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Ajahn Punnyo's Retreat PDF Print E-mail
Friday, 25 September 2009 16:38

bolam_lake

 

bolam lake

 

 

The days are becoming noticeably shorter but we are still enjoying these lovely late summer/early autumn weather. Ajahn Punnyo’s weekend retreat, which was held over the weekend, went very smoothly. Many of the retreatants were regular and experienced but for others this was their first retreat in Theravada meditation. The teachings were focused on mindfulness of the body and the breath, as well as discussing the theme of the ‘tools’ we can use in meditation to overcome specific hindrances. Immediately following the weekend the monastic community engaged in our own quiet time for a few days. We have now returned to normal schedule (although the on-line calendar indicated we were on retreat for longer. Can’t always believe what you read). The dry stone wall behind Kusala House is being repaired - damage from the time of installing the sewerage system had caused it to gradually lean over to one side looking perilously like it could collapse. A small new store room is being constructed by Samanera Ariyo behind the Dhamma hall. It is interesting (and at times challenging) to notice how apparently straight-forward tasks are not necessarily easy. This applies to the job of tidying up of our monastery address book. Not wanting to rely too much on computers we maintain a paper copy also. This apparently simple task has occupied our resident computer expert Anagarika Gabor for weeks. It seems we are there now. If any of you change your contact details please don’t hesitate to let us know.

 

UPDATED EVERY FRIDAY

the archive of old posts can be found here.

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.