community in the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah
GRAPEVINE
FROM THE MONASTERIES
Lay resident opportunities
Kitchen manager
If you have an interest to live and practise with the community as a kitchen manager for up to a year or more from June 2008 onwards, please apply to the Amaravati Secretary.
Retreat Centre manager
There will be a vacancy for Household/Maintenance manager from October 2008. Some DIY experience is necessary and we are looking for a minimum commitment of one year. If you are interested please email/ write to the Retreat Centre, at Amaravati.
Family events
Rainbows Weekend: May 2–5th
June Weekend: June 27–29th
Family Camp: August 16–25th
To book for these three events please contact:
David Lillywhite
147 Whyteladyes Lane, Cookham, Berkshire, SL6 9LF,
UK – Tel: (+44) (0)1628 810 083
email: daddydavid at talktalk dot net
Young Person Retreat: November 21–23rd
Creative Retreat: December 19–21st
Booking forms and further information about these and all family events can be downloaded from www.family.amaravati.org
or contact : familyevents at amaravati dot org
Amaravati lay events 2008
Amaravati Lay Buddhist Association (ALBA):
These events provide an opportunity to practise together and explore themes relevant to daily life. They include silent and guided meditation, yoga, discussion and study groups, and other activities. Events are led by experienced lay-teachers. All are welcome.
Days of Practice (DoP) – no need to book
9.45am for 10–5pm (Please bring food to share)
Retreats – advanced booking essential
5:30pm Fri. – 4pm on the last day.
April 11–13th Weekend Retreat (Chris)
May 31st DoP (Martin)
July 11–15th 5-Day Retreat (Nick)
August 9th DoP (Alison)
September 6th DoP (Martin)
October 17–19th Weekend Retreat (Martin)
November 1st DoP (Nick)
December 6th DoP (Chris)
Please check for late programme changes on our website: www.buddhacommunity.org
Retreat booking forms may be downloaded from there.
Buddhist Women's Network
Sat.– Sun. 26th–27th July –
Weekend retreat at Amaravati:
(Sat.) Speaking our truth – (Sun.) Open space
October 2008 (dates to be decided)
Weekend retreat at Ferrar House, Little Gidding: Touching the earth
Sunday 7th December
Day retreat at Amaravati: Coming home
Contact: jennijepson at yahoo dot co.uk
Cittaviveka
Tort Pa Ba – June 15th
Support for the Cloister
Last year a group of Lao and Thai supporters picked up the project to complete the cloister that runs between the Dhamma Hall and the Main House at Cittaviveka. Apart from the material construction, they hope this will provide an opportunity for supporters of the monastery to come together as a community. Which is what is happening. Last year, due to the good will and efforts of many folk, not only were funds raised, but also ad hoc work parties tiled the roof of the new structure. So the Cloister is gradually creeping along a few metres at a time to provide cover and a lovely meditation space around the walled garden. This year an almsgiving ceremony (Tort Pa Ba) dedicated to funding the Cloister project is planned at the monastery on June 15th.
If you’d like to help out, please contact:
Pichit Rhatdanaglang 01273 473906 or 0790 018 0926
Phongsak Kaewsakun 01273 733246 or 0794 436 1817
Phouang Prasith 01903 531031 or 0773 335 8225
David Glendining 01273 723378
Kampi Phomla 01202 394060 or 778 304 0518
Dr Thisara Niyadurupola 01903 238343
Or come for the day to meet Sangha and friends, meditate and look around the monastery.
Auditor
The Trustees of Harnham Monastery are looking for a volunteer chartered accountant to audit the trusts accounts once a year. If you are interested, please contact the monastery on (01661) 881 612 or
by email at sangha at ratanagiri dot org.uk
Caretaker/Guest House manager
At Aruna Ratanagiri we are looking for a new caretaker/guest house
manager. Applicants need to be male, fluent in English, comfortably
familiar with Theravada Buddhist monastic practice, and able with
general repair work. Also, they will need to have a clean driver's
licence and be able to commit for at least one year. The caretaker will
receive without charge: a single room, two meals a day, the opportunity
to participate in retreats and the opportunity to participate in daily
meditations.
Email us from our contact page on www.ratanagiri.org.uk
or phone us on (0166) 188 1612.
Wesak 2008
Wesak celebrations at Harnham will take place on the 18th of May, starting at 10am.
Retreats
With the new Kusala Guest House functioning we are now able to offer more retreats at Harnham. For information and booking please visit www.kusalahouse.org