New Year Retreat26th December – 3rd January; Upadana: Grasping; literally ‘fuel.’ What is it that fuels your suffering? The transition into the new year is a good opportunity to let all that go. Out with the old and welcome the new; release and renewal. booking form
TudongTudong (Thai) is derived from the 13 austerities or ascetic practices (Pali: dhutanga). One of these is “Forest-dweller’s Practice” (araññik’anga) and the monastic homeless, wandering lifestyle is often seen as embodying many others. So, we took Ajahn Sucitto on tudong (vandong), driving up the West coast and skirting the East side of Mount Taranaki. We regularly sought the-end-of-the-road and the quiet that comes with being nowhere. The weather wasn’t the best for camping but we saw enough sun to dry our wet gear and mostly lunched al fresco. Bon voyage Ajahn. view photos
We met Ajahn Medhino in Auckland and, as it is his first visit to NZ we gave him the highway 1 tiki-tour. A 15 hour drive to the monastery. He will be with us until year’s end so we look forward to hearing his dhamma.
New LooThe best news is that a recent donation has covered a significant part of the project cost. This generous donation comes from Sian Mah and his family and is gratefully welcomed. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu! It is a small building but with all services involved it is quite expensive. We kept the building as low to the ground as possible and landscaping is the current focus. The track running right in front of the Chao Khun’s kuti now runs at a lower level offering more privacy for the kuti. view photos
Cushion StoreLyndsay has been beavering away in the workshop making a copy of the cushion bins in the meditation hall. This new unit will replace the old kitchen dresser in the dana sala. He has done a lovely job. Anumodana. view photos
2016 CalendarsWe have these available at the monastery. Please help yourself. Note that the lunar observance days are printed on separate sheet which has been glued in. These were a dana from Hasi @uniquedesignandprint.co.nz — anumodana.