Blog
Travel
Posted on Fri, 14 Jun 2013
On Sunday the 9th of June one of two annual ‘Bolam Walks’ took place which was organized by Francis, Bolam warden and friend of the monastery. Ajahn Abhinando assisted and had an open ear to all questions. The walk takes interested hikers from Bolam Lake to Harnham, where they get a guided tour and a chance to ask questions about Buddhism, meditation and our community. Luckily weather conditions where cooperative following the general trend over...
Friends & Family
Posted on Fri, 07 Jun 2013
We had a pleasant and efficient Lakeside Work Day last Saturday. Eight volunteers turned up to weather unpredicted heavy rains in the morning and enjoy some sunshine in the afternoon while working alongside the sangha on various planting, weeding and building projects. Our waterfowl retreated to the centre of the lake for most of the day, warily eyeing the suspicious human activity all around them. By tea time they could relax, and as we retreated...
Spring Cleaning
Posted on Fri, 31 May 2013
The Leeds group were here again along with a good number of others who helped tidy the place in preparation for Vesak: the annual marking of the Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Passing. The joyous evening gathering in the Dhamma Hall was comfortably full with old friends and new. Ongoing activity at the lake will saw Mike the-man-with-the-digger coming to do landscaping and ditch clearing. Vince-the-builder has repaired the roof of the barn which had been...
New Larder
Posted on Fri, 24 May 2013
On Saturday a local scout troop visited, receiving Dhamma instructions and hints on how to live skilfully from Ajahn Abhinando. We would agree with their motto, ‘be prepared’ while having a different interpretation. It would be interesting to know what Baden Powell’s take was on Buddhism. This visit was a first for us but looks like it won’t be the last as another group is one booked for June. Our old friend Rod Watson visited...
A Difference
Posted on Fri, 17 May 2013
Another successful Lake Day took place last Saturday with lots of trimming and planting. Penny was once again the overseer and on this occasion Richard Hopkins was mower-meister. Now we just need a little sunshine. Luang Por Munindo gave another Dhamma talk in the evening, this time on whether or not Buddhists are Making a Difference in our world. Rev. Rinchin of the Tibetan tradition who has been staying with us made a difference...
Cooperation
Posted on Thu, 09 May 2013
The swans appear to be experimenting with cooperative living. Whatever instinctual programming was driving ‘the boss’ to persuade the youngster to leave seems to have abated, for now. Although the resident sangha at Harnham is currently small in number cooperative effort means that we are managing to cover most of our duties as well as the springtime maintenance projects. Rolf Schumacher from Norway has applied to take up the job of Kitchen Manager for a...
Monastery Sign
Posted on Fri, 03 May 2013
Martin Reilly has carved and erected a handsome new sign at the entrance to the monastery so our visitors will now know they have arrived. With wildlife at the lake visibly increasing the birds seem to know that spring has arrived. Ajahn Abhinando has departed, to see family in Germany, and Ajahn Punnyo continues to send messages about how hot it is in Thailand. Michael from Carlisle was here to talk about designs for a...
Work on board-walk continues
Posted on Fri, 26 Apr 2013
Last week Luang Por Munindo, Ajahn Nyanarato and Ajahn Abhinando departed to attend the Elder’s Council Meetings at Amaravati it has indeed been an empty nest with very few guests at Kusala House. Despite the relative quiet and scarcity of community it was none-the-less a busy period. The community made best use of the opportunity aiming to complete several projects before the return of Luang Por Munindo and Ajahn Abhinando. Jack, a friend of the...
Welcome
Posted on Fri, 19 Apr 2013
The lambs frolicking in the fields around Harnham appear to be as happy about spring as we are. Last weekend the thirteen retreatants at Kusala House appeared to be as glad to sit with Ajahn Nyanarato as we were to have his gentle presence with us. Steven the board-walk builder has delivered a load of railway sleepers. He looks poised to complete the next stage of the path along the top of the dam. And...
Scattering Wild Flowers
Posted on Fri, 12 Apr 2013
Last Saturday was Lake Day and our picture shows Nwe from Hawick who joined other good friends in scattering wild flower seeds and planting shrubs. Next Saturday we expect to be joined by the Thai community to mark their New Year with a forgiveness and renewal ceremony. In the meantime, Ajahn Punnyo has departed for about 10 weeks in Thailand and we are awaiting the arrival of Ajahn Nyanarato who will be here to lead...