sangha notes: Keeping Sangha Connected During his annual visit, Nagabodhi, an order member from England and (NEWMARKET, NH) the president of Aryaloka, hosted “Dimensions of Mindfulness,” an order This fall brought a busy retreat mitra day investigating the depths schedule with the North American of mindfulness practice, as well as a Going For Refuge Retreat Teams Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction holding retreats for both the men (September) and women (October) on workshop. In November, Suddhayu gave a talk their way to ordination. at the Portsmouth-Aryaloka Sangha In September Lona Kovacs and Day, a time for meditation, discussion Sunada led the “Sublime Composure” and sharing a meal. yoga and meditation retreat. — Peter Ingraham Particpants practiced Buddhist ARYALOKA SANGHA
meditation as well as Ashtanga yoga and focused on the supportive relationship between the two. Bodhana and Karunasara led this season’s “Intensive Noble Silence” weekend retreat in November. Guest speakers Sanjay Bhagat and Suraj Yengde presented Ambedkar Day with dinner by Harshal Dofe in celebration of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar and his work to bring Buddhism to the Dalits (former untouchables) in India.
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As a result of a year doing environmental education with Americorps, Aryaloka Sangha member Scott Hurley was inspired to change his transportation to help the environment. After meeting someone who had replaced his family’s cars with electric bikes, Scott decided to get a motor for his bike. Since Summer 2015, he has come to six events at Aryaloka riding his electric bicycle 90 miles from Keene, NH. At a young Sangha retreat, he came up with the idea to educate more people with a sign on his bike pointing to his website DiscoverElectricBikes.weebly.com.
To Help Those in Need SanghaCare time of need. is a volunteer When there is an illness, surgery, program that natural disaster or other critical event, expands our Sangha volunteers are available to Buddhist provide short-term practical and practice in SanghaCare spiritual support. practical ways Practical support may include, for to help those example: around us • Shopping for groceries or other while building necessities community • Preparing and/or delivering within the Aryaloka Sangha. It is the food Bodhisattva Ideal come to life in the • Running errands here and now. provides To help those in needSanghaCare and build • Transportation an opportunity Sangha members community within thefor Aryaloka • Caring for a pet sangha. to give as well as receive practical • Calling or writing messages of assistance and spiritual friendship in a care and sympathy To help those in need and build community within the Aryaloka sangha.
SanghaCare is a volunteer program that expands our Buddhist practice in practical ways to help those around us. It is the Bodhisattva Ideal come to life in the here and now.
SanghaCare provides an opportunity for sangha members to give as well as receive practical assistance and spiritual friendship in a time of need.
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Spiritual support may include: • Visit from a trained Sangha spiritual caregiver • Meditation circle in person’s home or other location Who is eligible? Any member of the Aryaloka Sangha is eligible for services. Request for support should come from the person in need or someone else on their behalf. Contact the Aryaloka office by phone at (603) 659-5456 or e-mail info@Aryaloka.org. Sangha members who are interested in providing support to others are invited to fill out an application form (available at Aryaloka) and return it to the office.