News Updates, Page 19

Invitation for the Tisarana Saṅgha to Stay for the Traditional Rains Retreat

On July 12th, Ambassador Pisan Manawapat, the Thai Ambassador to Canada, along with the lay community of Tisarana, will be inviting the Tisarana Monastic Community to reside at Tisarana for the traditional rains retreat and receive the necessary requisites during this period (July 12th to October 8th). Over 2500 years ago, the Buddha asked that Bhikkhus stay in one place during the vassa period, only allowing short trips for specific occasions during this time. Without the generosity of our lay friends this would of course not be possible.

The Vassa Āraddhana Ceremony will be held at Tisarana on Saturday, July 12 beginning at 10:00am. All are welcome to partake in this traditional ceremony.

Please note that the Tisarana Kathina will be held on SUNDAY, November 2nd in the town of Perth at the Civitan Hall (6787 County Rd 43, Perth, ON). We will post more information on the Kathina later in the summer.… Read the rest

Now that five years of seniority as a monk have accrued, my Majjhima (Middle) years as a monk have now come. I’ve been released from Nissaya (Dependence) upon my ācariya (teacher), and traditionally, this is now the time to seek out other training opportunities at other monasteries, and hermitages, with a variety of teachers. This is a chance for me to “round out” my training, as well as deepen my practice in situations of increased seclusion. I’ve been offered to spend the vassa (Rains Retreat) at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage. Dhammagiri is located a 40-minute drive west of Brisbane, Australia. More info is available at Dhammagiri

I’d especially like to voice my gratitude to LP Vīradhammo for his tremendous kindness and warmth, in letting me train at Tisarana for the last year and a half. My troubled knees (and psoriasis) have healed substantially in this time. This gift of healing is a huge boon to me.

The Tisarana community has been great to train with, and the lay community has been very kind and supportive. I’ll always look back upon my time at Tisarana with fondness and appreciation. To all those I’ve had the chance to meet, I want to wish you all the best in your practice, and life in general, and perhaps our paths will cross again in the future.… Read the rest

Please note that Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Vīradhammo will not be at the monastery June 17th-19th, as they will be travelling to meet with lay Buddhists in Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec. They will return the evening of the 19th, and will be offering Dhamma teachings here at Tisarana on the 21st for the “Gratitude to Parents Day.” If you wish to participate in that event you are encouraged to arrive between 10:00 and 10:30 in the morning.… Read the rest

Gratitude to Parents Day at 10:30am on June 21st

June 21st is “Gratitude to Parents Day” at Tisarana Buddhist Monastery.  It is an occasion for us to recollect our parents and dedicate merit for the sake of their well-being.  It is also an opportunity to express respect and gratitude to Venerable Ajahn Sumedho during his 80th year.  As usual, there will be a potluck meal at 11:00am. 

Please try to arrive between 10:00am and 10:30am. The day will include an opportunity to take the five precepts. There will be a rice piṇḍapāta (offering food into the monastics’ bowls) before the meal. After the meal, Luang Por Sumedho will offer some Dhamma reflections. We will finish with a dedication of the day’s goodness to our parents and loved ones.

Saṅgha Gathering

Ajahn Vīradhammo has returned from a large gathering of monks at Amarāvati Buddhist Monastery in the UK. This was an assembly of senior monks and nuns from branch monasteries throughout the world, including Luang Por Liem, Luang Por Sumedho, and many abbots from our far-flung community. During this time the Saṅgha participated in a Pātimokkha recitation that included 82 bhikkhus of over 20 nationalities. This kind of gathering takes place once every 4-5 years.… Read the rest

Ajahn Kusalo’s mother passed away on May 8th, 2014. Ajahn Kusalo lived at Tisarana monastery from its inception until 2012, and was of enormous benefit to the monastery and its extended community. In 2012 he moved to New Zealand to be the abbot of Bodhiñāṇārāma Monastery. We offer our sincere condolences to him. We wish him well in his development of the Buddha’s way and his work in spreading the Dhamma.

If you wish to send your condolences, you may address them to the monastery email.… Read the rest

Our working bee has been scheduled for June 7th and 8th, instead of the 6th as previously reported. This will be two days in a row, so please feel free to come for either day or for both. You can also come for part of the time if you don’t wish to stay for the full day; we will be grateful for any amount of time you would like to contribute. As usual, there will be a potluck lunch at 11am which you are welcome to join.

Please bring work gloves and, if possible, a sturdy soil-rake (see this image for an example) for spreading gravel.… Read the rest

In  preparation for Luang Por Sumedho’s visit later in June, we are giving Tisarana a good spring cleaning. We have also purchased a marquee (a large tent) that needs to be erected. Lots to do so please do join us.

Pot luck lunch

What to bring: work gloves, a sturdy rake.… Read the rest

More Construction Photos

• The construction of our new Bhikkhu Vihara is progressing rapidly.  Our new building now has electrical and hydro.  A well has been dug, and a new septic field is in the process of being dug.
• Photos here

Workshop Improvements

• A new Table Saw has been generously donated and installed.  It has advanced safety features to help prevent injuries.
• A new Dust Collection System has been donated and installed, so that sawdust generated by various power tools will be automatically vaccuumed into a collection bin.  Sophisticated ducting has been installed to collect the sawdust from the Chopsaw, Table Saw, Electric Planer, and Belt Sander.  The Dust Collection is switched on and off, as needed, by remote control.
• Gratitude is expressed to Peter Pauls and Crawford Woodman, who invested considerable time and energy into making these wonderful new additions to our workshop a reality.

Basement Flooded

• The snow melted rapidly this year, resulting in our basement being flooded.  It’s abated now, and the basement is mostly-dry.
• As a first line of defence, drainage is being improved (in various ways) around the house, to try to prevent water from entering the basement in the first place
• A new sump pump was purchased, and plumbing is being installed for it

A New Tick Season Begins

• Gravel is being added around kutis
• Pruning of trees
• Raking of leaves
• A special tool for keeping paths free of long grasses has been ordered

Comings and Goings

• Ven.

Nothing is permanent – and this applies just as much within the monastery as outside of it.  As the year progresses a few changes are taking place here at Tisarana Buddhist Monastery…

Farewell to Our Beloved Peter

Peter Pauls is a lay resident who has been living here at Tisarana for about one year.  He has been in charge of maintaining and improving the physical condition of the monastery; such tasks as carpentry, mechanical, earthworks, trailwork and a wide range of other valuable activities.  He has been instrumental in keeping the monastery operating well, and we are all very grateful for the assistance he’s provided.  In early May he will be resuming normal lay life outside the monastery; we wish him well and hope he returns often.  A great “Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu!” for his invaluable support and his inspiring community spirit.

Saturday Day of Mindfulness at 2pm

After discussion with the community, we have decided to hold our weekly Day of Mindfulness every Saturday at 2:00pm.  This event is always open to the public, and includes a small amount of chanting, a period of silent group meditation (which may be guided), and a Dhamma talk given by an experienced monastic.… Read the rest

There was an error in our previous progress update.  Venerable Ajahn Vīradhammo’s birthday is on April 27th, not the 22nd as was erroneously reported.

In related news, he will he away from the monastery from the 17th to the 26th, as he will be leading an annual retreat in Hockley Valley.… Read the rest