hilltop newsletter


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Meetings and Gatherings

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picture: Ajahn Punnyo visiting Nepal

The Full Moon for this month falls tomorrow, Thursday 21st April. Last Sunday 17th, saw a large crowd here observing the New Year celebration (Songkran), participating in bathing the Buddha image and the ritual of forgiveness. We welcomed guests from China…

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Beginning Again

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picture: Anagarika Andrew who took up the 8 precepts on Sunday 3rd April

Last Thursday was our first visit for 2016 with the Edinburgh Meditation Group, then Friday it was with the Glasgow Group. Today, Wednesday 13th, a visit is planned with the Carlisle Group and then on Friday

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That Was Winter Retreat 2016

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(picture: Luang Por Munindo, Ajahn Chandapalo, Samanera Jayamangalo and Samanera Jinavaro in York)

The New Moon this month falls today, Wednesday 6th April, and our Winter Retreat for 2016 is over. Everyone in our small monastic community who started the retreat has completed it. Sincere gratitude…

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Two New Samaneras

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(Picture: Samaneras Jinavaro and Jayamangalo)

The New Moon for this month of March falls next Monday 7th and the Full Moon on Tuesday 22nd. We are two thirds of the way through our 2016 Winter Retreat and the number of community members in brown robes has increased…

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Winter Stillness

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(picture: walking meditation, late afternoon)

We are a third of the way through our Winter Retreat for 2016. The small amount of snow that has fallen so far has contributed more to a sense of stillness than cause any difficulties. Rory who was a large part of

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Ajahn Chah Memorial Day 2016

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(picture: a shrine especially set up in the Dhamma Hall)

On Saturday 16th January, disciples of Ajahn Chah around the world put time aside to reflect on the good fortune of having heard his teachings and having an opportunity to practice them. At evening puja at Harnham…

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Dawn

Imperturbability

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(picture: dawn at Harnham Lake)

There are those who discover
they can completely abandon confused reactions

and become patient as the earth;
 unintimidated by anger,
 unshaken as a pillar,

unperturbed as a clear and quiet pool.

Dhammapada v. 95

Every intentional action that…

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View from the hill

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(picture: early morning view facing southeast from Harnham Hill)

As 2015 fades away 2016 approaches. Kusala House has been providing welcoming accommodation to the guests gathered to mark the transition. Tomorrow night, Thursday 31st December 2015, is designated as Forgiveness and Aspiration night. Puja will begin as usual at…

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Feeding the Birds

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(picture: Luang Por's bird table)
Last week subscribers of this news-blog received multiple copies of one of our postings (coincidentally called 'Back Again'). It was one of those programming glitches that occur from time to time. Life can be so unpredictable, like the weather: one day it's snowing, the…

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Non-slip Boardwalk

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(picture: laying wire-mesh on the boardwalk)
Saturday was our last Lake Work Day for the year. Despite snow and sleet and temperatures just above zero, good progress was made in laying the wire-mesh on the boardwalk (to prevent users from slipping). Anagarika Will and his mother planted a…

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