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Friday, 05 March 2010 00:00

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Recycling the old carpet

 

 

The winter retreat has now come to an end as we enter the month of March. The finale was marked by the auspicious day of Magha Puja, one of the traditional holy days of Theravada Buddhism commemorating the spontaneous gathering of 1250 arahants and the declaration of the ovadapatimokkha (Dhammapada verses 183-185). Harnham Hill became host to quite a large gathering that day but not nearly 1250. Members from the Thai and Sri Lankan communities came to give Dana in the afternoon and many came to hear Ajahn Abhinando’s talk. This was the last time the Dhamma Hall was used before our big work projects begin (Sunday evening Pujas will be at Kusala House until further notice). The Dhamma Hall has been completely cleared and the Buddha completely covered in preparation for a lick of paint (the Hall that is...). Also the adjoining rooms (upstairs and down) are being renovated. Upstairs, new carpets are being laid and sound insulated floorboards have been fitted. Downstairs is being converted into a special room for visiting Ajahns (and has thus been named the VA's Room). Tan Nyanamoli has been doing his usual Stirling job as work-master in overseeing and directing these projects, while the rest of the community have provided the manpower necessary to get the job done.
 

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Announcements

Monastery Trust Meeting

The Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust meeting will take place on Friday 10th September, from 1pm at Kusala House. All those interested are welcome to attend.
 
Guest House Manager Vacancy

At Aruna Ratanagiri Monastery we are looking for a new guest house manager to start at the beginning of April 2011.

Applicants need to be male, fluent in English, comfortably familiar with Theravada Buddhist monastic practice, and able with general repair work. Also, they will need to have a clean driver's licence and be available to commit to the minimum of six months. The manager will receive without charge: a single room, two meals a day, the opportunity to participate in retreats and the opportunity to participate in daily meditations. Anyone interested could contact us by our website form, or on the +44 (0)1661 881 612 phone number to arrange an initial meeting.
 
Newcastle Meditation Group

Interest has been shown in beginning a new regular meditation group in Newcastle. If this is an idea that you wish to support, please contact us at the addresses below, and also if you have suggestions of suitable venues etc. Monastery Office (01661 881 612), Rolf Wojciechowski (0191 258 1751 ) or Pauline Firn (01661 853 600).
 
Experience in breeze-block building

Harnham is looking to replace our current wood frame larder with a simple concrete block structure approximately 2 meters in width x 2 meters in depth x 2 meters in height. Anyone with knowledge of concrete block construction or similar experience with a wish to contribute please contact us by e-mail at: sangha@ratanagiri.org.uk or by using the contact page on this website.
 
Cushion- sewing project

We are currently looking for volunteers to sew approx. 18 cushions for the chairs which are soon to reside in our new conservatory. Anybody interested should contact the monastery for further details. You can use the contact page on this website, or leave a message by phone on our answer machine +44 (0)1661 881 612 .
 
Cooking Volunteers wanted!

If you would like to be part of a team of local supporters who undertake to prepare the Friday meal for the Sangha, please contact one of us:

Kath Jones - 01207 283 361
Anna Potaro - 01875 320 581
Monastery - 01661 881 612
 
Paritta chanting on Sundays

This is to inform you that on every Sunday at mealtime from 11:15, the Sangha will be chanting the parittas before the anumodana, the verses of appreciation of support.
 
Meditation for Beginners Six Day Courses

The classes take place at Kusala House, on six consecutive Sundays, from 17:30 to 18:00 (before Sunday evening puja).

Starting on Sunday 8th August, and will be led by Ajahn Abhinando.

Everyone is welcome and no booking is necessary. Lessons are, of course, free of charge.
 
Mealtimes

Now that Daylight saving time is in effect, mealtimes at the monastery have changed. The meal offering takes place at 11:15am, and the meal itself begins at 11:30am.
 
Food offerings for the monastery

A list of friends and supporters of the monastery is held by the Monastery Committee. Each Friday somebody acting for the Committee calls the monastery's kitchen manager to see what is needed or, at least in short supply. If you'd like to be included on this list, please contact Kath Jones.

Mobile: 0770 7621 717
Landline: 0120 7283 361
Email: kathannejones@aol.com
 
Parking Notice

Recently there seems to have been an increase in people parking at the sides of the roads (sometimes in the middle of it) while visiting the monastery. In order to foster good relationships with our neighbours, we ask that visitors make use of the ample space in the car park, just a few yards down the hill at Kusala House. We thank you for being considerate in this perennially sensitive matter.
 
Calendar 2010/2553

The Calendar for 2010/2553 is now available for download as a single PDF file. Please note the size is around 1.71 MB, so it might take few minutes to download it. To download please click here.