Group Meditation:We will be practising together in the Dhamma Hall until Saturday evening, 19th October. This is the full-moon and the end of vassa. You are welcome to join for any part of the day.
Marquee, Tuesday:Kathina season is not far away and we need to get the marquee over the cloister. The following weekend is Labour Weekend Retreat so it has to happen during the week. It is weather dependent and better sooner than later. The forecast looks good for TUESDAY 22ND. If you have ANY TIME DURING THE DAY your help would be much appreciated – as in **help** – there are not many guests at the moment.
Labour Weekend Retreat:Accommodation is (almost) full with a waiting list for women and 1 space for men. You can still come and join for any part of the schedule: 8.30-10.30; 1.30-5.30 plus morning and evening pujas. Friday night 25th to 4pm Monday. 25-28th October.
Photos:With the vassa drawing to a close the sangha is starting to stir. Alms round is now a more regular event in Stokes Valley. Aj. Kusalo & Rocano were in Palmerston North last weekend and the whole Sangha gathered in the hermitage kuti at the end of Aj Thitavijjo’s self-retreat. The grass is also coming out of hibernation and got its first cut recently. several[photos]
Carpark:Work will begin sealing the driveway and carpark on Monday 21st. This is your last chance to visit the old gravel patch of yesteryear. Another piece of history (happily) passes by. The plan is that this will be ready for our Kathina-season celebration on the 3rd.
Lay Kutis:The monastery rezoning sees the triplex no longer available as guest accommodation; more on this later. To balance this we will build two new kutis on the east side of the stream – in the lay zone. Sites are being finalised and the hope is to have construction completed by next vassa. There are a couple of working bees being planned. The financing of this project will be a part of the alms offering at our Kathina-season celebration.
Kathina Season:The robe offering at Bodhinyanarama will on November 3rd. There will be 12 (possibly 14) Bhikkhus gathering for this auspicious occassion and we hope that you will be able to join us to celebrate an event that was established by the Buddha over 2500 years ago. The traditional focus is on the offering of forest cloth to the Sangha which will be done this year by representatives of the ethnic communities that support Bodhinyanarama. It is also a time for offering general requisites to the monks and the monastery. More details later.