New Aruna Ratanagiri Website - New Blog

We redesigned www.ratanagiri.org.uk , the 'Dana List and Announcements' has been moved to that website.

To see the blog, please click here.

To see the announcements, please click here.

To see the dana list, please click here.

The Final Week

Ajahn Punnyo (by Ron Livingston)

Our rains retreat (or Vassa) has entered its final week and on Sunday it will come to a close with the Pavarana day, a traditional day to mark the occasion where monks invite their fellow monastics to offer admonishment regarding their behaviour over the last three months. This observance is aimed at fostering communal harmony within a monastery, which usually grows in members for the rains retreat, and it also serves as an important chance to reflect on our own deeds and how we relate to those around us. Shortly after Vassa many monasteries host a Kathina festival where the lay community gather to offer the Kathina robe, and this year Harnham’s is on the 11^th of October (click here for more details). Many guests are expected including Luang Por Sumedho and the Thai Ambassador, His Excellency Mr.Kitti Wasinondh. Our sister monasteries are also hosting Kathina’s - most on different days to ours - and information is on their websites. Back at Harnham, we were happy to be visited by our neighbours, Brian and Lindsey, this week. They had been growing potatoes and decided to offer a bagful as Dana to the monastery. It has been rather an active week all round including a mass visit to the dentist by 5 of us, an inspection of Yurts over at Burnlaw, virtual completion of the wi-fi downloading facility of Dhamma talks at Kusala House and Ajahn Munindo's sabbatical book project going off to the printers. Ajahns Abhinando and Punnyo visited Micky and Trudy for a night then walked three and half hours back to the monastery (a wee dander compared to Ajahn Punnyo's usual marathons to Hexham and back). And finally this week saw us join in for the big kitchen cleanup, where we made the larder, fridges and oven squeaky clean ready for the visitors at Kathina. Samanera Ariyo and Anagarika Gabor were especially diligent with cleaning the kitchen conservatory and oven, an area that is occasionally missed in the daily washing up. Ajahn Munindo has announced to the Sangha here that this Sunday evening's Dhamma talk will be different.Turns out it will be 8 talks - one from each community member. That will be different, and interesting!

Ajahn Punnyo's Retreat

Bolam Lake

The days are becoming noticeably shorter but we are still enjoying these lovely late summer/early autumn weather. Ajahn Punnyo’s weekend retreat, which was held over the weekend, went very smoothly. Many of the retreatants were regular and experienced but for others this was their first retreat in Theravada meditation. The teachings were focused on mindfulness of the body and the breath, as well as discussing the theme of the ‘tools’ we can use in meditation to overcome specific hindrances. Immediately following the weekend the monastic community engaged in our own quiet time for a few days. We have now returned to normal schedule (although the on-line calendar indicated we were on retreat for longer. Can’t always believe what you read). The dry stone wall behind Kusala House is being repaired - damage from the time of installing the sewerage system had caused it to gradually lean over to one side looking perilously like it could collapse. A small new store room is being constructed by Samanera Ariyo behind the Dhamma hall. It is interesting (and at times challenging) to notice how apparently straight-forward tasks are not necessarily easy. This applies to the job of tidying up of our monastery address book. Not wanting to rely too much on computers we maintain a paper copy also. This apparently simple task has occupied our resident computer expert Anagarika Gabor for weeks. It seems we are there now. If any of you change your contact details please don’t hesitate to let us know.

The Sangha Picnic

Picnic at the Sneep Farm

Our annual Sangha picnic was held on Saturday at The Sneep, the home of Micky and Trudy Macgregor, which is about an hours drive from Harnham. The day started with a shared meal out in the garden where fortunately the sun shone persistently all day (hats and sun-cream were wisely worn). After the meal Ajahn Abhinando and Micky led the Sangha and many friends on a trek around the neighbouring countryside, up hills, through woods and over streams and after three and a half hours (seven and a half miles) we returned to the garden for a cup of tea. The following day Harnham Monastery was paid a visit from Peter Harvey, the Buddhist scholar and Professor at Sunderland University. He led a day of study on the suttas, focusing on the Mahasatipatthana Sutta of the Digha Nikaya. In this crucial discourse The Buddha expounded the four foundations of mindfulness as a means to liberation. We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to Professor Harvey for his time and effort and we eagerly await his next study day. Ajahn Munindo reached the age of 58 this Wednesday. Abramina offered a full Dana to commemorate the day, and also her last day at the Monastery as she leaves for The Netherlands on Thursday. We wish her a safe journey and hope she returns soon.

On Friday Ajahn Punnyo’s weekend retreat begins in which 20 or so meditators are expected to join in a few days of mindfulness and reflection, and at the same time Ajahn Abhinando is visiting Edinburgh to also lead a retreat for the weekend. This union of meditation joining the two countries is an inspiring thing to witness and we hope to see many people attending.

Aerial Antics in our Attic

going forth

After weeks of preparation, rehearsals and sowing, the Pabbajja (going forth) took place on Sunday morning. Anagarika Skipper is now Samanera Ariyo and Anagarika Michael is now Samanera Bodhinando. (For more photos from the ordination please click here.) We are all very happy to see them living the holy life once again. We had mixed reactions on Monday to the discovery that we have at least three new residents who have taken lodgings in the attic of our Main house. They are of course… Bats! Plans to renovate our roof required sensitivity to all the residents. The bats are from three completely different species, and it’s inspiring to see them coexisting so serenely in such a small space. This in some way mirrors our own international Sangha which is still peaceful and content. On Tuesday Ajahn Vajiro and Ajahn Achalo arrived to stay at Harnham for three nights, travelling up from Amaravati. On Wednesday the junior monks were given a talk from Ajahn Vajiro which has surely inspired diligence.

Old Friends and New Beginnings

fit for a samana

We are now in our final month of the (very) Rainy Season Retreat (vassa). Kathina preparations are underway, guests continue to visit and share in the quietude of the monastery and Harnham’s resident community is still evolving. On Monday Ajahn Munindo went to Amaravati to pay his respects and spend time with Luang Por Sumedho. On the same day Ajahn Abhinando returned refreshed from leading a retreat in Spain. On the horizon is Sunday’s Pabbajja, in which Anagarikas Michael and Skipper will become Novice monks (Sameneras). All are invited to this very auspicious event and witness the precept ceremony which will begin at 9:30 am. Final preparations are underway, and both applicants are pleased to have their sowing finished and their new robes ready. Many friends will be here for the occasion. We’re delighted that Andrew, our since retired Kusala House Manager, will be coming up from Hull to see his friends enter a new stage of their lives. An international crowd also arrived on Thursday, with Abramina arriving from the Netherlands to stay for a fortnight. Ajahn Abhinando’s mother is likewise staying for two weeks. We may not have the European weather to share with our visitors but we trust they will find other joys during their stay.

Splitting Ignorance Asunder

our contemplative artist in residence

On Monday, this week’s quiet day, the Sangha went to Holy Island, the historical home of Saint Cuthbert. Dana was offered by Mame, Maureen, Daeng, Kath and Penny. After the picnic the community went exploring, fortunately all managed to return to the mainland before the tide came swooping in.

Kusala house is host to an abundance of guests this week, including Tan Nyanamoli’s mother, Mrs Molnar, who has come from Serbia and KH manager Myke’s big sister, Helena, who has come from Wales. Also Ben (of Friday 7th August blog entry) is back with us after spending time at a School of Mystics just north of the border. Our old friend Martin Reilly is arriving on Thursday (he will come from Amulree) to consult on Dhamma and dry stone walling. We are hoping he will be pleased to see the work we have performed on his Kusala House sign (with text now highlighted by Skipper) and the ‘splitting ignorance asunder while I sit on the mountaintop’ inscription, which is now visible to the left of the Dhamma Hall. The inscription is taken from the Theragatha (v. 544) and is attributed to King Asoka's nephew Kaludayin, post-enlightenment, in reference to his determination in pursuing the goal.

Ajahn Abhinando left on Tuesday with Cesare for the airport, where he heads south for Spain to lead a retreat. Cesare returned to his homeland of Italy and we eagerly look forward to his next visit. Ajahn Punnyo has returned to Yorkshire to visit his parents and will be meeting with the Leeds group, Dhammapala, on Friday.

The future is holding many auspicious events for Harnham. On Sunday the sixth of September Anagarikas Michael and Skipper will go forth as novice monks in a double pabbajja. They are working hard to put the finishing touches on their robes with the help of Ajahn Sawaeng. The date for Kathina has also been decided and we are delighted to confirm that Luang Por Sumedho (Tan Chao Khun Raja Sumedhajahn) and the Thai Ambassador (His Excellency Mr.Kitti Wasinondh) will be attending. All are welcome and we hope to see many new friends as well as old.

Silent Week

Quietude pervades Harnham

At Harnham for the week ending 22nd August we are taking part in what we call our silent practice week where work projects and group gatherings are reduced allowing community members the space and time to attend responsibly to their own personal practice, whether it be meditation or study or whatever else calls them (the two applicants for Samanera pabbajja are sewing robes, quietly).

The kitchen still remains a busy part of the monastery, where Anagarika Michael has temporarily returned to his post as kitchen manager with the help of Gabor while Tomas is at home following the passing away of his grandfather. These two cooks also had some quiet time as several danas were offered this week, the first by the Sri Lankan community on Monday. Mame arrived with full dana on Tuesday and Cesare, our long term guest and friend, prepared many Italian dishes on Wednesday. With such an abundance of guests the kitchen has certainly not been empty but everyone has done their best to maintain the peaceful atmosphere that silent week brings.

We are also delighted to report that Ajahn Jayanto's retreat was greatly appreciated by the 19 male retreatants who participated. He made his way back to Amaravati on Sunday and arrived safely. He kindly accepted an invitation to return next year; and while talking about such matters, we have had confirmation that Ajahn Tiradhammo (April), Ajahn Sucitto (May), and Ajahn Amaro (October) will also be leading retreats here next year.

Ajahn Jayanto's Retreat

Tan Nyanamoli and the new porch

This week Harnham has been hosting a silent meditation retreat, led by Ajahn Jayanto, who has travelled from Amaravati to offer his guidance to twenty committed meditators who have filled our retreat house. For Myke this is the first retreat as Kusala House Caretaker and so far he is doing a wonderful job in caring for the house and its silent guests.

Our front porch has finally come to completion thanks to the diligent and tireless efforts of Tan Nyanamoli. The hefty Northumberland weather had slowly worn down areas of the porch which have since been replaced and painted. The new work compliments Jeff Jackson’s new door resulting in a completely renovated porch ready to welcome all to the main house of Harnham.

Meanwhile the mysterious midnight screeching puzzle has been solved. A few weeks ago it was mentioned in the blog that it was a pair of barn owls that were providing nocturnal accompaniment to our midnight sittings, but the barn owls were wrongly blamed and it was in fact a pair of tawny owls – somewhat smaller, more common and considerably more elusive.

Ajahn Abhinando and Ajahn Punnyo engaged in the noble tradition of alms-round this Tuesday and trekked to Morpeth, a whole twelve miles away. They received offerings from six different people, some old friends and some who were completely new to Buddhism. Sadly the walk back was sullied by Northumbrian rain, but spirits were not dampened.

Saturday will mark the end of the retreat, where we will bring the week to a close with the sharing of blessings. The community at Harnham would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to Ajahn Jayanto for his time and effort in leading this retreat, and we would also like to thank the wider monastic and lay community who have all helped to make this retreat possible.

Pilgrims

Ben and Bill on Pilgrimage

Jeff Jackson has been helping the monastery recently with repairing the two main front doors, which over the years have suffered in the Northumberland weather. At the weekend Robert and Tina came up from the warmer South to experience some Northumbrian quiet and Kim returned to Denmark.

Tun Hiriko's parents Marjan and Marina returned to Slovenia after having been introduced to the sights of the North east and after a week with us Patrick headed back down South.

Having set off on a Pilgrimage around Britain in May, Ben and Bill came to stay with us for four days. They had trekked down from Lindisfarne and after Kusala House they would be walking into Throssel Hole Priory to try out the rigours of a Zen retreat. On Wednesday Ajahn Sawaeng returned from the Tort Pah Bah at Santacittarama in Italy and Bernd arrived to help celebrate Anagarika Micheal's birthday on Thursday.

On Friday Maria Isabel is returning to Spain after having taught many of us some Spanish language and shown the Anagarikas Catalan dishes. Her lively presence has been appreciated by many over these last three weeks. In the afternoon a large interfaith group of ladies coming with the Bishop of Newcastle's adviser will be talking with Ajahn Punnyo.

European takeover

Tan Hiriko with his parents

Strange unearthly screeching noises have been heard behind the monastery most nights this week. After some uncertainty it was decided that it was a pair of Barn Owls calling to each other as they hunt together. Vlad confirmed that they live amongst the trees and crags up beyond Harnham Hall.

Ajahn Abhinando visited the Leeds Meditation Group at the end of last week and on Saturday a dozen senior citizens from St.Hugh's Church in Gosforth came to talk with Ajahn Punnyo and were very impressed with the simplicity and beauty of the monastery and its gardens. After the committee meeting on Sunday Anna Portaro stayed over for the night and Kim Parfitt from Denmark came to stay for a week. Early in the week the two Peters left: Peter Kraszna returned to Hungary and Peter Dolan returned to Gateshead.

Many of you will remember Vlad from the Czech Republic who has joined us for a couple of weeks. On Tuesday Tun Hiriko's parents, Marijan and Marina arrived after a long journey from Slovenia to visit for a week. Mame, Maureen and Kath are helping to guide them round the many sights & holy sites of Northumbria. Also a regular from Chithurst, Patrick Butler came for a week of Northumbrian spirituality. On Wednesday, whilst the Slovenians where on Lindisfarne, Ajahn Punnyo and Myke headed over to Carlisle to spread the Dhamma amongst the Cumbrians.

On Friday Ajahn Sawaeng flew over to Italy to take part in a Tort Pah Bah with Luang Por Sumedho, which Nam Tip has been helping to organise. To compensate for Ajahn Sawaeng's absence Cesare flew over from Italy to be with us for much of August. In the evening Gabor took the eight precepts to become an anagarika and Ajahn Munindo delivered a rousing exhortation on renunciation and practice to welcome Anagarika Gabor into the Community. His themes were focus, consistency, renunciation, intensity and kindness.

Also on Friday Ajahn Abhinando and Tun Nyanavisuddhi attended the recommended daylong course on first aid. And on Saturday Ajahn Abhinando will be hosting a Renga Afternoon in Kusala House from 1pm to 7pm.

Doing and not-doing

morning pindapat (almsround)

As usual our week started with Monday being a quiet day. Ajahn Punnyo took the opportunity to leave early in the morning and walk pindapat in Hexham. Google Earth says that Harnham to Hexham is a distance of about 21 miles and should take about 35 minutes. Since he was not in any hurry Ajahn Punnyo took about 9 hours to get there; getting back took perhaps a little longer. (BTW, the nice photo is not of Ajahn Punnyo and it is not North-east England, but probably our friend Ajahn Siripannyo in Thailand).
Peripatetic seekers of Truth are not often seen wandering the roads of Northumberland these days, but in older times they were not a rare sight. They were visible reminders of the inner journey. As they maintained a commitment to their own inner work, these seekers showed others that contentment is not necessarily linked to accumulation. When we get caught up in doing things to get more all the time, we lose perspective and forget about not-doing. We feel like if we stop doing things something will go wrong. The Buddha's teachings point to the middle way; the place of balance. Ajahn Chah told us to 'make doing the same as not-doing'.
It is a joy to find plenty of seekers of Truth coming to stay at the monastery to be reminded. At the beginning of the week Muriel and Ursula came from Edinburgh. Peter was here from Hungry, also Maria Isabel and Juan from Spain and Stephane from France. At the end of the week we were joined by a group from the Church of England.
We are looking forward to next week having Tun Hiriko's mother and father join us from Slovenia, also our dear friend Cesare from Milano. We aim to inspire them to do very little. In fact encourage them how to do nothing at all.

The Harnham Rainy Season

Tan Nyanavisuddhi

Having left Harnham in June as Samanera Visuddhi to travel to Amaravati to prepare for the Upasampada, Tan Nyanavisuddhi (Purified Knowledge) joined the rest of the community in determining the three month Vassa period last week. Traditionally this is a period of intensification of practice and many monks take on personal practices and make vows. It was introduced in Asia because this is the rice growing season and wandering monks might damage the crops, as well as getting caught in the monsoon. So the Buddha had the community determine to stay in one place for the Rainy Season.

In Britain this corresponds with our summer, which is of course the ideal time for travel. So the monastery receives many visitors and this is a time of increased activity. This means that the traditional Rainy Season Retreat is observed in a very different manner here in the West.

However there are some small and slightly charming cross-cultural correspondences, and our little semi-flooded paddy behind Kusala House has been enjoying the traditional British rainy summer season and the reed crop is very much thriving. Hunched figures can be seen transpanting seedlings into the water. Even a few mosquitoes have been spotted searching for someone to bite. East meets West on the Hill.

_______________________________________________

Teak Oil Transmission

Andrew initiates Mike in the arts of care-taking.

Having taken over this week, Mike Evans, the new Kusala House caretaker has hit the ground running. Andrew has given him the transmission, and together they have been taking advantage of the fine weather to spruce up the garden furniture and exterior woodwork. Andrew took his leave on Wednesday. With much appreciation and gratitude for the fine job he did over the last year, the Community wishes him the very best in his journey to the East.

Also this week, on Saturday, the Bhikkhu Sangha accepted four new monks into its ranks, one from each of the branch monasteries in England. Having said goodbye to Samanera Visuddhi, the Community welcomes Bhikkhu Nyanavisuddhi, who, along with the rest of the Sangha entered the Vassa Rainy Season Retreat here on the hilltop on Wednesday.

In Thailand this is an important festival, and here in Northumberland Nam Tip together with a group of fellow Thais came to celebrate the day and were led in the traditional chanting and offering by Ajahn Sawaeng. Also, fortuitously and with perfect timing, Penny Holden and her friend came to generously offer homegrown and homebaked gifts.

Canny Job

Terry finishing the Kusala House fire escape

This is Andrew's last week as Kusala House Caretaker and all agree he has done an excellent job as the first person in the post. We all wish him well in his planned onward journey to Thailand. Currently he is introducing Mike Evans to the intricacies of looking after the Retreat House.

On Saturday Ajahn Punnyo and Rolf joined in a Peace Walk starting at the Hindu Temple and ending at the Sikh Gurdwara on Westgate in Newcastle, having proceeded via the Venerable Bede's Anglican Church and the Central Mosque. The organiser's intention is to initiate a multi-faith website called "City for Peace" on 10th July. Rita, Gabrielle & Trish also joined in with the inter-faith peace initiative.

On Wednesday Tan Tejananda flew back to his native city, Paris, where he intends to enter the Rains Retreat at the Sri Lankan International Vihara. The Community wished him the very best in his endeavour.

Along with Tan Hiriko, Samanera Visuddhi is already at Amaravati preparing and practicing for his Upasampada (Higher Ordination) on Saturday 4th July at 2pm. All are welcome to attend. Ajahns Abhinando and Punnyo, & perhaps Tan Nyalamoli along with Andrew are planning to travel down to Amaravati on Friday in order to be at the ceremony on Saturday.

After the July full moon on the 7th, the community of eleven will all be back on Harnham Hill and entering the Rainy Season Retreat on Wednesday the 8th.

The Dhamma of Sewing

Ajahn Saweang and Ajahn Go

Having spent most of June with us, tomorrow Ajahn Go is heading down to Amaravati along with Tan Hiriko and Samanera Visuddhi, who has been working hard in preparation for his coming ordination as a monk. Ajahn Go very generously spent most of his time teaching and helping Samanera Visuddhi and Tan Tejananda to sew robes and jackets. We are all very grateful for his selfless help.
In a little over a week Samenera Visuddhi will be returning as Tan Nyanavisuddhi. His ordination or "upasampada" is due to be on Saturday 4th July in the Amaravati Temple and everyone is welcome to attend.
The community was very happy to welcome Ajahn Saweang back to Harnham on Sunday and he is settling in and adjusting to our British Summer Time and British summer weather.

Returning

Ajahn Munindo, Ajahn Achalo and Tan Nyanamoli in Cumbria

This week Ajahn Munindo, Tan Nyanamoli and Skipper returned via Cumbria from their travels down South and on Wednesday we celebrated what would have been Luang Por Chah's 91st birthday.

David Barker's Health and Heritage walking group came to visit and A.Punnyo explained the monastery to them. Also the county council biannual Bolam Lake walk was led by Francis Povey and Ajahn Abhinando with Brian Povey and Ajahn Punnyo as back markers. Some years there can be as many as seventy people, the line of walkers streching across the fields. However this year, due to inclement weather there were only about ten.

We look forward to Ajahn Sawaeng arriving this weekend to spend the vassa with us.

_______________________________________________

Silent Week

Ajahn Achalo visiting the Hill

The Community has been on silence this week so there has been very little of the usual external activity. An exception was made for Samanera Visuddhi and Tan Tejananda who have been using the time to sew their bhikkhu robes under the expert tutelage of Ajahn Go, who has kindly travelled over from Italy to help them.

Ajahn Munindo and Anagarika Skipper have returned from their 3 week tour of the Southern monasteries and brought up Ajahn Achalo, an Australian Thera who trained in Thailand, from Amaravati to visit for a few days.

Also Ajahn Abhinando and Anagarika Michael have returned from their time in Germany visiting their respective parents. So the monastery is full again with a community of thirteen sat around the breakfast table.

The New Kusala Fire Escape

Safety First

Over the weekend Alex Ewing came down from Scotland to work on the computers and brought his son Simon. They returned after the Committee Meeting on Sunday. Along with the rest of the country the community was sweltering in Monday's exceptional heat, and feeling connected to our sub-tropical Asian roots. Having very competently carried the mantle of sole anagarika for a fortnight, on Wednesday Anagarika Tomas was rejoined by Anagarika Michael returning from his visit with his parents in Germany. On Thursday Ajahn Punnyo headed up to Scotland to visit the Edinburgh and Glasgow Meditation Groups.

This weekend we are expecting Ajahn Go to arrive. He has very kindly offered to help Samanera Visuddhi preparing his robes for his upasampada in July. Having prepared the dormer in the Kusala dormitory Tan Nyanamoli is looking forward to the fire escape steps arriving next week.

Warm Work

Andrew ministering to Kusala House's verges

On a sunny Saturday at Kusala House we were fortunate to enjoy an interesting Sutta Study Day led by Professor Peter Harvey which was very much appreciated by all. We hope he can spare the time for a return visit. Having flown over from Sri Lanka in April, on Monday Bhante Dhammagawesi came to stay for a couple of days and was invited into Newcastle upon Tyne for a Dani and to give a talk.

Last week B&Q admitted they had made a mistake in supplying Mame with some old turf, which was somewhat depleted in chlorophyll. So this week Mame, Daeng and Maureen relaid the new turf which B&Q had given in lieu. So now the monastery has a beautiful deep green and verdant front lawn.

With summer just around the corner the community is outside gardening, painting and maintaning the outside woodwork around the hilltop. After many cold, damp winters there are many patches in need of some careful attention, and these dry, sunny days offer the perfect opportunity.

Many Hands Make Skylights Cleaner

Ven. Tejanada and Samanera Visuddhi

Having encouraged and exhorted the Community Ajahn Munindo headed South today on his tour of the Southern monasteries with Anagarika Skipper at the wheel. He will be returning on 12th June. Also today Anagarika Michael handed over the mantle of Kitchen Manager to Anagarika Tomas and then began his journey home to visit his parents in Germany for a fortnight. We hear that Samanera Sunnyato is settling in at Dhammapala Monastery in Switzerland.

On Saturday Ajahn Abhinando led an uplifting Renga in Kusala House and plans another in August. Mame and Daeng are working hard in the front garden to returf the lawn and reinvigorate the rockery. On Sunday Peter Harvey is holding a Sutta study day in Kusala House and on Monday Bhante Dhammagawesi is coming to stay for a couple of days.

_

A visit to Lady's Well

picnic at Lady's Well

The Wesak Celebration last Sunday went very well and was a great Success. The weather was very kind to us. Sunshine and blue skies greeted everyone who arrived for the day and there was plenty of interest in the newly completed Kusala Retreat House from old faces and new.

On the following day the community welcomed a new member, Ven. Tejananda, a Frenchman from the west of Paris. Having spent the last year as a monk in Burma he has come to look at the training offered here in Northumberland.

On Wednesday the community was invited by Kath to a picnic at Lady's Well, near Elsdon. Again the community was favoured with fair weather, but tempered with a cool breeze. On the Hill it is obvious that Summer is only weeks away as over six dozen lambs are getting bigger, louder and more adventuresome.

_______________________________________________

Vesakha Puja

Garden devas

As the weather starts warming up, the gardens are starting to grow more prolifically and so Mame, Chan, Lisa, Daeng and Maureen have been labouring in the front garden and have done a wonderful job tidying the place up. Windows have been cleaned, signs painted and weeds extirpated in preparation for the coming Wesak celebration.

Please join us if you can this Sunday 10th May for Vesakha Puja, our annual celebration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing away. Events are planned to begin with the shared meal at 10.30am. For full details of all of the day's program are on the website.

On this day we will also mark the completion of Kusala House. Restoring and extending this 200 year old cottage has involved many of our friends and supporters. We invite you to come and view the beautiful results of all the good effort that has gone into it. We look forward to seeing you there.

It will also be a chance to wish Samanera Sunnyato a safe journey as on Monday he heads over to stay in our monastery in Switzerland for 6 months.

Vesak Preparations...

Anagarika Michael mowing the meadow

This week saw the return of Ajahn Abhinando on Tuesday in time for his Birthday on Friday. His time in Hartridge, Devon and Le Refuge in France seem to have been beneficial. Also Samanera Sunnyato has returned from visiting Germany, and the day after our Wesak Ceremony he will be heading to Dhammapala, the Swiss Monastery to stay there. Abramina has been helping us in the garden and has just returned to Holland. One knows for sure that Spring has really sprung and summer is just weeks away when the scent and sound of grass being mown starts to become more regular and frequent. The bluebells are out now on the front of the hill and lambs are playing in groups and loudly out-numbering and out-bleating their mothers.

Please join us if you can on Sunday 10th May for Vesakha Puja, our annual celebration of the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing away. Events are planned to begin with the shared meal at 10.30am. For full details of all of the day's program are on the website.

On this day we will also mark the completion of Kusala House. Restoring and extending this 200 year old cottage has involved many of our friends and supporters. We invite you to come and view the beautiful results of all the good effort that has gone into it. We look forward to seeing you there.

Thai Ajahns visit

Ajahn Thiradhammo

This week, Luang Por Tong- In who has 40 vassas and 150 monasteries worldwide, will be coming to visit Harnham this evening, accompanied by two other senior Thai monks, and tomorrow (Saturday 25th) they will be leaving to head south. They will be staying at Kusala House where they will be offered dana at 9:30am and anyone who wishes to join in is very welcome to do so. Any food brought to be offered to them needs to be brought to Kusala House, and not the main part of the monastery.
Ajahn Thiradhammo, the Abbot of our New Zealand branch monastery (and former Abbot of Harnham) will also be leaving us early in the morning and heading to Amaravati for a few days before heading off elsewhere.
Having spent the winter retreat in Hartridge Monastery in Devon, and having helped Ajahn Khemasiri teach a retreat at Le Refuge in southern France, Ajahn Abhinando will be returning on Monday.
Samanera Sunnyato will also be returning to Harnham tomorrow, before he heads to Dhammapala monastery in Switzerland to help out for a few months after Vesak.
The posting of the Hilltop newsletter has been slightly delayed, but it should be going out by tomorrow morning.

Visiting Sangha

Ajahn Thiradhammo

Last weekend was Songkran, the Thai New Year, and many of our Thai lay supporters came to make merit by offering dāna to the Sangha. There were also a number of other dānas from the Sri Lankan community and other friends from Glasgow.

Our numbers are due to increase very soon, with Ajahn Munindo returning today, Ajahn Puñño on Wednesday, and we will be happy to receive Ajahn Thiradhammo, who will be arriving on Monday for a 5-day visit. Also this week, we will welcome 3 visiting senior Thai Ajahns who will be staying overnight on Friday on a brief teaching tour.

We are currently in the process of rebuilding the Dhamma Talks website; correcting it and making it more user-friendly. It is taking some time and a lot of effort, but it will be worth it and we hope to have it operative from mid-May.

Finally, we are expecting the Hilltop newsletter and Vesak invitations to be ready by the middle of the week, and they will be with you as soon as possible.

Gathering

Ajahn Abhinando and Tan Subhaddo at Hartridge

Each year, early in April, all the senior members of our Sangha try to gather at Amaravati. It’s a time for reaffirming shared aspirations and, when needed, discussing whatever issues there might be around. Accordingly on Sunday 5th Ajahns Munindo and Punnyo travelled south where they met up with Ajahn Abhinando who has spent the last two months at Hartridge monastery (see picture).

Meanwhile on Harnham Hill spring-time activities increase. Mame and Maureen have been reviving our gardens, Abramina is here, Jeff Jackson has installed a new breakfast table in Kusala House and various guests are coming to make use if it.

It is not long now until we celebrate Wesak (10th May) and this year we want to also mark the completion of Kusala House with an open day for viewing. We hope you will all join us. If things go to plan you will soon receive our Hilltop Newsletter plus a nice invitation card for the event.

Spring on the Hill

Spring has arrived on the hill. The daffodils and crocuses are blooming and Brian's flock will soon start lambing. The Sangha is emerging from its Winter Retreat and two new anagarikas have taken the 8 precepts: Skipper from America and Tomas from Leeds.

Ajahn Abhinando has been away on retreat in Devon and is due back in at the end of April. Ajahn Munindo and Ajahn Punnyo will be heading down to Amaravati at the beginning of April to take part in the Elders' and Theras' meetings there. Then on Monday 20th April Ajahn Thiradhammo will be coming to stay for 5 days until Saturday 25th, and then on Friday 24th April we will be hosting 3 senior forest ajahns over from Thailand.

The Sangha would like to express its appreciation for all the generous support it was kindly offered during the time of its Winter Retreat and would like to dedicate any goodness accrued towards the benefit of all beings.

The Winter Retreat

The Community has gone into Winter Retreat, having starting on Monday 5th January. This Blog is now slowing down into hibernation mode, but will quicken again with the Spring flowers at the start of April. The Sunday Night Puja will continue throughout the winter and all are welcome to attend.

If you need to contact the monastery it is still possible to phone and leave a message on the answer service, which is being checked every day.

The New Year

Evening puja

The New Year's Eve Forgiveness and Aspiration Ceremony was very well attended with about fifty people staying until midnight to see out the old year and see in the new. Many stayed over until New Years Day. The Dhammapala Leeds Group were represented by Daniella, Joyce, Brenda and Mui Weng. From the Edinburgh group there was Alex, and also Ray came bringing his daughter for a first visit. There was also plenty of space for some locals to be accommodated in Kusala House.

Ajahn Abhinando gave some reflections on the theme of generosity and there was the option of drinking tea and warming drinks in the Reception Room or sitting quietly in the Dhamma Hall in preparation for the Forgiveness and Aspiration Ceremony between 11.30pm and midnight.

New Years Day saw a minibus of Thai students from Newcastle University coming to offer dana along with Namtip, Sompong and Sugert. At 4pm the Sri Lankan community gathered, fifty strong, to take the Five Precepts and listen to Ajahn Abhinando talking about New Year's aspirations and the Lord Buddha's teaching on the precepts. People had traveled from as far a field as North Yorkshire and West Scotland; from the Glasgow Group Rangit had made the long trek across the border.

During the week Mo from Catterick brought her mother-in-law to offer dana, and Cesare and Chandima brought a taste of Italy to the kitchen. Herman has made a significant dent in Ajahn Abhinando's carpentry job list and, as is the tradition, he again tolled the midnight New Year bell; there is a rumour he may well have single-handedly upheld this tradition for much of the past eighteen years.

The Community will be going into Winter Retreat starting on Monday 5th January. This Blog will slow down into hibernation mode, but will quicken again with the Spring flowers at the start of April. The Sunday Night Puja will continue throughout the winter and all are welcome to attend.

N.B. the dana list will still be maintained even when the report/comment becomes thin (or non-existent).