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SongkranSunday 17th April. Songkran is from the Sanskrit ‘sankranti’ and refers to the Southeast Asian New Year celebrated when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac. We will bless/bathe the monastery Buddha statues and the hands of the monks. Starting about 9.45am with chanting, offerings, precepts, a meal, […]

Ajahn KalyanoOne night only! Ajahn will be visiting us just for a few days and will give a dhamma talk on Thursday, 10th March 7pm in the main dhamma hall. The marquee is up so there is plenty of sitting space but parking may be limited so allow time for that. Luang Por SumedhoJoyful Dhamma…Do

Luang Por SumedhoJoyful Dhamma…We invite you to take part in Luang Por’s visit (17th-23rd March) details online. There are 4 scheduled events: Friday 18th; Talk at Te Papa, 6pm If you would like to display a flyer for this event Saturday 19th; Meal dhamma, 10:30am Sunday 20th; Meal dhamma, 10:00am Sunday 20th; Evening Puja, 6pmIf

City MeditationThe first Monday of every month; February 1st at the Quaker Meeting House; 7 Moncrieff St (off Elizabeth; off Kent Terrace); 6-8pm. The format is a simplified version of our regular Sunday format. Short chanting, meditation instruction, meditation, dhamma talk, discussion. It would help if you bring a cushion.ThailandIt was estimated that on the

Happy New YearWith all good wishes to you for a peaceful and rewarding new year. May the days for you and your family be happy and trouble free. The Bhikkhu sangha and committee would like to sincerely thank you for all your kindness and generous support over the last year. We very much look forward

New Year Retreat26th December – 3rd January; Upadana: Grasping. Letting go; release and renewal. details Accommodation is fully booked (barring last-minute cancellations) but you are welcome to come for all or part of any day. You would be most welcome to join for New Year’s Eve when we will have several ceremonies to enter 2016.

New Year Retreat26th December – 3rd January; Upadana: Grasping; literally ‘fuel.’ What is it that fuels your suffering? The transition into the new year is a good opportunity to let all that go. Out with the old and welcome the new; release and renewal. booking formTudongTudong (Thai) is derived from the 13 austerities or ascetic

New Year Retreat26th December – 3rd January; Upadana: Grasping (and non-grasping). The transition into the new year is a good opportunity for letting go of the old and welcoming the new – release and renewal. booking formAjahn Sucitto FarewellAjahn Sucitto came to Bodhinyanarama nearly a year ago. His time with us has been very much

KATHINA SeasonCelebration. THIS Sunday, November 8th. A joyful gathering to share in the goodness of Dhamma and specifically the ending of the Vassa and the unique opportunity that it represents. A time to meet with old friends and look to meet new. We aim to begin at 9:45am. The main robe offering will be immediately

Labour Weekend RetreatOctober 23th – 26th. “4 Brahma Viharas” The classic ‘heart teachings’ of the Buddha. booking form Vassa EndThe full moon is on the 26th – just after the W’end retreat – and the community will continue the energy of the retreat meditating together through until mid-night on the 26th. You are welcome to

Labour Weekend RetreatOctober 23th – 26th. “4 Brahma Viharas” Love, Compassion, Joy & Equanimity. The classic ‘heart teachings’ of the Buddha. Explore the ability to connect, unconditionally, with the full range of human emotion/experience. Admin is a little slow during the vassa but… booking form Dhamma DanaWe have just received a new shipment of dhamma

Labour Weekend RetreatFriday, October 23th – Monday, October 26th. “4 Brahma Viharas” Love, Compassion, Joy & Equanimity. A ‘vihara’ is a place of abode, a dwelling. The Brahma realm is the highest deva world. These beautiful qualities of experience will be explored through the general theme of empathy. booking form 10-day RetreatA report: The core

10-day Retreat Friday, August 28th – Sunday, September 6th. “Knowledge in Samadhi-Sati”. One full-term bed still available. Part-term sharing options. booking form Dana Receipts The processing of financial donations to the monastery is surprisingly complex. It is an area requiring obvious care and responsibility and this takes time. Over the last year we have been

Monastic Retreat The community is on retreat following the standard retreat-schedule until Tuesday 11th. You are welcome to come and join any part of this between 5:15am and ~9pm. 10-day Retreat Friday, August 28th – Sunday, September 6th. “Knowledge in Samadhi-Sati”. Digging into the practice couplet of concentration-mindfulness or tranquillity-insight. Knowledge (vijja) is innate and

Khao Pansa This Sunday, 26th. This public celebration marks the beginning of the rains retreat. The Vassa is a very important time in the monastic calendar and the lay community comes together to acknowledge this. A very joyful, “Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!” kind of thing. We should be so lucky! Begins at 10:00am and finishes around

Working Bee This coming Saturday – 11th July. Come for breakfast for a good start at 8:30am. Come for puja on Friday evening and stay the night. The basic work period will be 8:30 > 2:30(ish). This is “phase one” and will mostly involve cleaning, gardening and generally tidy up. Come for lunch..? just come

Annual General Meeting Sunday, June 28th, 12:30. The agenda, in brief: Minutes of last AGM, Reports (Sangha, President, Treasurer), Committee election, Business, Tea. You are all most welcome but remember that only financial members can vote. Membership form download VESAK Could not have gone better. We put up the marquee to make sure it didn’t

VESAK This Sunday… May 24th. Ajahn Tiradhammo and other visiting monks will join us as will the Thai Ambassador and his family. We are also hoping (not yet confirmed) that the Malaysian High Commissioner will attend. We celebrate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final passing which presents a powerful reflection on the main factor that

VESAK Sunday, May 24th. Ajahn Tiradhammo and other visiting monks will join us to celebrate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final passing. This time presents a powerful reflection on the main factor that makes our journey to nibbana possible. A joyful community gathering to express our gratitude and generate blessings. Ajahn Tiradhammo Ajahn will be

Songkran This Sunday April 19th – 9.45am. Southeast Asian New Year. A new beginning. Starting about 9.45am with chanting, offerings, a meal, blessings, bathing the buddha rupa and blessing the monks. And more.Queen’s Birthday Retreat An exploration of non-perception. A semi-residential retreat; stay at the monastery or come for the day and return home in

Songkran Sunday April 19th – 9.45am. Songkran is from the Sanskrit ‘sankranti’ and refers to the Southeast Asian New Year celebrated when the sun transits the constellation of Aries, the first astrological sign in the Zodiac. Water is involved 🙂 – most respectfully, bathing the monastery Buddha statues and the hands of the monks. There

Magha Puja We celebrated this event last Sunday week and many things conspired to make it a happy and inspiring time. As always, the main ingredient was the people; plenty of them and all in good spirits. The weather was (yet another) superb summer’s day. We were also happy to welcome the new Thai ambassador

Magha Puja March 1st. Sometimes called “Sangha Day” this commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 arahants with the Buddha. It was on this occasion that the Buddha delivered the “Ovada Patimokkha” the foundation of the uposatha recitation. The full moon is on the 4th and we will celebrate on Sunday 1st.Work Coordinator The plan has

Thailand Ajahn Kusalo is back just over a week now. The first few days were in Bangkok with dentist, a bit of shopping for the monastery and a visit to a couple of statuary foundries [see below]. Then a few days at Ratanawan monastery visiting Ajahn Nynanadhammo and spending some time with Luang Por Sumedho.

New Year The passing of the xmas / new year season has been a very joyous, happy and fruitful one. The retreat was very well attended by a good mix of new and experienced meditators. New Year’s eve saw the hall tidily packed, with many staying on to join the rituals and ceremonies through the

New Year’s Day Pindapat:JANUARY 1ST…. The Sangha will set out from the monastery at around 9:30 and walk down Stokes Valley Road (to about George Street) then walk back up collecting alms along the way.New Year’s Eve:Peacefully abide in the Garden of Enlightened Knowing: Bodhinyanarama. Let go of the old and cultivate the new. 7pm

Ajahn Sucitto:Arrived safely and is getting the hang of the weather and a new time zone. He will be available to meet with guests and visitors at tea time this Sunday 21st, 5pm, before the regular evening puja at 6pm. He will also give the dhamma talk on new year’s eve. view photosAnagarika Ordination:Alex took

Anagarika Ordination:Alex from Blenheim will be taking anagarkika ordination this Saturday, 6th December; the full moon. He wants to dedicate a three month period of monastic practice and training for his mother’s well-being and happiness. The ceremony will start at 7pm as a part of our regular evening observance. You would be most welcome to

Ajahn Dhammasiha:Ajahn Dhammasiha, the abbot of Dhammagiri Monastery in Brisbane, will be visiting us for a week; arriving on the 27th of November. He will give a Dhamma talk on Sunday 30th, 6pm. It is always nice to hear a fresh perspective so do join us. You are welcome at any time to come and

Kathina Season:This was a very warm-hearted and uplifiting time at Bodhinyanarama. The weather was not so warm but this brought everyone together inside which was lovely and cosy. We had many visiting monks with Dhamma talks by Ajahn Jinalankara and Ajahn Chandako. The formal offering of robe cloth went well this year. Many people have

Kathina Season:2ND NOVEMBER. The offering of robe cloth is a key element of the monastic life. Making this offering at the end of the vassa is a tradition established by the Buddha nearly 2600 years ago and it is celebrated every year in monasteries throughout the world. We come together to celebrate our community at

Retreat:Labour Weekend: Oct. 24th – 27th “Love & Joy” – a common element of the Buddha’s teaching, often seen as Metta & Mudita in the Four Brahma Viharas (divine abidings). The arising of any one state requires the cessation of some other; life and death. True divinity is an empathy with all aspects of this

Vassa Ending:The 8th of October is the full moon marking the end of vassa. Ajahn Kusalo finishes his self-retreat this Sunday 28th Sep. and will resume teaching and general sangha events. The community will begin a week of group meditation on the half-moon of 1st Oct.; finishing on the 8th.Saturday Meditation Workshop:The next workshop will

Vassa:Venerables Aruno and Kusalacitto have both finished their self-retreats. Ajahn will now take a few weeks in the hermitage. News? Every moment is new. Ideally also noteworthy. On the average – peace and calm prevails with worldly conditions in balance.Saturday Workshop:The next is tomorrow: 6th Sept. = THE FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH. The 3rd

August Retreat:Friday 15th to Sunday 24th. The Satipatthana Sutta, “The Four Foundations of Awareness.” You are welcome to join for all or part of the time or come by the day and head home in the evening. For accommodation (very limited), register using the Guest Application form on the web site – comment: “Winter Retreat”.Saturday

Sunday Sutta:The Dhammacakka Sutta; the Buddha’s first teaching. Week 1: history, brief overview. Week 2: The 8-fold Path. THIS WEEK: The 4 Noble Truths. Next week: 4 Truths times 3 factors. Sunday 6pm. The sutta can be downloaded here[print page 1,2 turn over, print page 3,4].August Retreat:Friday 15th to Sunday 24th. Themed on the Satipatthana

Sunday Sutta:The format for the next few Sunday evenings will focus on the Dhammacakka Sutta – the Buddha’s first teaching. Chanting it (in digestible sections), meditating on it and then Ajahn will offer reflections on each section prior to discussion. A copy of the sutta (Pali-Engl) can be downloaded and printed here [print page 1,2

Monks Return:A brief outline of the closing story: The meetings at Amaravati were highlighted by the patimokkha recitation on the new-moon uposatha with 82 monks present. Very powerful. Venerable Kusalacitto stayed on at ABM while Ajahn Kusalo headed to Manchester to visit the Samatha Center for a few days with meetings most evenings and extended

Monks Abroad:Ajahn Kusalo and Venerable Kusalacitto arrived at Heathrow safely on the 15th and were whisked off to Chithurst Monastery where they spent a few days with the community. It was then to London meeting with various dhamma friends and seeing a few sights – climbing the 528 steps to the top of St. Paul’s

Monks Away:Ajahn Kusalo and Venerable Kusalacitto are leaving today for a four week trip to England. This means there will be no monks at Bodhinyanarama until mid-June. There will be a small group of people living at the monastery and the usual schedule will be maintained. The only event cancelled is the Saturday meditation workshops.

Veask:This is the big one! The Buddha’s birthday. The Buddha’s enlightenment. The Buddha’s final passing. A day to honour a great being and a day of celebrating his life and legacy. Come in the morning 9:45. Precepts, rice pindapat, sharing of merit, shared meal, Dhamma talk, cirumambulation, blessings… etc. Ajahn Karuniko from Chithurst, UK, will

Songkran:A well attended and joyous event. We set the sala up allowing for quite marginal weather but come lunch time the sun shone down into the cloister and the wind dropped. Auspicious indeed. Ajahn Natawat joined us for the day. Many of the monastery Buddha images were bathed and blessed – as were the monks.

Songkran – New Year:Sunday April 20th – 9.45am. Songkran is a celebration of the Southeast Asian New Year. Water is involved 🙂 – most respectfully, bathing the monastery Buddha statues and the hands of the monks. There may well be other libations. Ajahn Kusalo joined the Thai community last Sunday for their celebration view photosNew

New Kutis:The weather – and the builder both – have been very kind to us. Work is going well and the roof is on the one-bridge kuti and it won’t be long before the floor is done at two-bridge. There have been lots of people, monks, guests and visitors, coming by to offer help. John

Tudong:Ajahn Kusalo and Venerable Hiriko set out on Feb. 28th to wander around the East Cape. Meeting with Ajahn Chandako in Rotorua we spent a very fruitful 12 days. There was a good mix of time together and time alone. We didn’t meet many people along the way but those we did were all happy

Saturday Workshop:Half the Sangha will be on tudong and this coming Saturday afternoon meditation workshop [March 1st] is cancelled. You are of course welcome to come and meditate. Any time. The next meditation workshop will be on the 15th March. The web site calendar is mostly up to date with all these events.Tudong:Ajahn Kusalo and

Magha Puja:Last Friday was the full moon of Magha. view photos Not long after the Buddha’s enlightenment 1250 arahants spontaneously gathered around the Buddha. This day is recalled as Sangha day. We reflected on the event as part of our evening puja under a bright moon and celebrated it on Sunday with circumambulation and blessings

Gravel:There are two parts to this item. The first is that gravel was delivered and that the two new kuti tracks have been superbly surfaced. view photos Discussion with a builder is underway. The second, less visible, in fact ‘invisible’, is that the loaded delivery truck weighed 13.5 tonnes and its journey across the carpark

Drivers:There are times when monks need to go out (danas, dentist, etc.) or small items (paint, tools, maintenance items, etc.) need to be purchased. We are building a list of people available at various times to drive either the monastery van or their own car. It happens infrequently and having a few people we could

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

Season’s Greetings:We wish you every happiness today, tomorrow… and on and on. Many blessings to you and your family and friends. Peace and goodwill to all beings.New Year’s Eve:Tuesday 31st December. The theme will be “Release and Renewal.” A letting go of the old and unwanted and a (re)establishemt of the fresh and wholesome. 7pm

Working BEE:What aBuzz aGoGo. About 40 people turned up through the day and the hoped for was attained; two tracks to two cleared kuti sites. There were some steep parts, some flat bits, some trees in the way, a couple of streams to cross and various other natural botlergurtabs – you know those bits? The

Working BEE:Sunday 8th December.! We have booked a fine day and are gathering tools to clear tracks and sites for two new lay kutis. Come in the morning for breakfast at 7am. Work ’til lunch in the sala at 10:30. Start again at 1pm. We need tea wallahs, chainsaw swingers, leaf lifters, log lumpers, dirt

Working BEE:Sunday 8th December.! The main project will be clearing tracks and sites for two new lay kutis. If you can lift a leaf you can help. Come in the morning for breakfast, 7am. Work up ’til lunch in the sala at 10:30. Start again at 1pm. We need tea wallahs, chainsaw swingers, leaf lifters,

Kathina Season:Amazing. A traditional time of giving which presented us with so many opportunities to be grateful. So many of you helped make it a wonderful day for all. Setting up, the food stalls, book stand and donation table, generous food offerings and other requisites. So many (14) monks joined with us and a lot

Kathina Season:The robe offering at Bodhinyanarama will on November 3rd. That’s this coming Sunday. We hope to start the program at 9:30. We are expecting quite a crowd so come early for car parking and a place to sit. As I write the roading machines are whirring away in the carpark below finishing the asphalt

Group Meditation:We will be practising together in the Dhamma Hall until Saturday evening, 19th October. This is the full-moon and the end of vassa. You are welcome to join for any part of the day.Marquee, Tuesday:Kathina season is not far away and we need to get the marquee over the cloister. The following weekend is

Group Meditation:We will be practising together in the Dhamma Hall for the last week of vassa, 12-19th October. There will be walking and sitting meditation through the day (8.30-10.30; 2-5) with the usual morning and evening pujas. You are welcome to join for any part of this schedule.Monks:Ajahn Ariyasilo will be coming to live at

As Usual:As in… schedule at the Monastery. We have passed the first month of vassa with Venerable Hiriko doing a self-retreat and Ajahn Kusalo currently doing same. While aiming to keep things quiet and overall un-busy we are maintaining most of the usual scheduled events; Saturday meditation workshops, Sunday talks, danas, morning and evening pujas,

Annual General Meeting:This was held in the monastery sala on Sunday June 9th with about thirty people attending. The committee was re-elected, with the exception of Bounchan who stood down for work related reasons. Sern-ty Lim was welcomed as a new c’tee member. There are now nine on the c’tee. The ongoing review of the

Annual General Meeting:In the monastery main sala on June 9th at 3pm. Agenda items include: financial report, sangha report, ratify final Memorandum (draft agreed last AGM) for constitution, development plans for 2013/14 and the election of the committee. We are delighted that almost the entire existing committee is happy to continue for another year. All

Queen’s Birthday Retreat:From 7pm Friday 31st to 3pm Monday 3rd. A wonderful opportunity to further explore the teachings and your own mind. There are still two accommodation spaces (use the guest booking form). You are welcome to join all or part of this time we just ask that you respect the silence as you come

Vesak – Vesakha Puja:Sunday 19th May – 9.30am. Celebrate the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final passing. Ajahn Tiradhammo and monks from other temples in the area will be with us. That’s this Sunday – yes, that’s right, the 19th! We have put the marquee up so there is plenty of room regardless of weather. Precepts,

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

Ajahn Ariyasilo:Ajahn arrived on Monday and will be staying with us until the 27th. No special events have been organised around his visit but we are hoping that he will offer teachings on some of the regular, scheduled events. You are encouraged to come to these and take advantage of this opportunity. view photos See

Saturday 6th April:The official opening of the new Dhammagavesi property! You are all welcome. 115A COAST RD. WAINUIOMATA. 9:30 start. Both Ajahn Kusalo and Venerable Thitavijjo will be attending so won’t be at Bodhinyanarama for the dana on this day. The afternoon meditation workshop at the monastery will continue as scheduled. 1pm start.Ajahn Sudhiro:We were

Ajahn Ariyasilo:Some of you may remember this monk from when he was living here during the ’90s. He is currently in Auckland and we are organising a visit for him to spend some time here. At the moment suggested dates are the 15th to 27th of April. We look forward to having him here and

Day-long Retreat:This Saturday, the 9th, led by Sharda Rogell a lay woman meditation teacher based at Spirit Rock California. The theme will be “Knowing One Taste.” Start 9:00am and end at 4:00pm. Lunch will be at 12:00. Bring a dish. All are welcome but you need to attend the entire day.Children’s Dhamma:The first class will

Land Swap:The continuing discussion… The current suggestion is to swap the minimum amount of land that has the council track for the triangle with our track and we pay for the area difference – about 15 acres. Have a look at the web site: News>Future. The notable saving here is that existing survey points can

Day-long Retreat:Saturday, March 9th. This is a full day of teaching and meditation led by Sharda Rogell a lay woman meditation teacher at Spirit Rock California as well as other centers worldwide. The theme will be “Knowing One Taste” and sessions will start at 8:30am and end at 4:00pm. Lunch will be at 12:00. Bring

Children’s Dhamma:Is there interest in a regular dhamma class for children at the B. (Bodhinyanarama)? See last weeks update. There were only 2 replies to this which is not very encouraging.Boundaries:Also following on from last week’s update… It has been known for a while that one of our walking tracks enters onto council land. A

Children’s Dhamma:The fortnightly Wednesday evening class has been discontinued. The thought for 2013 is to cater for children within the 5-13+ age range, probably once a month, probably on a Sunday, probably after the dana. There are several variables and it is important that you express your interest and preferences – even if you are

New Year Vigil:About thirty five people gathered in the sala at 7pm for chanting and meditation. The theme of “Aspiration and Forgiveness” was explored and through the evening everyone wrote down their aspirations for the new year. On a separate piece of paper everything requiring forgiveness, letting go of, was written. We came together just

Aj. Kusalo Travel Report:I am currently in Australia after a few weeks of wandering. Christchurch was first with a public talk on Friday night. About 30 or more attended and the day of meditation the next day saw about the same number. There was a meeting at Wat BuddhaSamakee that night. view photos There was

New Year Vigil:What better way to enter the new year than riding aboard Bodhinyanarama’s dhamma vehicle? The evening starts at 7pm – that’s Monday 31st December – with chanting, meditation and a dhamma talk. The overall theme will be “Aspiration and Forgiveness.” You can reflect on and give energy to all those things you would

Kathina Season Celebration:What a glorious day it was. We had a sangha of nine bhikkus representing seven nationalities and about 300 people, all to take part in the robe offering to celebrate the end of vassa. There were dhamma talks in Thai, Sinhalese and English and a variety of rituals and activities to include everyone.

Kathina Season Celebration:Our robe offering is this Sunday, the 18th of November. Precepts at 10.15am. Come early to get a park and a seat. This event could be bigger than the premiere of the Hobbit.Marquee Up:With a splendid turn out of friends to help, the erection of the marquee was a breeze. view photos The

Labour W’end Retreat:Almost everyone arrived on Friday night which got things off to a nice solid start. The overall theme of the Four Brahma Viharas (Divine Abidings) wove through periods of walking and sitting meditation and gradually built a lovely group energy. view photos Accommodation was a bit squeezy in parts but with such an

Working Bee:The weather on Sunday morning was pretty miserable but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of at least 20 people who came to help tidy up around the monastery. The main area of activity was around the workshop which had accumulated many accumulations over the past several years. Swish and flick – view photos Many

Working Bee:Have you ventured recently into the realm below the library? If you’re looking for junk and mess it might be a good idea. If you’re looking for order and calm – not a good idea. view photos This is about to change. There will be a working bee on October 14th to tidy up

Visa:The good news is that Colin has been granted a visa extension so can stay on for the full term of his anagarika training. We are delighted with this as he is doing very well in his life with us.Garden Kuti:For those of you who have stayed in the Garden Kuti there may be memories

Vassa:The community has finished just over a week of group meditation and is spending a couple of days without much scheduled activity. The new moon is on Friday and some will begin periods of personal retreat using the topmost kuti. We will generally be keeping Noble Silence. The sangha will start a series of vinaya

AGM:This was held on Sunday 29th July. About 40 people attended with a good cross-section of nationalities represented. view photos The tone of the meeting was very congenial and harmonious. Business progressed evenly with good discussions and clear resolutions. The main items were: membership fee now a standard $10 per year (tax year: April to

AGM:This was held on Sunday 29th July. About 50 people attended with a good cross-section of nationalities represented. The tone of the meeting was very congenial and harmonious. Business progressed evenly with some good discussions and clear resolutions. The main items were: membership fee now a standard $10 per year (April to April); the ‘Memorandum

AGM:The meeting is on Sunday, July 29th starting at 3pm. Read the invitation and agenda

Ordination:Some of you may have already met Colin who has been staying with us for a couple of months now. He has been inspired by the life here at Bodhinyanarama and will take anagarika ordination as part of the new moon puja this Wednesday evening, 18th July. His intention is to commit to one years

Updates:PPS – The formal AGM announcement is available on the Event Calendar notice. Or, you can view it hereThese updates will get into synch shortly. Sorry if this is a bit messy.PS – I sent an email using the monastery mail list but a combination of a new host and a new script environment and