Kathina Season CelebrationBodhinyanarama will have its annual Kathina season celebration on November 12th; 09:45. The end of the vassa usually sees a change of energy, and people, in the monastery and Kathina is the biggest alms giving ceremony that heralds the start of a ‘new year’. This year we are looking toward getting the new nursing kuti facility started (see next item). This will be the first major building project for quite some time. Kathina is a time to gather together to celebrate our shared enthusiasm and support of the monastery, the sangha and our Buddhist heritage generally. An opportunity to make merit and gladden the heart. All are welcome.
Nursing KutiThis project has been planned for some years now and Bruce’s death last year emphasised the real need for such a facility. The basic plan is to remodel the existing carport and ex-library building to provide the main care space with adjoining bathroom (approx. the old library). There will be an attendants kuti (the carport) with two additional, publicly accessible toilets. The (very rough) cost estimate is about $300,000 and we hope to get this fund well started this Kathina. More information with a plan and can be viewed on the website: the future. If you wish to support this project details are also on that page.
At the same time the plumbing is done for the care unit we will add a toilet and shower to Aunty Suan’s kuti (quite close to the care unit). A small offering for her comfort.
No MonksAs you may know we have been sending monks to Vimutti monastery in Auckland since June with two monks there for the vassa. The Bodhinyanarama sangha will travel to Auckland to celebrate the Kathina season with the community there leaving here on the 2nd of November and returning on the 8th. This means there will be no sangha in the monastery from the 2nd until the 8th. You are most welcome to come on any day but there will be no dana offering on those days; resuming on the 9th.
New Year RetreatDecember 26th until January 3rd. Starting on Sunday 26th at 7pm and finishing at 4pm on Tuesday 3rd. A lot of interest has already been expressed regarding this retreat so please do book soon. Accommodation preference is being given to those booking for the full time. You are most welcome to come during the day or for evening puja and/or to join us on New Year’s eve. Overnight accommodation is available on NYeve when we practice through until midnight with a few ceremonies to mark the transition.
Community PeopleThe sangha is becoming increasingly diverse. We have always had a very multi-national mix and it is worth noting that we now have four kiwis in the sangha; three monks and one anagarika. This is quite unprecedented. And there are two more anagarikas to ordain (22nd Nov.), a Kiwi and a Pom. Venerable Samvaro got his visa and he will be here late November. Ajahn Kusalacitto and Kavidhaja, currently in Vimutti will be back here for our Kathina season celebration on the 12th. Ajahn Jutindharo will be back with us from UK mid January for about a month. There are other monks interested in coming here, both to visit and to stay, and we are at the point where accommodation is a real consideration. It is encouraging to see the extent of sangha interest and we will generally look to finding the space for that.