Hilltop Newsletter: Sunday 14th June, 2026
Today, Sunday 14th, is the New Moon day for the month of June 2026.
The next Uposatha Day will be a Full Moon and falls on Sunday, 29th June, 2026.
Current residents at the monastery are: Luang Por Munindo, Ajahn Punnyo, Ajahn Jutipannyo (Tan Maha), Tan Mahesako and Tan Siri. We are also happy to have Samanera Varacitto, ex-anagarika Craig, visiting from Cittaviveka Monastery.
Vesaka Puja on Sunday 31st May was rewarding. As too was the memorial ceremony for the Late Professor Cesare Mariscotti.
(By midday Sunday 14th June, Ryu Coupe will have joined our community as Anagarika Ryu).
LOOKING FORWARD:
Ajahn Ariyo arriving at Harnham:
Ajahn Ariyo is expected to arrive at Harnham on Friday 25th July, just in time to enter the annual Rains Retreat (vassa).
One-Day Meditation Retreat:
Ajahn Sister Khemaka is scheduled to lead a non-residential One-Day meditation retreat on Saturday 27th June, beinning at 9.30 am. Feel free to simply turn up on the day. No booking required. The retreat will take place at Kusala House. We ask that all cars be parked in the monastery lake car park. This is situated at the base of Harnham Hill to the right of the metal gate (if you are heading north).
Some of the dates for future One-Day Retreats have already been posted at the Retreats page of our website.
One-Day Thai Language Retreat:
Ajahn Maha is scheduled to lead a One-Day non-residential retreat in the Thai language on Sunday 9th August. Participation on this retreat requires booking in advance.
Contact:
Email daraneebatty@yahoo.co.uk
Tel 07484 111 091
Honouring Elders:
As announced earlier, an event is being arranged for Sunday, 21st June, to honour the 50th anniversary of Luang Por Munindo’s ordination as a monk.
This gathering is also a recognition of the process of Luang Por’s stepping back from the responsibility of being abbot of this monastery.
The occasion will start around 11.00 am with a rice alms-round at Mangala House, followed by a shared meal. We recommend you arrive at least by 10.30am to avoid traffic congestion. The road works mentioned last month, and again below, could still possibly cause delays.
At 12.45 pm we’ll begin gathering in the Dhamma Hall for Precepts, Paritta chanting and some talks ending around 3.00 pm.
Delays due to Road Works:
Northern Gas Networks has announced that disruptions to the flow of traffic near to Ponteland are to be expected up until the end of September 2026.
Introduction to Meditation:
As usual on the first Sunday of each month, at Kusala House, there will be a session of guided meditation led by one of our lay community. The session starts at 5.30 pm and participants are asked to arrive ten minutes beforehand. No booking required.
Lake Work Days 2026:
The next Lake Work Day is Saturday, 4th July.
We aim to have Lake Work Days most months this year (between April and November). See our on-line calendar for future dates.
This is a good opportunity to turn off your phone and spend a few hours amongst the trees, beside the lake, appreciating the company of others in this Buddhist community.
Feel free to simply turn up at 8.30 am at the lake with suitable footwear and work clothes.
If you would like more information, contact:
e: workmaster@ratanagiri.org.uk
t: 07562 472 034
