A weekend meditation retreat

At Buddha Metta in Harston near Cambridge

led by Luang Poh Sudhiro

15 and 16 September 2012

All meditators welcome including complete beginners.

Luang Poh Sudhiro is a senior monk in the Thai Forest Tradition.  He spent many years practising in seclusion, but for the last ten years he has been active internationally, teaching especially in the UK and New Zealand

 

The sessions will run from 9.30am–5.00pm each day, and people can come to either or both days. The days will consist of sitting and walking meditation and meditation instruction especially for beginners, dhamma talks and time for questions and answers and will be largely in silence. 

 

***  Please bring food to share for lunch and a cushion or stool. ***

Chairs are available for those who need them.

The vihara is at 135 High Street, Harston, Cambridge CB22 7QD opposite the Porsche Centre. There is parking on site, or you can take bus 26.

No advance booking is necessary and there is no charge but donations towards the vihara are welcome. If you have any enquiries

phone Dick Allen on 01353 659082

or email : bodhi.d4@gmail.com

http://buddhamettauk.blogspot.co.uk/

Two More Monks

The Arrival of Two New Monks

Monks in residence Vassa 2012
 

Last month, at the end of July, two new monks arrived from Thailand: Luang Poh Sudhiro and Ajahn Surapon. The community here has warmly and joyfully welcomed them to their new home for the next few months.
 

Luang Poh, which means father in Thai, Sudhiro should be a familiar face to Cambridgites, but for those unfamiliar or forgetful, he has spent 28 years as a monk in the Thai Forest Tradition. He has battled malaria, cancer, and venomous snake bites, to mention only a few of the many obstacles he has had to face, during his illustrious and near-lethal life as a monk. What has sustained and continues to sustain him is his devotion to the Dhamma, the teachings that point a way to a deep and unshakeable inner peace. His English is excellent, and his heart is as bright and prismatic as a gem. 

Arriving a few days after Luang Poh was Ajahn Surapon. He ordained as a young boy at the age of thirteen and has been since for a total of twenty years. He grew up in Northeast Thailand and moved to Ayutthaya, an ancient capital of the Thai Kingdom, to continue his studies as a young man. After completing his studies, he moved to Bangkok and then later into a serene forest temple in a National Park where he teaches Sociology, focusing especially on Southeast Asian culture. Besides also speaking good English, he glows with joy. 

These two lovely monks, along with Than Khemacitto, will spend the rains-retreat here in Harston. Looks like Cambridge will have a nice little Sangha for the next few months.

 

Buddha Metta Schedule

Posted here will be days in which monks will be away from Buddha Metta.  It is always safest to call one of the monks beforehand to double-check.

August 4th - All the monks will leave for the Green Street Samatha anniversary.  They will return in the morning before Dana and the Pansa celebrations.

Buddha Metta Makes a Move

As of January, Buddha Metta found a new home in Harston amidst the songs of dunnocks and tits and the occasional roar of a Porsche from the dealership across the road. And in this time of new beginnings, emerging from the bitter and barren winter, is an ever-so-sweet monk called Than Khemacitto (Than B for short) from Thailand (US born).

I will be here for the next few months offering my friendship and support - and even my ear! to anyone who cares to stop in for tea or chanting or afternoon strolling. 

I will not give you my monk resume, sorry. I won't tell you how long I've spent meditating in caves and jungles, what's the longest I've fasted for, and how many days I've sat without moving, absorbed in meditation, or even if I've done any of those things. As the Buddha said, the Dhamma is Ehipassiko, or for each of us to come and see for ourselves. Same with me. 

If you do decide to come and see things for yourself, there is an open lunch from 11 to 12 and chanting and meditation from 7 to 8 every day.

I am also open to discuss the Dhamma, weather, and meditation at any time. Feel free to stop by whenever. 

Please check this page before coming, though, because I will post days that I will be away from Buddha Metta. If you want to be double sure, then ring me at 07977322753.

Wishing you a joyful day,
Than Khemacitto

CUTS - Cambridge University Thai Society

We spend an incredible day this Sunday as the guests of the CUTS - Cambridge University Thai Society.  We were joined by Ajahn Sukhacitto and Tan Suvijano from Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.  They invited their teacher and some from Thai community to join. The students  offered Dana for us in the university, and we offered our blessing in the form of chants and Dhamma talks.  Luangpoh Sudhiro gave a very well received talk in Thai while Ajahn Sukhacitto gave one in English.  Hundreds of pounds were raised for Buddha Metta as well.  This was all in the name of celebrating the King of Thailand's birthday, but all of us knew it was even more special than that.  For me personally, it was wonderful to be surrounded by so much youth who were interested in the Dhamma, living morally, and in finding inward and outward peace.  May everyone benefit from the merit we created and shared on this day.

The end of the Pansa came and went as if it was just another day; and maybe it was.  But the three months we all shared together here in Cambridge will not be forgotten in our hearts.  It was a time of deeper practice and meditation.  It was a time when a new community of people came together in the Dhamma to make offerings and find a new place of tranquility and a source of teachings for their practice.  We had many visits and blessings from senior monks as well as strangers off the street with their big hearts and smiles.  Thank you all for being a part of the retreat this year and we hope to see the same faces as well as many new ones next year.