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.
