Content courtesy: Yashika Pokhriyal
Since the beginning of April, Arañya Sangharāma has entered an active phase—welcoming guests, preparing for summer, and steadily attending to both daily and long-term needs.
🌞 Summer Preparation: A lifestyle “good enough” for practice
Rooftop freshly coated with white lime to reflect the sun’s intensity
The monastery strives to maintain a lifestyle that is “good enough” for practice, avoiding the two extremes of excessive luxury and excessive austerity.
As temperatures rise, rooftops are being painted white with limestone to reflect heat and help keep interiors cool. This simple but effective seasonal preparation is carried out by Sangha members and lay helpers, who also manage water use carefully and monitor heat-sensitive areas. It reflects the monastery’s broader approach of adapting mindfully to the changing weather.
Resident steward offering a cooler to Ajahn Gunakaro, on behalf of the donor
Getting the monastery summer ready was further supported with a generous gift of desert coolers by an Upasika. Our resident steward offered the coolers to the Sangha on behalf of the Upasika.
In keeping with the injunction of the Buddha as well as our teachers, avoiding extremes with devices like desert coolers as well as steps like painting the roof white, enable minimal interventions that keep the monastery reasonably conducive through the summer. These are relatively low cost, sustainable as well as environmentally friendly – value that we aspire to uphold.
🍃 The Flow of Daily Life
Despite a stormy night earlier this month—one that scattered coolers, buckets, and even a large poster of Luang Por—the flow of daily life continued undisturbed. Sangha members calmly restored order and carried on. In between duties, they continue sweeping the grounds, watering plants, cleaning spaces, and maintaining trails and buildings. Stone is being collected for work in the nala, and summer heat has not halted the flow of effort.
On April 12th, Ajahn Gunakaro and Venerable Anavajjo visited a neighbouring village to attend a local havan ceremony. They listened to stories behind the rituals, and gently deepened the bond between the monastery and village life.
🌱 A New Sangha Member
Left to right, Ven. Ñānavaro, Ajahn Dhammiko and Ven. Anajavvo
The resident Sangha has recently been enriched by the arrival of Venerable Anavajjo, a four-Vassa Israeli monk from Wat Pah Nanachat. As per the current plan, he will be staying with us for at least three months.
An intrepid chanter and a Vinaya expert, Venerable Anavajjo brings with him a rich background — in his lay life, he was a cello player, playing the bowed string instrument akin to a large violin.
He looks forward to immersing himself in local culture and polishing his Hindi skills while in Sangharama.
Ajahn Dhammiko (right) and Ven. Ñānavaro exchanging a glance on the hills
Between April 2- 10th Ajahn Dhammiko from Thailand spent a few quiet days at Sangharāma. During his visit, he joined the Sangha in exploring the surrounding forests — walking paths that were at times steep and demanding, yet resonant with the Sangha’s steady effort and resilience.
He shared that the natural setting, simple routine, and grounded presence of the community offered him a rare sense of clarity and inner stillness. The explorations took them past the dam and the river — places that now stand as quiet markers of the land’s strength and endurance. Ajahn Dhammiko also visited Mantra Devi Temple and the ancient monastery site at Adi Badri, reflecting quietly amidst the forested hills.
A group from Faridabad also spent a few nights at Sangharama. Along with a few other visitors, they joined the evening pūjās and spent time at the ancient monastery.
One evening, they gathered to listen to the Dhamma talk “Unshaken Stability” (Thai-English) by Luang Por Liem, translated by Ajahn Kevali — a serene moment of shared learning and contemplation.
As Arañya Sangharāma continues to grow, each day brings new opportunities for reflection, mindful work, and shared moments. The ongoing efforts of the sangha and lay volunteers reflect a deep commitment to both the monastery’s development and the nurturing of Dhamma. In these collective endeavours, the monastery remains a space where both the land and its people thrive together in resilience and wisdom.
🌱 Supporting and Visiting Arañya Sangharāma
- To support the life at Arañya Sangharāma, one can make donations. See details here: Offering a donation
- To visit Sangharāma, please click here: Visit Arañya Sangharāma
🙏 We welcome your participation, support, and presence in this journey.