The Lion of Wisdom Meditation Center

The new Meditation Center on the hill

Hi Friends,
Since leaving Brasil I have been staying at the new, Pannasiha, 'Lion of Wisdom' Meditation Center, a forty five minute drive from Washington DC. It is a large seven bedroom house on three acres of land amidst the rolling hills and farmland near Damascus, Maryland. It was purchased by Bhante M. Dhammasiri and the Washington Buddhist Vihara. I was asked to be the director and the principal meditation teacher there. The combined Vesak and opening ceremony of the new center was held on May 21st. However, the house still needs some repair and renovations before it is suitable for holding short retreats and accomodating overnight guests. Starting next April hopefully I will begin conducting A Day of Mindfulness, as well as short weekend retreats. We hope to be able to accomodate persons for personal retreat periods also. It is still a work in progress. There is a new website for the center:www.lionwisdom.org. You can keep checking it from time to time for updates. At some point in the future there may be a facebook page.
Below are some photos of the center and the Vesak/opening ceremony.

View of house and deck from the back

Panorama of the house with dilapidated horse stable and woods

  Secluded woods in the far corner of the property

Small meditation tent in the woods

The mason monk at work

The statue and sign were covered to have the official unveiling at the opening ceremony

Awaiting the procession of vehicles from Washington D.C.

Sri Lankan boys awaiting their performance

Vehicles escorting the sitting Buddha statue 

Pick up carrying the Buddha 

Devotees greeting the arriving Buddha 

Awaiting arrival of the Buddha

Carrying the Buddha to the house

Bhante Dhammasiri and the Hon. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to cut the ribbon

The Buddha with the 'teaching mudra' installed in the meditation hall

Preparing to unveil the standing Buddha 

 Explaining about the mudra of Fearlessness

Invited government reps unveil the sign

Monks having the noon dana

 The afternoon Vesak Ceremony

Giving the Vesak address with government representatives behind

There is no meditation without Wisdom,

No wisdom without meditation,

One who both meditates and is wise,

Is close to peace and freedom (Nibbana)

                                                                                                                     Dhammapada 372

Meanwhile, I am off on a four month teaching tour to Germany and India. 

May all beings have the opportunity to hear the Dhamma and practise meditation to help free their minds from confusion and suffering.