Vassa UpdateIt is now just over a month into the winter retreat and things are going extremely well. The resident lay team are taking turns supporting the sangha, seeing to various duties as well as giving time to their own study and practice. Venerable Kondanyo recently arrived and is settling into the routine. Venerable Kusalacitto is on self-retreat for another week and at the end of this Ajahn Kusalo will start a self-retreat. We have had a few long-term supporters come and stay for short periods and their contribution has added in many good ways. A little sickness, a lot of sunshine, a touch of cold… all normal. Anumodana to all those who come regularly to offer dana and support this opportunity.
StupaAfter nearly 20 years the stupa is showing signs of age and, to some degree, neglect. There are plans to extend and enhance the site overall as well as improve and upgrade the existing. The West side was never finished and the thought is to install a Thai parinibbana Buddha there. The entrance is basically a road – rough and uneven – and the creation of a forecourt with a moonstone and other elements from Sri Lanka will more strongly define lead in to the central, Burmese stupa. There are a few more details here. It will take a while to finalise the overall concept and your input is welcome.view photos
Women’s AccommodationThere has been a trend over the last year+ of more women coming to stay at the monastery. The Raja kuti is the center of three kutis where women often prefer to stay. It is another aging location, especially the bathroom, and the initial plan is to upgrade and generally reconfigure the layout. There are also thoughts to add extra toilet-shower facilities, possibly where Architect kuti is now. This would create the need for one or more extra kutis. The split floor of Garden kuti has never been ideal and this could be revised, possibly in conjunction with the location of new kutis. The underlying concept is to create a women’s accommodation area. More details here. Your input is welcome.
DormitoryThe workshop basement renovation – a.k.a the dormitory – is nearing completion. Bruce is off to India mid-September and hopes to have it finished before leaving. He has done a great job using a lot of material we already had; effectively creating 4 kuti(ish) spaces for $8k – a bit more than half the price of one. The interior is being painted and the outside porch and courtyard retaining wall are about to begin. A very spacious space.view photos
Bunks, Beds, Curtains & Carpetsa.k.a the dormitory furniture. If you have things in the garage or generally going spare then perhaps they might fit here. The B’s probably will but the C’s may need size and colour confirmation. Contact the monastery.
Shrine GlassWe have a new (bigger) protective glass on the main sala shrine. This is relatively minor news but is included here, not so much to declare the change but to emphasise the reason for it – FIRE.! We had one in the kitchen on account of candles left burning and there are scorch marks on the sala floor from incense left unattended. Do be careful – and do extinguish candles or incense when you leave the hall.
Rupa on a RockThere has been an ongoing thought to make a stronger ‘Buddhist-monastery statement’ at the entrance. Various suggestions have been discussed but nothing is clearly agreed. In the meantime we will contemplate… “A rupa on a Rock.” This image is about to be cast and it will sit and wait as other plans develop. A Buddha image is inspiring of goodness and uplifting for the heart and it is hoped that the addition of several new images (Chao Khun, Dana sala & this one) will be a blessing for all who visit the monastery – especially those not so familiar with Buddhism.view photos