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.