Events on New Year's Eve

During the daytime on New Year's Eve there will be a New Year's Eve Meditation Retreat from 10am to 4.40pm, which will have the same schedule as the usual Sunday Meditation Day. The turning of the year can be a very good time to reflect on our life and practice, and the temple will be open if you would like to come and sit for any part of the day.

Then in the evening we will have the traditional New Year’s Eve Ceremony, starting with meditation at 7.30pm.

During the ceremony we recite the Scripture of Great Wisdom, and a ceremonial copy of the scripture arranged in a fanfold design is "revolved", symbolically showing it and offering it in all directions. After this we all drink a glass of celebratory New Year juice together, making a wish for the peace and prosperity of the temple and the Sangha during the coming year. The evening will end at about 9.30pm or so.

Following the New Year Ceremony we will have the New Year Vigil, which you are very welcome to stay for if you would like to see in the New Year at the temple. There will be four meditation periods up to midnight, with a break in the middle. The vigil will end with the New Year Dedication at midnight.

New Year's Day:
The Festival of Maitreya Bodhisattva

Then on New Year's Day we will have the Festival of Maitreya from 10am to 4pm. This festival celebrates the Bodhisattva Maitreya, known as "the Buddha who is yet to come". It is said that Maitreya will appear when the teaching of Shakyamuni Buddha has completely disappeared and been forgotten. Associated with new beginnings, the Festival of Maitreya is often celebrated on New Year’s Day.

The day will start at 10am with a meditation period, followed by the ceremony. After the ceremony there will be a Dharma talk, and at about 1pm there will be a bring-and-share vegetarian lunch. In the afternoon there will be two periods of meditation from 2pm, followed by tea. You are welcome to come for any part of the day.

For other events in January, please see the events calendar.

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Wishing you all a Happy New Year

Thank you to everyone who has come and shared their practise, and supported the temple in so many different ways, throughout the past year.

Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous 2017. Let us offer the merit of our practice to all beings, so that we all may be able to realise the truth.

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Alms Bowl Requests

Thank you to all those who have donated items to the temple. We are very grateful for donations of any household or other items that the temple might be able to use. Please contact Rev. Aiden if you have an item to offer but are not sure whether it would be useful.

Donations of Food
Offering food is a traditional way to support a monk, and any donations of vegetarian food are most welcome. In particular:

• fresh fruit and vegetables (except garlic or peppers)
• porridge oats
• yoghurt and eggs
• peanuts or other nuts
• rice and pasta

Any other suitable items would also be appreciated.

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Donations

The temple is dependent on donations for its continued existence, and any financial support you are able to offer is greatly appreciated. Details of how to offer support can be found on the Donations page of the website.