News & Musings

First of all, I haven't been out and about much lately because, although one or two kind people have helped with a drive or two, I don't now have a regular driver. Which means that if there's some reliable chap out there who's not yet ready to be a monk but who would like to live in a monastic and disciplined setting, do a bit of practice, help out and drive, we'd love to hear from him. Failing that, just someone to drive, please. Last Sunday, the nine day August retreat concluded with all the retreatants walking over from Bhavana Dhamma to see me and pay their respects, and for me to meet them. They were glowing and obviously had had a very good time of it. Now we're assessing the jobs that need to be done or finished. We'd like to alternate a week of doing jobs with a week of more formal practice. Whether that'll really work out remains to be seen because there is so much to do to run a place like this and here it's not like Thailand with a village

Yesterday I set off early with Tom, Sister Khema and Elizabeth for Hylands Park near Chelmsford where the 21st World Scout Jamboree was being held. Actually it was my second visit. On Sunday we had gone there to celebrate Asalha Puja and yesterday we went again to join in the Scout movement's centenary day, Sunrise Day. On Sunday I gave a short sermon in a gloomy, muddy tent about the significance of Asalha Puja and yesterday I spoke at length to a much larger audience gathered in the open air in brilliant sunshine about Buddhism and Scouting. I am pictured here with Professor Yongyudh Vajaradul, Chairman of the World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood. There are some more pictures here .