Death of Kusalamani
Life celebrations
Our dear friend Kusalamani (meaning she whose jewel is skilfulness) died in the early hours of Saturday 16 November at her twin sister's home in Mangawhai. She had been in the dying process from Pulmonary Fibrosis for some months.
Life celebration
Kusalamani had a private natural burial on Monday. Her life celebration will be held in Mangawhai on Friday 22 November at 11am. All are welcome.
The Gaya Tree
654 Tara Road
Mangawhai
Puja at the centre
At Kusalamani's request, Suvarnadhi will lead a puja for her at the centre on Sunday 24 November at 1.30pm. The theme will be White Tara, which was the practice Kusalamani took at ordination. All are welcome. Please bring a plate of finger food to share afterwards if you are able to. The event will be approximately two hours long.
A little about Kusalamani
Kusalamani was born in New Zealand as Dianne May. She was an inspirational woman working for women’s rights and trade unions before training as a therapist and mindfulness teacher. She was significantly connected with the Bodhisattva Ideal and strived to help all those who suffered.
Kusalamani became a mitra in 2008, although she had been meditating and teaching mindfulness for 20 years already. She asked to train for ordination immediately after her mitra ceremony.
She was ordained on 2 October 2014 in Golden Bay. Her public preceptor was Varadevi and her private preceptor was Dharmanandi. Her sadhana was White Tara.
She was an integral part of the Auckland Buddhist Centre teaching team for many years, and was the women's mitra convenor for a period of time. She was an excellent kalyana mitra, Dharma teacher and joyful human being.