Under the Bodhi sky — where the path continues to unfold.
Pilgrimage and Continuity
December marked an important phase of expansion for Arañña Saṅghārāma, as the Saṅgha simultaneously sustained life at the monastery while engaging in extended activity beyond it. At the beginning of the month, most of the monks travelled to Bodhgaya on pilgrimage with Ajahn Kevali, members of the Aranya Vihara trust group, and Thai supporters. Bhante Uttano and Bhante Visarado joined the group from Thailand, while Bhante Mahapanyo remained at Arañña Saṅghārāma , ensuring that daily routines, care of the land, and monastery responsibilities continued without interruption.
This division of roles—movement outward alongside stability at home—reflected a growing operational maturity and an increasing capacity to hold parallel responsibilities.
Practice at the Buddha’s Sacred Sites
Bodhgaya, decked in flowers for the Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony.
Luang Por Passano in the procession during the Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony.
Ajahn Kevali in the procession during the Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony.
Dhamma talks offered during the Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony, under the Bodhi Tree.
Audience and Saṅgha gathered under the Bodhi Tree.
In Bodhgaya, the Saṅgha participated in the Annual Tipiṭaka Chanting Ceremony beginning on 2 December. Ajahn Kevali and Luang Por Passano were invited to offer evening Dhamma talks under the Bodhi Tree, contributing to the wider international gathering.
During this period, the group also met with Ajahn Achalo, Ajahn Ñāṇiko, and Ajahn Thiracitto, who were present in Bodhgaya at the same time.
A Rhythm of Practice
Study, chanting, and meditation at the Mahabodhi Temple and surrounding sacred sites.
Daily life during the pilgrimage was centred on practice at the Mahabodhi Temple. Ajahn Kevali prepared a selection of suttas connected to each sacred site, which were read, discussed, and chanted in Pāli. These texts shaped both individual and group meditation, grounding the pilgrimage in disciplined training rather than movement alone.
Dungeshwari and Gurpa Hill
Echoes of practice across time.
The group also travelled to Dungeshwari Cave, where the Bodhisatta practised extreme austerities prior to awakening, and to Gurpa Hill (Kukkutapāda Giri), traditionally associated with Venerable Mahākassapa and the future Buddha Metteyya. At each location, the Saṅgha engaged in sitting meditation, chanting, and shared reflection.
Closing the Pilgrimage
Closing the pilgrimage in devotion and offering.
The Bodhgaya pilgrimage concluded on the night of 6 December with a triple circumambulation of the Mahabodhi Temple. While chanting Itipiso, newly offered robes were carried and later placed on the statue of the future Buddha Metteyya.
The old robes from the statue were received by Ajahn Kevali, later cut into small pieces and distributed to pilgrimage participants as keepsakes of the journey.
Vaishali and the Buddha’s Final Journey
Walking the path of the Buddha’s final journey.
From Bodhgaya, the group continued to Vaishali, visiting key historical sites: the Licchavi brick stupa enshrining the Buddha’s relics; the Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa; the Kutagarasala Vihara with its intact Ashokan pillar; and the Kesariya Stupa, where the Buddha is said to have offered his alms bowl before leaving Vaishali for the last time.
These visits deepened reflections on impermanence, renunciation, and the evolving relationship between the Saṅgha and lay communities.
View from the summit of Kesariya Stupa
Returning, Dispersing, and Sustaining the Monastery
After the pilgrimage, the monks returned to Arañña Saṅghārāma. Ajahn Kevali spent three days at the monastery, supporting the resident community and offering guidance on future developments. Soon after, Ajahn Kevali and Bhante Visarado returned to Thailand, while Bhante Uttano remained for an extended period, continuing to support the monastery.
Dhamma Yatra In Maharashtra
Around the same time, Ajahn Guṇakaro and Ajahn Ñāṇavaro set out on Ajahn Jayasaro’s annual Dharma Yatra in Maharashtra, joined by several other monks from Thailand.
Urban Engagement and Lay Support
Ancient practice in an urban setting.
December also saw continued engagement beyond the forest. Bhante Uttano and Bhante Tissaro spent a week in Delhi for medical treatment. During their stay, they paid respects to the Buddha Relics at the National Museum and went on piṇḍapāta in Dwarka on Christmas Day. Throughout this period, they were supported by the Aranya Vihara Trust community in Delhi, who generously offered accommodation and meals.
Year-End Practice at Arañña Saṅghārāma
Welcoming the New Year with reflection and gratitude.
The month concluded with a week-long New Year programme at Arañña Saṅghārāma (25 December – 1 January), bringing together monastics and lay guests for shared practice. The week unfolded through intention-setting, acts of generosity, periods of silence, extended sitting and walking meditation, reflections on mortality, gratitude and forgiveness, and contemplation of the Brahmavihāras.
New Year’s Eve was observed as a full day of practice, including chanting, a question-and-answer session for those present and online, and the chanting of Itipiso twenty-six times to welcome 2026. The programme concluded on New Year’s Day with reflections on the Mangala Sutta, encouraging participants to carry the teachings into daily life.
A Monastery in Maturation
Taken together, December reflected a monastery growing in capacity and confidence. Arañña Saṅghārāma is now able to support pilgrimage, extended travel, urban engagement, health needs, and residential practice simultaneously, without losing its contemplative centre. This growth has been made possible through careful coordination within the Saṅgha and the steady support of lay donors and friends.
We are deeply grateful to all who offered food, shelter, medical support, time, and trust throughout the month. As the new year begins, Arañña Saṅghārāma continues to develop step by step—rooted in discipline, sustained by generosity, and guided by shared aspiration.
Visiting and Supporting
Visitors are warmly welcome to the monastery.
👉 Visitor Guidelines:
https://aranyavihara.in/visiting-aranya-sangharama/
If you would like to support the monastery in its Dhamma service, please see below:
🙏 Offerings:
https://aranyavihara.in/offerings-aranya-sangharama/
📝 Content Courtesy:
Bhante Tissaro
Yashika Pokhriyal
📸 Photo Credits:
Bodhgaya Pilgrimage — Mr. Sarawut Klinkala
Other sections — Arañña Saṅghārāma Collection
Heartfelt gratitude to all the lay disciples who shared photographs.
🌐 Stay Connected
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