Aj. Kusalo Travel Report:I am currently in Australia after a few weeks of wandering. Christchurch was first with a public talk on Friday night. About 30 or more attended and the day of meditation the next day saw about the same number. There was a meeting at Wat BuddhaSamakee that night. view photos There was a lot of interest and future visits are being discussed. Thailand was next with the dedication of the sala at Wat PahAmpawan in Chonburi as the main focus. There were about 200+ monks and a large gathering of lay people. I was able to spend time with several monks I know – Ajahn Sumedho, Passano, Jayasaro, Kevali view photos and to meet many anew. The sala is a work of art. view photos. The action got underway in Malaysia with a 5-day adult retreat starting the day after I arrived. view photos This was followed by a 2-day teen retreat with about 50 young people taking part. This was great fun with various aspects of the teaching being explored through a range of activities and meditations. A half-day with about 15 pre-teens was also fun looking at exemplifying the dynamics of the mind. A meeting of 20 youth group leaders representing various groups to discuss the foundation of a resource sharing internet portal closed the last day in Malaysia. Here in Oz most of the time has been spent with my mother. I have just returned from a weekend at Dhammagiri Monastery west of Brisbane where I was happy to spend time with Bhante Dhammasiha, a friend from many years back. Tomorrow is Christmas day. I hope that your day(s) are bright and happy and that your hearts are at peace. I will return to Wat Bodhinyanarama on the 29th and hope to see you soon.
New Year Vigil:Our evening of meditation and dhamma starts at 7pm – that’s Monday 31st December. There will be chanting, meditation a dhamma talk and time to consider the of “Aspiration and Forgiveness.” Reflect on and give energy to all those things you would like the new year to bring forth – the future. Investigate and consider all those things in the previous year that you would like to move on from, to let go of, to forgive – the past. The future will be buried in the earth to grow and the past will be burned and allowed to disperse. Yes.! The evening will end after midnight.
New Year Retreat:“Death & Renewal.” Starting on Friday the 4th of January at 7pm and finishing on Sunday the 13th around 3pm(ish). Depending on bookings accommodation may be available for just a day or so. Preference will be given to those who stay the full time. If you are not able to stay at the monastery you can still join with any part of the schedule through the day. Join us for the meal at 10.30. Use the guest booking form on the web site to register.
Venerable Nyanadipo:We had a visit from ven. Nyanadipo recently. He is normally resident at Wat Bodhivana in Melbourne as was here visiting his family. He was only here ten days but his time at the monastery was enjoyed by all. Hopefully we will see more visits from monks in Australia in the near future.