Hilltop Newsletter

Visiting Aruna Ratanagiri Day visit: it is possible to just come over and visit the Dhamma Hall, Library or other public areas. You are welcome to do some meditation, join the midday meal offering, join the evening puja (meditation and chanting) or just walk around. Staying as a guest: if you are interested to stay as a guest and to join the monastery routine, please contact: guestmonk@ratanagiri.org.ukYou can also see: www.ratanagiri.org.uk>about>visiting

Monastic Silent WeeksThe monastic community occasionally observes silent practice weeks. During

these times speaking is reduced to a minimal level and the community can dedicate more time to focus on formal practice. Visitors are welcome as usual but we ask you to respect the silence as it is a rare opportunity in this world.

Lost Property: please contact us, if you think you might have left something at the monastery. It is our policy to keep lost property in store for a maximum of six months, after which we are likely to recycle accumulated items.

CONTACTS

ARUNA RATANAGIRI BUDDHIST MONASTERY2 Harnham Hall Cottages Harnham Belsay Northumberland NE20 0HF

Tel: 01661 881 612 Email: sangha@ratanagiri.org.uk

I am decidedly a lay person. But I emphatically endorse your position that a little experience of monastic renunciation can be of great benefit to lay people. We have missed a great opportunity if we just come to a Wat (monastery) to enjoy the good food and country air.

This is a brief extract from a letter I recently received from our good friend, Peter Dale Scott, who visited us earlier this year. Peter and his wife, Ronna, were here from the US and stayed for almost a

week in Kusala House. It was only many months later, after they had returned home, that I found out they had been told on arriving in the monastery that they had to observe the eight precepts. Peter is over eighty years old and should not have been required to refrain from eating in the evening; it was a misunder-standing. However, as you read in the extract above, Peter has no regrets. He had a happy time staying here and in the process learned a valuable lesson.

(Continue inside)

ARUNA RATANAGIRI BUDDHIST MONASTERY

www.ratanagiri.org.uk

Lua ng Por 's Comm ent

Contents: Luang Por's Comment, News & Resident Community, Notices, Calendar, Events, Regular Meetings, From the Trustees, Contacts

HilltopIf you would like to receive a copy of Hilltop, either by email or post, then

please send your details to sangha@ratanagiri.org.uk or write to the address above. Likewise, if you would not like to receive it any longer, please contact us. You can also download a pdf version on:www.ratanagiri.org.uk>News>Hilltop Newsletter

Data Protection Act: The mailing list used for postal distribution of HILLTOP is maintained on computer. If you object to your record being kept on a computer file, and wish it to be removed, please write to The Hilltop Compiler at the address above. We will not share your personal data with third parties outside the monastery without your explicit consent.

winter 2011

He explained to me the trepidation he had felt on hearing what was required of him but chose to simply trust in the practice. Over and again he had read about letting go of expectations. Having sat on many retreats he had heard many Dhamma talks about not clinging to views and opinions. Yet on this occasion he discovered that the actual experience of truly surrendering, with body and mind, delivered a shift in perception he had not known before.

Now when he is faced with situations he would normally resist he finds what happens instead is surrender. His observing the Eight Precepts means he has now improved his repertoire of skills for transforming the difficulties of life into wisdom and compassion. (And he told me I could share his letter however I wished).

Reading and listening have their place: like going to school to get an education. But we dont stay at school forever; we need to get out and earn a living. Having educated ourselves sufficiently by studying about Dhamma, we need to apply what we have learned. The training conventions offered when staying in the monastery provide opportunities to do this. Of course there is part of us that says, I dont want to do it. And that is the voice we want to hear. Is that our true heart speaking? Or is it our false heart; the conditioned personality that consumes so much energy and

demands so much attention? Our true heart doesnt take effort to maintain. There isnt anything to maintain. Our true heart is just so. Yet it certainly helps when we can recognize that which is false within us. In fact we cant really be free from it until we see it.

Im taking the occasion of writing about this aspect of training because it is often misunderstood. People sometimes think renunciate practice is about trying to be virtuous by putting themselves through pain. In a way it is virtuous, but not if the ego is getting off on it. We practice putting ourselves under pressure by way of experiment. We want to see what happens when I dont get my way. The way and my way are not necessarily the same. The way never has any problems with anything. Hence the Buddha didnt suffer because his heart was at one with the way. He experienced pain but he didnt suffer. No resistance. Renunciation training gives us the optimal chance of seeing my way for what it is. And when we see it, we dont have to hate it, or judge it, or get rid of it. We simply recognize it. Like finding the faults in the loft insulation: once we find them we know where the heat is leaking out and why our gas bill is so high.

May your New Year start well and continue well. May we all enjoy the fruits of surrendering ourselves to Reality.

Mettacittena, Ajahn Munindo

IMPORTANT Standing Orders (reminder from the Trustees)Donating regularly by standing order is extremely helpful, as it allows the Trustees to

manage the Monastery's finances most effectively. Your support in this way is very much appreciated. Could we, the trustees, ask if you make a regular donation to the Monastery, to please check that you have cancelled your standing order to the Magga Bhavaka Trust, which is expected to eventually be wound up. The Monastery is now being run by the newly established Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust.

To set up a standing order for Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust, please pick up a form from the monastery or download one at www.ratanagiri.org.uk or contact the monastery secretary for one to sent to you.

If you need further information please contact Tina Naples at tina.naples@yahoo.com or Penny Wakefield-Pearce on 01670 788 596, who are more than happy to help.

Looking for a New Kusala House ManagerAt Aruna Ratanagiri we are looking for a new guest house manager to start in spring

2012 (after the winter retreat). If you are interested, please contact the monastery.For job specifications please have a look at: www.ratanagiri.org.uk>announcements.

Notic es

New s & Resident Communit y

H i l l t o p N e w l e t t e r - w i n t e r 2 0 1 1 Luang Por's Comment, News & Resident Community, Notices

www.forestsanghapublications.org www.aruno.org www.kusalahouse.org www.forestsangha.org

There are only a few changes to the community at Harnham as we go into this years winter retreat. Anagarika Carlos left Harnham a few weeks after he took the eight precepts. Ajahn Sawaeng from Thailand is expected to return to our community in March. We also expect Ajahn Abhinando to come back from his sabbatical some time in mid-March. Samanera Kovido will be going back to Italy after the winter retreat. Tomas Hatch who used to be an Anagarika here joined us for a few months and during that time took on the Kusala House Manager duty.

Markus Rder originally from Germany and Robert Pugh from London are staying as long term guests with an interest to join the community.

Current residents at Ratanagiri:Luang Por MunindoAjahn PunnyoBhikkhu avisuddhiBhikkhu AklikoBhikkhu AriyoBhikkhu BodhinandoSamanera KovidoSamanera Gambhro

Luang Por 's Comment (continu e)

H i l l t o p N e w l e t t e r - w i n t e r 2 0 1 1 Calendar, Events, Regular Meetings, From the Trustees

Mona stic Ca lendar 2012/2555

December

Sat 31 Forgiveness & Aspiration Ceremony at Harnham starts at 7 pm

January

Sat 7 Meditation for Beginners 5:30 pm

Sun 8 Winter Retreat Starts

Mon 16 Ajahn Chah Memorial Day

February

Sat 4 Meditation for Beginners 5:30 pm

March

Sat 3 Meditation for Beginners 5:30 pm

Wed 7 Magha Puja

15 Winter Retreat Finishes

Sat 31 HBMT Meeting

April

Sat 7 Meditation for Beginners 5:30 pm

Evening meditation and Dhamma talk

Sat 14 Lay Discussion Group 5.30 pm

Evening meditation and Dhamma talk

Fri 13-Sun 15 Ajahn Tiradhammo's Retreat

Fri 13-Fri 20 Ajahn Tiradhammo's Visit

Sat 21 Evening meditation and Dhamma talk

Sat 28 Evening meditation and Dhamma talk

Retreats schedule for 2012:

Type Teacher Dates

Mixed retreat Ajahn Tiradhammo Fri 13th Sun 15th April

Mixed retreat Ajahn Karuiko Fri 18th Sun 20th May

Mixed retreat Ajahn Kalyo Sun 3rd - Sat 9th June

Mixed retreat Ajahn Abhinando Sun 5th - Sat 11th August

Mixed retreat Ajahn Punnyo Mon 24th - Sun 30th September

For more information and booking for these retreats please contact Kath Jones at kusalaretreats@ratanagiri.org.uk or by phone at 0120 7283361.You can also see: www.kusalahouse.org

Lunar Calendar

December

Sat 3

Sat 10

Sun 18

Sat 24

January

Sun 1

Sun 8

Mon 16

Mon 23

February

Tue 7

Wed 15

Tue 21

Wed 29

March

Wed 7

Thu 15

Thu 22

Fri 30

April

Fri 6

Sat 14

Fri 20

Sat 28

Winter Retreat 2012

Starts on Sunday 8th January until 15th March

From 8th January 2011 until 15th March the community will be on retreat. Much of the time will be spent in silence and we will not be having guests staying at the monastery. Visitors are still welcome to visit in the daytime, and the Dhamma Hall will be open daily from 6am until 10pm for personal meditation. The monthly meditation class and the Saturday evening puja will continue to take place. However, Dhamma talks are not planned during this period (though there might also be some surprises). As always, you are most welcome to come and share the silence, join the food offerings or help with cooking.

Ev ents

Listed below are meetings that are held regularly at the monastery. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Meditation ClassesOn the first Saturday of each month Dr.

Adrian Bint runs a meditation class which starts at 5:30 pm in the Kusala House shrine room. Beginners and more experienced meditators are welcome to attend. Meditation instruction is combined with questions and feedback and it gives people a chance to meet other meditators and gain some insight into the teachings.

Lay Discussion Group(These meetings will not take place

during the Winter Retreat)

The lay discussion group usually meets on the second Saturday of every month at 5:30 pm in the Kusala House shrine room. This discussion group explores the practice of Buddhism and meditation in lay life. No need to book, newcomers as well as regular supporters are welcome. There is an informal atmosphere and tea.

We aim to finish in good time for the evening chanting and meditation at 7:00 pm. If you are interested or have any queries please contact:Penny Wakefield-Pearce 01670 788 596

Saturday and Wednesday Tea(These meetings will not take place

during the Winter Retreat)

Saturday and Wednesday Tea take place at 5:30 pm in the Kusala House shrine room. Saturday Tea every third, fourth and (if applicable) fifth Saturday,

Wednesday Tea every week at 5:30 pm. These are opportunities to meet with a Sangha member for a discussion on Dhamma practice.

Saturday Evening Meditation and Dhamma Talk

(There are no Dhamma Talks planned during the winter retreat; though there might also be some surprises).

Saturday evening meditation and chanting is usually followed by a talk on the Buddhas teachings. Meditation starts at 7:00 pm and the evening closes around 8:30 pm. All are welcome.

Harnham HelpersIf you would like to offer your expertise

or help to the monastery, in whatever area from cooking to driving, cleaning to gardening and plumbing please contact the monastery or visit our website for a Harnham Helper form. This will allow you to specify what you would like to offer and to give us your contact details, so that we can contact you when the need arises.

Regular Meeti ngs

Cooking VolunteersAt present myself and another lay

supporter come to the monastery on most Fridays to prepare the midday meal for the Sangha. Sometimes we bring food along to offer, at other times we use what is available in the larder. If others are keen to do likewise on another week day I am happy to introduce you to the kitchen and the routine.Please contact me on:Kath Jones: 01207 283361 or

kathannejones@gmail.com

Food OfferingsIt is always helpful to know of any

specific food shortages at the monastery. To this end it has been arranged that a lay supporter contacts the kitchen manager at Ratanagiri every Thursday, requesting a list of food items that are in short supply that week. This information is then circulated via email to volunteers, who, if they are able, will offer to replenish the larder. If you would like to participate, please contact:Kath Jones: 01207 283361 or

kathannejones@gmail.comYou might also like to know there is a national supermarket chain that delivers directly to the monastery via telephone order. Kath can give you the details.

Local Accommodation There are times of high demand for

guest accommodation at the monastery and we are compiling a list of alternative local accommodation. If you live locally

and would be prepared to offer short-term stays to guests of the monastery we would be delighted to hear from you. Anyone interested please contact the monastery.

Sponsoring the Board-walkMany of you have already enjoyed

visiting and exploring Harnham Lake and its surrounds. You may well have noticed that there are some marshy areas which hinder complete circumambulation. Having already planted a few thousand trees, the plan now is to install a board-walk to enable people to conveniently walk all the way round the lake.

Anyone interested in sponsoring part of the board-walk, even just one plank, will find more information on:www.ratanagiri.org.uk>announcements

Monastery Committee MeetingsThe monastery committee meetings

are held at irregular intervals. Anyone is welcome to attend. For further details please contact the committee members or the monastery.

Committee contactsShould you need any information or

advice about visiting the monastery, or ways of supporting the monastic community through offerings of practical help, food or funds, please get in touch with us. We are also always very interested in receiving your comments or suggestions. Our names and contacts:Mickey MacGregor: 01434 240256Andrew White: 07966 017884

From the Trust ees

www.ratanagiri.org.uk > news > calendar - (up to date information for all events)

Meditation Groups - ContactsFor further information about meditation meetings in your area please feel free to phone one of the contacts below:CARLISLE Jean Nelson 01228 546 259EDINBURGH Neil Howell 0131 226 5044GLASGOW James Scott 0141 637 9731LEEDS Anne Grimshaw 01274 691 447

Daniella Loeb 01132 791 375MANCHESTER Carmel Brown 01706 219 747HIGH PEAK Mai Walton 01457 765 845NEWCASTLE Ian Plagaro-Neill 0191 469 2778

NoticesMonastic Calendar 2012/2555News & Resident CommunityHilltop Newletter - winter 2011 Luang Por's Comment, News & Resident Community, NoticesLuang Por's CommentLuang Por's Comment (continue)EventsCONTACTSHilltop Newletter - winter 2011 Calendar, Events, Regular Meetings, From the TrusteesFrom the TrusteesRegular Meetings