Aryaloka News

On Sunday the 28th of August, at 1:30pm at Aryaloka and online, we will celebrate the life of Teal Furnholm, a member of the Aryaloka sangha and an inspiring friend to many. Teal passed away on June 27, just a few weeks ago. She left us some teachings that she wanted to share, and a beautiful video that expresses her vision. Teal deeply wished for all beings to find happiness and to be relieved from unnecessary suffering. You are warmly welcome to come and view her offerings to us, to hear a puja for her, and to offer your own remembrances and rejoicings.

Dianne Wright always had been curious about Buddhism but, until 2010, had read only a few Buddhist authors. She began a mindfulness class that year at a local church, and her nascent interest in meditation brought her to Aryaloka Buddhist Center (ABC) for a five-week introductory meditation class. At that juncture, her interest in the Dharma had been kindled. She began attending Tuesday Friends’ Evenings each week and, a few years later, became a Triratna Mitra.

Lois Sans came to Aryaloka Buddhist Center (ABC) around the year 2000 for her first meditation class. Over the next ten years, she occasionally attended ABC workshops, retreats, and Friend's Night. In 2011, she yearned to see herself more clearly, and, in response, made a commitment to Buddhism and became a Triratna Mitra.

Teal Furnholm, sangha member and mitra sister, passed away very peacefully at her home on June 27, 2022. She had lived through cancer more than a decade ago, but it returned in recent years and finally got the better of her.

She who was formerly known as Lona Kovacs has become Singhasuri! Her Dharma name means ‘lioness-like heroine.’ Singhasuri was ordained with 17 others at Akashavana retreat center in Spain in the course of a three month retreat. She’ll be returning to us on the seacoast at the end of July.

Thanks to our many volunteers, beauty abounds in the gardens all around Aryaloka. Here's what Betsy Cadbury (one of our valued long term volunteers) had to say about Jackie Lee (a new volunteer): "Jackie is wonderful!! She rebuilt the little stone wall around the Akasaloka Buddha and planted a purple NG impatiens, and cleaned up the garden by the back stairs and put in 6 begonias. AND she got a good start on the weeding by the Aryaloka rhubarb stairs! AND she’s coming back!! Jackie, thank you! We so appreciate all the help!"

Aryaloka has opened its doors again with measures to prevent the transmission of covid-19, including limiting attendance at retreats and workshops. We are not yet at our pre-pandemic levels so we are needing to make up for lost revenue. Help us make up the difference June 7 and 8 through a special opportunity called NH Gives, a 24-hour giving window for NH nonprofits.

This year you can double your generosity, thanks to a generous match of up to $2,500 from Dharmachari Cittavan. Thank you Cittavan!

Summer Reading Circles

Would you like to read a transformational book about race, by a Buddhist author, over the summer?

We’re offering opportunities to explore two wonderful works, within supportive online Reading Circles with other Triratna sangha members. And at the end of each cycle, the authors will join us for a conversation!

Thanks to the generous support of many Sangha members, Aryaloka offers the Dharma freely to all who come to our center – virtually or in person. Some 100 Sangha members currently pledge their regular support to Aryaloka. Will you join them?

Will you pledge your support and become part of the Mandala of Supporting Friends?

Their generosity is fueled by many reasons. Dharmasukta, one order member, offers his reasons for giving:

A small but enthusiastic team including Craig, Frank, Paul and myself (Suddhayu) spent a day working on the small bridges at the base of the hill next to the Piscassic River.

Paul had a plan and some reclaimed wood, and the rest of us provided the labor. We were able to level and replace old wood on the longest bridge, which is presently flanked by beautiful marsh marigolds. We also lengthened and stabilized one of the shorter bridges that often gets displaced during flood season.