1. Announcement of the Opening of Gotami Vihara
The Support Network for Women Renunciants in Malaysia and Singapore (SNFWREMS) is pleased to announce the formation of Gotami Vihara Society and the official opening of its centre by Venerable B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera, (Judiciary) of Malaysia.
Ven. Bhikkhuṇī Dhammanandā from Thailand will also be gracing the event, as well as Ayya Santinī from Indonesia and Ven Bhikkhuṇī Bodhicittā from Sri Lanka.
We wish to invite you and your organization to join us to rejoice in this auspicious occasion. The Vihara will be for both local and visiting nuns to stay either on a short term or longer term basis.
Details are as follows:
Date: 2 June, 2012 (Public holiday)
Time: 10.30am followed by lunch dana
Venue: Gotami Vihara, K37-C, Jalan TK 1/11A, Taman Kinrara, 47180 Puchong, Selangor (former premises of the Kinrara Metta Buddhist Society, opposite old Army Camp).
2. Two-Day Work Shop
In conjunction with the event, we are holding a two day Work-Shop from 2-3 June. Ayya Santinī who is one of the speakers of the Workshop will stay on at the Centre till 14 June and will be available for discussions and consultation.
Ven. Saranankara, Ven. Bodhicittā and Sis Sumangalā are also among some of the speakers. Subsequently, Ven. Bodhicittā plans to do a personal retreat at Gotami Vihara for a month in November, 2012.
Details are as follows:
Workshop
Date: 2-3 June, 2012
Time: 8am – 5pm
Venue: Gotami Vihara
Fees: None
Download the Application Form
3. A Taste of Bhikkhuṇī’s Life
We are calling women who wish to get a glimpse or a taste of a nun’s life to participate in these activities and also stay at the Vihara. Although it is for nuns from all Buddhist sects, all activities are open to lay women devotees on a first-come first-served basis as the hall has limited space. No fee is charged.
If you are in contact with women who have renounced or aspire to go forth, kindly share this information with them and ask them to register if they are interested.
This Workshop is only a preliminary one. When we have identified more nuns and have more funds, we will organise more retreats and seminars in the future to deal more in-depth with the Vinaya, Suttas, meditation and personal development skills.
We are also looking for volunteer caretakers/kappiyas to stay in the Vihara on a weekly/daily basis. So don’t miss this rare opportunity to stay with the distinguished and compassionate bhikkhuṇīs and gain invaluable insights and skills from them, and to be able to practice as well. It is indeed a very meritorious act.
We are raising funds for the projects, cost of air fare for the Bhikkhuṇīs and also renovation to create a clean, safe and comfortable place for the nuns to stay in. We have sufficient donations in kind but would welcome cash donations, however small they are to make these projects a success.
If you wish to donate, you can bank it in at our Support Network Public Bank Account a/c. No. 4-6328003-27, name Yen Yoke Wah (Barbara) yyyen27@yahoo.com and Wuan Thong Lok at wuanthonglok@yahoo.co.uk. Please inform us the date you banked in, amount, your full name and address so that we can acknowledge receipt.
Our long term goal is to purchase our own premises in Petaling Jaya which will be more conducive as a residence for practice and transit stay.
4. Free Health Screening for Sangha Members by Tzu Chi Buddhist Society
We have also arranged with Tzu Chi KL to provide free Health Screening for nuns on 9 June by a team of volunteer pharmacy and medical specialists. The comprehensive health screening includes full blood tests, including liver and kidney function tests and ultrasound. The team of specialists include physicians (both western and eastern trained), gynaecologist, opthamologist, pharmacist, acupuncturist, etc.
Date: 9 June & 8 December, 2012 (Saturdays) for nuns including 8 & 10 Preceptors
Venue: 221, 4th Floor, Wisma LTS, Jln Pudu, 55100, KL. (near Caltex)
Time: 8am – 2pm
Meals: You are advised to fast on the day. Free breakfast and lunch are provided after blood tests are done
Registration: Sis Yip Sook Ying: Tel. 016-211 7049, Dr. Tan, 012-674 8386
Screening for Monks: 8 September, 2012 (Saturdays)
With Metta,
Barbara Yen
Pro-tem chairperson,
Support Network for Theravada Women Renunciants in Malaysia and Singapore
Gotami Vihara Society Malaysia 