New Moon Update: 6th October 2021
Today, Wednesday 6th, is the New Moon day for the month of October 2021. The next Uposatha Day will be the Full Moon and falls on Thursday 21st October.
Only two weeks remain until the end of this year's Rains Retreat. The reconstruction work on the Memorial Garden has been finished (see photo of Tan Sucinno). Anumodana to all those who contributed. A few other minor projects are gradually being completed as we enter autumn and the rhythm of activity slows down.
We are glad to see old and new friends and supporters taking the opportunity to visit the monastery conservatory around the meal offering time - 10.00am until 10.30am - and that some are taking the opportunity to use the Dhamma Hall between 10.00 and 13.00. Please see the latest Announcement for restrictions and relevant details.
On Thursday 16th September I was happy to have the opportunity to offer a talk to the residents and guests gathered at the monastery called So What Have I Learnt in 70 Years. I enjoyed the chance to reflect on the journey of my life thus far and ponder on how we learn from the ups and downs we encounter. It is natural to hope for positive, agreeable experiences, and when we have them we can rightly feel grateful. However, at some stage we need to learn that in fact the negative and disagreeable experiences have a lot to teach us. Of course it would be unwise to dismiss the moments of joy, however it is wise to remember to not be lost in them. When we allow ourselves to be lost in joy we make it inevitable that we will be lost in sorrow. When we allow ourselves to be lost in happiness we create conditions for ourselves to be lost in unhappiness. The trick is to learn how to meet life as we live it without being lost in it. I am enormously grateful for the opportunities this life has given me to learn to be not quite so lost.
Regarding the Kathina gathering, after consideration it has been decided that it is still too early to open the monastery for such an event. If you would like to receive a copy of our annual Forest Sangha calendar, they are now available to collect from the monastery.
Some of you might be aware that for many years now there has been a group of friends and supporters of the monastery, mostly from the Sri Lankan community, regularly contributing to a Sponsored Breakfast Scheme. This scheme, which covers the costs associated with the daily breakfast cooked at the monastery for the resident community and overnight guests, is now open and available for anyone to participate. If you are interested in being involved please see our Google Form at bf.ratanagiri.org.uk.
Also you might perhaps have noticed that we recently posted an announcement for a new kitchen manager here at Harnham. If you know anyone who might be interested, feel free to let them know. We are also still open to applicants to our winter retreat support team.
Later this month there will be another Lake Workday. Presently it is planned for Saturday 23rd October. If you intend to participate kindly contact us:
e: workmaster@ratanagiri.org.uk
t: 07943 699 228
With good wishes,
Luang Por Munindo
