Meditation Cushion Project

Once Upon A Time...

It all began when two good friends, Christine and Sumedha (now Sayalay Manapika), returned from a 10-day Goenka retreat from North Fork on January 1st, 2012. During the 3 1/2 hour drive back to San Jose, they discussed about the importance of having the right supportive meditation cushion for long period of sitting to alleviate undue back pain and knee pain.

Returning to Buddhi Vihara to attend the New Year Blessing Ceremony, their peaceful minds drawn toward Noble Silence so immediately right after the service and when the majority of the people departed from the Buddha Hall, they sat down to meditate. The loud chattering of all the people on the temple ground penetrated though the walls and into the Meditation Hall. It was very difficult to concentrate at first but soon the mind settled down and all the external sounds became the background. Eventually it was all quiet. But pain soon arose and magnified exponentially as their crossed-legged posture put much pressure on the various leg bones against the cold hardwood floor. Naturally, it was very challenging to concentrate the mind. Then the thought of donating meditation cushions to Buddhi Vihara arose in Sumedha's mind as she wished that all members and visitors have proper cushions to sit on.

After months of researching online and visiting various temples and meditation centers to test out the various meditation cushions and failing to find the expected quality of materials and supportive features, Sumedha decided to make them. Then another search began on finding the right foam, one that is not too soft that provides little support for the backbones or that is too hard that can not absorb the pressure of the sitting posture. Another good friend Kusala introduced Sumedha to a local foam factory and together they went to test out various foam thickness and grade to find that perfect material. Kusala along with a group of friends including many children donated over $400 in support of the Meditation Cushion Project.

With collective effort including Sumedha's mom putting in days of sewing the cushion covers, they delivered 40 high-quality meditation cushions or zabuton to Buddhi Vihara on March 22, 2012. In 2013, Merit Partner Talersak (now Bhante Theravamsa) joined the project team. In 2019, a group of dedicated BHMC members began to lead the Meditation Cushion Project.  A short video of the Meditation Cushion Project history.

How does this project works?

1. We identify a meditation center or temple that needs meditation cushions, understand their needs and decide on project feasibility. 

2. Should the conditions are ripen, the intention to offer meditation cushions will be conveyed to the recipient.

3. Internal project announcement will be posted to welcome members to take lead volunteer roles: Finance Coordinator, Production Coordinator and Delivery Coordinator.

4. Project announcement will be posted and members and friends are welcome to join in as donor or volunteer. 

5. Once total expenses are met, Finance Coordinator will stop accepting donations. A Donor List is then compiled with the redacted amount and in the order of donation received; the Donor List will then be passed on to the recipient center. Should there be any surplus amount left, it will also be donated to the recipient center as well.

6. Production consists of three phrases: (1) Acquiring objects - purchasing materials, (2) Transforming objects - cutting & sewing, and (3) Assembling objects - ironing & stuffing. Most of the production photos captured in the various Meditation Cushion Projects albums are from the final phrase, befittingly known as "Merit-Making Party" where volunteers meet up to work as a team. Once production completes, a delivery and offering date is scheduled with the recipient center.  

7. Photos of actual offering are captured and shared with all donors, volunteers and BHMC members so that all can rejoice in this wonderful merit!

NOTE: The Meditation Cushion Project does not maintain a long-term operation account and so only accept donation when a project is open for donation acceptance. Interested donors are advised to wait for project opening dates or to donate to other good causes. 

Gratitude...Rejoice...

Our deepest gratitude to all the generous donors and volunteers for the meditation cushion donation projects over the years. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu for your support of the meditation cushion offering to the following temples/meditation centers so far:

* March 22, 2012 ~ Buddhi Vihara (Santa Clara, CA) ~ 40 cushions

* February 9, 2013 ~ Wat Chaimongkol (Fairfield, CA) ~ 40 cushions

* June 9, 2013 ~ Wat Sacramento Buddhavanaram (Sacramento, CA) ~ 37 cushions

* June 23, 2013 ~ Wat Buddhadhamadharo -Wat Concord (Concord, CA) ~ 30 cushions

* August 18, 2013 ~ Dhammadharini Vihara (Penngrove, CA) ~ 20 cushions

* August 21, 2016 ~Aranya Bodhi Hermitage (Sonoma Coast, CA) ~ 20 cushions

* March 19, 2017 ~ Shanti Stupa (San Jose, CA) ~ 40 cushions

* August 15, 2017 ~ Thabarwa Meditation Center (Lake Elsinore, CA) ~ 100 cushions & 20 zafu

* January 6, 2018 ~ Shanti Stupa (San Jose, CA) ~ 40 cushions

* February 23, 2019 ~ Sakyamuni Buddhist Meditation Center-SBMC (Riverside, CA) ~ 150 cushions

* September 30, 2019 ~ Mahapajapati Monastery (Pioneertown, CA) ~ 40 cushions & 40 zafu (materials) 

* August 6, 2020 ~ Panditarama Meditation Center of Hawaii (Honolulu, HI) ~ 30 cushions

* June 7, 2021 ~ Ananda Vipassana Meditation Center (Anaheim, CA) ~ 50 cushions

* August 30, 2021 ~ Sakyamuni Buddhist Meditation Center (Riverside, CA) ~ 100 cushions

* July 14,  2022 ~  Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Meditation Center -MMC (Leesburg, FL) ~ 50 cushions

* July 15, 2022 ~ Oregon Ariyamagga Okasati Refuge-OAOR (Sandy, OR) ~ 20 cushions

* March 23, 2023 ~ Dhammaratana Meditation Center-DMC (West Columbia, SC) ~ 50 cushions

* June 23, 2024 ~ Theravada Buddhist Society of America (TBSA) (Half Moon Bay, CA) ~ 30  

* October 7, 2024 ~ Kusalakari Meditation Center (French Camp, CA) ~ 100

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!