Inauguration of the Residence of the Forest Sangha — Reflections from the Visit of Hillside Hermitage and Samanadīpa Guests to Vihãra Pod Lasem

We present three participant reports from the last event on September 6, 2025 at Vihãra Pod Lasem:

Putting the timeless before the modern

In the pindapat ceremony, a lay supporter puts a ball of rice directly into the bowl of a monk. At its core this act still captures, 2500 years after the Buddha, the essence of the mutual support between the monastic Sangha and the lay supporters.
Meanwhile, Dhamma talks are recorded in video and uploaded online in minutes, and the community leverages digital platforms and tools for connection and coordination.

Technology and social customs change, while the Dhamma endures — timeless. A gathering of the Saṅgha reminds us that what matters most are the right instructions and training, while modern possibilities can only serve the practice, provided we do not allow ourselves to be absorbed in them.

A living example

In the Suttas we find many descriptions of how a trainee or a noble disciple should practice. In the Vinaya about how he should behave and conduct himself. Are there nowadays disciples diligently adhering to such high standards both in the exterior form and in purity of intention?

I might have an answer or an hypothesis to that, but seeing for myself, in person, is a different matter.

In a monastic setting, just as much as in a householder one, you get to know people only “living” with them.

Spending time in company of monks, whether recently gone forth or experienced Ajahn, I have the opportunity to observe their behavior, in a multitude of contexts and aspects.
Quite likely some things will be surprising, maybe positively, maybe not, some inspiring, other perplexing.
And from all that, I can investigate further, reflect on my own behavior and consider how to attune it.

There is much that can be conveyed only with the physical presence, impossible to be captured with any camera or description. I treasure any opportunity to experience this difference firsthand.

Less comparisons, more endurance

It is interesting to see the wide range of personal experience and commitment to the Dhamma among all the people present. From new friends on their first time in such an event, to monks with more than 15 vassas.
Everyone was a beginner at some point. And choosing to begin again might be the wisest of the decisions.

Whatever our stage in the path, we have something to offer to others. And we have something to learn from and with others. Much of this is not conveyed in words, but with behaviors, and with patient endurance of all the “asperities” that human interaction reveals.

Conceit is there, pulling the strings, and governing the speech is often challenging. But if I don’t shy away from the pressure, I can grow in those directions.
To go truly “beyond” others is one of the aspirations of the path. Until then, I can choose to frequent a wholesome assembly and to make the most out of such time.

Individual effort, communal thriving

One of the most inspiring aspects to notice when the wider Sangha gathers is how things fall into place without the need for strict hierarchy, heavy planning or tight orders.
This is in a stark contrast with how most working places (and maybe even families?) operate.

If every individual tries to pay attention to what is needed in the moment and to help with the demands of the current situation, things will work out for everyone and for the group as a whole. And where they don’t, it’s fine, they can be adjusted.

Not hindering ourselves or others with too much talking, noise or the compulsion to do something quickly, is half of the work.
It’s been humbling to see how the habitual mental choices to revolve around my opinions and “how things should be done” keep showing up. But it’s encouraging to see that I can choose to not give in to them, to lean toward the un-resisting of the pressure, so that I can grow bigger than it.

Gian Paolo

Worthy of offerings, hospitality, donation, and reverence

(āhuneyyā, pāhuneyyā, dakkhiṇeyyā, añjalikaraṇīyā)

September 6th was a day full of wholesome activities, and we can say for sure that we didn’t waste our precious time!

Many people arrived early in the morning from various parts of Poland (and not only!) to the Vihãra pod Lasem. They brought with them a lot of delicious food, which they had prepared especially for the occasion, as well as other everyday items for the monks.

Then, we cooked together! Preparing a meal for about 20 guests and six monks is not an easy task, but there were a lot of helping hands. Once the meal was ready, the participants individually offered rice to each monk, followed by the other delicious dishes. After the offerings, they also ate.

When the tasty part of the event was over, the official handover ceremony of the Vihãra pod Lasem took place. Of course, the monks accepted the invitation, and thanks to this, we will have the opportunity to visit the monks in Poland, offer them meals, and practice the Dhamma.

The final part of the event was dedicated to the Dhamma—participants had the opportunity to ask Bhante Nyanamoli questions. Many questions arose about lay life, such as relationships and love, but also deeper topics, such as developing a sense of impermanence.

As the Buddha taught, the Sangha is worthy of offerings, hospitality, donation, and reverence, and we were able to witness this through participating in this event. All participants can feel joy in having taken advantage of this opportunity to practice good deeds, listen to the Dhamma, and meet people who aspire to lead their lives in the same direction.

Aga

The occasion of offering the new dwelling called “Vihãra pod Lasem” (meaning “Dwelling by the woods”) to the Forest Sangha was the first event of such kind in Poland. It was an opportunity for lay followers to meet the local sangha with its members expanded by monks visiting from Slovenia, that is, Ajahn Nyanamoli, Ajahn Phasuko and Bhikkhu Nyanadipo. Besides the aforementioned reinforcements from Hillside Hermitage and Samanadipa, Ajahn Kondañño, Sāmaṇera Jotiko and Anagārika Kamil were present as permanent residents of our Vihãra.

Before a main event laity had an opportunity to prepare and offer a meal for the community of monks and partake in a traditional rice pindapāta. This made offering food straight to the bowls of monastics possible. The custom like this commemorates the way in which Buddha and his first followers acquired their food.

During the formal part of the event, which consisted of the invitation to the Sangha to receive residence in Vihãra, we’ve heard the talks on the value of a hermitage and the gratitude for the assistance in creating it. Besides two speakers in robes, that is, Ajahn Kondañño and Ajahn Nyanamoli, the participants had an opportunity to hear the words expressing joy and appreciation for the engagement in joint efforts from the mouth of Sławek, the founder and chairman of the Bodhi Tree Foundation (Fundacja Drzewo Bodhi).

Following the official event, laity had an opportunity to engage in casual conversations with monastics and in one of the Vihãra’s rooms the Q&A session with Ajahn Nyanamoli took place. Good spirits were not lacking – at the very beginning Ajahn suggested that the chamber we are sitting in resembles in its form “an interrogation room”. Starting with this informal remark set the stage for more than 2 hours of laity’s questions concerning their practice. The arguments, exchanges of opinions and anecdotes were present as well. The translator made it possible to share this experience for folks not fluent enough in English, besides the language barrier.

Regardless of the day’s exhaustion, participants had enough energy for wholehearted farewells. Most had a long way home still before us. Some, who had a moment more to stay, concluded the final conversations and before long everyone went back to their homes with the reflection of partaking in the building of the Polish Buddhist community.
Sylwester