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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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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