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Picture: Freshly painted entrance-hall in Mangala House
The momentum of comings and goings continues. It is a joy to have Tan Sudhammo from Wat Nanachat with us; it is a sadness to see Tan Gambhiro depart on his way back to Portugal; Anagarika Andrew is away helping his mother move…
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Picture: Working by the Lake last Saturday
The New Moon for this month falls next Tuesday 29th November. So far we have not had snow, but there have been days when it felt like we were about to. Anti-slip wire-mesh now covers almost the entire boardwalk around the…
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Picture: From one of the posters to be displayed at Mangala House
Winter approaches and the nights are drawing in. Last Friday Venerable Piitigala Gunaratna Thero braved the cold and visited the monastery to deliver a Dhamma talk (bana) to our extended community of Sri Lankan…
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Picture: Tan Thitapannyo painting everything alabaster
The Full Moon for this month falls on Monday 14th November; apparently it will be a 'super-moon' which should make many photographers happy. Our painting project continues and Mangala House is gradually turning white. Will Cooke turned white (became Anagarika Jagaro) on…
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Picture: Andrew, our friendly potter from Northumbrian Craft Pottery
The painting project at Mangala House has begun with a suitable sufficiency of enthusiastic supporters helping out. If all goes well, by about mid-December we should be prepared for Winter Retreat 2017. Luang Por Munindo and Ajahn Abhinando have…
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Picture: Kathina gathering at Aruna Ratanagiri, 23rd October 2016
The New Moon for this month falls on Sunday 30th October. Towards the end of last week Ajahn Nandiyo (from Hartridge Monastery) joined us. Then on Saturday we received a welcome influx of several more samanas including Ajahns Sucitto…
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Because this year the rowan trees are so heavily laden with berries, does that mean that we are in for a heavy winter? Or might this be the fruit of the summer we have just had? More immediately, the plastering and wall-papering work at Mangala House is nearly completed. The…
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Picture: Repainting Mangala House garage
The Full Moon for this month, Pavarana Day, which is the end of the vassa 2016 (rainy season retreat), falls on Sunday 16th Oct. Before the temperatures drop too low the sangha have been attending to some outdoor repairs and redecoration at Mangala House…
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Picture: Saturday's procession carrying the Buddha rupa to Mangala House
It didn't rain on Saturday despite the earlier predictions. A large gathering of friends and supporters enjoyed the autumn sunshine and accompanied the sangha in procession down the hill, delivering the Buddha rupa safely and joyously into Mangala…
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Picture: Penny getting ready for some serious strimming
A lot of last Saturday's Work Day was tidying up around the lake after summer and getting ready for winter. Autumn appears to be already upon us with the days significantly shorter and morning mists lingering longer. Preparations are well…