OTTAWA BUDDHIST SOCIETY EVENTS

Dear friends,

On November 5, 2005, at an informal meeting in Ottawa, Canada, I proposed the establishment of a forest monastery in Eastern Ontario. I invited supporters and friends by word of mouth to this gathering, having over a number of years been requested by members of the Buddhist community in Ontario to take up residence in the province. The meeting was well attended and the responses to my suggestion have been heart warming and inspiring. My gratitude goes out to all of you for such kind and generous words of encouragement. I have included the minutes from that meeting as an attachment to this e-mail for those who were not present. It was a good day and I now feel there is more than enough support to take the first steps in the process of establishing a forest monastery.

I have asked Anoma de Silva, Philip Jurgens and Paul Moses to join me in creating the necessary legal structures of a new charitable association specifically for the establishment of a forest monastery in Ontario. We will act as the founding committee and will use the legal documents created by Abhayagiri monastery in California as the model for our bylaws and constitution. This process will be completed in about 6 months. In the first few months of 2006, we will be seeking new committee members to get the monastery project underway. Many people have offered to help in committee work; I'm grateful for the pool of talented friends that can be called upon. In the meantime we will supply a quarterly newsletter to keep everyone abreast of our progress; you may also view updates at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ontarioforestmonastery/

I’m optimistic that this work will go well and be a source of inspiration. The process itself is what is most important; done skillfully, it can be a means by which our numerous Ontario Buddhist communities can unite in the joys and challenges of creating a place that will be of benefit to many.

Anjali,
Bhikkhu Viradhammo  

PLEASE CLICK ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES FOR INFORMATION 
ON UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please Note:
Prior to attending an OBS event, we ask that you please consult the following websites for information on 
PROPER CONDUCT / ETIQUETTE WITH THERAVADA MONASTICS: 
- http://www.ratanagiri.org.uk/Book/book3/discipl.htm  
- http://www.abhayagiri.org/etiquette.html  


DAYS OF MINDFULNESS
These Days of Mindfulness are held once a month at the Tu-An Pagoda (Vietnamese Buddhist temple) and involve a full-day (8:30am-3:30pm) program of guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, Dhamma readings, Dhamma talks, Q&A periods, etc.   
For dates and more information, please CLICK HERE...

MEDITATION RETREATS
 The Ottawa Buddhist Society occasionally holds weekend or 10-day meditation retreats for members and friends of the Society.  These retreats offer the opportunity for intensive periods of meditation under the guidance of a monastic teacher.  Retreats are usually held at the Galilee Retreat Centre (Arnprior) or at other retreat centres close to Ottawa.     
For dates and more information, please CLICK HERE...

QUAKER HOUSE EVENING SESSIONS WITH AJAHN VIRADHAMMO
Ongoing Friday evening sessions: An opportunity to share in the teachings of the Buddha with Ajahn Viradhammo at Quaker House, located on Bank Street near Fourth Avenue.  The sessions usually begin with a period of guided meditation, followed by a Dhamma talk and a question & answer period led by Ajahn Viradhammo.  
For dates and more information, please CLICK HERE...

PAGODA STUDY GROUP SESSIONS WITH AJAHN VIRADHAMMO
Ongoing Wednesday evening sessions: Ajahn Viradhammo guides participants in sessions that will consist of chanting, a 45-minute meditation, and an ongoing study of select Buddhist texts. The objective of the sessions is to incorporate a partial academic understanding of the Buddha’s core teachings into one’s daily life experience. 
For dates and more information, please CLICK HERE...

COMMUNITY BULLETIN OF BUDDHIST EVENTS IN OTTAWA
 A listing of Buddhist events in the Ottawa area organized by other Buddhist groups and friends of the Ottawa Buddhist Society.  Please note that this is not a complete listing of Buddhist events happening in the Ottawa region.  If you are interesting in posting information to this Community Bulletin, please send in the required information listed on the following site.   
For dates and more information, please CLICK HERE...