2021 RetreatsTwo weekends have been set for retreats:
An opportunity to establish, or extend, your meditation practice. Accommodation at the monastery is limited. Make a booking and put ‘retreat’ in the comments box. These are both ‘open’ retreats and, if you are not resident, you can come and join during the day – and return home at night.
See the retreat information for details.
Taranaki TudongAjahns Kusalo and Sudhiro have just returned from an 11 day walkabout up the west coast. The trip included the regular Palmerston North visit and ended in New Plymouth for a day of dhamma. The weather was (almost) perfect and people along the way were delightfully friendly and generous. Hitch-hiking and camping reduce the availability of (the illusion of) control; one is very much at the whim of the world – presenting no end of opportunities for practice. A few photos
City MeditationAs it is still relatively new as an event – a reminder. Every 3rd Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be on Thursday the 15th April. The Business Center, Ground floor, Block 6, Clyde Quay Wharf, Te Aro.
Vihara ProgressThe vihara, earlier called ‘the upper house’, has had several phases of renovation over the last couple of years due to the design of the original building including many functions which are no longer relevant. Some of you may remember the main Buddha image (now in the dhamma sala) being in the top storey. What a squeeze! And now, almost every space has had a makeover with the work nearly complete. Painting the outside is the current project. There are plans for a wood fire – with possible wetback and solar hot water – on the top storey. photos
Monks’ KutiThis new building was made weather proof before the Ajahns went on tudong. It also created a nice meditative break from work. We will probably resume work next week when we will look at getting the insulation and lining done. Painting, a walking meditation path, the wood stove, a bit of landscaping… finishing always takes longer than one thinks. Ready before vassa? Venerable Dhammavasa hopes so 🙂 photos
Border ExcemptionOur application for an exemption to get a new monk into New Zealand has been rejected by immigration NZ. Our appeal was also turned down. The two reasons given were: “there are plenty of people in NZ who can do this work” & “the applicant makes no significant contribution to the national economy.” We disagreed on both counts but… defining work and economy involves opinions – with ours obviously different from theirs. The trans-Tasman bubble may open and there are a couple of possible monastics hovering there. And life goes on.
Vesakha PujaMay 30th – 9:45am. To celebrate the birth, enlightenment and final passing of the Buddha. With luck we will have the new cloister marquee ready and erected for the day!
Bottled WaterIn line with the global trend to reduce (eliminate?) plastic pollution we ask you not to bring bottled water to the monastery. There are many disturbing statistics. eg. “By 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean – if we do not take urgent, collective action.” globalplasticaction.org
“Every year, about 8 million tons of plastic waste escapes into the oceans from coastal nations. That’s the equivalent of setting five garbage bags full of trash on every foot of coastline around the world.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/plastic-pollution
The “NZ Plastic Packaging Declaration” aims to make all store and private label packaging 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025
We will be getting reusable bottles.