Saturday WorkshopWith the vassa almost over, and summer on the way!, we are getting back up to speed with our general activities. As usual, the first Saturday of every month, 1-5pm, we meet for meditation. There is a general introduction to begin, with increasing silence and space for practice as the afternoon progresses.
Kathina SCAfter an incredible vassa we are looking forward to marking the end of this season. We will have our celebration on Sunday, October 20th. We start at 9:45am with a short meditation, then some chanting, and the day’s programme unfolds from there. This annual event is always one of great joy and delight encompassing devotion, dhamma, generosity, friendship, faith and so much more. We are glad to have Ajahn Hasapannyo coming from Melbourne to be with us for a week and to join us for this occasion as well as our local sanghas. We look forward to hearing some of his dhamma. All this is not to be missed! You are all welcome.
November RetreatNovember: Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd. The primary theme will be ‘Cessation’ – nirodho, the ending, the culmination of things. The closing time will be 4:30pm (not 3pm as in the past). Our regular meetings every Sunday, 1.30-4.30pm, have been well attended and we would like to not interrupt this time frame and also to make the best use of our time together on retreat. Bookings have been good so don’t delay; first come first served 🙂
Taranaki TripAt the start of the vassa three monks and one anagarika (and Pat the driver) headed up to New Plymouth to meet with fellow Buddhists. There was a very well attended dana on Sunday as well as a public talk with about 100 people coming for that. The talk gathering was great with nobody wanting to go home. Q&A went on until well past 9:30pm. Part of the trip was to show the sangha some snow. We had a couple of good visits to the mountain. view photos
HermitageThe hermitage kuti has seen good use over the vassa and the long term plan to build another kuti up there still seems valid. Work has begun on forming a foot track and once this has been done further consideration will be given to building ‘something’ on the site; this could be as simple as a tent platform. Access is difficult so getting materials to the site poses a question. The exisiting kuti was helicoptered in. This method is not cheap so we are not in a hurry to commit to building. view photos
Sangha MovesThe end of vassa is a common time for sangha to consider moving elsewhere. Anagarika Ethan has left to persue his masters degree in Oz. Anagarika Ryan has family business in the UK so will leave not long after Kathina. Ajahn Joe plans to stay longer but has some responsibilities back in Thailand. He will head back for some time but is not sure exactly when, or how long. Ajahn Hasapannyo will be here for a week for our Kathina s.c.. Ajahn Kongrit will be here in December for 3 months – bringing Ajahn Supot, who will stay for 3 weeks. A few other senior monks are ‘booked in’ for next year and details of their visits will be announced later. All in all the sangha is happy and well. Sadhu.