Kathina S.C.Our Kathina Season Celebration starts at 9:45am on Sunday the 16th of October – not far away. For over 2500 years supporters of Theravadin monasteries have gathered to mark the end of vassa; the largest alms-giving ceremony of the year. The marquee is already up and preparations have begun. We are blessed in that almost all of the local monks are able to join us and we should be a sangha of 12, or more; Thai, Laos, Cambodian, Sri Lankan, Burmese… Wonderful. Several community groups are organizing food stalls and hopefully the weather is fine and we can all go up to the stupa to make offerings and dedications there (see below). This celebration is a happy and joyous occasion and an excellent opportunity for the lay community to join together and acknowledge the great gift that is Bodhinyanarama and the blessing of the Triple Gem. You are most welcome.
StupaAfter 20 years the stupa is showing signs of age. There are plans to extend and enhance the site overall as well as to improve and upgrade the existing features. The West side was never finished and the thought is to install a Thai parinibbana Buddha there. The entrance is basically a road, rough and uneven, and the creation of a forecourt with a moonstone and other elements from Sri Lanka will more strongly define the entrance to the central, Burmese stupa. There are a few more details here. It will take a while to finalise the overall concept and your input is welcome.
MonksThe end of vassa commonly sees monks travel. Ajahn Kusalo will be leaving not long after our Kathina-season celebration to attend the tenth anniversary of Tisarana monastery in Canada where he was prior to coming here. As part of the trip he will visit Abhayagiri Monastery in California and Temple Monastery in Massachusetts. Also a short stop in Los Angeles on the way back to visit his son who moved there a few weeks ago. Not long after his departure Bodhinyanarama will welcome two new monks; Ajahn Narado and venerable Phasuko. Venerable Kondanyo, who has been with us for vassa, is settling well and plans to stay on. Venerable Kusalacitto completes his 5th year as a monk and enters his majjhima (middle) years. Sadhu!
Golden BuddhaThis should be there to welcome you as you enter the monastery to join our celebration on the 16th. It came originally from just north of Toronto in Canada and has had a bumpy ride. Pat has given it some loving care and attention so the buddha-brightness is back. view photos
Dormitory bitsThe dormitory has received one bed, one carpet and one set of curtains. Many thanks to the people who offered those. If you have Bunks or Beds (we have mattresses), Curtains or Carpet loitering in your garage or elsewhere they might fit here. Contact the monastery.