This page has the temple's most recent newsletters.
Please see the full list for older issues.
September 2018 Newsletter
Visit from Rev. Master Haryo,
the Head of the OBC
It was lovely to welcome Rev. Master Haryo to the temple over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Rev. Master Haryo is usually resident at Shasta Abbey in California, but is currently visiting the UK, and is spending several weeks visiting a number of temples both in the UK and in the Netherlands.
He was accompanied by Rev. Kanshin, from Throssel, who was driving him between the different temples, and both were able to stay in our guest rooms.
We had events with Rev. Master Haryo on both the Saturday and Sunday, with the Day Retreat on the Saturday being best attended. Twenty lay Sangha members from throughout the East Midlands came along for that, making it the largest gathering we have had at the new property, and Rev. Alicia joined us from Sitting Buddha Hermitage as well. Rev. Master Haryo kindly offered a Dharma talk in the morning, and the warm dry weather meant that we could sit outside for lunch.
We are very grateful to Rev. Master Haryo for his visit to the temple.
The day retreat with Rev. Master Haryo
Trustees' Meeting
Earlier in August we had our first meeting of the charity’s trustees, with Rev. Alicia and Rev. Berwyn joining the four local lay Sangha trustees and Rev. Aiden for the day.
It was an opportunity to discuss where we are at present with the temple, including looking at the finances and reviewing some of our policies and procedures. We also discussed the possible modifications to the property that we would like to make, and it was useful to be able to walk around the property together and look at the areas that we were considering.
We had a shared lunch together sitting in the garden, and it was very nice to be able to spend the day together, quite apart from the business of the meeting. We are very grateful to all of the trustees for coming along to the meeting, and also for all the work that they put in to helping the temple run smoothly.
Rev. Berwyn had travelled down from Throssel the day before, and was the first overnight visitor at the new temple, and Rev. Lambert also stayed for a night following a visit to the Sheffield group. It was very nice to welcome them both to the temple.
Rev. Berwyn (left) and Rev. Lambert in the Meditation Hall
Forthcoming Events:
Festival of Great Master Bodhidharma
On Saturday the 8th of September we will be celebrating the Festival of Great Master Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma is an important figure within Zen, as he is credited with bringing the meditation school of Buddhism from India to China. His emphasis on "pure meditation", and the need to spend time "just sitting" facing a wall, are still central to our tradition. This festival is an opportunity to celebrate the life of Bodhidharma and to focus on some of his important teachings.
Great Master Bodhidharma
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 a Dharma discussion and tea. You are welcome to come for any part of the day.
For other events in September, please see the events calendar.
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 all donations of vegetarian food are most welcome. In particular:
- porridge oats
- peanut butter
- peanuts or other nuts
- fresh fruit and vegetables (except garlic or peppers)
- dried herbs
- yoghurt and eggs
- brown rice and pasta
Any other suitable items would also be appreciated.
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.
August 2018 Newsletter
Visit from Rev. Master Haryo, the Head of the OBC
Rev. Master Haryo, who is the head of our order, will be visiting the temple over the August Bank Holiday weekend, from Friday the 24th to Monday the 27th of August. Rev. Master Haryo is usually resident at Shasta Abbey in California, but is currently visiting the UK, and will be spending several weeks visiting a number of temples both in the UK and in the Netherlands.
July 2018 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events: Festival of Achalanatha Bodhisattva
This coming Saturday, the 7th of July, we will be celebrating the Festival of Achalanatha Bodhisattva. Achalanatha, the "Immovable One", represents commitment and determination in Buddhist practice. Achalanatha is portrayed sitting in meditation amidst the flames of the passions, and is not driven away from the place of meditation by them, however much they seem to burn.
June 2018 Newsletter
The Temple is Now Fully Open
You may remember from the April newsletter that shortly before the property purchase was completed, our mortgage provider had questioned whether we were allowed to function as a Buddhist Temple with the current residential use class that the new property has. They had asked us to check this with the council, and not to use the property as a Buddhist Temple in the meantime.
We are very happy to be able to let you know that this situation has now been resolved.
May 2018 Newsletter
Setting up the New Property
There has been a lot to do to get the new property sorted out and organised after the busy week of moving in early March. There are still lots of boxes to unpack, but items are gradually being moved to the rooms that they need to end up in. Most of the things that need to go into attic storage, at least for the time being, have now been moved to the attic, freeing up space in other locations. There are still quite a few pieces of furniture in the garage, as well as other items, which are yet to be moved into place.
April 2018 Newsletter
The New Temple Property
We are pleased to be able to let you know that we have now moved to the new property in Chadderton Close, and thank you to all those who helped us make the move from Lamborne Road. The property purchase was completed on Friday the 9th of March, and on Saturday the 10th about ten people kindly came along to help at various times during the morning, with quite a few vehicles.
March 2018 Newsletter
A New Home for the Temple
We are very pleased to be able to let you know that we now have a date to move to the new property that we are purchasing, which is pictured above. The legal issue that was holding up the purchase was finally resolved in early February, and we have just heard that the completion date will be the 9th of March.
So after quite a delay we are now able to start planning for the move. The temple will be closed for a week or so whilst we move everything, and quite a few people have kindly offered help with vehicles and their time.
Continue reading →February 2018 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events:
Festival of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva
On Saturday the 3rd of February we will be celebrating the Festival of Avalokiteshwara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The name Avalokiteshwara is Sanskrit (Japanese: Kanzeon, Chinese: Kwan Yin, Tibetan: Chenrezig), and means “The one who hears the cries of the world”. To live with compassion is to hear the cries of suffering within ourselves and within all beings, and to be willing to respond, and the festival day will focus on this centrally important aspect of Buddhist practice.
January 2018 Newsletter
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.
Continue reading →Season’s Greetings
Season’s Greetings.
Wishing you all a very merry festive season and best wishes for 2018.
Thank you all for your support during this past year, which is very much appreciated.
December 2017 Newsletter
Celebrating the Festival of
The Buddha's Enlightenment
The understanding that the Buddha came to during his enlightenment is the basis for the whole of Buddhist practice, and on Saturday the 2nd of December we will be celebrating the Festival of the Buddha's Enlightenment to mark this important event in the life of the Buddha.
Continue reading →November 2017 Newsletter
Property Purchase Update
The process of buying the property in Chadderton Close has been continuing over recent weeks. Last week the survey was carried out, which went fine. There are always some minor items that are highlighted as needing attention, but overall the surveyor was very complimentary about the property, and was happy to value it at the price that we had agreed with the vendor, which is good news.
Continue reading →October 2017 Newsletter
Property Search Update
We are pleased to be able to let you know that we have had an offer accepted on a property in Chadderton Close, pictured above. It is just down the hill from where we are at the moment, and is a modern detached house with a substantial extension. It was on the market for £310,000, and the vendor has accepted an offer of £295,000.
Continue reading →September 2017 Newsletter
Visit to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey
Rev. Aiden was very pleased to be able to visit Throssel briefly in late August. He was only there overnight, but was able to get a lift there and back, so it was a good opportunity to visit Rev. Master Daishin and the community there.
There have been quite a few improvements to the buildings and grounds over the Summer, and below are some photos of these.
Continue reading →August 2017 Newsletter
Building Fund Update
We have continued to make good progress towards finding a long-term home for the temple, and in early July the Triodos Bank approved our mortgage (of up to £200,000). During June the Building Fund received donations totalling £27,937.50 (including the grant from the Inlight Trust), and at the moment we have sufficient resources (including personal loans that have been offered) to manage a purchase price of about £285,000.
Continue reading →July 2017 Newsletter
Building Fund Update
There have been a number of developments over the past month, as we continue to work towards finding a long-term home for the temple.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, we had applied for a grant from a charity called the Inlight Trust, and we recently received a cheque from them for £25,000. That was very generous of them, and really helps us towards reaching the amount we would need for a deposit on a property.
Continue reading →June 2017 Newsletter
Towards a long-term home for the temple
We have been looking for some time for a property to purchase to give the temple a long-term home, and we have now found a property that would suit us very well that is about half a mile from our present location.
We have set up a Building Fund to help raise money towards the purchase, and the temple website now has a Building Fund page, which has more details about the property, including several photos.
Continue reading →May 2017 Newsletter
Wishing you all a very happy Wesak
We will be celebrating Wesak at the temple next Saturday, the 6th of May. Everyone is cordially invited to come and celebrate the Buddha’s birth with us on this festive day, and you are very welcome to bring family and friends along to see the temple and join in as well.
Continue reading →April 2017 Newsletter
Day Retreat in Nottingham
Next Saturday, the 1st of April, we will be having a Day Retreat in Nottingham, from 10am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome to this, whether you are from Nottingham, Leicester, or anywhere else in the East Midlands or beyond.
The retreat will be held at the Tiger Boe Centre at 7 Clarendon Street, Nottingham, NG1 5HS.
Continue reading →