Sramadaana at Willies Meditation Center

Willies mediation center, even though operated by Sri Lankan Buddhist bukku, serves people of all the faiths by providing facilities and support for mediation. In the modern fast running society many people benefit from meditation when dealing with mental fatigue and stress resulted during day-to-day life. They try to achieve their internal happiness through meditation since money has failed badly in doing that.

DAANA Texas Chapter together with Sri Lankan Student Association of University of Houston (SLSA) and members of temple committee will take part in a shramadaana (volunteering work) to develop the Willies meditation center, which is still under development. Great support of well-wishers of the meditation center has brought it to near completion. It will be of immense pleasure for Rajans to participate in such a deed.

Date: Saturday, September 5
Time: 8:00 a.m. (There is a one hour drive from Houston. Please plan to leave early.)
Venue: Willies Meditation center in North Houston (Please see below for directions.)
18581 FM 1097, Willis , TX 77378


Driving directions to Meditation Center:

• Driving towards I45 North, take exit number 94: FM 1097 exit.



• At the intersection, turn right to FM 1097 (East).



• Pass the first yellow blinking light and one more traffic light.



• At the next light, take a left (Highway 75 and FM 1097 joins).



• Take an immediate right (FM 1097 goes alone).



• Pass railway crossing and drive about 8 and a half miles.



• Take a left at 18581 FM 1097 (You will see a Buddhist flag on the mailbox.)

Rajans in Texas Ready for More Action

After a brief silence Texas Chapter of DAANA has planned to organize and take part in several community service activities and some other projects. The goal is to enjoy by helping others as Rajans have always done.

• Volunteering (Sramadaana): On Saturday, September 5th, at Willies Meditation center in North Houston together with Sri Lankan Student Assoc. of University of Houston (SLSA) and Temple members.


• Blood drive: On Sunday, October 18th, at Houston Buddhist Vihara, together with Sri Lankan American Assoc. of Houston (SLAAH)


• Volunteering program in Greater Houston area: November/December

More details of these events will be published on this blog and are available through oldrajansusa@gmail.com and members of DAANA Texas Chapter. Participation of Rajans and well wishers is highly appreciated and will be critical to the success of all the events.

In addition, please keep your calendars open for the next get-together of DAANA Texas Chapter, which will be held somewhere in September or October. Any suggestions on where and how this should held are welcome from the old Rajans.

Final Stage of DAANA Book Drive

Texas Chapter has undertaken the responsibility of sorting and shipping of books to conclude the DAANA Book Drive by December. Collection of items for the Book Drive is open till end of October. Your contribution is highly valued and participation is greatly appreciated. Please contact DAANA to inform if you can contribute with anything listed here.

DAANA $tore is open 24/7 for business. Entire revenue will be dedicated to fund DAANA activities.

Eye Opening Damma Talk on 'Mindfulness'

In the monthly damma talk held at Houston Buddhist Vihara on Saturday 6th June, meditation master from Mitirigala Nissarana Vana, Sri Lanka, Ven. Uda Iriyagama Dhammajiva presented a simplified overview of mindfulness or awareness in the context of 'kayanupassana' or 'contemplation on the body'. His clarifications were fitting for both the advanced meditators and children. In 'kayanupassana' meditation, one closes all the six 'doors' one has except mind and body. This eases gaining of awareness over the body by taming her mind. Mindfulness can be practiced even in our everyday lives; undistracted dinning is an example.

The event was well organized by Rajans in Texas with the help of community of Houston Buddhist Vihara. Apart from learning damma, many made use of this as an opportunity to meet fellow Sri Lankans and Rajans. Meeting a senior Rajan that moved to Houston recently is among the rewards DAANA had from this event. Development of awareness on the activities of DAANA among the Houston community would be useful in executing future activities in Texas.

DAANA Texas chapter is thankful to its members and all the others who supported this invaluable cause.

First DANAA Get-Together in Texas

Something everybody wanted for sometime is finally happening this Sunday. Even though, we Rajans have met in small groups at various locations in 'big' Texas, there hasn't been a gathering sepcifically as Rajans. Sanka took the intiative in organizing this event that will be the second ever old Rajan gathering in USA, after the first meeting oragnized by Rajans in DC/MD/VA.

A potluck might be a good way to start leaving adventureous and goal oriented gatherings to the future. In the near future we will have some work to do on the DANNA book drive and I don't think our schedules will hold us from going for a go kart ride.

Particulars for the event are given below:

Date: Sunday 26th
Time: 5.30 pm
Venue: Sanka's (Houston, TX 77030)

Please let us know if you need any information on how to get there. Families of all the Rajans are also invited! Let's make it a family event (Please RSVP to Sanka for head count).

There will be a Sinhala Awurudu festival in Houston in that morning if anybody is interested. Probably guys travelling from far might be able to hit two birds with one stone.


Caution: Please anticipate overwhelming old stories and revival of memories we thought we had forgotten long ago.

Ranil Banneyake

Behalf of DANNA Texas Chapter