...nwood...

Eileen Spillane and Ajahn Amaro Photo by Ed Ritger

DharmaWheels.org sums up the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage in this way: "2 Days...137 miles of cycling...60,000 breaths." This is much more appropriate, and poetic than the tag line that occurred to me during the ride, which had something to do with mindfulness of one of the more southern extremes of the body. But what would a Buddhist weekend be without a healthy helping of dukkah (suffering)? In all honesty, as I type these lines (from my perch on an inflatable donut) I can say the Pilgrimage was a thoroughly enjoyable, unique and meaningful experience.

Photo by Ed Ritger

Jim and Brian. Petaluma Marshall Rd.

During the entire were accompanied on our journey by four monks: Ajahn Amaro, two other Abhayagiri residents and a Tibetan teacher. (The monks did not cycle with us. I assume that there is a precept prohibiting cycling - I know that driving cars and "riding animals" are against the rules.) The presence of these men at all of the pit stops, meditations and meals lent the journey a deeper sense of meaning. Just thinking of Ajahn Amaro's smile (especially the one he wore when welcoming me to his monastery at the end of the ride) lifts my spirits. I regret that I didn't chat with the monks more. But what do you say to a completely calm man in robes as you dismount covered in sweat and bicycle grease...?

Meditation Hall Unpacked at Cloverdale KOA Campground

The pilgrimage began at Spirit Rock Meditation Center near Woodacre, California and visited Sae Taw Win Dhamma Center in Sebastapol, The City of Ten Thousand Buddahs near Ukiah and finally Abhayagiri Monastery in Redwood Valley. Each of these centers was fascinating and each represented different Buddhist traditions.



Sae Taw Win teaches Theravada Buddhism and Vipassana meditation in the Burmese tradition. The center made its Dhamma House available to all of us sweaty pilgrims and Dr. Thynn Thynn offered a post-lunch teaching.


City of Ten Thousand Buddahs Gate

In 1974 then-governor Ronald Reagan closed a large mental health institution in Talmage, CA. The Venerable Master Hua, a Chinese Ch'an Buddhist monk formed the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association and purchased the site where he re-purposed many buildings and created The City of Ten Thousand Buddahs. (The number 10,000 is meant to represent infinity. (This comes from a time before gigabytes and terrabytes.)) Master Hua single handedly created 10,000 identical Buddha sculptures over many years which decorate the walls of the grand hall.


City of Ten Thousand Buddahs Grand Hall with Buddha Sculptures

According to Ajahn Amaro Master Hua wove some of his hair or finger nails into each sculpture. Why so many Buddahs? Our guide (former CTTB resident, and 2008 BBP coordinator) Franklyn Wu explained that the sculptures represent Master Hua's desire to awaken the innate Buddha in each person. Today CTTB is the largest Buddhist community in the US and runs a fully accredited high school and university. If you are in the area with an appetite there is a fine vegetarian restaurant which is open to the public.

Our journey ended at Abhayagiri Monastery. Abhayagiri was founded on land donated by Master Hua of CTTB. Master Hua spoke of the need to unify the "northern" and "southern" Buddhist tradtions and he demonstrated his commitment by providing the land for a Thai Forest Tradition Theravandan monestary. The location and buildings are beautiful and the monks were gracious hosts. Ajahn Amaro and the rest of the small community joined us for a closing meditation and ceremony.

Photo Gallery from the Trip.