Peace and Goodwill

Sāmanera Visuddhi's blessing

With the 'Quiet Week' over we've returned this week to our regular routine of early morning and evening pujas plus morning work around the monastery before the meal. This stable foundation, upon which we practice, supports our calm hilltop refuge which in turn attracts visitors from afar. So this week Kusala House has begun to fill up with guests looking to share our peaceful haven over the festive season. Not for them the illuminated high streets crowded with seasonal shoppers, just our simple country lane accompanied by the flocks of jackdaws above and the occasional passing bhikkhu.

Also settling back into a routine has been Ajahn Punnyo; home now and back at the heart of things Ajahn Punnyo has been kept active, even going so far as Carlisle to visit the group there. And despite being thousands of miles away in Asia Ajahn Munindo also has been keeping a busy schedule although he finds time to send us all goodwill (and remind us how warm it is in Thailand). With Samanera Visuddhi returning from 'woodworking duty' at Chithurst next Tuesday and even more guests gathering at Kusala House, the community here is preparing for a harmonious and joyful end to December.

Beneath the Surface

Ajahn Munindo and Venerable Nyanamoli in Kuala Lumpur

Although designated a monastic 'Quiet Week' when our community withdraws from work projects and personal interaction to focus on individual practice this week's silent time was accompanied by the sounds of our car park being surfaced. Despite the potentially distracting noises community members and guests paid little heed to the superficial external activity and instead mindfully went about their own deeper work, probing and enquiring beneath surface appearances. Visitors to the monastery are now able to smoothly drive into the Kusala House car park plus it is easier for wheelchair users and walking upon.

As reported last week Ajahn Munindo and Venerable Nyanamoli departed with a 'not for sure' journey ahead of them, however as is clear from the photo, our intrepid spiritual travellers made it happily to Kuala Lumpur. Latest sightings place them in Bangkok, from where Bhikkhu Nyanamoli is headed to a remote forest wat. And finally, after weeks of uncertainty we can confirm that Ajahn Punnyo is back home at Harnham; our good friend Khun Jeab delivered him back to us safe and sound on Wednesday. We're looking forward to hearing about his extended time in Thailand when we're all back on speaking terms again next week.

Leaning Hut of Harnham

The movement of Harnham's monastics finally got under way this week. Ajahn Munindo and Venerable Nyanamoli resolutely set off into the unknown on Tuesday (ahead of the re-opening of Thailand's main airports) with a heavily revised and still very uncertain itinerary. They left just in time as by Thursday the snow was severely restricting travel off our hill. As for Ajahn Punnyo coming back the other way, conditions take time to settle down so we're still not sure exactly when he'll depart Bangkok. However we're hoping to quietly welcome him home early next week during one of our Silent Weeks when many of our greetings may be unvoiced.

Not quite so famous as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Leaning Hut of Harnham this week went the way of Nature. Users of our car park will be familiar with the erratic shed which acted as a reminder of the instability of the very ground beneath our feet. In a past life the shed had served up at the main house as the monastery's larder but had been reborn over the Summer when it became a store for Kusala House's decorating equipment. But the final stage of the guest house's development required that the shed break-up once more and vacate its position ahead of the upcoming car park surfacing work. Residents and guests happily laboured outside in heavy snow and a blizzard to clear the whole area and were later to be seen at the nearby frozen Bolam Lake sharing scraps of food with a mass of hungry swans, geese and ducks: it may have been cold outside but clearly there's been lots of warm feelings within.

Worldly Winds

Harnham View

Last week's blizzard did indeed portend the arrival of further Wintry weather as this week the views from the monastery's windows have been largely scenes of heavy frost and much snow. However the monastic community didn't take this as a sign to go into hibernation. Work must go on, so monks and guests have been wrapping up well as they both mindfully and cheerfully brave the elements.

This week though it has perhaps been political forces rather than natural forces that have had the greatest effect on the community's proceedings. The dramatic closure of Thailand's international airport has meant that Ajahn Munindo and Venerable Nyanamoli have had to postpone their flight there and instead keep our numbers up here for the time being. Conversely Ajahn Punnyo has been unable to fly back to Britain and has been stranded in Bangkok temporarily. Thankfully Ajahn Punnyo hadn't actually checked in at the airport and wasn't caught in a bureaucratic 'no-man's land' so he's been able to receive appropriate support in the Thai capital. Perhaps it is another example of how actions can have all manner of unforeseen consequences, the ripples of which are felt thousands of miles away around the world. Back on our chilly hill top community we contemplate the interconnectedness of things and consider how we're also exposed to the worldy winds of political storms, and not just the biting Northumberland gales. Brrrr...

Natural Forces

Andrew on the ladder

Although there are scores (nay hundereds!) of rabbits to be seen in the nearby fields generally they are rather shy neighbours and shun our benevolent contact. However this week one brave rabbit was to be seen almost everyday loitering around our car park hedge, fearlessly observing the peaceful comings and goings of the community. Had it been irresistably drawn to the wholesomeness of Kusala House? Perhaps, but probably not; a closer inspection revealed that our furry friend had in fact discovered some delicious new grass growing amongst a low stone 'wall' one of our regular guests from the Carlisle group had built to help support the hedge. Hmm, Nature's flora and fauna are always waiting to usurp and take advantage of our man-made achievements. At least our other human guests this week had been attracted by the wholesome opportunities afforded by the retreat house and have been making good use of its facilities (whilst refraining from eating grass in the afternoon). The monastic community also have been back at work after the Silent Week, naturally.

Also this week we have felt the first touch of Winter's ragged hand. This morning's brief snowfall was whipped around by a bitter wind such that one could have been forgiven for thinking it was a proper blizzard, a taste of things to come no doubt. (Let's hope that when Ajahn Punnyo rejoins us on Friday from the heat of Thailand he'll quickly readjust to the cold and dark of good ol' Blighty).

Silent Week at Harnham

Full moon at Harnham

This week at Harnham we have a Silent Week; no one is talking, not much is happening (externally). Occasionally a monk, a novice, a Kusala House Manager or a visitor can be seen walking from one place to another, but mostly residents have retreated to the milder indoor-climate of their rooms; on Monday and Thursday some good friends came to silently offer the meal; on Tuesday Rolf appeared silently to help cooking and to silently work on our workshop.

What else? The sheep sit or stand or walk silently on the paddock, sometimes munching grass, sometimes not; the jackdaws look down at us from their chimney-nest, breaking the silence occasionally with cryptic comments; at the bottom of the hill, on the A696, cars keep passing, we hear the distant noise; clouds come, hover for varying lengths of time, or pass quickly, to make room for more clouds, shedding or not shedding some rain on their way; (one morning the sky was blue, for a little while); the temperatures seem adequate for the time of the year (true!); the moon has been waxing until it was full, now it is waning again…

No news is good news in a Silent Week!

days getting colder

days getting colder
and me still fishing for clouds
in the ancient pond

After Men’s Retreat, Kathina and Elder’s Council Meeting which all brought many visitors and much activity to the monastery, this week at Harnham has been relatively quiet. We still have a steady flow of overnight guests though, giving us friendly company, and joining us for pujas, discussions and work, which this week seems to focus on preparing the place for winter. Conservatories have been frost-protected, benches brought inside, boilers serviced and every day there is a new load of leaves to be swept up and cleaned out of the gutters. On Sunday we were pleased to welcome a large number of visitors again, both for the discussion at tea time as well as for the evening puja and Dhamma talk.

On Thursday Ajahn Munindo returned from his kathina-visit to Amaravati Monastery in Hertfordshire, just an hour before Ajahn Abhinando took the next train north, visiting the meditation groups in Edinburgh and Glasgow. By Saturday evening our community should be complete again, except for Samanera Visuddhi, who is helping with the forest work at Chithurst Monastery in Sussex. And thus reunited, we are looking forward to have a Silent Week together, starting after Sunday evening puja. Ajahn Abhinando will still visit the Carlisle group on Tuesday – and he promises he won’t give a ‘Silent Talk’ on that occasion.

_______________________________________________

Harvest Festival

Kusala Buddha giving blessings

On Saturday Luang Por Sumedho and the gathered Sangha offered a baby blessing for Imogen and Aaron, the grandchildren of Clive and Myint Su, our good friends from Edinburgh. It was held in the newly-finished meditation room at Kusala House, where everybody gathered to hear the Paritta chanting. It was the first time the space was used for such a formal occasion and hopefully the first of many. We wish Imogen and Aaron a happy life and hope to see them back at Kusala House in years to come, on retreat..

Then on Sunday came the Kathina festival, beautifully organized and orchestrated by Khun Jeab. We were joined the afternoon before by many visiting monks and nuns from our other monasteries, and hundreds of people came along for the celebrations on the day. This year, the Kathina cloth was presented to Ajahn Munindo and the robe was made by Tan Hiriko, who measured, cut, and sewed a sabong in just over 6 hours (and without any mistakes!). Luang Por Sumedho gave the Dhamma discourse and visitors stayed to chat informally with the senior monks in attendance. We are very grateful to Khun Jeab for his effort and also to everyone else who helped to set up and put away everything in such an orderly fashion.

The senior Sangha members had their six-monthly Elder's Council on Monday, giving our junior visitors a chance to brave the elements and experience some of the local geography. Then after a well-attended Patimokkha recitation on Wednesday, our guests left for their respective monasteries, and life at Harnham returned to comparative stillness. Though not very long: tomorrow Ajahn Munindo and Samanera Visuddhi will journey down to Amaravati for their Kathina, after which Ajahn will return and S. Visuddhi will venture further to Chithurst, where he will help out during their 'forest month' and return just before Christmas.

Men's Retreat

Luang Por Sumedho visiting

After all the hard work that went into finishing Kusala House, the community at Harnham had the great blessing to receive Luang Por Sumedho, who led the male retreat this last week. 21 increasingly wiser men sat for the retreat (including our good friend th Rev. Lewyn), applying themselves diligently to their walking and sitting meditation; and listening intently, along with the whole monastic community, to Luang Por's rousing and edifying twice daily Dhamma discourses. We offer him our heartfelt gratitude for such a wonderful and privileged opportunity.

Accompanying him are Ajahn Paññasāro and Ajahn Jayanto, and last night Ajahn Chandapālo from our branch monastery Santacittarama in Italy arrived ahead of the forthcoming Kathina celebrations on Sunday, for which we will be joined by many more senior Bhikkhus and nuns, who will be making use of the space at Kusala House (see below). Luang Por will be giving the Dhamma talk in the afternoon (approx. 2pm) and we welcome you all to join us.

On Monday we are hosting the Elders Council biannual meeting, after which we will say goodbye to the visiting Sangha guests, and things should return to their usual pace.

Done

Kusala Buddha


As this stunning photo reveals, the meditation room at Kusala House is now complete. It is a great joy; it has been 7 years coming, involving lots of hard work and lots of energy, but it's all been well spent. Now the space is there to be used for meditation, study groups and meetings. Keep an eye on our calendar for 2009 and you will see a variety of activities indicated.
More immediately, starting tomorrow, Saturday 18th, 24 male guests will make use of Kusala House while Luang Por Sumedho leads a meditation retreat. Immediately after that on 25th October, we will welcome 22 Sangha guests from the other European monasteries who will be joining us for this year's Kathina (led by Khun Jeab), and for the Elders' Council meeting on Monday 27th. This does mean that, unfortunately, visitors joining us for Kathina will not be able to experience the splendors of the newly-completed meditation room, but we warmly welcome you to come back soon and look around.

Countdown to Completion

Rita and Laszlo installing the third seat

The Autumn is definitely here, with colder and wetter weather, though we have had some beautiful, bright and crisp days here on the hill. For the Community it is also the end of Vassa, and now we're preparing for Kathina, the robe-offering ceremony which heralds the end of the traditional rains retreat for the Sangha.

In the next few days Kusala House will have reached completion. On Monday our friend Simon Wynn sent two of his workers to lay the flooring throughout the ground floor, from the porch right through to the kitchenette. It took them two days, working into the evening to finish it and it makes such a difference. Trust Director Kath Jones has donated the beautiful frame which now hangs opposite the sliding doors, and the table (dedicated to Inju Lee) for the lobby area arrived on Wednesday; combined with some furniture rearrangement by Ven. Hiriko and Visuddhi- under the direction of Ajahn Munindo- and the whole area is now somewhere in which people can sit, relax and engage in Dhammasakacca with one another. Also, on Monday, Rita and Laszlow generously offered 3 garden benches for the patio, providing another refreshing place to sit and contemplate Dhamma…or just to talk with friends (is there any difference?).

Today Geoff Jackson sent us one of his skilled craftsman to build a cupboard at the bottom of the stairs, which he finished by approx 4:30pm, and on Monday we'll begin fitting the skirting boards, erect the shrine and then.... that's it: Kusala House will be finished, ready for the 25 men attending Luang Por Sumedho's retreat on Friday.

Ending and beginning

Ajahn Punnyo in Thailand

Ajahn Punnyo has been in touch from Thailand discussing his return. If things go to plan we expect to see him here by the end of November (we already have him booked in to visit the Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow groups in December). It will bring his sojourn in Asia to an end, at least for now, with his intending to spend an extended period at Harnham. Sadhu.

It will soon be the end of this years Rains retreat (vassa) and it has indeed rained. But it has also be a rewarding time for all of us here. Now Ajahn Munindo is planning a trip to visit his Mother in New Zealand (December to February) taking Tun Nyanamoli with him and dropping him off to stay for ten weeks with Ajahn Sawaeng in NE Thailand. Ajahn Sawaeng says he hopes to join us for the rains Retreat next year....

Meanwhile, the building site of Kusala House is about to cease being a building site. Last weekends retreat led by Ajahn Candasiri will be the last time our lay guests have had to meditate amongst the building materials. Simon Wynn will send his workers to lay the floor this coming Monday, hoping to have it all complete in two or three days.

Anagarika Sebastian’s mother is visiting here for the first time and we are glad she will be here to see her son turn into Samanera Sunnyato. Hope to see some of you here too – 7pm Saturday 4th October.

Nearing Completion

Bojjhanga Buddha arrives at Kusala House

Things have been busy, preparing Kusala House for Ajahn Candasiri's retreat which starts today, and the community is ready for a few days of quiet practice over the weekend. The meditation room only needs the floor laid to be completed (ready for Luang Por Sumedho's forthcoming retreat), and Bojjhanga Garden was made similarly complete with the arrival of it's Buddha rupa on Sunday. Made by Ajahn Vimalo at Amaravati and offered by Clive Criper, Myintsu and family, it was brought up by our friends Mame, Maureen and Visakha who drove there and back especially.
Finally, Sebastian has been preparing for his Sāmanera ordination on the 4th October (see current announcements for more details).

Geoff's Doors

Installing the doors

The weather has been a little more clement this week, and the meditation room is looking similarly brighter. The community has been clearing everything out, and cleaning up in preparation for the final two coats of paint, which begin in earnest today. Starting with the beautiful new sliding doors designed by our friend Geoff Jackson, and crafted and installed by his team of workers (to whom we're all very grateful), we will get the place looking crisp and fresh in time for Ajahn Candasiri's women's retreat on the 26^th.

Ajahn Abhinando has returned from leading the walking retreat at the Sneep (without too much walking) which, he reports, went very well; and we have a new addition to the community since Michael Knabe took the Anāgarika precepts on Sunday evening.

Over the next few days Ajahn Munindo will travel to meet with the Leeds meditation groupand Alex-of-Edinburgh will be here exercising his skills as the monastery's IT co-ordinator.

Last, but by no means least, our friend and supporter Abramina is back with us from Holland on a brief visit and is, as usual, taking care of the monastery in general and practising metta on all our plants.

After the rain

Rainbow over Kusala House

The recent heavy storms and subsequent flooding may have caused problems for people in the area, but it didn't seem to dampen anybody's spirits; we still had people braving the elements to come and offer food and other helpful items, and to make use of our Dhamma Hall. It is good to see that even torrential rain and strong winds can't keep people from practicing generosity and meditation, and we hope that none of our friends and supporters were too badly affected by the weather.
The skies are now a little brighter, and work on Kusala House continues, with the plastering and Electrics finished this week. Ajahn Munindo is back from teaching in Italy, and Ajahn Abhinando is leaving for the Sneep (home of our friends Micky and Trudy Macgregor) to lead a 6- day retreat. Sunday night and Michael Knabe will become Anagairka Michael.

Autumn is here already

Painting samadhi

This week there is little to report from the hilltop, but things are moving on steadily with the meditation room and the redecoration of Kusala House. The radiators are now installed, the painting of the store room is finished, and today we begin painting the lobby area.

Ajahn Abhinando is now pretty much fully recovered; well enough, in fact, to go to Scotland for a few days and teach at the Edinburgh and Glasgow groups with Tan Hiriko. He is unable to reply individually due to the sheer numbers, but he expresses his gratitude to all those who sent him cards and letters of support during the time he was in hospital and while he was convalescing. They were very much appreciated.

Finally, Anagarika Sebastian is soon to take up the ochre robes when he receives the Going Forth (Pabbajjā) and becomes a Sāmanera. The ordination will take place on Saturday 4th October, and everyone is welcome to attend. Michael Knabe will inherit Sebastian's whites when he takes anagarika precepts on the full moon day of Sunday 14th September.

White on white

Anagarika Sebastian painting
the new Kusala House Meditation Room

Kusala house has been the centre of our activity this week. More work has been done on the meditation room-to-be, with Tan Hiriko and Samanera Visuddhi insulating and damp-proofing the wall underneath the step, and Andrew filling cracks and doing repairs around the building. The store room has finally been prepared for painting, thanks to Anagarika Sebastian and our guest Michael, while upstairs is currently getting a new coat of paint and is looking all the fresher for it.

Our friend and supporter Geoff Jackson has begun work on what will soon become the sliding doors and wall panelling, and discussions are afoot to decide upon some of the final, important details, such as how to arrange the curtains, and what kind of door handles to opt for.

On a different note, the Sangha picnic went very well, and we all spent a warm and enjoyable day at Penny and Nick's lovely cottage. 15 or so people came, sat and talked outside in the sun before we all went our separate ways in the late afternoon. Anumodana to all who contributed.

Both Ajahn Abhinando and Tan Nyanamoli's mothers have joined us for the next week or so, and Visakha is presently making the most of her final week at the monastery by spending time in quiet reflection whenever possible.

UPDATE - Ajahn Abhinando is so well recovered that he has offered to chant the patimokkha on the newmoon day, 30th August.

Back into Action

Rolf with his handiwork at Kusala House



After 2 weeks of sedentary practice, the community is back into action, bringing practice into daily life once more. The meditation room at Kusala House has been the recipient of quite some attention- the walls have now been sanded down and ready for the first coat of paint, the windowsills were fitted yesterday, and our artist/craftsman friend Rolf Wojciechowski built a new base for the beautiful Burmese shrine which will be the centrepiece of the finished room.

The roofing felt has been finished on the tool shed, now packed to the rafters following the store room clearout which has taken us the last two days. There's been a good sense of community spirit and co-operation throughout, and now we're all looking forward to the Sangha picnic on Sunday, when we can enjoy the lovely surroundings of the Cheviots and kalyanamitta. We hope to see you all there.

Silent week

English summer flowers

(taken by a Norwegian in West Sussex).

Saturday saw the end of our annual summer lay retreat, and it seems that everybody had a valuable experience. The spirit of co-operation was laudable and we hope to see everybody back next year. Anumodana for the generosity of those who donated food, those involved in the organisation and to everyone working in the kitchen, some of whom were busy with preparation and cooking from before breakfast until 9pm. Outstanding.

This week the monastic community is holding a silent week, a time when we can make a more focussed dedication to our formal practice. Some people will be concentrating on memorising chanting, while others make more time for Sutta/ Vinaya study. The rain is keeping us away from the walking paths but at least it's keeping the garden healthy.

Work has begun on the plastering of Kusala House meditation room - the final stage before completion of the building. It only took us 7 years which is not bad for us. There is still the little job of installing sliding doors in the block-wall as the entrance into the meditation room. And there will of course be some painting work to do in case you like painting parties (contact the workmonk).

Calm and Contemplation

Summer retreat underway



Things are outwardly very still here as Harnham holds its annual summer retreat. The community is joined by 24 participants from around Britain and Europe all diligently and sincerely applying themselves to the nurturing of calm and contemplation. The noble silence permeates throughout the monastery, even in the kitchen where volunteers are providing the daily sustenance for all the retreatants.
Ajahn Abhinando could not make it to any of the formal sittings but tells us he is with us "in spirit", and has occasionally paced up and down the path to his kuti in walking meditation when the weather has permitted.
The retreat ends on Saturday morning, giving the residents a couple of days to catch up on work, before our monastic silent week commences on Sunday night, after puja.

Working Together

Tun Ñānamoli (new work-monk) and Samanera Visuddhi

It has been a busy week here at Harnham. The community has been working around the clock to prepare for the forthcoming Summer retreat - one night required Tan Hiriko and Tan Ñānamoli to stay up until past midnight working in the plumbing department. Thankfully everything is adequately resolved.
The old larder has been transferred to the car park at Kusala House and is now a garden-shed, making much-needed room for seating in the space outside the kitchen at No.2. Our new larder is now fully operational and complete, special thanks to our good friend Rolf Wojciechowski.
Today, being the new-moon day, we are all appreciating a somewhat quieter atmosphere, preparing ourselves for retreat, starting Sunday; one week with about 24 lay guests followed by our own monastery silent week. From time to time Ajahn Abhinando has occasionally been spotted walking outside and seems to be getting a little more energy back.

Anagarikā Visakhā

Anagarikā Visakhā

One week into the Vassa and everybody is making extra effort with both monastery work and their personal practice. As you can see from his letter below, Ajahn Abhinando is recovering well and in good spirits, being helped along by Tan Hiriko, who is presently acting as his attendant (do contact him directly if you wish to communicate with Ajahn Abhinando). Anagarikā Visakhā (Kath Jones) is a joyous new presence in the community. And having her as Kitchen Manager is indeed appreciated, particularly as our new larder comes together (thanks to Farad again) .

Ajahn Abhinando's Letter

Dear Friends,

I am back at the monastery, as expected, relieved by 1 kidney and 1 tumor and slowly growing together again. The Freeman hospital once more proved worthy of its excellent reputation. I was deeply impressed by receiving and witnessing so much kindness and down to earth compassion being applied by so many doctors, nurses and other staff in a very appropriate and professional manner in such a short period of time. So, it might sound strange to you, but, in spite of the physical discomfort and well, (say it:) pain, it felt like a very worth while and beautiful experience to go through. I will remember many of the people at the hospital for a long time and be immensely grateful to them.

Also my surgeon lived up to his professional reputation. The operation wasn't without its risks, but as far as I can know (and everyone says) he steered clear of all obstacles and did a perfect job, taking his time (4h) to stitch me up beautifully (got the interestingly shaped scar of a "Mercedes-Incision" big enough for a cesarean birth now).

I contributed my part, by healing up quickly and without complications so far. So everyone is content.

I was received beautifully back here at Harnham and am looked after with much care and dedication by my fellow samanas. A second thing I am very grateful for and will equally remember for a long time to come. (Hey! - maybe all this might even help me become a better person myself).

I am going to hide for a while now and won't be available for contact in person or by phone for – say – a couple of weeks. Feel free to write though. I felt and feel tremendously supported by all your many messages of friendship and support. Now there's the third thing I am immensely grateful for and which I shall not forget. It's good to have friends!

I probably won't send out another collective email as I expect that there won't be anything dramatic to communicate while I slowly claw my way back through convalescence over the next couple of months. If there is, of course, I'll let you know. Otherwise, well, I guess you'll just notice more and more of me being around again...

See you later then,

and may all the blessings and protections of the Dhamma be with you all the time,

Abhinando

Āsālha Puja

Ajahn Abhinando with Ajahn Munindo.

Ajahn Abhinando is recovering well from his surgery, able to walk and shave unaided. He is still unable to eat solid foods, is still 'taking drugs' (morphine) but is maintaining impressive equanimity. He won't be back for the first Vassa ,which we enter tomorrow, but will make it in time for the second.

Today is Āsālha Puja, and tonight, Kath Jones will take the Anigarikā precepts during the evening puja, beginning at 7pm.

Āsālha Puja commemorates the day when the Lord Buddha gave the first sermon to the first group of 5 Bhikkhus, one of whom became a Noble Disciple upon hearing the teaching. This sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, concerns the central teaching of the Buddha and will be chanted every evening throughout the Vassa, except on Sundays when we will have the regular puja.

UPDATES: Ajahn Abhinando's surgery

Ajahn Abhinando just after surgery.

Greetings,

Having just returned from Ward 3 Urology Department of Freeman Hospital I am happy to report that everyone on AA's team were pleased with the 4 hour surgery. The patient is pleased too (he is on morphine). He talked non-stop almost for most of the hour or so I was there - mostly about how grateful he is for the extrordinary kindness and competence of everyone at the hospital and about his appreciation for all his friends. He wanted me to send greetings and gladness to all of you. He has two massive scars at right angles across his left belly. The Doctor was pleased that they didn't damage the spleen (which was not unlikely) in the course of removing the left kidney and a significant amount of tissue around it. Initial report suggests no complications but of course there will be a series of CTs scans for some time to come. Likewise, over the next few days they will be doing thorough tests on the 11 cm tumour to acsertain ...... (I am not sure what. But it will determine whether or not he has follow-up chemo/radiation etc). Probably in a day or two he will be in touch with you directly as his bedside multi-media unit offers email/internet. Right now he is disinclined to move much, however the physio-folk want him up and about - or at least in a chair tomorrow if possible.

Best wishes all,

Bhikkhu Munindo

Barefeet for Burma

Ewen Hardie on pilgrimage

On Sunday we were visited by Ewen Hardie (pictured), who called at the monastery on his walk from the Scottish Parliament to Westminster. He is treading the entire route barefooted to raise awareness of the current situation in Burma/ Myanmar and is only eating whatever he is given, so if you spot him on his journey, your support will be greatly appreciated by him. You can check his blog at www.barefeetforburma.blogspot.com
Also on Sunday, Ajahn Jayanto's weekend retreat concluded, and on Tuesday, Abramina arrived for a month and has subsequently been pottering around and generally taking care of things here.
On Sunday Kath Jones will begin her 6 week stay here, and will take the Anagarikā precepts on the 17th.

Signing the Constitution

Irmgarde Horsley (JP) witnessing the signing

On Wednesday morning we bade farewell to the visiting Sangha from Thailand and Amaravati. We are grateful for the inspiring talk given by Ajahn Jundee at the Sunday night puja and to Ajahn Nyanadhammo for his meticulous and skilled translation.
This evening sees the start of the weekend retreat, led by Ajahn Jayanto, who has kindly come up from Amaravati to teach.
Lastly, on Tuesday the constitution of the newly formed Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust was signed, with our good friend (and JP) Mrs. Irmgarde Horsley witnessing, marking a new beginning in the organisation and running of the monastery.

Finished

After many ups and downs and numerous setbacks, the kitchen in the main house is finally finished.

On Tuesday, Ajahn Abhinando returned from visiting his parents in Germany, and yesterday Rev Lewyn from Throssel Hole Priory came to stay for a few days.

Also yesterday we received a visit from 10 scout masters who joined us for evening Puja and a question and answer session with Tan Nyanamoli. As mentioned last week we look forward to having several Sangha visitors this weekend: Ajahns Jundee who was ordained at Ajahn Chah's monastery just one year before Ajahn Munindo, Ajahn Nyandhammo, Ajahn Vimalo and Tun Moshe.

A Tribute to Ajahn Chah

Venerable Ajahn Chah

“On Tuesday it was Ajahn Chah’s birthday, which the community celebrated by beginning our belated silent week. His legacy is a body of accessible teachings, the various monasteries around the world and, of course, the western Forest Sangha. Without these many of us would not have encountered the Dhamma, so perhaps we can take a little time to reflect on how indebted we are to him.

Ajahn Munindo returned to Harnham via Santacittarama monastery in Italy, where he gave a talk entitled ‘A Tribute to Ajahn Chah’.

Pointing to the Path

Pointing to the Path

The community has shrunk in size yet again. Ajahn Abhinando has gone to Germany to visit his parents for a couple of weeks, leaving only four of us here at Harnham. However, we are being joined by Bhante Seelagawesi and a group of lay supporters until Sunday night, when our monastic silent week begins. Also, Ajahn Abhinando's newly-printed poetry book has arrived: copies will be available at the monastery but we probably better wait until Ajahn Abhinando returns on 24th June before giving them out.

A friend of the monastery sent us this photograph, after being inspired by one of Ajahn Munindo’s talks based around the acronym ‘P.A.T.H.’ (Patience, Awareness, Trust, and Honesty). If we are patient with our practice, cultivate awareness, have trust in the Buddha’s teachings, and look at ourselves honestly we can recognise and follow that which leads us to the Path: as Ajahn Chah said, “everything is teaching us”.

Quiet Life

This week has been fairly quiet at Harnham. With the mens' retreat over, Ajahn Munindo overseas and only one guest remaining, the monastery feels more spacious than usual.

On Tuesday we received a visit from some local students keen to learn more about Dhamma and monastic life, but otherwise it has been 'business as usual', with the community alternating their efforts between routine work and personal study/ practice.

Retreat Time

Ajahn Punnyo


This week Harnham hosted the mens' retreat, led by Ajahn Munindo and Ajahn Abhinando and attended by 19 participants. Everyone practiced diligently, both on and off the cushion, valuing the precious opportunity to turn away from distractions and direct attention inwards. We are grateful to Mike and Steve for their sterling work cooking and co-ordinating things during the week.

Last weekend the Sri Lankan community gathered in memory of Dr. Para, offering Dana and partaking in Dhammasakaccha. Once again their generosity and support is greatly appreciated.

It looks like the kitchen will finally be finished in the next few days, with the radiator being fitted and some final touches underway this afternoon. The skip has gone from a recently tidied car park, and the area outside the kitchen and Byre has had a face-lift after being blasted clean with a water jet. Things are gradually coming together (before they fall apart again).

On a somewhat sadder note, Ajahn Punnyo is leaving for Thailand this weekend. We look forward to seeing him when he returns in 6 months' time.

Pabbajja Ceremony

Samanera Visuddhi

This Saturday saw the transformation of Shramanera Dogat into a Theravada Samanera (novice) at a Pabbajja ceremony attended by his family and numerous Chinese/Malaysian friends up from London. Ajahn Munindo presided over the evening's proceedings giving many inspiring exhortations and reflections. Having began his monastic life in Hong Kong as a Mahayana Shramanera, and having completed a 6 month probationary period here at Harnham, he now takes his place in the community as Samanera Visuddhi.

Sunday's Wesak was attended by about a hundred supporters willing to brave the showers. The event went very smoothly with many hands helping on all fronts, and plenty of sunshine in between the showers.

On Wednesday a group of Prison Chaplains were brought to the monastery by Kath Jones as part of their inter-faith program. For most of the week Mame, Maureen and Sugert have been working in the various conservatories on the many plants and shrubs, and today the community has been loading a skip full of building rubble and rubbish to clear the car park and create another couple of parking spaces.

The Long Road North

Ajahn Amaro and Nick Scott just arrived from their walk.

The collective voice of the dawn chorus acts as a call to prayer and meditation. Waking the faithful it is nature's muezzin calling from the woodland minarets, like a morning thunder of awakening. The sparrows, blue tits, blackbirds and pheasants use dawn to announce their presence. And now that the swifts have arrived we know that spring is in full swing.

The main kitchen renovation is progressing slowly; the fire-doors are now in place. An alarm has been installed on the sewage system to let us know of any problems.

This Saturday 17th Shramanera Dogat will be going forth in a Pabbajja ceremony at 7pm as Samanera Visuddhi. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The actual Vesakha puja on the full moon of May this year falls on the 19th, and as usual we will hold our celebration on the closest Sunday, which is the 18th. Please try to arrive by 10.30am for a 10.45am rice pindapat followed by the meal. The ceremony will begin in the afternoon at 1 pm with the taking of Refuges and Precepts and Paritta chanting.

On Friday 16th Ajahn Amaro and Nick Scott concluded their second Long Walk North as they arrived at Harnham having left Chithurst a few weeks ago. This time, given the limited time available, certain concessions were made involving lifts and public transport. Nevertheless a good 20 days or so of hiking have been completed.