Aryaloka News | Aryaloka Buddhist Center

Wondrous Milksnakes Often Sun Near the Stupa

Posted on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 13:27

We appear to have some new guardians that enjoy the rocks near the stupa. We have seen two eastern milksnakes sunning themselves near the stone steps on multiple occasions. Milksnakes are shy and not venomous, but please give them space if you see them. They will most likely move away from you if approached, but they can create a rattling sound and lunge if cornered/provoked. You can learn more about these beautiful creatures here.

It is not lost on us that serpents or dragons — nagas in Indian mythology, are protectors of wisdom treasures. Let's live in harmony and peace with our beautiful neighbors!

Thank You For Your Support!

Posted on Sat, 06/05/2021 - 16:00

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of over 45 Sangha friends, Aryaloka raised more than $6,700 during these 24 hours of giving! That puts us that much closer to raising the $15,000 to cover the gap in revenue since we had to close our doors this past year.

NH Gives, New Hampshire’s annual day of giving for nonprofits ended Wednesday, but you can still click here to give.

If you have given, thank you! If not, there’s still time. Your gift – any size – makes a difference! Thank you so much for your support!

With thanks and metta,
Suddhayu
Aryaloka Center manager

Welcome to Saddhavasini as Women's Mitra Convener!

Posted on Sat, 05/08/2021 - 14:04

Hello Aryaloka friends,

On behalf of the Aryaloka Spiritual Vitality Council I’m happy to announce that Saddhavasini will be the new women's mitra convenor for Aryaloka Buddhist Center. Saddhavasini will chair a mitra convening team that will support and guide women mitras associated with Aryaloka. The team includes Saddhavasini, Khemavassika, Kamalasiri and myself.

Saddhavasini was ordained in 2018 in Spain and has a great depth of experience working in communication and with teams of people. We know her as the editor of the Vajra Bell, and we are delighted that she is taking up this new area of service to our sangha.

You Can Help in India — The Launch of Karuna USA

Posted on Sat, 05/08/2021 - 13:26

A woman in India covers her face during the coronavirus pandemic

Dear friend in the sangha,

As we know the situation in India is truly desperate.

This second wave of Covid-19 is spreading like fire. Even the most conservative estimates report over 230,000 people have died, and 4,000 more deaths each day. Health facilities are overwhelmed. Night curfews and local lockdowns are paralysing many states, with devastating consequences for the most poor. It is the most vulnerable and marginalised people who suffer the most; not just from Covid itself but through the lack of access to income, food and sanitation that the crisis makes worse. Nepal is also seeing a deadly wave of Covid-19 hit and this is expected to be devastating.

A Future Dharma Grant Purchases Air Purifiers

Posted on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 15:06

We are very fortunate to have received a generous grant from Future Dharma Fund to purchase air purifiers for the center! We purchased twelve purifiers to clean the air in common areas of the center. This will allow for a safer transition to in-person events, and cleaner air in the center generally. Thank you Future Dharma! Please consider making a donation to the Future Dharma Fund here.

Thank You Karunashanti

Posted on Mon, 04/26/2021 - 09:45

We are grateful to Karunashanti who left Aryaloka a generous bequest at the end of 2020. The photo above is from his ordination in 2019. Karunashanti visited Aryaloka on several ocassions to attend retreats in preparation to be ordained. The Board has put his bequest aside and will earmark it for a special project.

A letter from Amala as we approach the one-year anniversary of shutdown

Posted on Sat, 03/06/2021 - 12:26

Dear Sangha Friends,

As Gunopeta, a friend in downeast Maine recently said, ‘The sap is rising’. What encouraging words to hear at this not-yet-warm time of year! The winter will turn to spring. The days are longer already, with more than 11 hours from sunrise to sunset. And the equinox is in a mere 2 weeks!

In short, we’ve made it. We are just about through the winter. I hope that you have come this far unscathed. And I’m happy to share that Aryaloka has done just that.

As you know, the Center remains closed for classes and retreats. However it is not abandoned by any means. I asked Roddy Cole and Paul Dupre, who are at the Center regularly, to share a few of the things they have been doing and noticing at Aryaloka over the many months of closure.

Roddy, who cares for the plants at Aryaloka, writes: