Entries for June 2008

Pariyatti Publishing's forthcoming book, Letters from the Dhamma Brothers, in bookstores September 1, is available from Pariyatti at the advance purchase price of $12.95 (list price $15.95).

Letters from 15 inmates at a maximum-security prison in Alabama describe their struggles and triumphs at "applied Dhamma" -- maintaining their meditation practice after taking a ten-day Vipassana course behind bars, moderating their behaviors, reactions and thoughts, and coming to terms with their crimes and present circumstances.

The book was written by Jenny Phillips, who co-produced and directed The Dhamma Brothers, a documentary film about the program that has been playing in numerous U.S. theaters since opening in New York this April.

Read more about the book

First Quarter, 2008
Total income            $75,225
Cost of Sales             -32,578
Surplus from Sales     42,647
Operating Expenses  -57,527
Operating Loss         -14,880

General Donations     $ 7,271
Benefactor Donation   48,520
Project Donations       11,390
Net Surplus               $52,301

Year to Date
Total income           $124,384
Cost of Sales              -50,474
Surplus from Sales      73,910
Operating Expenses -117,504
Operating Loss           -43,594

General Donations      $ 7,436
Benefactor Donation    48,520
Project Donations        11,550
Net Surplus                $23,912

Upcoming expenditures for Pariyatti's soon-to-be launched new website and book reprintings, and ongoing operations will quickly use up the surplus. We're counting on steady sales and contributions to make up the difference.

Every month the volunteers of Pariyatti's programs committee prepare an audio or video podcast for viewing online or downloading to an MP3 player. The May podcast is a talk from the Meditation Now tour where S.N. Goenka discusses Vipassana meditation, followed by Q&A. The June podcast is a 16 min video of Q&A with S.N. Goenka in Berkeley, CA.

You'll find these and previous podcasts at Pariyatti.org.

The Pariyatti Treasures website recently added a section on the Sixth Buddhist Council (Chattha Sangayana). This page includes some rare photographs and a PDF of the souvenir album issued at the time of the Council.

A slideshow of photos has also been added to the Sayagyi U Ba Khin page.