On the 30th of April 2017, a day after Ajahn V’s 70th birthday celebrations, Ven. Cunda and Ven. Khema accompanied by An. David, An. Siddarth and Noriko (lay guest) departed to spend ten days at Chittaviveka Monastery and attend Luang Por Sumedho’s open retreat followed by the international elders meeting at Amaravati. While the weary travelers trudged along, Fort Tisarana was steadfastly held by Ajahn V, Ven Khemako, An. Peter, Niraso (aka Brian) and the visiting bear.
Ajahn Sucitto, Ajahn Karuniko and the Chithurst sangha were gracious hosts. The manor house, Hammer Pond, Hammer Woods, St. Mary’s Church (a blissfully secluded 10th Century Church near the monastery where Ajahn Sucitto would get away to memorise the Patimokha) and the national reserve forests were silent, peaceful and serene, offering much seclusion and calm.
May is the best time to visit England and the English spring shines forth gloriously in West Sussex where the monastery is located. And indeed we were greeted by the darling buds of May – a sea of bluebells, lilies, an assortment of wild flowers and a truly resplendent dawn chorus thanks to the rich bird life in the area. Among the many attractions on the property were the bee hives which are kept by a local farmer who generously donates 1 in every 5 pots of honey harvested in lieu of rent!… Read the rest