out to ‘Birken Forest Monastery’) by mail, noting that it is intended for this year’s Paa Pah. Anumodana! 

In addition to the Paa Pah Ceremony, there will be a number of other events through which Vancouver friends and newcomers can share in the Dhamma with Ajahn Sona.  Please see below for the detailed schedule. 

A note on the informal events at Baldwin House (Tues. Oct. 25 – Mon. Oct. 31):
~ You are welcome to participate in any of the breakfast or main meal offerings and bring along a small dish to share.  You are also invited to take part in any of the morning or evening meditation sessions, as well as tea times, to be led by Ajahn Sona.
~Address: 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby, V5E 2T2 (Please see PDF map to Baldwin House attached below; Google Maps provides transit schedules for those who wish to travel by bus.)
~ Parking at Baldwin House: The public parking lot is located on the east side of Deer Lake (next to Sperling Ave.).  Please note that the City of Burnaby closes the gates at 9pm.  Limited street parking is also available on Sperling Ave.

No registration or fee is required for any of these events.  Donations are welcome. 

We rejoice in your merit and look forward to seeing you in Vancouver!

Birken Forest Monastery (‘Sitavana’)
 

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DETAILED SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday October 25 at Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby

7:00 – 8:00 am  Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am  Sitting Meditation
11:00 am  Main Meal (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn to follow)
4:00 pm  Tea Time (Question & Answer with Ajahn)
7:30 – 8:30 pm  Evening Chanting and Sitting Meditation

Wednesday October 26 at Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby

7:00 – 8:00 am   Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am   Sitting Meditation
11:00 am   Main Meal (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn to follow)
4:00 pm   Tea Time (Question & Answer with Ajahn)
7:00 – 9:00 pm   Public Talk: “Cool Mind, Warm Heart, Green Life”
Roundhouse Community Centre - 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown

Thursday October 27 at Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby

7:00 – 8:00 am  Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am  Sitting Meditation
11:00 am  Main Meal (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn to follow)
4:00 pm  Tea Time (Question & Answer with Ajahn)
7:30 – 8:30 pm  Evening Chanting and Sitting Meditation

Friday October 28 at Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby

7:00 – 8:00 am  Breakfast
9:00 – 10:00 am  Sitting Meditation
11:00 am  Main Meal (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn to follow)
4:00 pm  Tea Time (Question & Answer with Ajahn)
7:30 – 8:30 pm  Evening Chanting and Sitting Meditation

Saturday October 29  Paa Pah Ceremony
Confederation Community Centre, 4585 Albert Street, Burnaby

9:00 am   Assemble at Confederation Community Centre
10:00 am   Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Sona
11:00 am   Food Offering (Midday Meal Dana)
12:30 - 2:00 pm   Paa Pah Offerings
7:30 – 8:30 pm   Evening Chanting and Sitting Meditation 

Sunday October 30  One-day Meditation Retreat
Asian Centre Auditorium, 1871 West Mall, UBC Point Grey Campus

SEE RETREAT FLYER ATTACHED BELOW
9:00 am   Registration
9:30 am   Introduction (short Dhamma talk by Ajahn Sona)
9:45 am – 11:00 am   Sitting and walking meditation practice
11:00 am   Midday Meal (bring-your-own-lunch)
12:30 – 2:30 pm   Sitting and walking meditation practice
2:30 pm – 4:00 pm   Dhamma Talk followed by Q & A session with Ajahn

Monday October 31, Baldwin House, 6543 Deer Lake Drive, Burnaby

7:00 – 8:00 am   Breakfast

 

Attachment	Size
Baldwin_House_Map.pdf	201.91 KB
Oct_30_Asian_Centre_Meditation_Retreat.pdf	79.57 KB