Rocana Vihara
Rocana Vihara - ‘Radiant Dwelling’
Recently the property beside Aloka Cottage became available. Given its ideal location and the shortage of accommodation in the Nuns’ Community, the English Sangha Trust decided to purchase it. It will be known as Rocana Vihara, or ‘radiant’ dwelling - after Sister Rocana, the first nun to take ordination in England.
The Rocana Vihara project will greatly benefit the whole community. The significant addition to the existing facilities will provide support for a sustainable women’s community in a place that is well suited for Dhamma practice. As it will also alleviate pressure on the communal spaces in the main house, it supports the well being of everyone at Cittaviveka—monks as well as nuns.
An opportunity to support a rare monastic training facility for women
Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery is the first of many monasteries in the West inspired by the teachings and example of Venerable Ajahn Chah. The monastery, set in the countryside, is dedicated to providing an opportunity for men and women to train in the contemplative life. It comprises Hammer Wood, a beautiful woodland sanctuary with meditation huts; a large house and grounds, which provides a residence for the male community and public facilities including a Dhamma hall; and Aloka Cottage, which is shared by the nuns and their guests.
Rocana Vihara - ‘Radiant Dwelling’
Recently the property beside Aloka Cottage became available. Given its ideal location and the shortage of accommodation in the nuns’ community, the English Sangha Trust decided to purchase it. It will be known as Rocana Vihara, or ‘radiant’ dwelling - after Sister Rocana, the first nun to take ordination in England.
The Rocana Vihara project will greatly benefit the whole community. The significant addition to the existing facilities will provide support for a sustainable women’s community in a place that is well suited for Dhamma practice. As it will also alleviate pressure on the communal spaces in the main house, it supports the well being of everyone at Cittaviveka—monks as well as nuns.
Increased training opportunity: The nuns’ community will be able to extend their training facilities within a well established framework of support. It is suitable for both community and solitary practice.
Increased facilities: Over recent years there has been a serious shortage of female accommodation at Cittaviveka. The extra rooms and amenities of Rocana Vihara will immediately address this; they can easily be used together with Aloka Cottage. It also offers a room large enough for meetings of the nuns’ community, interview rooms, an office and a potential workshop space. In the medium-term one of the downstairs rooms could be used as a Shrine Room. There is ample parking.
Accommodation for Female guests:b For many years this has been a converted garage with only three beds and no plumbing. The new cottage will mean that more guests, including women who are thinking of taking up monastic training, can be suitably accommodated. It gives the possibility of a resident female lay-manager to assist with the day-to-day running of the monastery.
A sanctuary for all: The project protects and extends the existing sanctuary of Cittaviveka for the benefit of future generations.
A new Shrine Room for the nuns: There is also a proposal to build a new Shrine Room. The design, which has already received planning permission, is for an attractive low-cost timber building which fits in well with its surroundings. It will replace the existing Shrine Room which is too small and is structurally unsound.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Financial Gifts: in the form of one-off donations, monthly standing-orders or interest free loans
One-off donations would help to reduce the size of the mortgage on the property and speed up the development of the Shrine Room.
Regular monthly contributions over a number of years would mean that the commitment to the Rocana Vihara Project does not lead to cutbacks in maintenance work for other parts of the monastery.
Medium to long-term interest free loans can help to reduce the amount of interest payable on the commercial loan.
And remember, as a registered charity we can benefit from the UK Gift Aid scheme.
Practical Help in kind to support the monastery.
Spread the word! Even if you are not in a position to help financially, you can inform others who may wish to contribute.
For further information please contact:
Medhina Tel. (01273) 483006
E-mail