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History Residents Committee Forest Tradition
A Buddhist Monastery in the Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah
The base slab for the rupa was delivered too small. Drastic adaptation is required.
The Buddha rupa is being released from the crate.
Simon and Gavin checking the alignment of the base slab.
The chain hoist is being set and the balance point is being sought.
Perfect balance and the way is being cleared.
Almost there. A platform is being built to slide the rupa in under the roof onto the base.
The installation crew at the end of the four hour rupa placement.
Venerables Kusalacitto, Dta and Phasuko working on the Kathina robe.
Umbrellas at rest. Their season is almost over.
The south-end crew buckling up the marquee ready for Kathina.
The Buddha rupa pavilion is slowly taking shape. We have a good work crew and things are well on track.
Lindsay starting on the finish paint for the two protectors - Hiri and Ottappa (moral shame and dread). Everything is looking very gold.
A winter cloud against a bright spring sky.
The reclining buddha rupa pavilion taking shape.
A wee tree fern putting out fresh spring growth at the hermitage.
The terracotta mural showing three key people in the history of Bodhinyanarama; L-R. Luang Por Chah (lineage founder), Luang Por Sumedho (monastery founder), Luang Por Viradhammo (founding abbot). Sadhu!
The first stage of the mural. There is a lot more detail to come.
The full extent of the terracotta mural which will be set behind the reclining buddha rupa.
The foundation posts to hold the roof of the rupa pavilion. Simon and Gavin on stone, Bruce on wood. Gold on stupa.
The roof framing is almost done and boxing for the rupa plinth well underway. There is lots of work still to be done but the vision is forming.
The monastery committee after the 2018 AGM
The monks recently arrived at Wat Dhammaprateep visit us at Bodhinyanarama.
Position permutations for paying respects to elders.
Dedicating merit on the occasion of the King of Thailand's birthday.
The rubble from the concrete slab and old stone wall is removed.
The scaffold has served its purpose and can now be removed.
Everything that was born will eventually die - the scaffold being the current example.
The stupa scaffold is all but down and now to the de-nailing.
The sangha ready to go on Sunday pindapat.
On a ladder resting on planks which straddle the handrail our intrepid ajahn effects repairs.
A light rain moistens the garden.
A visit to Dhammagiri monastery to pay respects to Ajahn Jinalankara.
A pre-vassa visit to Wat Thai in Newlands to pay respect to Ajahn Natawat.
The Bodhinyanarama sangha visits Luang Por Poi.
Bruce working wonders in the downstairs bhikkhu vihara bathroom.
The early morning view from the top of the stupa down Stokes Valley.
Felix working on cleaning the upper section of the stupa.
The old stone walls and concrete slab have been removed. The digger prepares the ground.
The new kitchen upstairs in the bhikkhu vihara.
Craig and Felix hard at work breaking up the concrete slab where the reclining buddha rupa will go.
Craig stands roughly where the reclining buddha rupa will be set (much work needed :)
Stupa Dedication Ceremony
December 2nd — 2018   09:45


The resident sangha gathered for the stupa dedication.
After a dhamma programme of meetings after lunch and evenings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the main event on Sunday went incredibly well. We had a resident sangha of thirteen plus seven of our local monks joining us on the day. The weather was just amazing with clear skies holding just a few puffy clouds resting in a wind free air. Rice pindapat saw about 500 people lined up in and around the cloister and down the ramp into the courtyard almost as far down as the workshop - and then back up to the sala. The use of a rented food tent worked very well. The sun was warm and bright. Morning ceremonies in the hall flowed smoothly. By about 12:30 the sky was darkening with black clouds rolling in. We opted for an early start and everyone headed up to the stupa. By the time Ajahn Tiradhammo had started his talk the thunder and lightening was quite serious with explosive cracks and flashes filling the air. "Without further ado..." the mural was unveiled, likewise the buddha rupa. Relics and all manner of sacred objects were placed under the buddha and as the last of these was being placed with the sangha chanting "Jayanto..." the heavens opened! A massive clap of thunder heralded a patter of gentle raindrops which quickly became a torrent of heavy but warm rain. Several people were collecting cupped hands full of water and washing the buddha. The joy was infectious and the wet did not deter the crowds from adding their own sacred items at the head of the buddha.

You can view a stupa video
Also a collection of stills here.

There is some background detail on the stupa here.
You can view a collection of stupa photos that will have ceremony images added to it by-and-by.

Events see all
New Year Retreat 26 Dec-3 Jan
B
odhinyanarama is a monastic sanctuary situated in a 51 hectare (126 acre) wooded valley near Wellington, New Zealand. The monastery is the focus for a thriving Buddhist community and serves a variety of functions. While principally a residence for those wishing to participate or train in the monastic lifestyle, the large public area and meeting hall are used for religious festivals, public meetings and retreats. The forested area with remote lodgings provides a suitable environment for seclusion. The senior monks instruct in meditation, teach Buddhist principles, lead retreats and provide religious services for the Buddhist community, both at the monastery and at other venues in New Zealand and elsewhere.
Monastery Photos view all

The base slab for the rupa was delivered too small. Drastic adaptation is required.
News Update for:28th Nov. 2018 read all
>> Kathina Photos
It has been a while since we had this event but the days have been well filled preparing for the stupa dedication. You may want to  ...read more
Dhamma Talk hear all
Getting the Most from Life
Ajahn Nyanarato
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