Sanghamitta Day

Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a wonderful event!

The event has concluded, but the Livestream recording is available to watch on YouTube: 

Livestream recording - Morning program

Livestream recording - Afternoon & evening programs

A gathering of the International Bhikkhuni Sangha and Dhamma friends in celebration and remembrance of Venerable Sanghamittā Therī's arrival in Sri Lanka, which occurred on and around the December full  moon, bringing the Buddha's teaching out into the world beyond India.

This was a benefit event to offer an outdoors, COVID-safe Dana Sala for Dhammadharini Monastery, and to support all requisites for the  monastics' winter retreat.

8:30 -10:30 am:  Morning Program | Sanghamitta Day Sangha Gathering

8:30 - 9:00 pm:   Vandana/Puja Chanting and Silent Meditation: Ven. Ayya Sobhana Theri

9:00 - 9:10 pm:   Words of Welcome:  Dhammadharini Teacher Ven. Ayya Sobhana Theri, Dhammadharini support foundation president Srisakul (Susie) Kliks

9:10 - 10:30 pm:  Refuges & Precepts, Dhamma Talk: “Carrying the Lineage: Sanghamittā Therī and Anulā-devī - Sri Lanka’s First Awakened Arahant Bhikkhunī” with Ven. Ayya Sudhamma Theri (chanting text: Three Refuges and Five Precepts)

10:30 - 1:00 pm:  Lunch Dana Offering to Bhikkhuni Sangha.

Intermission: messages from our partner-sister organizations

1:00 - 5:00 pm:   Afternoon Program

1:00 - 1:15 pm:   Words of Welcome: Dhammadharini founding abbess Ven. Tathaloka Mahatheri

1:15 - 1:35 pm:   Messages from the Dhammadharini Support Foundation and Inspiring Generosity Committee

1:25 - 1:35 pm:   Message from Inspiring Generosity Committee

1:35 - 1:55 pm:   Words from Ven. (Bhante) Anandajoti Mahathera

1:55 - 2:05 pm:   Refuges & Precepts: Renewal and Affirmation

2:05 - 2:10 pm:   Three Refuges Song: Dhamma School Children

2:10 - 2:45 pm:   Dhamma Talk: “Dhamma Reflection on Sanghamitta’s Journey: Understanding the Conceit of ‘I Am’” with Ven. Ayya Suvijjana Theri

2:45 - 2:55 pm:   Sangha Dana Program: led by International Ambassador for Bhikkhunis Upasamaya Shirley Kwok on behalf of the lay supporters’ community

2:55 - 3:00 pm:   Meditation break

3:00 - 3:15 pm:   Chanting Together: Queen Anula’s Awakening & Sanghamitta’s Journey

3:15 - 3:20 pm:   “Sanghamitta’s Journey with the Bodhi Tree” reenactment on the Kashaya shores

3:20 - 4:30 pm:   International Sangha Forum: “Why is Sanghamitta Important?”

Forum Q&A with senior bhikkhuni teachers Ayya Tathaloka & Ayya Anandabodhi

4:30 - 5:00 pm:  “Open Zoom” Community Social/tea time together

5:00 - 5:15 pm:   Sunset Meditation on the Sonoma Coast with Ayya Tathaloka and Aranya dwellers

6:00 - 9:00 pm:  Evening Program

6:00 - 6:15 pm:  LIVE “On the Ground: Connecting with our Heritage,” Introduced and facilitated by Ven. Ayya Tathaloka Theri

6:15 - 6:30 pm:  From India: Intro to Vedisa Devi Vihara Sanghamitta’s mother monastery in Sanchi with Archeologist Dr. Garima Kaushik

6:30 - 6:45 pm:  From Sanghamitta Stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka with Ven. Bandarawela Dhamma Dharani

6:50 - 7:05 pm:  From Charumati Stupa and Charumati Vihara in Kathmandu, Nepal (Charumati Theri is Sanghamitta Theri’s younger sister)

7:05 - 8:00 pm:  Ven. (Bhante) Sumitta Thero: Dhamma Talk, "Theri Sanghamitta: Her Importance," from our Bhikkhuni Ovada Teacher

8:00 - 8:30 pm:  Closing Meditation of the day with Ven. Ayya Sucitta Theri, Program Closing Dedication led by Ven. Ayya Sobhana Theri

Chanting texts

The texts chanted during the program are provided below: 

• Three Refuges and Five Precepts
• Sanghamitta's Story
• Bodhi Vandana / Bodhi Puja - Memorial Honoring the Mahā Bodhi Tree

Triple Gem Blessings to you and all your loved ones!