On May 2, 2024, the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies hosted a group of monastics through the support of the Woodenfish Foundation. This international group primarily hailed from China, but represented multiple Buddhist and educational traditions and institutions. It included 8 monks, 7 nuns, and 7 laypeople.
As part of the Sangha Educational Study Tour this group of monastic scholars has travelled to many significant locations in the northeastern United States, in order to engage in dialogue with Buddhist scholars in a variety of religious and academic facilities. In addition to BCBS, this tour also included visits to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Smith, Princeton, Providence Zen Center, and the United Nations.
We at BCBS were thrilled to have them on campus for the day. The group enjoyed visiting the peaceful meditation hall and comfortable classroom and library. While appreciating our quiet Springtime forest, they enjoyed delicious and lovingly prepared meal offerings from our kitchen. They deeply appreciated our lovely stone stupa, which was built around a sacred relic of Sariputta, and a special highlight for the group was the opportunity to spend time with Bhikkhu Analayo, our resident scholar monk.
BCBS is honored to have been included in this Tour, and we look forward to hosting members of the group again in the future. May the merit of our time together be of benefit to all beings.
