This page has the temple's most recent newsletters.
Please see the full list for older issues.
March 2019 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events:
Festival of the Buddha's Renunciation
On Saturday the 9th of March we will be celebrating the Festival of the Buddha's Renunciation. Renunciation, or letting go, lies at the heart of all Buddhist practice, and the story of the Buddha’s Renunciation is a way of conveying the importance of this aspect of training. This festival day will focus on renunciation and letting go, and how we express this within our daily life.
Prince Gautama takes one last look at his wife and child before leaving the palace.
The call to let go of our attachments can be as deeply challenging as this.
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 March, please see the events calendar.
Visit to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey
A few of us from the East Midlands Sangha will be travelling up to Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey in Northumberland for the Induction Ceremonies for the new Abbot of Throssel, Rev. Master Leandra. The ceremonies will be on Wednesday the 20th and Thursday the 21st of March, and we will be staying on for a few days afterwards.
As a result, the temple will be closed from Wednesday the 20th of March to Monday the 25th of March, inclusive.
The last Induction Ceremony for a new abbot at Throssel was in 1982, when Rev. Master Daishin became the abbot. It is a major event in the life of the community, and will also have an impact on the OBC Sangha throughout the country. Below are a couple of photos which are from the Throssel Newsletter, which you can view on the Throssel website.
Rev. Master Leandra Robertshaw will be installed as the new abbot of Throssel Hole in March
Rev. Master Daishin being installed as abbot in September 1982
Update on Recent Steering Morning
On the 9th of February we had a steering morning at the temple, and the following is a brief summary of the main things that we discussed.
Finances
We have managed to cover our costs over the last couple of months, even though heating costs are higher during these winter months, and visitor numbers are usually a bit lower as well. Also, the temple was closed for a few days in December, and for about a third of January, so there were fewer events during these months than usual. The graph below shows our net core incomings (which is incomings minus outgoings) plus chaplaincy income for each month.
Net Cash Incomings on "Core Activities + Chaplaincy Income" up to the end of January 2019
There is much more information, and many more graphs, on the finances page of the temple website.
Property Alterations
We now have some accurate floorplans of the temple building, and we looked at these and discussed possible alterations to the property that would help improve the layout of the temple. In particular, we would like to change things so that people don't have to go through the Meditation Hall in order to get to other areas, such as the kitchen and the stairs to the first floor.
The next Steering Morning will be on Saturday the 9th of April. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or comments about any of this, or anything else related to the temple.
A new home for the Ancient Buddha statue
The stone statue that was in the Meditation Hall now has its own shrine in the Common Room. At some point it would be nice to have a higher altar shelf, mounted on the wall, but for now the glass-topped semi-circular table gives the statue a more prominent position than it has been in recently.
The new shrine in the Common Room
Spring Bulbs
Last October we planted a lot of Spring bulbs in the garden, and it is nice to see them starting to appear. We have quite a few crocuses flowering in the lawn, and the daffodils and tulips are beginning to appear in the borders.
Crocuses in the lawn
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.
February 2019 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events:
Festival of Avalokiteshwara Bodhisattva
On Saturday the 2nd 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 2019 Newsletter
Events on New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve we will be holding 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.
Continue reading →Season’s Greetings
Season’s Greetings.
Wishing you all a very merry festive season and best wishes for 2019.
Thank you all for your support during this past year, which is very much appreciated.
December 2018 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 1st of December we will be celebrating the Festival of the Buddha's Enlightenment to mark this important event in the life of the Buddha.
November 2018 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events: Festival of Founders Day
On Saturday the 3rd of November we will be celebrating the Festival of Founders Day. This festival is an opportunity to offer our gratitude for the life and practice of all those who have practised Buddhism, from the far distant past to the present day. In particular we celebrate those in our own lineage who have passed on the teaching from generation to generation for over 2500 years, and are the founders of this temple.
October 2018 Newsletter
Forthcoming Events: Festival of Vimalakirti Bodhisattva
This coming Saturday, the 6th of October, we will be celebrating the Festival of Vimalakirti Bodhisattva. Vimalakirti, whose name means "spotless reputation", is the main figure of the Vimalakirti Sutra. He is portrayed as the ideal Buddhist lay practitioner, and is said to have lived at the time of the Buddha. In the scripture he has encounters with each of the Buddha's most senior disciples, and debates with Manjusri Bodhisattva, all of which demonstrate his great wisdom.
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.
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 →