Vesak Meditation Retreat 2013

by Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

The Vesak moon as seen from Patacara BHikkhuni Hermitage on 24th of May 2013.

Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage celebrated Vesak – the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha, this year with a two day non-residential meditation retreat on Friday, 24^th of May and Saturday, 25^th of May.

The Volunteers hung up Vesak lanterns,lights and flags in the evening of 22nd May at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

On Wednesday, two days before the Vesak 2013, four of our regular lay supporters came to hang up Vesak lanterns, lights and Buddhist flags to celebrate the most important occasion of the Buddhist calendar. As all of us had some experience last year with Vesak celebration, the preparation went smoothly and harmoniously. We managed to finish the preparation by 8.00pm.

Vesak day this year fell on Friday, 24th of May. It was a beautiful sunny day. There were about eighteen people participating in the Vesak Meditation Retreat this year. We paid our highest respect to the Lord Buddha by keeping the precepts, practising meditation and contemplating the Dhamma. As in the ‘Mahaparinibbana Sutta’ in the Digha Nikaya:

‘the Lord said:’ Ananda, these sal-trees have burst forth into an abundance of untimely blossoms, which fell upon the Tathagata’s body, sprinkling it and covering it in homage….. Divine music and song sound from the sky in homage to the Tathagatha.  Never before has the Tathagata been so honoured, revered, esteemed, worshipped and adored. And yet,  Ananda, whatever monk, nun, male or female lay-follower dwells practising the Dhamma properly, and perfectly fulfils the Dhamma-way, he or she honours the Tathagata, reveres and esteems him and pays him the supreme homage. Therefore, Ananda, ” We will dwell practising the Dhamma properly and perfectly fulfil the Dhamma-way”— this must be your watchword.’  

The participants practising walking meditation during Vesak Meditation Retreat 2013 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

As Vesak is the celebration of the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of  the Buddha,  this year we investigated the themes of Old Age, Sickness and Death. We chanted the ‘Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection’ from the Anguttara Nikaya Sutta 57, during the retreat, and also used the themes as our contemplation during meditation sessions. 

FIVE SUBJECTS FOR FREQUENT RECOLLECTION
Jara-dhammomhi jaram anatito
I am of the nature to age, I have not gone beyond ageing.

Byadhi-dhammomhi byadhim anatito
I am of the nature to sicken, I have not gone beyond sickness.

Marana-dhammomhi maranam anatito
I am of the nature to die, I have not gone beyond dying.

Sabbehi me piyehi manapehi nanabhavo vinabhavo
All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me.

Kammassakomhi kammadayado kammayoni kammabandhu kammapatisarano. Yam kammam karissami kalynam va papakam va tassa dayado bhavissami.
I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma, related to my kamma, abide supported by my kamma. Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that I will be the heir.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and the participants on Vesak day, 24th of May 2013 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

At the end of the day of practice on Vesak day, we  had a small ceremony to pay respect to the Bodhi Tree, the tree the Buddha sat under when He attained enlightenment. The ceremony reminded us that the goal of our practice is for liberation and freedom, Nibbana.

Subha the cat,  during the Vesak Meditation Retreat 2013 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

On the second day of the Vesak Meditation Retreat, we continued with our investigation on Old Age, Sickness and Death. We especially looked into what the Dhamma said about Old Age, Sickness and Death. We also practised sitting and walking meditation.

This is one of my favourite suttas on Old age, Sickness and Death from the Sutta Nipata:

The Salla Sutta – The Dart
A recollection on death
1 Life is unpredictable and uncertain in this world. Life here is difficult, short and bound up with suffering.
2 A being, once born, is going to die, and there is no way out of this. When old age arrives, or some other cause, then there is death. This is the way it is with living beings.
3 When fruits become ripe, they may fall in the early morning. In just the same way a being, once born, may die at any moment.
4 Just as the clay pots made by the potter tend to end up being shattered, so is it with the life of mortals.
5 Both the young and the old, whether they are foolish or wise, are going to be trapped by death. All beings move towards death.
6 They are overcome by death. They go to the other world. And then not even a father can save his son, or a family their relatives.
7 Look: while relatives are watching, tearful and groaning, men are carried off one by one, like cattle being led to the slaughter.
8 So death and ageing are endemic to the world. Therefore the wise do not grieve seeing the nature of the world.
9 You cannot know his path as to where he has come from, or where he is going to. So it makes no sense to grieve for him.
10The man who grieves gains nothing. He is doing no more than a foolish man who is trying to hurt himself. If a wise man does it, it is the same for him.
11 Peace of mind cannot come from weeping and wailing. On the contrary, it will lead to more suffering and greater pain.
12 The mourner will become pale and thin. He is doing violence to himself, and still he cannot keep the dead alive; his mourning is pointless.
13 The man who cannot leave his sorrow behind him only travels further into pain. His mourning makes him a slave to sorrow.
14 Look at beings who are facing death, who are living out the results of their previous deeds; people are terrified when they see that they are trapped by death.
15 What people expect to happen is always different from what actually happens. From this comes great disappointment; this is the way the world works.
16 A man may live for a hundred years, or even more, but in the end he is separated from his relatives, and he too leaves life in this world
17 So we can listen and learn from the noble man as he gives up his grief. When he sees that someone has passed away and lived out their life, he says ‘he will not be seen by me again.’
18 When a house is burning, the fire is put out by water. In the same way the wise man, skilful, learned and self-reliant, extinguishes sorrow as soon as it arises in him. It is like the wind blowing away a tuft of cotton.
19 The person who is searching for his own happiness should pull out the dart that he has stuck in himself, the arrow-head of grieving, of desiring, of despair.
20 The man who has taken out the dart, who has no clinging, who has obtained peace of mind, passed beyond all grief, this man, free from grief, is still.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, together with Jacky and the participants on Saturday, 25th of May 2013, the Vesak Meditation Retreat at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

May all of us continue to practise to pull out the dart in our heart, for freedom and liberation, for Nibbana.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.

 

The Bodhi Tree

by Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and Jacky waiting for the action to begin outside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 28th of April 2013.

On the afternoon of Sunday, 28th of April, a few of us gathered together to transfer the Bodhi Tree from its pot into a bigger pot. I am trying to find an appropriate word for this specific task. Our supporter Jacky, came up with the word ’re-potting’, or as a gardener calls it ‘potting-on’. Whatever the word, it was an exciting and  significant event for us. This means the Bodhi Tree at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage has flourished. For us, as practitioners on the path,  the flourishing of Bodhi Tree also reminds us of the importance of the practice of Dhamma that leads to the growth of Dhamma in our hearts.

The preparation work for the Bodhi Tree to be transferred into the large fibre glass pot on 28th of April 2013 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

One of the most important preparations for the event to take place was to locate a suitable pot for the Bodhi Tree. We needed a light weight pot such as fibre glass so that it would be easy for us to move the pot whenever we wished to. We also would like to have a substantial pot to honour the Bodhi Tree. It seemed a simple job to look for the right pot. But, I can assure you that it took a few of us a couple of months with great persistence and time and energy to locate the suitable sized fibre glass pot in time for the event.

This is a great story about perception. After successfully locating the pot, I had to organise for the pot to be delivered to the Hermitage. The sales person whom I spoke to was very helpful, efficient, kind and polite.  I told the sales person I am a nun and my name is Sister Seri. I spoke to the sales person at 9am and the pot arrived at the Hermitage at 2.30pm on the same day.  The interesting thing was the pot was addressed  to “Sister Mary”.  Even with much good will between myself and the sales person, the conditioning of the sales person relates a nun to a Christian nun with “Sister Mary”, instead of a Buddhist nun, “Sister Seri”. Our conditioning can be useful and sometimes can even protect us from harm. However, it also can stop us from seeing beyond our own world. I am very grateful to the sales person for her help in making it possible for the Bodhi Tree to be transferred into a suitable pot.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and the Bodhi Tree outside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 28th April 2013

The volunteers on Sunday, 28th of April 2013 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

A few of our supporters came to help us on that Sunday afternoon of 28th of April. It was a small event because it was a small job. The afternoon also brought people together. Our kind neighbours lent us their hands and offered us some of their gravel from the garden and the use of their tools.  After we transferred the Bodhi Tree into its pot, we chanted the gatha to pay respect to the Bodhi Tree, and the ‘Jaya Paritta’. It was a lovely and pleasant afternoon.

May the  Bodhi Tree continue to flourish and may we flourish in the practice of the Dhamma, for the attainment of Nibbana.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and the crew of volunteers at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday 28th of April 2013. Photo taken by our neighbours.

Ayya Vayama’s 28th Ordination Anniversary

by Bhikkhuni Seri

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri’s mother, Sau San Teh (next to Ayya Seri) and the participants in the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 17th of March 2013.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni went forth and ordained as a Ten Precept nun on 17th of March 1985 at Parappaduwa Nuns Island, Dodanduwa, in Sri Lanka. Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s preceptor was Venerable Piyaratana and her teacher was Ayya Khema. On Sunday, 17th of March 2013, about twenty Dhamma friends got together to practice meditation to honour the 28th ordination anniversary of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni. As mentioned in the ‘Sigalaka Sutta’ in the Digha Nikaya : ‘ There are five ways in which pupils should minister to their teacher: by rising to greet them, by waiting on them, by being attentive, by serving them, by mastering the skills they teach..

It was a beautiful, sunny day. We spent the day in Noble Silence, investigating the Dhamma, sitting in meditation and doing walking meditation. My mother, Sau San Teh and Aunty Jasmine, both visiting from Malaysia,also participated in the day. It was a special day for me and a great honour to be able to offer Dhamma reflections and conduct the meditation day on the ordination anniversary of my teacher, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, and in the presence of my teacher and my mother.We contemplated the Sutta Sedaka in the Samytta Nikaya:

There was once a pair of jugglers who performed their acrobatic feats on a bamboo pole. One day the master said to his apprentice: ‘Now get on my shoulders and climb up the bamboo pole.’ When the apprentice had done so, the master said: ‘Now protect me well and I shall protect you! By protecting and watching each other in that way, we shall be able to show our skill, make a good profit and safely get down from the bamboo pole.’ But the apprentice said: ‘Not so, master! You, O master, should protect yourself, and I too shall protect myself. Thus self-protected and self-guarded we shall safely do our feats.’
“This is the right way,” said the Blessed One and spoke further as follows:
“It is just as the apprentice said: “I shall protect myself— in that way the foundations of mindfulness ( satipatthana ) should be practised. ‘I shall protect others’ — in that way the foundations of mindfulness should be practised. Protecting oneself, one protects others; protecting others, one protects oneself.

“ And how does one, in protecting oneself, protect others? By the repeated and frequent practice of meditation.

“And how does one, in protecting others, protect oneself? By patience and forbearance, by a non-violent and harmless life, by loving kindness and compassion.”

PROTECTING ONESELF, ONE PROTECTS OTHERS.
PROTECTING OTHERS, ONE PROTECTS ONESELF.

One of the participants commented later that she had never seen shoes so neatly lined up outside the Sala, the meditation hall. Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni told us a story told by her teacher, Ayya Khema. This is the story:
A disciple of the Zen master went to see the teacher for his daily interview. The disciple started to describe his amazingly deep meditative experience to the Zen master. The Zen Master stopped him and asked him a question: ‘ Before you walked into this interview room, did you leave your shoes on the left side of the door or the right side of the door?’ The disciple answered: ‘I don’t know.’ The Zen Master sent the disciple away and asked him only to describe his great meditation experience after he paid attention to where he left his shoes.

All the participants on Sunday, 17th March, left their shoes mindfully out of kindness and compassion for the safety of all those present. This prevents people tripping over the piles of shoes in front of the doorway. They also scored a ticket to have an interview with the Zen Master! Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

Photo 2: Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and the participants at the Sala of the Hermitage, on 17th of March.

Root Canal Treatment, Birthday Cake and a Death Anniversary

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Grandma, and Ayya Seri’s birthday cake at dana in February 2013.

By Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

Root canal treatment, birthday cake and a death anniversary seem like three very different things. However, I had personally experienced all three recently.

At the begining of the year, I had root canal treatment on my front tooth due to infection. After two sessions of treatment, I thought I was done and the ordeal was over. However, the infection returned ten days later. I had to go back to the dentist again and I was  given more antibiotics. In addition, I was referred to an endodontist, a root canal specialist. I must admit I was disappointed with the outcome. I was disappointed with my tooth and I was disppointed with myself that I needed to go to more consultations and treatments. The mind was agitated by the disappointment. When I told my teacher, Ayya Vayama, about my agitation and disappointment, Ayya Vayama encouraged me to look at the experience as a part of ’FABRIC OF LIFE’. The words, ‘FABRIC OF LIFE’, were like a bright light shining into my unenlightened  mind!……..

An elegantly decorated and delicious chocolate cake was offered to me by our supporter at dana for my birthday. I was touched by all the good wishes that I received. My birthday was like Christmas is to a child ! I was showered with phone calls and cards from family and friends, as well as presents and ice-cream, and  of course the beautiful birthday cake! It was like I was in the heavenly realm!……..

A few days ago was the first death anniversary of our very good friend, Millie. We remembered her dana, her smile, her kindness and her devotion to and faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. We had been chanting and sharing merits with Millie. At that moment, the death anniversary brought up the sadness of the unexpected and sudden loss of our dear friend and the sadness of no longer having her with us………

The pain and discomfort of root canal treatment, the disappointment and agitation, then the happiness and joy of receiving good wishes, and the sadness of the loss of a very good friend were all real in my recent experience. As Ayya Vayama said, ‘They are all part of the FABRIC OF LIFE.’ In the past, I used to hold on tightly to the joy and happiness in life, and avoid the unpleasant experiences as much as I could. Now, I encourage myself to stay, to stay fully and completely with the ’FABRIC OF LIFE’.

Happy New Year 2013

The shrine in the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 31st December 2012.

by Bhikkhuni Seri

Happy New Year to all  our friends and supporters of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

At Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage, we welcomed the Year 2013 in  perfect hermit style! We toasted the sunset on New Year’s Eve with red apple and rasberry juice. After that we moved into the shrine to start our puja and meditation. We started the puja with ‘Homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha’ followed by asking for forgiveness from the Triple Gem. We then chanted the’Metta Sutta’ while each one of us took turn to light and to offer a floating candle to the Buddha and to make our New Year’s aspiration. We then meditated together. We finally finished the celebration  at 9.00pm with the sharing of merits and sending good wishes of happiness and peace to all beings in the New Year.

‘Better than ruling the whole world,
better than going to heaven,
better than lordship over the universe,
is an irreversible commitment to the Path.’
-Dhammapada 178-

Happy New Year to all of you!
May you have Happiness, Peace and Ease in 2013!

An Auspicious Weekend In October – 60th Birthday Celebration

by Bhikkhuni Seri

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni at the start of Ayya Vayama’s 60th Birthday Celebration on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Ming.

Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage put on a Birthday Celebration to honour Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s sixtieth birthday on Sunday, 28th October 2012. This was Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s actual birth date. The celebration started in the afternoon at 2pm. In spite of Ayya Vayama’s ill health and the limitation of space at a private premises, we managed to squeeze in 75 people for the celebration.

Joy and happiness at Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th Birthday Celebration on 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor

It was a hot and cloudy day with no showers forecast. However, suddenly, before the start of the celebration, there was a sprinkle of rain. It was like a heavenly blessing, to celebrate Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th Birthday.

Ayya Vayama’s 60th Bithday Celebration on 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Manora.

The Birthday Celebration was an invitation-only event at a private residence with ABSOLUTELY no alcohol. The Hermitage even invited our neighbours, two off-duty policewomen to preside over the celebration to ensure order and security! However, Subha, the wandering cat, still managed to gatecrash the celebration, even though she found herself two hours late. Subha, the cat, was jealous of Billy, the poodle, who managed to get an invitation to the celebration!

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni at her 60th Birthday Celebration on Sunday, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor

The Birthday Celebration started with the chanting of  the ‘Metta Sutta – The Buddha’s words on Lovingkindness’ to offer lovingkindness and good wishes to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni for her 60th birthday. All of us present sat in silence for a few minutes and sent our good wishes, appreciation, gratitude and lovingkindness to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni.

The official launch of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s book ‘TAKING REFUGE’ to mark her 60th birthday on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012. Photo by Prem.

The highlight of the Birthday Celebration was the launch of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s first Dhamma book, ‘TAKING REFUGE’. It was the first free distribution book published by Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated. This was a beautiful gift of Dhamma by Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni who chose and edited  three of the more than sixty Dhamma talks that she offered at Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre. The gift of Dhamma, ‘TAKING REFUGE’, was generously sponsored and supported by devoted lay supporters and Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated to mark Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni 60th birthday.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s first free distribution book, ‘Taking Refuge’, published by Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated,  on Sunday, 28th October 2012. Photo by Zor.

After the official launch of the free distribution book, ‘TAKING REFUGE’ , the special birthday cake, beautifully decorated with the Western Australia wild flower, ’Hibbertia – yellow buttercup’, was presented to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni. There were also SIXTY yellow roses offered by family and supporters to celebrate the 60th birthday. Peace and Billy led the birthday cheers before Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni blew out the candles:-

‘The complete release of my mind was like the quenching of the lamp’, by Arahat Bhikkhuni Patacara.

As the flames flickered and went out, we all sincerely wished in our heart that Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni would attain her goal, Nibbana, in this very life. 

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni and the beautifully decorated and delicious birthday cake on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Manora.

After the formal Birthday Celebration, the party broke into a relaxed, harmonious and joyous gathering of people with refreshments and birthday cakes. All those who were present came up to wish Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni ‘Happy Birthday’, and personally expressed their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. Cousin Karina and Aunty Shirley gave Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni a big hug and kisses. They said they could do it differently because they are family!  

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni cut the birthday cake on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

The celebration finished at around 4.00pm. The Cleaning and Tidying up Taskforce worked very hard and was superbly efficient. Much merit to all of you who gave us a helping hand. By 9.30pm, the sala, marquee and the garage were empty of bodies, voices and celebration. Everything was almost back to normal.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and Dr Ping Wang, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s Chinese Medicine Doctor at the Birthday Celebration on Sunday, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

Once again silence fell upon the Hermitage. The moon was still glowing in the darkness of the sky. All that was left were good wishes, lovingkindness and peace.

I am signing off this last post of ‘An Auspicious Weekend In October’  here and now. May all of you be well, happy, at peace and at ease.

Evam.

An Auspicious Weekend In October – Offering Of Robe Material

by Bhikkhuni Seri

Upulmali Govinnage offered the Robe Material to the Bhikkhunis at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

On Sunday, 28th October 2012, we had a simple Offering  Of Robe Material Ceremony in the presence of 25 lay supporters, to mark the End of the Rains (Vassa) 2012 at Patacara Bhiikhuni Hermitage. Ayya Vayama’s cousin, Karina, and Aunty Shirley, Karina’s mother, arrived before 10.00am to meet Ayya Vayama and wish her Happy Birthday! Karina had come with her husband to visit Ayya Vayama earlier in May. Karina  returned to Perth from Sydney  especially to celebrate Ayya Vayama’s 60th birthday and brought her mother, Aunty Shirley with her. Ayya Vayama and all of us at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage were delighted to have the presence of Karina and Aunty Shirley for the Auspicious Occasion and the 60th Birthday Celebration.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Karina and Aunty Shirley inside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and Ayya Seri’s grandma, Ah Ying, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in Cantonese inside Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Before the official start of  Offering Of Robe Material Ceremony, Ayya Seri’s grandma, Ah Ying, sang a traditional ‘Happy Birthday’ in Cantonese to wish Ayya Vayama good health and happiness. This was then followed by birthday good wishes in Sinhala led by Ananda, wishing Ayya Vayama the attainment of Nibbana in this very life. We had to delay the special birthday wishes in English until the Birthday Celebration in the afternoon! 

Paying Homage to Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha inside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

We started the Offering of Robe Material Ceremony by paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by offering of Refuges and Five Precepts by Ayya Seri. Upulmali Govinnage offered the robe material to the Bhikkhunis of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage this year. A special blessing was offered to Upulmali Govinnage and those who were present for the offering of robe material. We concluded the Offering of Robe Material Ceremony with a blessing by the Bhikkhunis for the offering of dana.

Blessing for the Offering of Robe Material to the Bhikkhunis at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora

Lighting the candles on Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s birthday cake on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Before the dana, a delicious chocolate birthday cake was offered for Ayya Vayama’s birthday. The Bhikkhunis had the opportunity to sample the  birthday cake during the dana before noon!

The delicious chocolate birthday cake offered for Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th birthday on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

Dana on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Peace.