10/14/2025
Speech for the Second Board of Directors Meeting
By Bhante Rathana (Green Mountain Monk)
President and Abbot, Serenity Central of Vermont
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Dear Board Members, Friends, and Fellow Seekers of Peace,
Good afternoon. It is truly a joy and a blessing to see all of you gathered here again for our second board meeting. Thank you for taking the time, the energy, and the heart to serve this place we call Serenity Central — a home for peace, healing, and understanding.
Our center is unique. We are not bound by one tradition or one belief system. We are a multifaith and non-denominational community, built upon mutual respect, kindness, and the shared wish to live wisely and compassionately. In that spirit, our strength lies not in sameness, but in harmony — in the way our different paths come together to create one peaceful space.
As the Abbot and President, I see my role not to convert anyone, but to connect everyone — to help us all touch the deeper truths that belong to humanity itself. Whether we call it Dhamma, Love, Truth, or Spirit, what we are nurturing here is the same universal goodness that brings peace to the heart.
The Buddha once said, “Just as the ocean has one taste — the taste of salt — so too does my teaching have one taste — the taste of liberation.”
That liberation, that peace, is not limited to any religion. It is the freedom from fear, anger, and division — a freedom that we can all share.
Our task as a board is to guide this center wisely:
to keep it organized, sustainable, and true to its purpose;
to ensure that every person who walks through our doors — whether they come to meditate, to heal, to rest, or to pray — feels welcome, safe, and respected.
Let us remember that leadership is not about control; it is about care.
It is about listening, serving, and helping others grow.
When we lead with compassion, we inspire trust. When we speak with honesty, we build unity. And when we act with wisdom, our work becomes a blessing for many.
As we begin today’s meeting, let us do so with open minds and kind hearts.
Let us listen deeply to one another.
Let us make decisions that reflect our shared values — peace, harmony, and service.
May Serenity Central continue to be a sanctuary where people of all faiths and walks of life can come to breathe, to heal, and to remember what truly matters:
love, mindfulness, and the wish to bring happiness to others.
Thank you all for being part of this vision, and for the goodness you bring to it.
May our work today be meaningful, our minds peaceful, and our hearts united.
May all beings be well, happy, and peaceful.
