News Updates, Page 28

Creatures:
A bit of a critter review this week. The raccoons have been up to their usual food seeking tricks with their latest assault focussed on our garbage/recycle shed. Several porcupines have been spotted and the ground hogs are out in force foraging. The birds have been busy building nests and now have their work cut out tending their chicks. 4x[photo]

Ottawa Retreat Report:
The weekend retreat organised by O.B.S was a great success with about thirty participants for both days. The use of two venues was not a problem at all and the facilities worked well for both. The weather was lovely. A good time was had by all. Many thanks to all those who gave their time to organise that event. Well done.

Kuti:
The new kuti is well under way with the site and the floor finished. The walls are on their way with the roof just waiting for a bit more sunny weather. [photo]

Topping it off:
The barn roof is slowly having all the holes filled. Kelvin and Tina have offered to oversee the work and are determined to see the job through to the end. It is high and quite steep but we have a good set up of ladders and safety ropes.… Read the rest

Vesak:
What a wonderful day it was with the dhamma sala full of friends come to celebrate the life of the Buddha. The weather was – as it was – but the timely sun smiled and shone beautifully on us all during the rice pindapat. 4x[photo]. Everyone agreed we should do it again next year.

Non-residential Retreat:
Explore the Anapanasati Sutta with Ajahn Kusalo. Breathe as you never have before.
Friday 22nd: 7-9:30 pm Tu-An Pagoda
Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Tu-An Pagoda
Sunday: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Dieu Khong Temple

Thai Visit:
The house was as full as it has ever been with 18 guests; a group of Thai friends from Toronto staying overnight on Sunday. [photo] It was a busy weekend with another group from the Unitarian Church in Almonte joining us for the usual Saturday afternoon of mindfulness. Such a delight to be a part of this interest in dhamma.

Barn Roof:
Around the various bullet holes, loose nails, torn tin and general deformation there is a solid roof. A contrarily flummoxed climbing apparatus has been divulged complete with safety ropes to secure intrepid climbers who will plug the gaps. [photo] Water ingress over the years has resulted in quite a bit of rot; particularly the floor, which will be repaired.… Read the rest

Vesak:
The traditional story tells of the birth, enlightenment and parinibbana of Gotama the Buddha taking place on the full moon in the month of Vesak. The wheel of Dhamma set turning in the world. Join us on Saturday 9th to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
10:00 Precepts and chanting with meditation, readings and reflections.
11:00 Rice pindapat.
11:30 Shared meal.
1:00 Dhamma talk, readings and reflections.
2:00 Closing chanting.
After this there will be an opportunity to have a look at the kutis; take the tour.
See you on Saturday.

Working Bee:
It was all quite the buzz, the buzz. There were enough people so that several projects could be allocated to different groups. The new module extension was painted, several sections of old cedar-rail fence were taken down, the Passadhi kuti (finally) got exterior paint, several pit toilets were dug, the kuti river crossing was finished, rasberries were pulled, the garden shed was well cleaned and good fun was had by all. 6x [photo]

Ajahn Viradhammo; Ottawa U:
As part of the continuing education programme – The Four Noble Truths: the complete path.
May 14th – Bringing the breath into practice.
May 21 – Meditation on loving-kindness.
May 28 – Focussing on body awareness.… Read the rest

Anagarika Janko:
A lovely group of friends joined us for Janko’s anagarika ordination [photo]. It is always very inspiring to see young men confident in taking up a religious life. The resident sangha now numbers five. Happily holy and harmonious.

Working Bee:
Sunday the 3rd May. There will be a variety of projects; mostly outdoors but a few undercover in case it rains. We have most everything needed but you could bring gloves, outdoor footwear and, those who have – bring a shovel (or spade). We will start about 8.30 and then again after lunch. Join us for breakfast and/or lunch.

Barn Progress:
The main work of relaying the floor is on hold for now until we can source some logs to replace some of the beams. Getting them will be one thing – getting them into place will be yet another. Basically a whole tree, *twenty-two feet* long = HEAVY. In the meantime we are extending the module by about *ten feet*. That’s 6.71 and 3.05 meters respectively for those who are doing the right thing. There has been a gradual increase in the number of visitors so the extra space will be useful. [photo]

Vesak:
Join us on May 9th in the new extended module to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and parinibbana of the Buddha.… Read the rest

Janko’s Ordination:
Cause for an auspicious dhamma celebration. 18th of April – this coming Saturday. Join us for the dana at 11:00 and stay on for the ordination (about 1pm) and continue the theme of liberation on into the usual afternoon meditation and dhamma talk. Linger longer for the evening puja at 7pm.

Vesak:
May 9th – at the monastery. The programme is on the web site calendar.

Not Cool Cooker:
Our old stove in the kitchen is a bit too cool for its own good. Well, our good actually. A friend moved house a while ago and ended up with an extra stove. It is really hot. The old cooker was last seen sitting out in the yard. [photo]

Module Extension:
The meditation module has regularly reached its mat maximum – there were 21 meditators for the recent day of mindfulness. An extension is underway, in conjunction with the floor renovation. [photo]

Guests:
The winter retreat is over and we are already getting a good number of guests. You are welcome to come and stay – pretty much any time. Fill out the form on the site: Participate Visiting Form. … Read the rest

Winter Retreating:
It is the first day of April and the monastic retreat has drawn to a close; winter has similar thoughts. There were no casualties, nothing broke down, blew up or did other than could be expected in a world of variation and unpredictabilty. A good time was had by all. Many thanks to all those who came and offered support. Let’s do it again next year.

Janko to Ordain:
The sangha is expanding yet again with the Janko’s impending anagarika ordination. This will be on the 18th of April. Join us for the meal at 11.00. The ordination will be after the dana; about 1pm. You are all welcome to join with us and celebrate his committment to the holy life. This will be followed by the usual meditation and dhamma talk at 2pm.

Beavers’ Damn:
They are busy little critters but are they busy enough to rebuild after a machine attack? As well as being cute they also spread their watery domain without discernment. Our neighbour’s field has been getting soggier and wetter so… whack whack crack (him, not us). It will take a while to see how the beavers deal with it. [photo]

Vesak:
A good while away but, put it in your diaries; May 9th.… Read the rest

Retreat:
The month of January has passed. Where was I at the time? We have had a wonderful series of lay supporters staying with us, for a week or more at a time, helping out in the kitchen and generally bringing a lovely energy to our shared practice. Our Noble Silence is holding quite well in and around weekend visitors. Each of the monastic residents is taking a two week self-retreat when they can entirely set their own schedule. A lot of time on their own. There are still two more months ahead. What a splendid opportunity for us all. [photo]

Season Celebration:
The sangha here, joined the sangha at Satisaraniya there, for an end of year celebration dana. It was a joyful gathering of many friends and an opportunity to celebrate our shared aspirations in dhamma. There were gifts. There are always gifts. [photo]

Days of Mindfulness:
Starting at 1.00pm. Chanting, meditation, dhamma talk, questions & discussion. Every Saturday, all through the winter retreat – and beyond – where no one has been yet.

Awesome Auto Announcement:
We have been thinking for a good while about an alternative to the truck. Small, economical, reliable. Well, we wished, and we want no more.… Read the rest

New Year:
There seems common agreement that we have one. The transition here at the monastery was jolly and joyous with a lovely mixture of chanting, meditation, dhamma, bonfire, mantra, meditation, marshmallows, meditation, midnight, paritta, chanting, chatting and so much more to come. We hope yours is a happy one. Should the package contents not be complete or not function according to your preferences feel free to contact one of our representatives and we will arrange a visit so the necessary corrections can be made. First line in the manual says: Breathe in. Second line: Breathe out. [photo] – of the fire and the breathing.

Days of Mindfulness:
Note: These now start at 1.00pm. They will continue through the winter retreat.

Winter Retreat:
We have started with a few days of no schedule. Monday 5th will start full days of group practice; 5.30am meditation, 7.15 breakfast, 8.30 meditation, 11.00 lunch, 2pm meditation, 5.00 tea, 7.00 meditation. This will change on Wed. night. Feel free to join with any of this. The remainder of the retreat is not so scheduled but you are most welcome to visit and join with whatever is happening.

Generator Box:
Our backup generator has a new house compliments of Janko’s handiwork.… Read the rest

Samanera #1:
Both as in ‘the first’ and as in ‘the best.’ What a wonderful occassion it was. About fifty people joined us for the day which began with a superb, shared meal in the house. Eventually we all managed to fit into the meditation sala, literally standing room only, and Ajahn Viradhammo began by outlining various aspects of the ceremony. Anagarika Laurence then navigated his way through each step; never missed a que, never messed the Pali. He is now Venerable Sumangalo. The sangha expressed their joy and delight by chanting paritta. Sadhu.! 4x [photo]

New Year’s Eve:
The sublime alternative. Let’s do a better bit a being. Starting at 7pm with chanting, meditation, dhamma talk and reflections. Cast your regrets, unwanted *mind-heart clutter* etc. into a raging bonfire. Celebrate with a marshmallow(s). Collate all your aspirations, hopes, future endeavours. See in the new year with blessings.

New DOM Format:
With less daylight, The Day of Mindfulness will start an hour earlier as of January 3rd. Start at 1pm with chanting, followed by guided meditation, a dhamma talk and a question and answer period to finish (around 4pm). These days continue to be well supported with local people beginning to join in as we get better known.… Read the rest

Portable Parthenon:
Entering into the barn this time of year can coincide with cascades of snow off the roof onto the head, to say nothing of the ice build up outside the door. Not nice. The happy and handy novices at Tisarana have provided an elegant, simple solution. All it lacks is Doric columns. [photo]

Ordination:
Anagarika Laurence will become Samanera ??? Sunday December 14th. The ceremony will begin after lunch, about 1.00pm. Car pooling will not only save gas but make parking here a lot easier. We hope you can come.

Surprise:
Tis the season. There is an e-card waiting for you. Happiness, joy, good health, blessing, fun. Try this journey to the unknown

A Waiting Game:
The foundations of the third kuti make a snowy photo opportunity. Little concrete trees standing silently among the trees. [photo] Isn’t it nice that we have a three month winter retreat and don’t have to carry on building?

Another Mover:
The Opanayiko kuti has been empty for some months now while under repair. Finally, Anagarika Joseph has moved in for the winter retreat. Our life as forest samanas is so much enhanced by the kuti lifestyle so it nice to be able to offer this opportunity to Joseph.… Read the rest