Cool. Looks like a nice place. Are there any other monasteries in Latin America?
Hi @viveka, no only passed by as I pay a visit to family and friends in Brazil (I’m from here).
Hello @Lookingforpeace welcome to the forum
We look forward to your participation.
Not in South America that I am aware of. There are however temples and centers from traditions other than Theravada , Google will help you finding out about that …
Maybe this is of interest:
Thanks for sharing the link. I have to say i am surprised to see one in central america.
Work progress on building the Dhamma Hall!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn1uIo6rOYF/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnz9PFsJdb6/
How to help
Dhamma Hall work completed - 08/30/2023
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Bhante Rahula shared some photos of her trip to Brazil on her Blog and has some photos of her visit to the Suddhavāri Monastery
Trip to Brazil 2024
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FOREST MONKS: This is the only Theravada Buddhist monastery in Brazil (Portuguese)
New statues
The two new statues sent from Thailand have already been installed on their respective altars.
The first was donated by Ajahn Kongrit, abbot of the Lokuttara Vihara monastery in Norway. It is made from a single block of stone and was named by Luang Pó Sumedho as “Phra Buddha Santivanavāsī” – where “phra” means “sacred”, “santi” means “peace”, “vana” means forest, and “vāsī” means “residence”. In other words, “Sacred and Peaceful Buddha who Dwells in the Forest”.
The second was donated by Luang Por Piak, abbot of Wat Pah Cittabhavana in Thailand. It is made of bronze, painted gold, and is accompanied by two smaller statues representing the two chief disciples, Sāriputta and Moggallana.
Celebration ceremony
On Sunday, November 24th, we will hold a ceremony celebrating the end of the monastery’s construction, where we will be attended by and will teach Luang Pó Piak.
In these 7 years, in addition to acquiring the land we are on today, we were able to build a kitchen, workshop, meditation room, library, Dhamma Hall, dormitory with 4 rooms for lay people, 3 mixed-use huts, 5 monastic huts, laundry and shower for monks. We also built a lot of things that people who have never been involved in construction might not appreciate very much, but those who have experience know how difficult and important it is to do, such as a water supply system, electricity distribution, paving, toilets and sewage, management of streams and springs, reforestation, fire fighting, etc., etc., etc.
Now that everything is complete, we have no plans to expand or add anything unless the demand for it arises. What seems most likely at the moment is that we will have to build more monastic huts in the future. To do this, we will first have to build a new kitchen and dining hall, so that the current building can be converted into a storage area and workshop for the monks – but that is a matter for future consideration, when the time comes.
That stone buddha rupa is so beautiful.
Congratulation on all the milestones for the centre.
Sadhu! to all involved, it looks amazing.