Abrahmina is enjoying the bright new kitchen installed by Jeff Jackson and companions in the Kusala House which is in daily use now. Farad's plasterers and carpenters continue to fit a new kitchen in the Main House, No. 2, on the hilltop, which is more in line with modern fire regulations. So everyday the meal time meeting is taking place in the Kusala House conservatory.

One of the kitchen carpenters is also a very knowledgeable ornithologist. Ian has spotted a pair of red kite on the hill. The neighbours say they may be nesting in Shortt Flat Woods.

Other birds are beginning to return from their winter migrations and attend to their nests. Abrahmina will be flying back to her Dutch home on Tuesday after spending the final part of winter with us. Her presence has been much appreciated and we wish her the very best. We also wish the best to Tan Hiriko who turned 23 on Thursday.

Ajahn Munindo has returned from spending time in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with Ex-Jayamano, who seems to be doing well. The community will officially finish it's winter retreat on Tuesday 1st April, and attention is now turning to the coming year.

Springing into action

Geoff and Mark



The last time we saw Geoff Jackson featured in the monastery news was 22nd December 2006 when he was building our new library. Now he and Mark have just completed the new kitchen in Kusala House. And it is being thoroughly used since the old kitchen in the main house (which Geoff helped build 25 years ago) is being demolished and rebuild. When finished it should more than satisfy the current fire/health & safety regulations.

Thanks to our friend Ashley, builders have also completed the paving work in front of Kusala House entrance, including more adequate wheelchair access, which should thoroughly satisfy the building inspector.

Ajahn Munindo mentioned that his disappearance to Czech Republic for a week of private time (with ex-Jayamano) had nothing to do with avoiding the upheaval caused by all the building work. Although the change in the mode of activity at Harnham has been rather sudden, the monastic community continues with the cultivation of contentment, appreciating the remaining weeks of winter retreat.

Surviving the Storms

Daffodils are flowering, blackthorns are white and ravens are kronking. March is sometimes called the Month of Many Weathers. In Anglo-Saxon times it was known as the rough month, Hrethmonath, due to its gales and storms. This week has seen the full range.

Tiles have been blown loose in the gales and storms, and we were fortunate to have the ever resourceful Ajahn Abhinando to lead the way onto the roof to replace them.

From Monday 17th March the monastery kitchen will be closed for approximately two weeks for renovations. Instead the kitchen in the Kusala Retreat House will be in use temporarily.

Quiet Week

This weekend a dozen Thai students from the University in Newcastle braved the weather to come offer dana and had a dhamma discussion with Ajahn Munindo. Otherwise it has been a fairly quiet week and there is not a lot of news to report. This would seem fitting, given the Community is still on it's Winter Retreat. Just as on a cold winter's day a person might sit quietly by a fire to soak up its warmth, so too the Community is quietly absorbing dhamma.