“September at Aranya Saṅgharāma: Mindful care, nurturing greenery, and preparations for Kathina.”
As the rains retreat drew to a close, September was a month of mindful care and preparation at Aranya Sangharama. The community has been engaged in nurturing the trees and plants and steadily preparing for the upcoming Kathina, all while practicing mindfulness in everyday work.
💧 Learning from the Land
“Exploring watershed management and soil care at Bagli”.
Early in the month, Ajahn Gunakaro, Ajahn Nyanavaro and Rahul visited the Samaj Pragati Sahayog center in Bagli, Madhya Pradesh, where they learned about watershed management and erosion control — practical ways to care for the land in harmony with nature. Insights from the visit will help guide our ongoing efforts in environmental stewardship around the monastery.
🌾 Nurturing the Monastery’s Green Life
” Bhante Anavajjo leading the tree care project at Arañya Saṅghārāma “.
Throughout the month, Bhante Anavajjo led an intensive project focused on the monastery’s trees and plants. This work included both planting new saplings and caring for existing trees and vegetation, a timely effort during one of the key seasonal transitions for plant growth. “This period,” Bhante explained, “is one of the three important times in the year for tree care — before the rainy season, in September, and again in February at the end of the cold season. We apply fertilizer and mulch to protect the soil, and it’s also an ideal time to plant new trees.”
To carry out the project, a team of five workers from the company of regeneration architect Swati and plant expert Maarif joined the effort. They brought several dozen citridora and large canopy trees from Saharanpur, which will provide shade and act as natural screens around the buildings. The pleasant, lemon-like scent of citridora also serves as a natural mosquito repellent.
“Nurturing new life — planting, caring, and restoring balance with nature.”
The team and community members also visited nurseries in the Saharanpur area to bring back hibiscus, tulsi, and candlestick trees, as well as pipal, palm, and water plants for the pond — enriching both the biodiversity and the beauty of the monastery’s environment.
Much of the work involves long-term maintenance: weeding, aerating the soil, adding fertilizer, pruning, and applying mulch to retain moisture. Newly planted saplings were stabilized with bamboo sticks and given more frequent watering.
Special attention was given to the aloe vera plants, which had been struggling. Raised beds were constructed to help preserve water, fertilizer and mulch were added, and watering increased. Within weeks, the plants revived, turning from a dry brown to a healthy green.
Bhante expressed appreciation for the help of Chandan, who worked daily on the physically demanding tasks, as well as the monks and lay guests who assisted with watering — especially those arriving ahead of the Kathina preparations.
“Caring for the trees,” Bhante reflected, “is not only about maintaining the environment. It’s also a form of practice — learning when to act and when to let go, and allowing nature to unfold as it will. As forest monks, we remember the Buddha’s encouragement to live close to nature, cultivating mindfulness even in the midst of work.”
The workers themselves seemed to enjoy their time at the monastery, with Qadir, the head of the team, expressing his wish to return for future projects.
🙏 Compassion in Support
When Ajahn Nyanavaro fell ill, Dr. Renuka, a faithful member of our lay community, kindly offered medical guidance and support from afar. Her timely advice and care were a touching reminder of the living bond between the Saṅgha and the laity.
🏡 Vision of the First Kuti
“Envisioning space for solitude.”
We were happy to welcome Mannat from Imarat Architects, who joined us in visiting a potential site for the monastery’s first kuti, marking an exciting step toward creating more spaces for secluded practice.
:🌸 The Joy of Shared Effort
Several lay friends stayed for extended periods during the month, offering invaluable help with daily tasks and community activities. Chandan and Keshav contributed steadily to the smooth running of monastery life, while Aditi arrived near the end of the month to assist with Kathina preparations. Their service embodied the spirit of dāna and saṅgha-sāmaggī — generosity and harmony in community.
🌺 Preparing for Kathina
In the background, preparations for the Kathina ceremony gathered momentum. Lay volunteers coordinated transportation, accommodation, and food offerings, along with tent and mobile toilet arrangements. On the monastic side, work continued on the chanting for the formal ceremonies and the sewing of the Kathina robe — an expression of gratitude and renewal at this time of year.
The Closing of a Chapter
Meanwhile, at Delhi Dhammarama, Dr. Dhar led a month-long Satipaṭṭhāna retreat — the last to be held there before the center closes following the Kathina. The retreat offered a fitting conclusion: a period of deep mindfulness practice before turning toward new beginnings elsewhere.
🌼 Reflection
As the season of rains ripens into harvest, so too does the practice of patience, generosity, and community bear its fruit. The many hands and hearts that have come together over these months remind us that the path of Dhamma is not walked alone. Each act of care — planting, sewing, cooking, or simply being present — becomes part of a shared cultivation of merit and harmony.
More Pictures from the Site Visit
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Content & Photo Courtesy: Miscellaneous Volunteers