Birken Forest Monastery Updates
Forest Fires
First of all, we wish to express our deep gratitude to the many kind supporters who have recently contacted us with heartfelt best wishes, asking how we are in the midst of the forest fires that are blanketed much of British Columbia. Please be assured that at this moment the monastery is out of harm’s way, yet we are very alert to the provincial wildfire notices and keeping an eye on the changing winds and conditions. And as Ajahn Sona always reminds us: “Don’t worry. Everything is out of control.”
Work Projects
As Birken remains closed due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, we are using this time of no guests for some necessary construction projects at the monastery. Some of these activities include:
- Adding an additional 10 kWh of solar panels to increase our independence from fossil fuels.
- Completely wrapping the exterior of the Vihara (main building) with super insulation, again to reduce energy usage, particularly in the winter months.
- Various trenching and plumbing updates to our existing infrastructure, as well as additions for better access to water and washrooms in other areas of the monastery.
These projects, requiring many hours of labour, plus some very big, noisy, and expensive machinery, couldn’t be accomplished when we are open to guests. We are grateful to be able to use this precious time of monastery closure for these undertakings which will provide substantial long-term benefits to the monastery, its monastics, stewards, and guests, for decades to come.
Please watch for our newsletter and news post here on our website for another project update in the coming weeks which will include photos and a video of our progress so far.
Mettā Showers
To all who have experienced loss in this past year, whether by the pandemic, fires, or the myriad of other realities of samsara, please know we are showering every being with cool raindrops of mettā.
May you all be safe, well, happy, and peaceful.
