Welcome


  

Deep in the heart of America, amongst the rolling hills and forests of the Ozarks, we humbly welcome you to the newest and rarest experience with Basic Buddhism here in America. Here, beyond the cacophonous existence and stress-filled routines of the mainstream society, Venerable Bhante U Vimalaramsi has come to teach Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation and (Metta) Loving Kindness Meditation in a manner you will be delighted you tried! In a beautiful forest retreat setting, we offer a unique opportunity for you to practice your meditation with a teacher whose clear understanding of the Pali Suttas is expressed in concise and easily grasped English.
We are honored to invite you to come to the land that will be known as Jeta's Grove and to Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center located in Iron County, MO just outside of Ironton, MO. This is a different type of Buddhist experience than most you may find here in the States. Studying meditation here you may discover, for the first time, the usefulness of meditation in today's fast moving modern world, or deepen an already established personal practice by continuing it throughout each day, even when off the pillow!
In Pali, Dhamma Sukha means "Happy Teachings". By visiting us, listening to some of our talks, and developing a meditation practice, we hope you will find more joy and happiness in you life. Our teacher, Bhante Vimalaramsi is an American Buddhist Monk teaching Metta Vipassana or sometimes called Tranquil Wisdom Meditation using the directions given in the Pali Suttas. U Vimalaramsi is the author of a book called "The Anapanasati Sutta: A guide to Mindfulness of Breathing and Tranquil Wisdom Meditation" that has now been translated into five languages we know of including Russian, Dutch, Korean and English. Sections of the book have also been translated into Spanish for teaching meditation. A combined approach of study is used to practice meditation, listen to Dhamma talks from the suttas, and then use contemplations to conclude insights. Eventually, after some time, one reads for oneself the suttas and the meaning comes alive and crystal clear. The practice never becomes boring in this way and will become easier and more fulfilling each time one goes to the cushion to see what happens next. We invite you to experience Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center for yourself.
Please join us.
 
  Mission Statement  
 
Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center’s mission is to preserve and teach original Buddhist Tranquil Wisdom Meditation as found in the earliest Buddhist texts.
 
The Center hopes to foster a deepening personal spiritual meditation practice following the precise instruction the Buddha left us and to bring peace and tranquility into our daily lives. We seek compassionate community engagement through understanding clearly the true nature of our experience in this existence. We serve others by the development of this location for the deepest work supporting the greater Sangha at large. Our center strives to create a supportive environment for meditation, Buddhist studies, research and writing for monastics and lay persons with an opportunity for compassionate service and charity work for the community at large. Jeta’s Grove seeks to create an island of tranquility for all.
 
More about Jeta’s Grove & Dhamma Sukha Meditation Study Center. Our purpose is to preserve and teach Buddhist Tranquil Wisdom Meditation as found in the earliest texts. This includes Breathing and Loving Kindness Meditation and understanding clearly the Buddha Dhamma. The center strives to provide a support structure and guidance for those wishing to live the Buddhist 8-Fold Path in the noblest form. To this end, the Buddha's teachings are clearly taught by facilitating a weekly meditation sitting and Dhamma talk, weekend retreats, private retreats and periodic supportive events with our resident teacher, Venerable Sayadaw Gyi U Vimalaramsi (Bhante Vimala) and the free distribution of books, tapes and CDs.
 
The center also supports guest monastics from various traditions who wish to learn to present Meditation in clear English or just pursue extended retreat periods of from 3 months to one year, under the supervision of a master teacher. Training for lay persons is available towards ordination in the form of 1-4 year programs or a program with the goal of teaching meditation as a lay person. Tranquil Wisdom Meditation is found in the original Buddhist Pali texts carefully preserved by the Theravadian tradition including specific lessons on meditation, called Suttas, that the Buddha originally taught his disciples.
 
People from all religious traditions can benefit greatly from this meditation training and are welcome to participate in our events and to learn about Peace through understanding the true nature of things as they truly are in this life experience, which is at the heart of the Buddhist teachings.
 
Because we see the Buddha’s teachings as priceless, our center follows the tradition of not charging fees for events and instead the events are supported solely by individuals’ contributions (dana). The goal is kept to receive the amount needed for covering operations costs only.
 
Our center is supported solely through such contributions and the pledges and kindnesses of students and supporters of the Dhamma.
 
*** We are a Missouri 501 (c) (3) Religious non-profit corporation with articles that read: "...for religious, charitable, and educational purposes....", and all donations "are" fully deductible under the IRS code.
 
 
 
Other offerings?
· Want a talk given at your church about how the Buddha taught Loving Kindness and Compassion?
· Would you like to have meditation taught at your location to a group?
· Want to learn how meditation can help your health and sleep?
· Need further assistance: Contact KK at: sisterkhema@yahoo.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Text last edited: 18-Jan-10