VesakSunday, 22nd May — 9:45am. Celebrate the birth, enlightenment and final passing of the Buddha. Ajahn Tiradhammo and monks from other temples in the area will be with us. A powerful reflection on the primary factors that makes our journey to nibbana possible. A joyous and uplifting day with connections made on so many levels; dhamma, sila, social, cultural, culinary etc. All are welcome.
MarqueeMonday 16th – we will be putting the marquee up for Vesak. Come for breakfast at 7am. We will start work about 8. There is usually an hour or so after lunch to finish off. This is to keep the rain away on the day.
NapierAjahn Kusalo & Ven. Kusalacitto travelled up to Hastings last Friday to spend time with the community at Wat Patum. They visited us a month ago and this was a reciprocal visit. The time was spent taking part in their regular schedule along with some very nice dhamma discussions. The connection with the wider dhamma community has many benefits and we look toward further future exchange.
Queen’s Birthday RetreatJune 3-6. “The Moment of Awakening” – is imminently accessible. You wake in the morning and, before the becoming, the analysis or critique, there it is. There are many such moments in our days. Savour them in the silence of retreat. Book using the booking form Please add the comment ‘Queen’s Birthday Retreat’.
Moving MonksVenerable Aruno left for Italy on May fourth and we have a letter from him confirming safe arrival. He went directly to Santacittarama and will spend time there before visiting family in Siena. We have just confirmed that ven. Issaro will arrive at Bodhinyanarama this Saturday. He has been at Bodhivana outside Melbourne for several years and plans to spend the vassa with us. Venerable Kondanyo is still waiting for his visa so could be a few weeks away. Ajahn Tiradhammo is with us until the 27th.
HermitageThe hermitage kuti had its deck extended a few weeks ago and is now being altered to have a wood stove installed. The access track is also being extended (see future) The next stage is to finalise the location of kuti sites, establish walking tracks and clear the sites ready for construction. The existing kuti was helicoptered in and this may be necessary for future kutis. With this expense in mind there will need to be clear signs that extra kutis will be used before we build. view photos
Kids SpaceThe space under the workshop has for so long been a bit of a dumping ground. There has been a sort of bed space there but it was pretty grim. We have cleared out the junk and will create access, level the ground and enclose two insulated rooms. One of these is planned as a dedicated shrine room cum play area for kids. (see kids shrine) The other as overflow accommodation; a kind of bunk room. An associated thought was to resume kids’ dhamma classes using the new shrine room. Whatever evolves, for minimum expenditure we end up with extra, clean and useful space. view photos
AGM – MembershipOur AGM is not until June 29th but WTBA annual membership runs for the year from March 31st. If you were thinking of becoming a member you could download the 2016 form. Among other things this entitles you to vote at the AGM.
Vassa – WinterAgain, quite some time away but just to give you the thought… 19th July – 16th October; the monastic, winter retreat. A period with primary focus on meditation and study. Last year we had a group of 5 lay friends staying for the vassa supporting the basic running of the monastery. Are you interested in joining this year? details