Danamaya, long time (1990) member of our Sangha was ordained in 2002 in Tuscany. Her name means the Perfection of Generosity with Abundance, Tolerance and Liberality, which often feels like trying to walk in enormous shoes, but does give her infinite encouragement to keep going. From the beginning, she was in love with the Dharma, which has been the touchstone of her heart ever since. She has a deep, delighted devotion to the great Flower Ornament Sutra but has equally loved the teaching stories from the Sutta Nipata. She occasionally leads study on these in the form of Word-for-word Dharma sessions where the stories are enacted and then the best discussions happen.
After a long and varied career as a nurse/nurse practitioner, she retired in 2017 to focus on her Buddhist practice and her art practice. She actively works on climate justice issues as a founding member of our Center’s affinity group Green Sangha. She’s also known informally as the Center’s Chant Mistress, and has long been a big proponent of puja practice. Sometimes, she can’t stay away from the shrine-making supplies closet and we come in and find a new look in the shrine room. She lives in the East Bay with her partner, where they are turning an old house and big yard into a haven for art, music and native plants.