Pennsylvania Meditation Center

International Buddhist Society of Pennsylvania

The Rains Retreat
and the Robe Offering Ceremony, "Katina"

Robe Offering Ceremony is in November 2022

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The Rains Retreat

The monks are in retreat here each year from July through late October or early November at Pennsylvania Meditation Center, during which time they do not travel away from the center for more than a few days.

Robe Offering

We celebrate the monks having completed the Rains Retreat with a special ceremony, based on the tradition that the Buddha initiated about 2,600 years ago. A special robe is offered to one monk who made great efforts in Dharma practice during the rains retreat. A group of members of our congregation generously has offered to sponsor the ceremony, including the special robe, and the food and other necessities for the monks during the rains retreat.
All are welcome to this free, all-day event from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and delicious lunch with many Asian delicacies!

Activities

Weekend Dharma Programs

Our Chief Monk, Venerable Chandrawansa, or "Bhante"

(BON-tay) is available at the temple to speak to individuals by telephone or in person. You may text him at 814 954-9011 to set up a time to speak with him.

We are cautiously reopening programs again at the temple, considering the Coronavirus crisis. We hope to soon resume regular Dharma teachings on Saturdays open to the public. At this point we conduct, upon request, small closed group day or weekend retreats with meditation and Sutta discussion at the temple. If you have a small group that would like to request a day or weekend meditation retreat, please text Bhante at 814 954-9011.

To get an idea of our Theravada meditation and discussion style, please join us for group meditation and Dharma discussions by Zoom or at the McConnellsburg Library (see below).

All programs are free of charge. Donations are welcome.

Group Meditation & Dharma Discussion

We warmly welcome you to join us for FREE guided meditation and Dharma discussions:

THURSDAYS (ZOOM only):

from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

(Meditation from 6:00 to 6:30, Dharma discussion 6:30 to 7:30)

Please text Bhante at 814 954-9011 for Zoom ID and password

Stay tuned for updates on resuming meditation

at McConnellsburg Library and

at Coyle Free Library in Chambersburg

Meditation helps us de-stress, improve mood and concentration, and cope better with difficulties. Suitable for all, whether you are new to meditation or experienced.

Dharma For Kids

Dharma classes for kids on ZOOM!

First and third Sundays of the month:

We warmly welcome kids ages 5 to 14 to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on Zoom, for stories from life of Buddha, Jataka Tales, and Dharma discussions.

For any questions, and for meeting ID and password, please email Lisa at MLBUSCHMANN@gmail.com.

Every Friday evening:

We invite kids and teens to join us on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 7:30 for meditation led by Bhante Chandrawansa on Zoom.

For meeting ID and password, please text Bhante at 814 954 9011.

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For free Buddhist stories with Dharma lessons that you can print out or read online, see https://DharmaKids.org

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Special Services

The monks are available to provide special services upon request, such as offering of lunch to the monks at your home, Dharma or meditation programs at your home or other venue, funeral or memorial services, Buddhist blessing services for the ill or for special occasions, and housewarming blessings.

"Wisdom springs from meditation; without meditation wisdom wanes. Having known these two paths of progress and decline, let a person so conduct himself that his wisdom may increase."