We have a communication from our sister community,
International Women's Meditation Center
Rayong, Thailand
Bhikkhuni Dr. Lee, Abbess
Ven. Pannavati is uppajaya for four bhikkhunis and one novice originally from this meditation center. She ordained them when she was in Thailand last year. We want to open the prospect of people offering them support if they feel led to do so.
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Dear Committee Members & Dharma Friends,
May you be well. May you be at ease.
1. The International Women's Meditation Center is having a very good Rains Retreat with 5 women monastics in residence.
2. The center is moving forward with efforts to localize the center with committee members from the Rayong community.
3. The center is moving towards economic self-sufficiency for the center through agricultural efforts similar to the Santi - Asoke Buddhist Community and actually with some of their advice. This year's agricultural profits from: mangosteen, rambutan & durian produce financed the complete planting of 9 rai of land to include the following successful plantings: forest trees for quick shade, flowering trees, medicinal trees, 50 jack fruit trees, 50 mangosteen trees, 50 papaya trees, 30 cha-aum bushes, 8 makrut bushes, 8 cha mon bushes, 12 lemon trees, 5 som oh trees, numerous tak krai & tak krai hom, ginger, ka, 3 bamboo trees for wood harvest, 5 edible bamboo trees, thon poh, thon sai, thon jik, 60 lilawadi trees, 30 fung fa bushes, 30 cha ba bushes, 50 large variety banana trees, 30 small variety banana trees, and numerous flowers and other select medicines.
4. The forecast is good. Next year there will be economic profits from mangosteen, durian, katorn, banana & papaya. The rambutan trees are over 40 years old and will rest for three years as they will be pruned to rid disease and increase strength. We have successfully watered, fertilized and protected the trees from pests using natural remedies which we have made. Village women have taught us the herbal remedies, and the village men have taught us how to prune and prevent disease in the trees.
So, within three years we will be a very shady and self-sufficient community. In addition to gardening meditation, the women are doing wonderful work in seated vipassana meditation, Buddhist studies and higher academic studies with one studying for a teaching certificate now and another preparing for a M.A. in Family & Community Development.
I thank you all for your kindness.
in peace and goodwill,
Bhikkhuni Dr. Lee, Abbess
International Women's Meditation Center
Rayong, Thailand
