Hilltop Newsletter: Monday 16th August, 2023
Today, Wednesday 16th, is the New Moon day for the month of August 2023.
The next Uposatha Day will be the Full Moon which falls on Thursday, 31st of August, 2023.
Current residents at the monastery are: Luang Por Munindo, Ajahn Punnyo, Ajahn Kevali, Tan Mahesako, Tan Sucinno, Samanera Nibbuto, Samanera Ariyacitto, Samanera Attannyu, Anagarika Beat and Anagarika Craig. Tan Samacitto is due to re-join us on Monday 21st August.
We were glad to welcome two Thai monks, Ajahn Sangvorn and Tan Porche, from the 18th to 20th of July. They had been participating in the sima ceremony in Italy and took the opportunity to visit our monasteries in UK.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust (HBMT) and the Directors meeting took place on Saturday 29th of July.
Following the Full Moon Day of 1st August, the resident sangha entered our annual Rains Retreat (vassa) on Wednesday 2nd August.
Over the weekend of 5th and 6th of August the project to reconstruct the nesting island on the lake made considerable progress (see photo). This project is ongoing. Anyone wishing to help out, see details for the next lake work day below.
Over the weekend of 12th and 13th August we hosted a large group of Thai visitors from down south.
On the evening of Sunday, 13th of August, a Dhamma talk titled, Why The Buddha Could Never Be Triggered, was given. It discussed how many meditators find they have to deal with a backlog of denied life which manifests as obstructive kamma. It was partly because the Buddha had dealt with all such obstructions that meant he could never be 'triggered' into reacting out heedlessness. We can still be triggered because there is something there to be triggered. Our work is to recognize this and find skilful ways of dealing with the backlog.
LOOKING AHEAD:
- This coming weekend, 18th to 20th August, Ajahn Ahimsako will lead a lay retreat at Kusala House. He will stay on with us until 23rd August.
- The next Lake workday/island project is scheduled for 26th/27th August.
- Luang Por Sucitto will be staying with us from 1st to 6th of September.
- Ajahn Jutindaro will be here from 7th to 13th September, leading a lay retreat from 8th to 10th September.
With good wishes,
Ajahn Munindo
