GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT
The Bear River Meditation Group is supported by donations. If you would like to help with this support, you may do so by sending a check made out to the Bear River Meditation Group care of our treasurer, Kim Woodward at 21091 This Is It Lane, Colfax, CA 95713. All donations are tax deductible. Your support goes to rental of the hall and operating expenses as well as for support of our Resident Monk and toward the support of the monastic community of Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery with whom we are affiliated. From the time of the Buddha, a relationship of dana (generosity of spirit), mutual aid and trust has endured between the laity and the monastic members of the Buddhist Sangha. This reciprocal respect and kindness and depth of commitment to help each other is what enables Buddhism to survive and grow. We are all deeply grateful for your support, in whatever form it is given.
SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENT MONK
The meditation group is fortunate to currently have Reverend Vivian Gruenenfelder with us as a Resident Monk and Senior Teacher of Buddhism. Offerings to support her basic needs, including medical, clothing, food and travel can be made either to the meditation group or directly to Still Flowing Water Hermitage at P.O. Box 1374, Meadow Vista, CA 95722. A list of Reverend Vivian’s current needs is below. Offerings of your skills and assistance are also extremely helpful, as are offerings of meals, food for her pantry and basic necessities. Whether a piece of fruit, a sack of potatoes or an entire meal, food offerings are wonderful expressions of dana.
CURRENT LIST FOR REVEREND VIVIAN
From Rev. Vivian: “Your generous outpourings of food for my November/December retreat at Fugen Forest Hermitage have left my pantry well-stocked. I had a marvelous retreat, and it was enhanced by having healthy and tasty food to prepare for the whole of the month. I am so touched by the bounty of your offerings and the fullness of your generosity of spirit. Thank you!”
Reverend Vivian could use the following food items: toilet paper, firm tofu, plain soy milk, crunchy peanut butter, brown rice cakes, fresh produce, raisins, cheese of any kind including cottage cheese and cream cheese, sour cream, unsalted pumpkin seeds, and the occasional surprise.
(Just a reminder that she is unable to eat walnuts and pecans due to a serious allergy. Thank you.)
Other items that would be helpful include: 2 sponge dishes, greeting cards with Buddhist or nature imagery, or “thank you” cards, all blank inside, a kitchen knife sharpener (non-electric), regular business letter envelopes (the kind that are about 4 inches by 9 1/2 inches; are they called legal-sized?), a small pepper grinder, a brush for getting lint off clothing, tea candles and votive candles.
Please make arrangements with Reverend Vivian to drop donations by the cottage in Meadow Vista.