Thursday 29 May 2008

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.

Thursday 22 May 2008

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.


Thursday 15 May 2008

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.


Thursday 8 May 2008

Holiday for the Nuns

Siladharas in the Bojjhanga Garden


This week Kusala House hosted its first self- contained female retreat, led by Ajahn Anandabodhi and Ajahn Santacitta. It was a success, with participants enjoying the chance to practice mindfulness together in such a tranquil environment. We are all grateful to the Ajahns for leading the retreat, and to the various supporters who volunteered to cook, co-ordinate and give their time to ensure it went smoothly.

On Sunday evening they were joined by 8 fellow Siladharas and 3 Anagarikaas who came to Harnham for a few days in order to enjoy some quiet time together. They chose the perfect time to arrive, with Bhojjanga Garden almost complete. The myriad new plants, a delightful Japanese Weeping Cherry tree and the most glorious weather Northumberland has seen this year all made for a cheerful, pleasant few days for everyone. Once again we thank those supporters who came to cook for, and take care of, the nuns and we look forward to seeing them again next year.

Ajahn Munindo is away for another week, taking time out from his many responsibilities to have some solitude, Tan Nyanamoli joining Luang Por Sumedho’s retreat at Amaravati and after a few weeks of being busy, the remaining members of the community are slowing down a little.

This is a good time to reflect on the gratitude we have for our teachers, our blessings and the golden opportunities we have.



Saturday 3 May 2008

Blessings



Ajahn Anandabodhi bestowing blessings

This weekend Kusala House is hosting the first self-contained retreat with Ajahn Anandabodhi and Sister Santacitta and a group 15 lay women. Also this weekend our new kitchen in the main house was blessed with the offerings of visiting Sri Lankan supporters from Amaravati. We are glad to have Tun Hiriko back after a couple of weeks of filial piety practice and over the next few days 15 members of the nuns communities of Chithurst and Amaravati will join us for a few days of R&R. Blessings abound.