Happy New YearMay the forthcoming year be happy and fruitful for you with minimum problems and maximum success.
New Year Eve/Day:In the evening about 50+ people joined together to bring in the new year at Bodhinyanarama. We were especially blessed with a starry sky for the circumambulation of the stupa after the meditation and Dhamma talk and again for the planting of all our blessings and aspirations under the ‘Wishing Tree’ just before midnight. New year’s day the Sangha went pindapat down the valley and we saw over 100 people coming to offer alms and to share the joy that is the beginning of a new year. view photos
Parking:As nice as it was to have so many of you come on new year’s day there were instances of illegal parking in Rakau Grove. One of our neighbours was very much inconvenienced. This is a serious matter and can not be tolerated. It is our collective responsibility, not only to keep the law but to respect those around us. This will be emphasised again but, please remember, infuture: “drop off and go park down the valley.”
New Year Retreat:This was very well attended with several people taking advantage of the ‘non-residential’ opportunity to come for varying periods throughout the week. There was a good, solid core who stayed for the whole time and all appreciated the teachings and discussions on the theme of ‘Release and Renewal.’ view photos
Schedules:There will be some changes in the Sangha as the year progresses but the basic schedule of regular events will continue unchanged.
— Morning and evening puja
— Observance Days. See the events calendar for details
— Sunday Evening meditation and dhamma talk
— Meditation Workshops; 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month
— Retreats… under review. Perhaps more.
— Unfortunately one change is the suspension of the kids classes. Ajahn Kusalo is feeling a bit stretched but hopes that circumstances will allow the resumption of these.
Meditation Workshops:These are twice a month; 1st and 3rd Saturday. Attendance was a bit patchy for the later part of last year and one possibility is to cancel the 3rd Saturday. Very few came for this Saturday, 4th, but I guess we are still in the holiday season. If these are seen to be useful – ie. you come – they will continue. Your call.
New Kutis:The fund now has the cost of all materials well covered. Your generosity is very much appreciated. Anumodana. A sketch plan has been drawn (see: news>kutis) and a more detailed drawing is underway to order materials. Once these are here there will be another working bee to get them all to the site proper. Each piece needs to be carried in; one-by-one. More later.