Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara, Michigan, USA

2009 Annual Report

As a sacred place and social center, the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara has been able to successfully continue its progress because of the great devotion, generosity, and dedication of the congregation. Our sincere thanks and gratitude go to all for their continued support of the center and its resident monks.

Having completed its twelfth year, the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara is entering its thirteenth year of service.

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees was comprised of the Reverend Sankichcha (President), Rohana Talagala (Vice President), Ranjini Daraniyagala and Steven L. Berg (joint secretaries), Jeewa Witanachchi and Lakshman Caldera (joint Treasurers), Reverend Pinikahane Maithre, Gunsinghe Punchihewa, Chanaka De Silva, and Palitha Niyangoda. Steven L. Berg, Chanaka De Silva and Jeewa Witanachchi will be completing their two year term this year. The Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara gratefully thanks all of the Board members for their contributions for the continuity and development of the Vihara.

Resident Monks

Under the guidance of Reverand B. Muditha, Rev. Yatinuwara Sankichcha, Rev. Pinikahane Maithree, Rev. Deliwa Indaratana, and Rev. Nugegalayaye Jinananda were the resident monks at GLBV. Rev. Wetara Mahinda, and Rev. K. Sumana were visiting monks during this year. The Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara is very fortunate to have these capable members of the Sangha to help us progress:

A group of dignitaries of monks from California led by the Rev. Dr. Walpola Piyanada with Rev. Dr. Madawala Seelawimala visited the temple in October.

Programs and Activities

The Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara started the year 2009 with the New Year Day Blessings ceremony of “Atavisi Buddha Pooja” (the veneration of the twenty eight Buddhas). The temple also offers three meditation programs weekly, on Monday and Wednesday in English and on Friday in Sinhalese. The Yoga class which is held on Wednesday prior to the meditation class is benefited by many Dhamma friends. On every Friday and on Sunday evenings during Vassana season, special Dhamma discussions have been conducted on canonical discourses (Tipitaka Sutras). Bi-weekly Sinhala and Dhamma classes for children and monthly Sil Day retreat are the regular activities of the Vihara. We acknowledge the Sri Lankan friends in Lansing for continuing their offering of lunch (Daana) for Sil participants every Sil observance day at the Vihara. On April 19th, children and parents gathered to celebrate Sinhala New Year day at the International Center at Wayne State University. It was started to teach young generation traditional customs of the day with New Year games. On the month of Vesak (May), we had three different days to pay our homage to the Buddha. Children’s Vesak day activities were held on May 3rd. On May 10th, Sil and meditation day for adults was conducted. “The Sri Lankan Student Council” of Wayne State University provided the Dana (lunch) for the monks and participants on that day keeping their devotional tradition for the ninth year. On May 31st, Vesak celebration for the public was held at the International Institute in Detroit followed by “Bhaktigeetha” (The devotional songs) and “Dansala” (free dinner). The annual meditation retreat was held on September 12th, for Sri Lankans and non-Sri Lankans at the Vihara. A “Maha Piritha” (Chanting) was held on October 17th at Steven L. Berg’s home starting the Katina ceremony which was held at International Institute in Detroit on October 18th. This Year, Dr. Steven L. Berg was the key sponsor of the Katina ceremony to commemorate the first death anniversary of his beloved mother Dr. Julia Berg. According to our knowledge, this is the first Katina in a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in North America sponsored by a white American.

Other Services

In addition to the services mentioned, the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara has provided a variety of Dhamma services such as, conducting meditation classes, retreats, Sil programs, presentations and workshops on Buddhism locally and out of state, in places like, churches, spiritual centers, colleges and in other educational institutes. Proving the success of GLBV’s Dhamma mission for last twelve years, now it has become the main temple (Maha Vihara) for six independent monastic affiliates in North America. An Interfaith Winter Solstice event was held at the Vihara on December 21st. Our monks participate in and have served on the boards and committees for a variety of interfaith organizations and events including “Detroit Metropolitan Interfaith Group” and “Voices for Earth Justice”. For the benefit of those who are interested in practicing the spiritual path, a meditation class was started at Wayne State University by GLBV in collaboration with the Student Association of the Wayne State University.

Contributions and Funds

We wish to express our gratitude to all of the members of the congregation who support our Vihara with regular monthly/yearly financial donations. Your generosity provides a secure foundation on which build we will build the future of GLBV. When it was first started, our Vihara was able to get much support from outside the state of Michigan. However, due to fact that new temples have opened in adjacent areas, our Vihara now depends on a smaller number of patrons. Additional contributions are made to support small projects and other activities around the Vihara; often by individuals who also make their monthly/yearly contributions. We also appreciate the individuals who organized food fairs on March 29 and August 29 to raise money for the Vihara.

Thanks and Sharing Merits (Anumodana)

We the Board of Trustees of the Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara express our appreciation and gratitude by sharing merits with all of you for your generosity, dedication, and for your commitment without which the Vihara could not have survived. All the benefactors, spiritual teachers, volunteers, the staff of the Dhamma School, the trainers of children in special events, the organizers of special ceremonies, the sponsors of the website, the technical supporters, and all those who helped ensure the Vihara’s success.

May all the merits and blessings be with you!

Steven L. Berg Rohana Talagala

Secretary Vice President

Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara, Monks Residence, 21491, Beech Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, USA
Telephone: (248)353-8155 , (248)232-7383 Fax: (248)232-1267
The Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara is run by a non-profit tax-exempted organization. All your donations are tax-deductible.