News Updates, Page 15

As I’m writing this, I’m coming to the end of my (near) three-months’ stay at Tisarana. The time here has been idyllic, a very special occasion in this ongoing opportunity for simplicity, for discipline as a craft of the heart rather than blind conformity, and for meditation that is grounded rather than pie-in-the-sky. The elements that I appreciate in many monasteries of this lineage are all in place; brevity requires me to merely mention the fullness of the support from the lay people and their eagerness for Dhamma, apparent in those on site, but including those near and far who keep this place going. I hope I will never take this amazing heartfulness for granted. Also I only have space to make brief mention of the direct and down-to-earth warmth and helpfulness of all those in training here. It is gladdening to reflect that, as these virtues are manifesting in Canada as they are in Australia, Thailand, USA and Britain, they are universal and timeless. In the face of the corruptions and brutality that we read about in the news, we do need to remind ourselves of this beauty in others as in ourselves. Tisarana certainly provides an opportunity to witness and participate in that.… Read the rest

Beginning Saturday, April 1st, we will resume our regular schedule. Therefore, our first Saturday meditation & Dhamma talk will be on April 1st at 1:30 PM. Please check the dates on the calendar for the regular weekly teachings on the Lunar Observance days. Luang Por Viradhammo will also be teaching in Ottawa (OBS – Quaker House) on Friday, April 7th.… Read the rest

Dear Friends,

For our 2017 Winter Retreat (January 1st to March 31st) the Tisarana community will not hold its regular Saturday afternoon meditation and Dhamma Talk sessions.

The last Saturday afternoon talk this year will be held on December 31st, New Years Eve. We will resume these sessions on Saturday, April 1st.

During the winter time, you are welcome to come here any time you wish and use the Dhamma Hall for sittings or the library for reading.

On our Observance Day we will continue to hold the 7:00 pm sitting and 8:00 pm Dhamma talk throughout the retreat.

These will fall on:

January 5, 12, 20, 27

February 4, 11, 19, 25

March 5, 12, 20, 27

—The Tisarana Sangha… Read the rest

Ajahn Sucitto is visiting us this winter (arriving on December 23) and will be offering the Saturday, December 24 Dhamma Talk this week. The meditation sitting will begin at 1:30 pm and Ajahn Sucitto will offer a Dhamma reflection around 2:30 pm (assuming all goes according to plan).… Read the rest

Dear Friends,

We’d like to let you know that the subscription form on the website has been updated to include a Volunteer Requests subscription option.

We are planning to use this list to ask those who sign up to volunteer for jobs we might need, such as audio work or getting a ride to the airport, or picking an item up from Toronto.

Right now, we are looking for anyone with intermediate to advanced audio editing skills who can help us edit Dhamma talks using Audacity or a similar audio editing program.

If you are an existing subscriber to our podcasts or news updates and wish to be on the volunteer list, you can update your subscription preferences by clicking update subscription preferences at the bottom of this email.

If you are viewing this as a post, or if you are a new subscriber and wish to to be on the volunteer list, you can instead fill out the subscription form on the website and we will update your preferences accordingly.

Be well and happy,

-The Tisarana Sangha… Read the rest

Now that the Kathina and Ten Year Anniversary are over we are breathing out long . . . Over the next two weeks, the Tisarana resident community will be taking a break from pujas and formal work until November 24th.

Feel free to come by for a visit, but please note that most of the monks will not be around, practicing diligently in our kutis. Our email will also be on hold until then, but do call and leave a message if there is an urgent need you have and we’ll try to get back to you within couple days. We will continue to hold our regular Saturday afternoon practice sessions/Dhamma talks (1:30 pm – 3:30 pm) as well as our weekly Lunar Observance sits and talks (beginning at 7:00 pm). As day light savings time ended, our meals are now being offered at 11:00 am instead of 11:30 am.

Many blessings for all who helped to support our Kathina and Ten Year Anniversary. It was a truly heart warming and memorable event.

Be well and happy,

-The Tisarana Sangha… Read the rest

Dear Friends,

As the Tisarana Kathina and 10 Year Anniversary weekend is fast approaching we wish to remind you of the event and update you on some changes.

We are sorry to say that we do not have any more room for overnight guests during the Kathina/Anniversary weekend. Please try to arrange your travel so you can be here with us regardless.

Again, for our 10 year anniversary, we will have many visiting Ajahns including: Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Jayanto, Ajahn Kusalo, Ajahn Punnadhammo, Ajahn Caganando, and Ayya Medhanandi. In addition, we are happy to have Venerable Atulo and Samaneri Anuruddha visiting us for this special occasion.

On Saturday, October 29, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, we are planning to have Ajahn Kusalo lead the afternoon sitting and Dhamma talk.

For the Kathina Ceremony and 10th Anniversary, Sunday, October 30, at Tisarana:

We will have a very large heated tent with seats for 250 people along with our smaller tent, where we will serve the food.

Please see the below schedule for the following changes we have made:

8:00 am: Early arrivals to help with setting up for the Kathina (anyone is welcome to arrive early and help us set up for the event.… Read the rest

Dear Friends:

We are happy to let you know that arrangements are well under way for the Tisarana Kathina celebration and Ten Year Anniversary scheduled to take place at Tisarana Monastery at 10:00 am on Sunday, October 30th. All friends of the Tisarana community are welcome to participate in this happy and auspicious occasion.

For the Ten Year Anniversary we have invited several Ajahns to take part in this celebration, including Luang Por Pasanno from Abhayagiri Monastery in California, Ajahn Jayanto from Temple Monastery in New Hampshire, Ajahn Kusalo (the former abbot of Tisarana) from Bodhinyanarama Monastery in New Zealand, Ajahn Punnadhammo from Arrow River Hermitage in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and Ajahn Caganando, also from Temple Monastery.

The Kathina will be held in several large tents on the Monastery’s front lawn. One of the tents will be used as a food servery. The tents will be enclosed and several heaters will be operating to keep everyone warm.

This year’s Kathina monetary contributions are being prioritized for Tisarana’s newly refurbished kitchen. There is a wish to stock the new kitchen with a complement of commercial kitchen wares and equipment so it can be efficiently run and organized. For more information about how to contribute to this year’s Kathina, please contact Anoma de Silva at: anomadesilva@yahoo.com… Read the rest