His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the inaugural session of the first International Sangha Forum at the International Convention Center Bodhgaya in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on December 20, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor
In December we participated in the International Sangha Forum in Bodhgaya, the place of Buddha's enlightenment.
In the first three days of the conference, some rules of the Vinaya and the role of Buddhism in the 21st century were discussed. In the presence of hundreds of ordained sanghas and scholars of the different Buddhist traditions, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, the promoter of this dialogue, opened the proceedings which culminated, on the last day, with prayer at the main Temple of Bodhgaya.
The main objective of the conference was to develop ongoing dialogue and collaboration between practitioners of the Pali and Sanskrit traditions.
The conference highlighted the benefits of study and practices common to all traditions, as well as developing a comparison and understanding of the strengths found within different traditions, which we will treasure for our Monastery. His Holiness often emphasizes how important it is to maintain the authenticity of already established Buddhist traditions and, at the same time, adapt the Buddha's teachings to the needs of people in these difficult times.
In this sacred place, we had the precious opportunity to meet our Abbot to update him on the construction project of the Monastery.
Khen Rinpoche has reserved the right to choose the date for the start of work on the Temple, expected for next spring, on an astrologically favorable day which he will communicate to us as soon as we have started the construction site.
Another very auspicious piece of news, to create favorable conditions for the creation of our Monastery, is that Khen Rinpoche has agreed to give online teachings organized by our association, starting next March. We are working to organize everything and will let you know the dates shortly.
To conclude this short story of the trip to India, we want to share another important step taken towards our fundraising, which continues to need the support of all of you, who like us care about the preservation and diffusion of the Dharma and the maintenance and strengthening of the monastic community in the West.
In Bodhgaya, we had the opportunity to meet Ven. Roger Kunsang, former secretary of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and CEO of FPMT Inc., who, keeping faith with the commitment made during the last meeting with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, identified a benefactor for our project. This benefactor generously contributed by doubling an important donation we received.
We have now reached the final phase regarding the evaluation of the detailed estimates that we will define in these weeks with the construction company that will be selected.
We will therefore keep you updated on these and other activities that we are finalizing, hoping to continue to receive all your closeness and support.
The monks and nuns of Sangha Onlus
Fundraising for the Monastery
Together we will build the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Italy, in Pomaia di Santa Luce, Pisa. A place of prayer and meditation to contribute to world peace.
Help us create this wonderful eco-sustainable project, built on the rock just like the monasteries of Tibet.
Donate a brick.
Let's write history together. Thank you!
Donate now: https://monasterobuddhista.it/en/dona/