Report Dana Call and Construction site

Dear friends in Dhamma,

since our last message in September, almost 20 meditators have already set up a standing order.

That’s great!

Many thanks to everyone who has expressed their appreciation for this Dhamma project every month for a year or more. Many thanks also for the lovely feedback.
At this point, we would also like to thank everyone who has been providing ongoing support for the meditation center for many years.

Traditionally, the Buddha’s teachings are preserved and growth promoted through voluntary giving.
Here in Dhammacari, too, we have been passing on the teachings on a dana basis for more than 18 years. This is the only way to make the teachings accessible to everyone.
Not only the basics such as the house and previous expansion steps, but also the ongoing operations were supported on a dana basis.

For this major expansion step, many “shoulders” are now needed to complete the work.
Everyone can take part in creating this “rock in the surf” in these turbulent times.

We still need another 80 regular donors

Who’s joining in?
Who will become a regular donor of €100/month for a year or longer?
As always, every contribution is welcome!

Further information: Link

Purpose:
“Extension, standing order”

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditationszentrum e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03
BIC BYLADEM1ERD

Report on the Construction Site

A look into our new pellet storage. Until the room is fitted with a sloping floor, door, etc., the wooden box will serve as a temporary storage space. In the last few weeks, heating has been provided by electricity…the boiler has been in operation since last Thursday.

In the last few weeks, not only has the walls been chiseled but also brickwork has been done…and the foundations have been sealed…also this week, a few preparatory jobs will be completed before the large solid wood components are delivered the following week.

With lots of Metta

Your Dhammacari Team

Two important Birthdays and a Dana Call

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

today, September 21st, the
Most Reverend Phra Prom Mongkol Vi Ajahn Tong would have
turned 101 years old.
It is the greatest gift for us that we were able to meet him and that he gave us such a powerful tool with his Vipassana technique.
We fondly remember his blessed visits to us in Dhammacari

Our association was founded 20 years ago

on September 21, 2004 as a sponsor for the creation of the meditation center.

A lot has happened since then:

In 2005, the house in Sonnenthal was found, bought and rebuilt

Retreats have been taking place here since 2006.
A few years later, we were already thinking about expanding. However, we put this on hold on the instructions of the Most Reverend Ajahn Tong… “It is still too early…”

In 2015, the first Kuti (a small house) was built to provide additional accommodation for helpers

In 2017 , the former horse stable was further expanded with two additional rooms.

In 2018 , the impetus for the larger expansion plans was given.

In 2020, the barn, the larger sewage treatment plant and the parking lot were built

In 2021, the foundation for the large extension to the house including a natural cellar was built

All of these steps were made possible by the generous donations of meditators.
Once again, I would like to say a big thank you on behalf of all those who value Dhammacari.

May your generosity be returned to you in many ways.

2024 - The shell

As we reported in the last emails, work on the extension is now continuing. Since July with the dismantling of the roof and now this week with the demolition of the garage and the conversion in the area of ​​the pellet storage.

The noise of the necessary chiseling work and the demolition of the garage were an outstanding meditation object for several days, which the meditators mastered excellently

The construction of the extension had to be postponed until the second half of October because the clarification of a few planning details took a while.

Dana

In order to be able to carry out the other trades after the shell construction, such as exterior cladding, heating, electrical installations, plumbing, floors, etc., further financial resources are then required.
We will announce the expected costs shortly.
The contracts must then be awarded to the tradesmen soon.

Since we now want to complete the construction without further breaks, we may also accept private loans. The KfW grant of €375,000 must be drawn down by April 2026 at the latest. This is only possible if the building is made functional.

In order to then gradually repay these loans, continuous donations are required:

Can we find 100 people among you who are prepared to give €100 a month for at least 1 year?
If someone wants to stop after 1 year, he/she should be replaced by new permanent donors.
Of course, it is also welcome to give a higher monthly amount.

Who is willing to support the growth of Dhamma in this way?

Since we have been carrying and communicating the idea for a few weeks, we have already found a few regular donors.
Who of you is joining in?

Furthermore, one or more donations of any amount are welcome and worthwhile. Everyone can make a contribution within their means to make Dhamma accessible to many people.

How can you donate?

When making the transfer, please state
Extension Building” as the purpose
and, in the case of a regular donation, also
Standing Order“.

We would also be pleased to hear from you if you are joining in and to know whether you can commit for 1 year or longer.

As always, the transfer will be made to the association’s account:

Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center e. V.
Sparkasse Erding-Dorfen
IBAN DE74 7005 1995 0010 1839 03
BIC BYLADEM1ERD

With Metta

Your Dhammacari-Team

Merit’s

Dear friends in Dhamma,

in the second half of July, the necessary dismantling work was carried out with the help of a few helpers from our Dhammafalmily and two carpenters. Everyone pitched in and the hot weather was an additional challenge. Lots of metta and thanks to everyone who used their strength so eagerly and willingly! A great dana for this project, so that more people can continue to come and practice the teachings of Buddha .

Some of the work went hand in hand…..

….in a balancing act……..reaching high….

….deep inside….

…..and provided a great overview for the daring ones….

…..this needs grounding:

May the merits support you on your path.

Further help for the fruit harvest, house and garden...

In September we’ll continue with our abundant fruit harvest… who can come for a few days, a week or two from September 9th to the end of October to help with the harvest and in the house and garden?
There will also be daily activities for those who live in the local area.

We look forward to your feedback…

Lot’s of Metta for all of you

Your Dhammacari Team

Best wishes for Christmas time and Happy New Year

…. there is no fire like the fire of passion,
no evil like anger and hatred;
there is no disease like greed,
and there is no bliss like the perfect peace of Nibbana.”
(Dhammapada)

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

We wish you and your loved ones happy christmas days, good health and peace for the New Year!

As in previous years, this year we have organized the house from 6 December to 6 January so that we too can practice intensively.

There is a special silence in the house that makes you feel reverent…..

A brief review of the last few months:

Hildegard came back from the clinic at the end of September much stronger. She continues to work diligently to continue the healing process….

Next year is already planned with guest teachers until August to make this possible.

On November 21, we had a distinguished visitor with us.
The abbot of the temple in Götzenhain, Venerable Phrakhrubhavanbuddhivides (Phra Ajarn Od), and other monks accepted our invitation to bless the straw bale house together with Venerable Phrakhrubhavanabidhan Phra Ajarn Ofer

With lots of Metta for all of you

Hildegard * Angelika * Maximiliano

Highest Award for Robert

Dear friends of meditation,

We would like to report you about a special event:

On February 23, Robert was awarded  with the Sema Dhammachak (The pilar of the Dhamma) by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Bangkok.

 

 

It is the highest award given by the Royal Family of Thailand for outstanding merit in spreading the Dhamma to lay people and to those who are ordained.

The award ceremony had been repeatedly postponed over the past two years, but now it could take place and Robert was able to receive the honour.

We are happy for Robert and congratulate him warmly for this special award.

Through Robert’s generosity in buying the property in Sonnenthal about 17 years ago and making it available for the Dhamma, it has already been possible for several thousand meditators to encounter the teachings of the Buddha and to find help in all possible life situations through the practice of meditation. So many people who have incorporated this meditation into their daily lives know the value of intense practice.

Giving shelter to meditators has always been an immeasurable merit….

may it support Robert on his way in many ways.

The tirelessness of our honoured teacher Khun Thanat Chindaporn should also be mentioned here. Through his immense commitment to spreading the Dhamma, many retreats have been established around the world, either on a regular or an intermittent basis. For many years, he has been active in making the awards possible. This means a considerable effort for him and also serves to spread the Vipassana meditation in the tradition of the Most Venerable Ajahn Tong.

In the days following the ceremony in Bangkok, the honourees had the opportunity to pay their respects to a number of high-ranking monks.

….and he arrived back home safe and sound.

With Metta
Your Dhammacari-Team

Our dear teacher Khun Thanat left this world

Dear friends in the Dhamma,

there are sad news:

Yesterday, March 31st, 2022, around 5 p.m., our dear teacher Khun Thanat Chindaporn left this world quick and surprisingly.

Another father of our sangha who has left after a lifetime of dedicated to the Dhamma. For the last 40 years he has devoted all his energy spreading the Dhamma worldwide according to the teachings of our Headmaster Most Venerable Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo Phra Prom Mongkol Vi. Many of us know Khun Thanat from Wat Chomtong, from the retreats in the Benedictine Monastery in Scheyern or from the high visits from Ajahn Tong, which we experience here in Dhammacari. None of this would have come about or happend without Khun Thanat. We owe him so much.

Khun Thanat’s body will be laid up in Wat Chomtong for the next 7 days and there will be chantings and ceremonies every day for him.

The farewell ritual, pouring blessed water over the teacher’s hand, will also be possible in Wat Chomtong from this afternoon.

The date for the funeral has not yet been announced.

But if you have the opportunity to pay the last respect to him and attend the celebrations in Wat Chomtong in person, you should plan your travel now with all the neccessary formalities.

There will be the possibility to attend the ceremonies via Facebook too.

Evening Chanting for the next 7 days here in Dhammacari

We are joining the chanting here at Dhammacari in offering the oportunity to chant with us via zoom and share our merits with Khun Thanat for the next 7 days.

We start at 6 p. m. daily.
You can dial with the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8690561231?pwd=RFU2NTlQSFJTZ2dyalBPZFBNczh2dz09
Meeting-ID: 869 056 1231
Kenncode: 049972

Since we can not attach the texts here, we ask those, who would like to chant with us to send us a short message, so that we can send you the texts by 5:50 p.m. at the latest.

Donation for the ceremonies, for the funeral and for support in general

In order to give Khun Thanat a dignified farewell, financial support is certainly welcome.
If you would like to give Dana for the ceremonies, for the funeral or for support you can use the german account from Khun Thanat which is running with the name of Manfred Schafft who has access to the account in Chomtong, where he lives as a monk:

Manfred Schafft
Volks-Raiffeisenbank Bayern Mitte eG
IBAN DE47 7216 0818 0101 9168 31
BIC: GENODEF1INP

There is the account from Khun Thanats daughter in Thailand:

Tanyanan Chindaporn
Siam Commercial Bank
175-2-04553-0
SWIFT: SICOTHBK
Paypal: tippythai@yahoo.com

Always in action...
... always generous and giving appreciation...
... teaching and instruction...
... always with the camera...
... looking for the most beautiful photo of Most Venerable Ajahn Tong.

With Metta

Your Dhammacari Team

Evening chanting

The regularly held evening chanting in our center is available to watch online under following links.

19. July 2020 https://youtu.be/YnmyZh8gW5U
12. July 2020 https://youtu.be/HAM_MgxUXWw
5. July 2020 https://youtu.be/CnniTXGo5mk (cut out at 38:00)
26. April 2020 https://youtu.be/HYMDcfJFCvg
19. April 2020 https://youtu.be/t-l5uD5bAHc (cut out at 30:00)
05. April 2020 https://youtu.be/SCRhQskoUbc

December 15, 2019 – Chomtong

Dear Friends in Dhamma,

Lisa and I have now arrived in Chomtong.

This afternoon the water which has been blessed by the King of Thailand will be brought to the temple, expressing the Royal Family`s respect for Ajahn Tong. Subsequently, there will be a chanting ceremony at the temple.
Throughout the next few days, several chanting sessions from the Abhidhamma will follow.

(more…)

All compounded things are impermanent…

Dear friends in Dhamma,

our highly respected teacher – Most Venerable Phra Prom Mongkol Vi. (Venerable Phra Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo) – has left this world yesterday December 12th, 2019 at the age of 96 years.
Yesterday morning he was still receiving a big group of international meditators from Khun Thanat and Khun Kat. Nobody expected that not long after he would already have left us.

(more…)