Magha Puja
March 1st. Sometimes called “Sangha Day” this commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 arahants with the Buddha. It was on this occasion that the Buddha delivered the “Ovada Patimokkha” the foundation of the uposatha recitation. The full moon is on the 4th and we will celebrate on Sunday 1st.
Work Coordinator
Work Coordinator
The plan has always been to develop a monastery works management role to coordinate maintenance and new projects. The hope was that this would be someone residential but this is not happening. We are looking for a person, or a few people as a team, who would liaise with the sangha to organise these projects; get quotes, supervise contractors, etc. The required level of technical expertise is not that great. Can you help?
Work About
Work About
The plan for this year is mostly to finish ‘bits’.
Stupa repair and general tidy up. It will eventually be repainted. view photos The new kuti meditation walking paths — nearing completion. Asphalting the front entrance has been priced and work will start soon. Kuti #1 is finally getting a heater (Alex has survived the summer without 🙂 The dana sala stonework — the Buddha rupa plinth is the current focus. view photos Cloister posts are getting a fresh coat of colour. view photos
Anagarikia Alex
Anagarikia Alex
His three month stay is almost finished and he will be returning to Picton. It has been a very positive time and we wish Alex well in his future days. Having said that he will be coming back mid-March for a couple of weeks. Whose next?
Neurodhamma
Neurodhamma
Ajahn’s reading a book in the vassa lead to a correspondence which lead to Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist, visiting Bodhinyanarama recently. It was one of those lovely conversations which needed to end — because we have things to do — but are difficult to move away from. The mind-the brain-the heart-the dhamma. A rich field of study. view photos
Venerable Jivako
Venerable Jivako
Some of you may recall his visit in 2013. He is only visiting for a short time but it is a pleasure to have him here again. This will probably reach you too late but he will give the lunar observance talk. He will travel on to the South Island then back up to spend some time at Vimutti Monastery.
Buddha Rupa Installation
Buddha Rupa Installation
3rd May. The sitting Buddha rupa that has been diligently polished by hundreds of people over the last few months will installed on this day. You are invited to write blessings and meritorious good wishes. These will be collected over the next couple of months and then interred in the base of the rupa when it is installed. The stonework for the base is being done as this is being written.
History Thwarted
History Thwarted
As a part of clearing out various storage spaces a residential sub-division development plan for the top end of Rakau Grove was found. This was submitted to Council in 1974 and, as you well know, did not come to pass. Aren’t we so lucky it did not. Have a look view photos You can count how many sections and unit schemes there were. Scary stuff.