Dhamma Day 2023 | Invitation to Enter Vassa

Join the Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha and friends in commemoration of Dhamma Day, and the invitation for the Bhikkhuni Sangha to enter Vassa, on Saturday July 29th.

Dhamma Day (Sinhala: Esala Poya; Thai and Khmer: Āsāḷha Pūjā; Pali: Āsādhā Puṇṇamī) is also known as Wheel Turning Day, or Dhammacakka Day. This full moon day commemorates several great events in the Buddha’s life, including: First, the conception of the Bodhisattva, the Buddha-to-be (Patisandhi). Then, his Great Going Forth (Abhinekkhammana) as a seeker. And additionally, as a fully awakened one, his first successful teaching "Setting into Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma" (Dhammacakkappavattana).

This special community event on Saturday July 29th is leading up to the full moon on August 1st, which marks the start of Vassa (the following day) for our Dhammadharini Bhikkhuni Sangha, and much of the Theravada Buddhist community worldwide. At this event, our Dhammadharini Support Foundation leadership, together with 2023 Vassa and Kathina sponsors, Chathuri Senanayake & Dilshan Amarathunga Family, will be leading up our whole community in offering the “Invitation to Enter the Vassa” (Vassa Arādhana) to our Bhikkhuni Sangha. This is the formal invitation for our monastics to dwell, practice and teach at our Dhammadharini Monastery in Penngrove in the San Francisco North Bay, and at our Aranya Bodhi Forest Hermitage on the Sonoma Coast for the 2023 CE / 2567 BE Vassa.

All supportive friends of our local and greater community are welcome to join in offering the Invitation together. You are also welcome to join our monastic community in undertaking a personal practice commitment (adhiṭṭhāna) for the three months of the Vassa together, whether in-person or online, from near or far away. Later, on the day after the Full Moon, August 2nd, our Dhammadharini Bhikkhunis will formally enter the Vassa (Vassa’upanāyanā) and make their own Vassa Adhiṭṭhāna at both our monastery and hermitage Dhammadharini locations.

We invite all of you to join us in this noble effort and share the joy and the merits of practicing, learning, serving, and supporting the Bhikkhuni Sangha, throughout this year’s Vassa.  The schedule for our 2023 Dhamma Day and ways you can pledge and offer support during the Vassa are below.

The Dhamma Day event will also be broadcast on Zoom so that our friends from afar may watch. Even if you’re far away, we especially you, and all our friends worldwide to join in making a practice commitment (adhiṭṭhāna) for the Vassa - welcome to share these with us!

Warm welcome to join us for this wonderful day of community, Dhamma sharing, generosity, and celebration!

Schedule for Dhamma Day & Vassa Invitation Program at Dhammadharini Monastery Saturday July 29th:

• 10:30am:  Gathering & setup for meal offering to the Bhikkhunis’ community
• 11:15am:  Rice Pindapat, offering rice into the monastics’ alms bowls (no money please)
• 11:30am: Lunch offering to Sangha (all are welcome to join in, bring a dish/beverages/dessert to share together), Potluck feast for all attending
• 12:15pm: Community time with Venerable Bhikkhunis & Dhamma Friends
• 1:00pm: Dhamma Day program

                  Refuges & Precepts

                  Vassa Arādhana “Invitation to Enter the Vassa”

                  Chanting of the Buddha’s first teaching, “Setting into Motion the Wheel of Dhamma” 

                  (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) in English

                  Keynote Entering Vassa Dhamma talk (Dhamma Desana)

                  Blessings & Sharing of Merits

• 3:15pm: Community time with Venerable Bhikkhunis & Dhamma Friends
• Calling all volunteers! - help with cleanup

*Times are in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT, California Time). Please check your own time zone.

This event will be held outdoors in our open-air Sālā garden pavilion, and online on Zoom. Please share your respect, lovingkindness, and support for those who continue to take COVID precautions.

Register below to join us!

Everyone is welcome whether or not you register, but it is helpful for us to know to expect you, and then we can send you final event details before the event.

The Chathuri Senanayake & Dilshan Amarathunga family invites you to join together in supporting our Bhikkhuni Sangha Vassa this year. The traditional four requisites are food, lodgings, robes and medicine. You can support from near and far.

You may offer a financial donation, useful requisites, or join in volunteer service.

You may also offer groceries and a hot meal to the community, you may contact the monastery and we will put you in touch with our Dana Coordinator to learn more.