The Sima Ceremony
Ajahn Attapemo reviews some aspects of this historic event: The creation of the sima boundary at Amaravati.

In May of this year, three months before the Sima ceremony, we celebrated the Ground Breaking for the building of the new Temple at Amaravati in a very memorable ceremony. Hundreds of friends gathered to watch as the Sri Lankan and Thai Ambassadors took a hoe to the earth and removed the first bit of soil. It was a wonderful day that required much preparation and planning, and it left a strong feeling that the Temple will be for us all.

Nonetheless, it felt very auspicious to have in attendance three of the most senior elders of the Theravada Sangha in Britain: Ven. Dr. Rewata Dhamma, Ven. Dr. Vajiragnnana, and Ven. Phra Kru Silananda. These three elders represent the Burmese, Sri Lankan and Thai Sanghas in Britain, and they have each been particularly helpful giving us guidance and support throughout our 18 years in Britain. It also worked out well that the Family Dhamma Camp was in mid-stride, so that at short notice, many could join in.

What Actually Happened?
The actual ceremony comprised three parts: first removing any old sima boundaries, second, designating the boundary markers and third, the formal motion and announcement to the Sangha to establish the Sima.

For the first part the Sangha gathered on each of seven squares to formally terminate any old agreement for a Sima to be located there. Though it is highly unlikely there could ever have been a Sima in Hertfordshire, we decided to add it in for good measure. All of the twenty-seven bhikkhus gathered on each square while two bhikkhus recited a Pali formula to relinquish the old Sima. Then they all moved onto each of the other six squares, and each time recited the formula.

For the second stage, the main features were the eight spherical marker stones specially carved by Ken Grant, a stone mason and supporter of Harnham. (Ken's becoming a Sima expert after carving a set of 8 stones for the Harnham Vihara.) Monks, nuns and lay people all helped roll each stone into it's final position. Then Luang Por Sumedho and George Sharp went round to formally point out these stones, designating them as marking the north, northeast, east, etc. around the eight cardinal points.

"Venerable Sirs, may the Sangha listen to me.
The marks all around have been designated. If the Sangha is prepared, the Sangha should [now] determine a boundary for common communion and a single observance in accordance with these marks. This is the motion.

Venerable sirs, may the Sangha listen to me.
With the marks all around designated, the Sangha is determining a boundary for a common communion and a single observance in accordance with these marks. If each of the Venerable ones agrees to the determination of a boundary for common communion and a single observance in accordance with these marks, he should be silent. He who does not agree should speak.

The Sangha has determined the boundary for a common communion and a single observance in accordance with these marks.
This is agreeable to the Sangha, therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it."

This completed the Bhikkhu Sangha's establishment of the Sima.
A second chant was also done to allow the Sangha the use of the area at times when they are not wearing, or in close proximity, to all of the three robes; which means the Sima can be used informally as well as formally.

By the end of the ceremony many of the children and parents from the Family Camp had gathered around and all joined in to chant the Karaniyametta sutta.

In a year's time, when the Temple at Amaravati is hopefully complete, this new Sima boundary will be marked out on the floor inside. There, every fortnight, the Sangha will gather for the Uposatha recitation of the Patimokkha, as well as for the occasional Upasampada and Pabbajja ordination ceremonies.

Throughout the 2500 years since the time of the Buddha, such ceremonies have always been an outward sign that the life of the Sangha continues. Here in the West, with the building of a temple and a Sima, it feels like the Sangha in Britain (and Europe) is flourishing and putting down roots. And in future this occasion may be seen as an historic event.

What's Next?
At the completion of the new Temple, an occasion is planned, perhaps in 1997 or 1998, for a Grand Opening Ceremony. This is the time for lowering into place a ninth Sima stone, called (in Thai) the 'look-nimit'. It is customary to have a great deal of pomp and ceremony for such an event, and we would hope to invite many of the significant elders from Thailand who have been supporting us over the years: The Sangharaja, Somdet Buddhajahn - Luang Por's Preceptor. Also, we hope that Princess Galyani Watthana (the sister of the King of Thailand) will come, for she will be invited to cut the supports holding the 'look-nimit' over its hole, thereby allowing it to fall into its final place. Although the 'look-nimit' is not required by the Vinaya, this has become the custom in Thailand to celebrate the establishment of a Sima and the completion of an Uposatha Hall.

And so, Ken Grant will soon be going to India, for he felt it would be particularly auspicious to have the ninth stone come from the land where the Buddha's teaching originated.