Retreat:Labour Weekend: Oct. 24th – 27th “Love & Joy” – a common element of the Buddha’s teaching, often seen as Metta & Mudita in the Four Brahma Viharas (divine abidings). The arising of any one state requires the cessation of some other; life and death. True divinity is an empathy with all aspects of this cycle, the transition of all states. Peace – without expectation, free of desire. Love and Joy.
Kathina Season:2ND NOVEMBER. A day of celebration. The vassa (winter) has ended and we herald the joys of spring and summer to come. This day marks an event established by the Buddha himself with traditional focus on the offering of forest cloth to the Sangha. This will be done by representatives of the ethnic communities that support Bodhinyanarama. It is also a time for making offerings to the monks and the monastery. Here is a list of larger items that we are looking toward. One of the stalls this year will have a “Buddha to be Shined” (see last item). Many monks from different monasteries will be joining us for this occasion and you are all welcome. 9:30am start.
ENDS & STARTS:Vassa has ended and another phase of the monastery starts. With better weather various work projects are getting underway. Several of these are about *finishing* – rounding off loose ends.
Office:This has been slowly coming together over the last year and is now “open for business.” It is in the entrance to the dana sala (over the kitchen). The area around the deck outside the entrance will be landscaped over the next few months. Office hours have not yet been set and several other details are evolving but – it’s alive! Please do enquire if you are interested in helping with office work.
Buddha Rupa:The lovely Buddha rupa intended for the entrance of the dana sala has been sitting in a very neglected garden outside the monk’s vihara for many years. It is dull and drab. It needs some loving care and attention. It will be sitting waiting for *you* on our Kathina-season celebration day [Nov 2nd] with some metal polish and some cleaning cloths. EVERYONE can help make the Buddha shine!