hilltop newsletter


Aj%20sawaeng

Farewells

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Ajahn Punnyo and Anagarika Marcin got snarled in traffic in Newcastle on Saturday and missed their train, so were absent from the Amaravati Kathina on Sunday. Luang Por Sumedho arrived though from Thailand, as expected, to join in the event. Luang Por Munindo spoke on the theme of Universal Truths

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New Abbot at Chithurst

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Abbot Karuniko

Last weekend several of the Harnham sangha joined in the Kathina at Chithurst monastery which included appointing Ajahn Karuniko as the new abbot there. After 22 years Luang Por Sucitto has stepped down and is now preparing for a year sabbatical, starting in New Zealand. This…

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Harnham Kathina

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As expected, many good friends from our sister monasteries joined us for the annual Kathina on Sunday. Similarly, many good friends from the extended lay communities also joined us – over 300. As was not expected, the forecast rain didn’t appear. Luang Por Tiradhammo expressed his gratitude for the evident…

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Jenny in the Garden with Secaters

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Field mice sense the approaching winter and are trying to move into the house; we are trying to keep them out (compassionately). Luang Por Tiradhammo arrived on Tuesday and we are delighted that he can be with us right through until Saturday 26th October. Jenny-from-Leeds has been here this week…

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Walking meditation  1

walking meditation

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Walking Meditation

The previous week was the last Silent Practice Week of this year’s Rains Retreat. Not much happened; a bit of walking meditation, perhaps some chanting practice (exempted from the silence rule), some fasting. Ex-Kovido turned up part way through the week and wasn’t phased with people…

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The mcgregors

transition

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The MacGregors.

Last week the 4 Ajahns accepted an invitation to dana at the McGregor’s place, The Sneep. On the weekend Ajahn Sawaeng led a meditation retreat in the Thai language. Thursday saw our good friend and wonderfully helpful Yom Yoo depart (as her visa required) and another…

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Autumn shrine

Autumn Light

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Saturday 20th September was a community Lake Work Day and considerable progress was made on the island. It is now fully visible above the surface of the water. In the late afternoon Ajahn Abhinando returned from the group meeting in Leeds and in the evening Luang Por Munindo offered a…

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Stone seat mini

Perhaps

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Stone seat.

The week began with Ven. Vinita leading 30 people on a Sri Lankan Practice Day studying The Four Foundations of Mindfulness and Ajahn Abhinando leading 40 people on a Bolam Lake Walk Day. In the evening Luang Por Munindo gave his monthly talk, this time on Sincerity…

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Ajahn punnyo reduced

Wise Contentment

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Ajahn Puñño.

Not much is happening at Harnham this week, except Ajahn Punnyo leading a 6 day retreat. The rest of the sangha are similarly on retreat. There might be some internal work happening though since the pursuit of wise contentment – c.f. foolish contentment – is far from…

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Kindness

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Paul-from-Germany.

The Study/Practice Day led last Sunday by Ajahn Abhinando, was on the theme of kindness. Thanks to the kindness of many good friends last Saturday, great progress was made on the nesting island (there is still a way to go). Venerable Vinita’s talk on Sunday evening was, in…

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