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Attendence is up:  Over 50 people are attending from May thru October this year. Aver. Stay 2-3 wks.   

Ordination Program:  Five temporary Samaneras this year! One will continue the ordination program embracing the guidance of H.H. Most Ven. "Bhante" Vimalaramsi. This is the second western student to commit to the program.  Samanera  Khanti ihas his degree in Philosophy and can fully understand the valuable depth of Dhamma being offered through Bhante Vimalaramsi. he understands what a rare opportunity this is.   

Construction: The interior of the new  monk’s training kuti was completed and is now occupied. It contains a handmade bed, drop-desk, one chair, sitting pad and bookshelf with electricity.

The Kitchen/Dining Hall/All Purpose building shell is going up now as we speak. Shell completion in two weeks. We are raising $30K to finish the inside completely including appliances. $30K has gone into this building so far to clear the site, build foundation, fill it in with dirt, pour the cement floor and get the outside shell up. The finished building will include motorized skylights, full kitchen service &  food storage. The main hall will double as a meditation area. There will be fireside talks here and there is to be a backup heating system. Three resident Cabin Interiors need completion of wall covering, floors, and ceilings, homemade closet, beds, night tables and heating unit!  Sponsors are needed @ $2,500  each interior / $7,500 total.

Womens’ area building that was cleared of fallen trees from the storm and then seeded for the winter. We are seeking Sponsorship to help construct a main building and residence over the next two years for a designed cloister area which will include a protected interior atrium garden, walking and sitting area.  The 16 ft Dome structure has been cleaned inside and out. Insulation is going in next.  A roof vent was installed to manage the temperature inside. It has now a portable AC unit inside.  Roads, culverts, and low water bridge were repaired after the May 8th storm. Over 100  trees fell on the property damaging two of the buildings and it was really hard to get around here. Trees were salvaged for stepping  paths to kutis and around the pond, edging roads, surrounding flower gardens, and there is a lot of firewood and some unusual furniture!  A FEMA disaster case was filed to attempt partial recovery of the $10,000 clean-up costs from the May 8th storm. It is not clear if anything will be granted because the center doesn’t fit a normal profile.  The profiler is trying to help us on that.

Outside talks – Rev. Sister Khema gave outside talks on Sutta topics in St. Louis. She will continue to do outreach work and along with Bhante Vimalaramsi edit new writing for online meditation training materials to help develop future student teachers and a support program.      

Internet News: DhammaSukha List has over 450 members.  Recent statistics show extensive down-loading of talks, continued translations, expanded exposure worldwide.  Testimonials confirm that the 6Rs practice works and is changing people’s everyday lives!  Requests continue to come in for Bhante to teach outside the US.  He is still committed to the U.S. first!  More monastics are needed to help spread materials for others. This year, many people arriving at the center have already begun practicing from online instructions successfully!   

Winter Retreat 2009?  Retreat requests this winter are showing up once again but hinge mainly on getting propane heating systems into the cabins, the new all-purpose building operational and a teacher who is willing to remain in the center for the cold weather!  The upper residence area must be self sustaining for winter retreat! Any retreat would have to be last week, end Dec. , maybe New Years.

Infrastructure Needs:  Next step is setting up a self-contained Solar Energy system for operations. Estimate costs are $25K. Folks next door, who have a working system now, are willing to help with installation. Our New German affiliate in Berlin is open to advising us.  Germany, whose population has embraced sensible energy and whose government is supporting switch over by offering subsidies,  is far ahead of the US in Solar Energy development. Sponsors are needed to help this effort. Please get involved.  This system will encourage people in the surrounding community to come and see how they sun can tap into limitless low cost energy!     

Compassionate Service Project:  The Universal Peace Cabin will be operational in October. The interior is almost completed now.  A wheelchair box flower garden is being built outside.   It’s a nice set-up. Now all we have to do is connect with local veterans groups and offer this kind of opportunity to some Vets coming back home who want a place in the forest to chill down, calm mind and learn meditation.

Gracious Appreciation for Support:   

  There is great appreciation to those who have supported the Dhamma to continue here at the center.   Every penny, every minute you have freely given counts! Because of your support, many people have found relief from suffering!   After five years in this location, this practice approach is reaching thousands across the world in 7 languages and still spreading. The Dhamma is a wonderful when it gets moving! It’s like sunshine on a cloudy day!  Very little advertising is done. This spreads by word of mouth. Only those who genuinely seek understanding and are willing to do the personal work come to the center. They leave with clear answers and a new tool for living.   Bhante and I are merely “guides” willing to passing along the Buddha's teaching. Each person must attain Knowledge and Vision on their own.  It is hoped that you will continue to support this work. 

Much Metta, Peace, Prosperity and Smiles to all of you.

Ven. Sister Khema

Chairwoman –   United International Buddha Dhamma Society.   (UIBDS) Tel: 573-546-1214

questions: please write to sisterkhema@dhammasukha.org  OR to  bhantev4u@dhammasukha.org

For free Dhamma Talks and training go to    www.dhammasukha.org 

Download this webpage as a Word-document:  Short Summary for DSMC Activities AUGUST 2009.doc

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