News Updates, Page 35

Phone line:
Our phone was out for several days last week and over the weekend due to a broken line (it is freezing cold :). Hopefully this didn’t inconvenience anyone. It was kind of nice to have a break from the technology – although plenty of ‘catching up’ to do.

Workshop:
As part of the work plans for the coming season we will be upgrading the old horse barn as a workshop. This will mainly involve a plywood overlay of about 3/4 of the floor and panelling two walls up to eight feet. The basement will be used for material storage and any heavy machining.

Yes, you all…:
To reiterate the general call for people to come and help with our work program. There is lots to do; clearing the barn, general site work, building, renovating, cooking, gardening, getting enlightened (there will be a dedicated team for this).

Tents…:
Does anyone have a family tent(s) (eg. 3-4 person, 10′ square, standing room, screened) that we could borrow to provide accommodation during our work program? This would be a space for one person.

Ayya Medhandi:
For those of you who don’t know her, Sister is a senior nun of the Ajahn Chah sangha.… Read the rest

Dhamma Articles:
Reflections from Ajahn Viradhammo. From a series of articles that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on a range of topics. The aim is to format and upload a new one each week. See the web site: under ‘Teachings.’

Calling all…?:
Spring and summer work projects are beginning to percolate. The main focus will be building kutis but, with everything so new, there are many other areas. This is a very general call to gauge interest and availability of people who might be able to come and help. Let us know roughly when, and with some indication of skills. Specifics will become more clear in time.

Monastery — Sundays
We would like to experiment with a dhamma program on Sundays. This will be every second Sunday (alternating with the children’s classes). The current plan is: a dhamma talk before the meal offering (possibly including the 5 precepts) and reconvene after the meal at 12:30 for another talk with time for questions and discussion.

Web site photos
There is a new album of photos on the web site: “Along the Way.” We hope this will be regularly updated, giving you an ongoing sense of events at the monastery – from the simple to the sublime.… Read the rest

Technical stuff:
We are tidying our database(s). This mailing uses a ‘merged’ list so you may not have directly subscribed to the newsletter. If you do not wish to receive the newsletter please use the link below to have your details removed. This would be from the newsletter-mailing ONLY. This letter is headed – according to our records: Dear *first name | last name* Is this you? If there is a ‘?’ in either of these could you help us fill in the blank. Did you get two copies? We have taken the liberty of joining: Eg. Bob Jones & Sally Smith as… Bob & Sally | Jones_Smith as most mail will be to: Bob & Sally. Thanks for your patience.

Main newsletter:
Just to be clear that there are two ‘productions’ — these weekly updates AND the main newsletter, which will appear quarterly. The most recent of these newsletters is available on-line (under ‘news’). The updates are also on-line.

Childrens dhamma class:
The first (pre-teens) meeting was held on Sunday and was a great success. Do you have surplus art/craft resources (crayons, paints, wool, cloth, scissors, newsprint, etc. etc.)? Please let Ajahn Kusalo know. The next class will be March 4th (teens).… Read the rest

Day of Mindfulness – Saturday 10th:
Ajahn Viradhammo was with us for the weekend. There were 12 meditators. Sadhu.!

Kutis:
Ajahn Kusalo visited Algonquin College where construction students build small buildings for ‘material cost only.’ The main extra cost is transportation to the site. This is under consideration. A site has been tentatively set for the first kuti.

Male Steward:
An opportunity exists for a male to live at the monastery in the role of steward. Please contact the monastery for details.

Sutta study:
We have started a regular study group on Wednesday evenings, 5pm, tea-time. The current sutta is ‘The shorter discourse on Emptiness’ (Majjhima Nikaya 121). Anyone is welcome to join.

Childrens dhamma classes:
These will be every two weeks but, note that there are two age groups; pre-teens (5-12) and teens (13-19). The first p-t meeting will be on Sunday 18th February. See the events calendar for details. … Read the rest