VesakA many layered celebration. Dhamma Gavesi had theirs on the 14th (Bhante Jinalankara is in Sri Lanka so, obviously :), did not join). Bodhinyanarama revelled on the 22nd (unfortunately overlapping Wat Thai) and ATBA, in Auckland, had their event on the 29th. There was also a gathering at Bodhinyanarama on the 28th for the Sri Lankan Sunday School (lanterns, etc.). Attendance at B’rama was light but bright (covid?). The celebratory energy was far warmer than the weather. The blessings of such congregations are truly a joy. Ajahn Kusalo went to Auckland for the ATBA celebrations on Sunday and also joined their committee meeting on Saturday. It was a fruitful trip on many levels. Joy and happiness are not to be underestimated in their power to clear our hearts and pave the way to freedom. All the aforementioned paving-events looks like a road. Walk on!
Hugs all Round?People participation at B’rama generally (everywhere?) has been less over the last year? or more. Blame it on the covid!!? And maybe the zoom-attendance mind-set will become the norm (in years to come?). Possibly, but I very much hope not. Seeing your mum, kids, loved ones, dhamma friends, etc. on a screen is just not the same as ‘up close and personal’. Sharing dhamma remotely can be such an abstraction, a conceptual encapsulation of ideas. Better than nothing – certainly of benefit – but… My Dad and Mum are both dead and I have to make do with ‘virtual’ hugs but… you are not dead (plz. confirm 🙂 and life is not a solitary pursuit. To hongi or hug? All Round?
Saturday Meditation WorkshopTomorrow, Saturday the 4th – 1–5pm. There may, actually, not be that much hugging through the time, but there will be live action… Concentration and mindfulness are live processes. So what is this thing called life? Come along and find out.
Day of MindfulnessThe third Saturday of every month; 9am to 4pm. Come for all or part of this – join for the meal at 10:30. A really good opportunity to give extended time to your meditation. There will be instruction and discussion. Let by Ajahn Kusalacitto.
June RetreatFriday 24th June, 7pm – Sunday 26th, 4pm. More real life goings on. An opportunity – to stop – look and – listen – to… your life. Led by Ajahn Kusalo. booking form
VassaThe annual, three-month, winter retreat when the monastic community takes time to – stop – look and – listen. It is still over a month away (starts July 14) but useful for you to know that things will go quiet(er) with some of the sangha on solitary retreat. Most scheduled events will continue.
AGMPrior to the vassa we will have our annual general meeting. Sunday, July 3rd. Just a heads up that, related to the problems with ATBA in Auckland, our constitution will be getting another review. Changes were made back around 2013-14 and as the Western sangha grows there is real value in developing consistency within the various monasteries. There will be no changes proposed this year but some areas under consideration can be discussed. More on this closer to time.