Ajahn Tiradhammo:Ajahn arrived yesterday from Australia and will be with us until the 25th. This means that he will be able to join us for our Vesak celebration on the 19th which is a delight. He will be in Palmerston North this weekend but here for the remainder of his visit in New Zealand. Probably the best time to meet with him would be at the meal. It has been just over a year since he left and we are looking forward to spending some time with him.
Vesak – Vesakha Puja:Sunday 19th May. I am sure most of you know about this annual event. For those who don’t it is the celebration of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final passing. These all took place on the full moon of May. We will begin at 9:30am and you are advised to be here early to get a park and a seat. We will be putting the marquee up so there should be plenty of room. Precepts, rice pindapat, sharing of merit, shared meal, Dhamma talk, cirumambulation, blessings… etc.
Queen’s Birthday Retreat:This starts at 7pm on Friday 31st May and finishes at 3pm on Monday 3rd June. You are welcome to join all or part of this time we just ask that you respect the silence. Some accommodation is available. Please use the guest booking formand specify ‘QB Retreat’ in the comments field. Preference is given to those staying for the full term.
Kids Dhamma Class:The last class went very well with a good attendance. The next class conflicts with Vesak on the 19th so there will be no class on this day. This will now be on the following week – Sunday the 26th May. See the calendar and the next update for details.
Wairarapa Wilderness Walkabout:Ajahn Kusalo recently spent ten days with two lay friends [Pat and Elliot] travelling about the south-east corner of the North Island. We set out in the van with the only real plan being ‘explore the area.’ If you look on a map there are not a lot of roads and many of those dead end. That’s just the place where many adventures begin. The weather was kind, the company good, the food was varied and the nature wild and wonderfully sublime. It will take a while but there are stories and photos to come.
Christchurch:Not many hours after returning from the Wairarapa it was Ajahn aboard a plane to Christchurch. This is the second sangha visit there. Meditation, chanting and a dhamma talk on Friday night; a day of meditation on Saturday; a very positive meeting with four group leaders of Southern Insight; morning and afternoon sessions at Wat Samakhee. It is nice to see such positive and growing interest in dhamma.view photos
Carpark:Alas the contractors are… doing many things – but one of them is not sealing our driveway and carpark before the vassa. This work will now begin on Monday October 21st.