Hilltop Newsletter: Saturday 16th May, 2026
Today, Saturday 16th, is the New Moon day for the month of May 2026.
The next Uposatha Day will be a Full Moon and falls on Sunday, 31st May, 2026, which is Vesakha Puja.
Current residents at the monastery are: Luang Por Munindo, Ajahn Punnyo, and Tan Mahesako.
There has been a great deal of activity of late: Luang Por Munindo went to pay his respects to Luang Por Sumedho; he and Ajahn Punnyo travelled to the Elders’ Council Meeting at Cittaviveka Monastery; Tan Mahesako has returned from his time in France; Ryu Coupe has arrived in preparation for joining the community. (If you visit the monastery you might find Ryu in the kitchen. See photo.)
LOOKING FORWARD:
Tan Siri arriving back at Harnham:
Tan Siri is due to arrive back at Harnham this Sunday 17th May.
One-Day Meditation Retreat:
Tan Mahesako is to scheduled to lead a non-residential One-Day meditation retreat this Saturday 23rd May. 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.
Vesakha Puja Celebration:
The Vesakha Celebration this year will take place on Sunday 31st May. All welcome. Events are scheduled to begin around 10.30 am.
Memorial Service for Prof. Cesare Mariscotti:
A long-time friend of our monastery, Professor Cesare Mariscotti, passed away in 2024. We have been waiting for a suitable time to hold a service in his memory. It has been decided to combine a memorial service for our dear friend (and plant a tree) immediately after the Vesakha Celebrations. The service for Cesare is expected to begin in the Dhamma Hall around 2.30 pm.
Honouring Elders:
As you might already be aware, 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 Luang Por’s pulling back from the responsibility of being abbot of this monastery.
The occasion will start around 10.30 am with a rice alms-round at Mangala House, followed by a shared meal.
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:
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
