VesakWe had a delightful gathering on Sunday. A combination of both Wat Thai and Wat Cambodia having their celebration on the same day, as well as a bitter wind from the south, meant there were less gathered than might be considered usual for such an occasion. The joy and warm hearts more than brought balance to the chill. If anything the cooler clime had us more united (huddled 🙂 together than ever. Blessings to all those who participated and especial thanks to those who helped set up – the tent, the flags, the flowers, the carpets, and many other elements that went together to make such a happy day. A special thanks to the children of the Sri Lankan Sunday School who brought their illuminated Vesak lanterns to display. Anumodana to all! view photos
Queen’s Birthday Retreat1-4 June. “Defining Reality” Using a meditation environment to explore both our personal, internal perception of reality and that of the external – and any difference between the two. A semi-residential retreat with some accomodation still available – or you can just come for all or part of a day(s). If you think to stay overnight please book using the booking form with the comment “retreat”.
Sangha NewsAjahn Jotimanto left on Tuesday to return to Thailand. We look forward to seeing him here again. After quite a busy few months of monastic comings and goings we have now settled to what will probably be a ‘vassa team’ of five monks. This number means that the forthcoming Kathina will be a Kathina – as opposed to a ‘Kathina Season Celebration.’ The distinction is not so much one of Vinaya but more the standard maintained by our group of monasteries to bring a higher regard for this auspicious ceremony acknowledging those monasteries that have a larger sangha committed to spend the vassa together. More on this later.
DhammaMuch of the news here can be relatively mundane; business or event related. There is not much about the monks’ meditation practice or study, few photos of monks meditating. Most of this takes place in seclusion. The common room in the Bhikkhu Vihara however can sometimes be a place for enthusiastic dhamma discussions – over tea or otherwise. Every observance day we have an extended formal gathering usually exploring a specific theme resulting in lively dialogue. There are other regular, spontaneous exchanges – and all of this together creates a very fertile and harmonious dhamma setting. This group of monks is a particularly fine one. Sadhu!
Unveiling ShowersYes, pretty mundane by worldly standards but the completion of the monks vihara showers and bathroom is no small matter for us. Bruce has been working on this for over a month often putting in ‘over time.’ We had a ceremonious unveiling this morning. This amounted to not much more than the sangha peeling the protective plastic off the shower walls but it was quite symbolic – and fun. There will be no photos of the stalls in use – but there is one of it empty. view photos
WheelsThere is no doubt that all our monks are getting older. There is a wider monastery consideration being given to accomodation that supports old age and poor health. One of the overall plans around work being done on the Vihara here is to provide wheeled access. Our land is nowhere flat and access is always an issue with suitable building spaces very limited. The vihara has potential and there are plans to incorporate a sick-monk cum senior-monk ‘suite’ within the existing building. To some degree this largely involves just rearranging furniture and renaming spaces – a bit more than that perhaps :)- Details have yet to be finalized but the concept is fairly clear. view photos