Wednesday, May 31, 2017

The Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center

The new Meditation Center on the hill


Hi Friends,
Since leaving Brasil I have been staying at the new, Pannasiha, 'Lion of Wisdom' Meditation Center, a forty five minute drive from Washington DC. It is a large seven bedroom house on three acres of land amidst the rolling hills and farmland near Damascus, Maryland. It was purchased by Bhante M. Dhammasiri and the Washington Buddhist Vihara. I was asked to be the director and the principal meditation teacher there. The combined Vesak and opening ceremony of the new center was held on May 21st. However, the house still needs some repair and renovations before it is suitable for holding short retreats and accomodating overnight guests. Starting next April hopefully I will begin conducting A Day of Mindfulness, as well as short weekend retreats. We hope to be able to accomodate persons for personal retreat periods also. It is still a work in progress. There is a new website for the center:www.lionwisdom.org. You can keep checking it from time to time for updates. At some point in the future there may be a facebook page.
Below are some photos of the center and the Vesak/opening ceremony.






View of house and deck from the back



Panorama of the house with dilapidated horse stable and woods




  Secluded woods in the far corner of the property


Small meditation tent in the woods



The mason monk at work


The statue and sign were covered to have the official unveiling at the opening ceremony



Awaiting the procession of vehicles from Washington D.C.


Sri Lankan boys awaiting their performance



Vehicles escorting the sitting Buddha statue 



Pick up carrying the Buddha 




Devotees greeting the arriving Buddha 








Awaiting arrival of the Buddha


Carrying the Buddha to the house





Bhante Dhammasiri and the Hon. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to cut the ribbon


The Buddha with the 'teaching mudra' installed in the meditation hall




Preparing to unveil the standing Buddha 








 Explaining about the mudra of Fearlessness



Invited government reps unveil the sign


Monks having the noon dana


 The afternoon Vesak Ceremony





Giving the Vesak address with government representatives behind





There is no meditation without Wisdom,
No wisdom without meditation,
One who both meditates and is wise,
Is close to peace and freedom (Nibbana)
                                                                                                                     Dhammapada 372


Meanwhile, I am off on a four month teaching tour to Germany and India. 
May all beings have the opportunity to hear the Dhamma and practise meditation to help free their minds from confusion and suffering.