Entries for September 2006

Thanks to everyone who supported Pariyatti's Summer Matching Gift campaign. The goal of $5,000 was met and then some: a total of $13,000 was given toward the challenge! The challenge donor then donated $5,000 plus another $1,000, because 50 people gave at least $25, raising the total to $19,000. No matter what size the gift, we are grateful for your support of Pariyatti and its purpose: bringing people in contact with the Buddha's teachings, offering sustenance for the seeker's journey and illuminating the meditator's path.

Several issues of Burmese periodicals long out of print have been restored by Pariyatti volunteers. Through digital technology, six old editions of The Light of the Dhamma now look like new and can be downloaded free of charge, or read online. This was a quarterly magazine that was published in Burma before, during, and after the period of the 6th Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana), from 1952 - 1963.

Additionally, issues of The Light of Buddha, a monthly publication from around the same period, are also being scanned and will be posted to the site in the near future. Our hope is to preserve these works for the current and coming generations of seekers that will find invaluable truths within their pages. This collection is a work-in-progress and additional items will be added as they become available. Check back often to see the new additions to the site. The Light of the Dhamma

The board of Vipassana Prison Trust held a two-day meeting at Pariyatti in July, attended by 25 representatives from many parts of the U.S. and Canada. The facility in rural western Washington proved quite suitable for a gathering of this size.

In August Pariyatti's Board gathered for a two-day planning retreat. For many it was their first visit. The weekend was filled with various meetings, workshops, break-out sessions, group sittings, tasty meals, and the warm hospitality of friends of Pariyatti who live in the area. The weekend was very productive and Board members left feeling inspired and rejuvenated to carry on working towards fulfilling Pariyatti's mission.

A session on the Pali Canon (Tipitaka) followed the board meetings and was open to the public. Topics included how this monumental body of work has been preserved in the 2600 years since the Buddha's time, how it is organized, and the print versions at Pariyatti in Pali, Devanagari, and English. Members of the programs committee are in discussion about ways to offer Pali language courses in the future.

This book is now expected in late September and we're ready to ship all advance orders promptly.