🎪 Marquee
The storm we had on Saturday presented a challenge to the cloister marquee – that it could not meet. The wind was so strong that it lifted the canvas off the top of the pole spike and, when it came back down again the spike pierced the fabric which saw the whole thing collapse. It was flapping wildly and the noise was intense. Ajahn Kusalo and Hayden braved the elements on the roof to drop it to the ground. It needs to be dried and repaired. Photos

🚩 Palmerston North
There has been a group continually operating since the very early days of Bodhinyanarama with our regular association based around a monthly visit by sangha on the second weekend of each month. We had our first trial of a new format with a combined dana—meditation programme on Saturday. It was agreed to continue with this. If you are in the area and interested in participating please contact Kheng: khenghuat_lim@yahoo.com

🏠 Monks’ Vihara
A bit of history. The first building on monastery land was the ‘Upper House’ and was for many years the main shrine room with the large Buddha rupa, now in the sala, in the ‘hall’ on the top floor. It is now the central monks’ building, the Vihara. It received a major renovation, reconfiguration six years ago with extra facilities and more efficient spaces. Now it is getting a new look in the ‘hall’, now the monks’ general meeting room. A wood fire and a new floor surface will be added. The current carpet is nearly 40 years old and is pretty grotty. Nathan and his team, who did the Nursing kuti build, will be doing the work. This is pretty exciting for us – and hopefully interesting for you. Photos to come.

👨🏻‍👩🏻‍👦🏻‍👦🏻 People
They come and go and change. Aunty Suan is back after a good while in Malaysia with family. Lindsay is back from hospital and doing well. Anagarika Ian has left and is heading to UK to visit his son. Bhante Ariyasantha is back with us after time in Sri Lanka – so now we are four bhikkhus. Jasper is back with family for a time. There are several lay people coming to join us to support the vassa (full moon 29th July) which brings mutual benefits. And we continue to welcome a good number of lay guests. Humming along.

🩺 Care Kuti
The information page has been updated with a video. This was produced by Samanera Sampanno quite a while back and gives a good view of both parts of the monastery and the new building work.

🔔 Bell Tower
As the monastery ages maintenance becomes an increasing factor. The wooden bell tower seating has become unstable (dangerous?) and is being replaced. Photo Again, we are getting Nathan and his team to do this work.
On the same theme of maintenance… Raja Kuti bathroom has what bathrooms have – water. The trouble is that it is not so nicely contained. The room has been gutted and the rotten floor replaced. Part of the problem was rats chewing the pipes.

👥 AGM
July 12th, 12:30pm The monastery Annual General meeting with reports and committee election. See the previous update (news archives) for detail.