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.

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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.