New Year Vigil:What better way to enter the new year than riding aboard Bodhinyanarama’s dhamma vehicle? The evening starts at 7pm – that’s Monday 31st December – with chanting, meditation and a dhamma talk. The overall theme will be “Aspiration and Forgiveness.” You can reflect on and give energy to all those things you would like the new year to bring forth – the future. You can 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.
New Year Retreat:“Death & Renewal.” Friday the 4th of January until Sunday the 13th. 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. Use the guest booking form to register.
Fire Away:A generous friend has donated the cost for 20 fire extinguishers. Sadhu!We have also had pressure and flow alarms fitted into the sala sprinkler system.The end of the world? We are ready. Thank you.
Ajahn Kusalo Travels:Christchurch for the weekend, Thailand for the commemoration of Ajahn Chah’s memorial building in Bangkok, Malaysia for a 5-day adult retreat a 2-day teen retreat an afternoon kids class and a half-day Youth Education seminar then xmas with mum in Brisbane. Back in time for new year.
Plaques:It has taken a while but the final touch has been added to the Kitchen Commemoration Garden; the plaques with the list of everyone who donated toward the cost of the building. Many thanks to all of you who supported this project. view photos
Island Bay Visit:It is common at the end of the vassa for monks to visit and pay respects to local monastic elders. Ajahn Kusalo and Thitavijjo recently went to Wat Buddhacheymahaneat, the Cambodian Monastery in Island Bay, to see Ajahn Maha Suthep. He has been leading the community there for over 30 years and was the senior presiding monk at Ajahn Kusalo’s ordination. A very happy and joyful meeting. view photos