Trust all is well!
For Calendar and assistant opportunities see below .
TREASURER'S REPORT
Treasurer’s Report
Richard Benjamin
Dear Supporters
Air Source:
Apart from the usual costs of running the centre, we were able to raise enough money to install an Air Source system which should save half the cost of heating the property and water. It was not just a case of installing the machinery, but of changing a lot of the radiators to make the low temperature of the water efficient. The total cost was £40,000 circa. The 36 PV Cells will now put their energy into the air source and when not used will go back into the grid. All this was also done for ecological reasons.
This, as far as we can tell, is the last great expense on the development of this property.
However, there are what Bhante calls 'beautifications'. A centre has not only to be functional, but also needs to create a surround of beauty conducive to the practice.
Bell Tower
Bhante brought back a bell from his pilgrimage to Japan.
Scott Jones Steel Fabrications Ltd. will make the tower.
Initial quote: 1985.00 plus VAT will probably rise since they will install it. Added to this will be a paved surround. All in all about £3,000
Reliquary on Stupa to be gilded at a cost of £750.
Statue for Island to be sculpted in bronze. This will be pricey at £15,000, but it’s Bhante’s special project. It will the Meteyya Buddha, the future Buddha of love or if you prefer, the Buddha offering those who enter the property his metta. It will be androgynous and have features that belong to the three main types of people of humankind: East Asian, African and European
There are also these additions:
Jetty on the pond. It can serve for members to pour ashes of beloved ones. As yet this has to be investigated, but a simple floating jetty might serve the purpose. Cost yet to be ascertained.
Car Park is to be partly tarmacked at the entrance from the road to the island. But the rest to be re-stoned to maintain a rustic look. The cost will be around £6,000.
Bhante has written a letter to all which describes the situation at Satipanya and his future role. The Trust agrees with him and supports the intention to establish a Vihara (centre) in Shrewsbury.
Many thanks to all who donate at the retreats and all those who donate in support of the centre. The finances will be made public on the Charity Commission website in the none too distant future and we shall tell you when it is up there.
Bhante’s Letter
I have been reflecting - which is never a bad thing!
At the Inaugural Teachers Meeting in early January, the whole question of my future and the future development of Satipanya was discussed. This is something the Trust did visit when I turned 65 but, now at 72, we need to take matters a little more seriously and forge some sort of future plan.
I filled out a form for the Heart Foundation and it seems my heart is 95 years old! But I can 'expect' heart-wise to live till 82. Big sigh of relief.
The problem of any new enterprise is Founder's Syndrome. It virtually always happens that once the establishment is up and running and then develops into a nowty teenager and wants to 'mature' in different ways, that the founder becomes a hindrance. At worse they cannot see that change is needed.
However, a start-up needs the founder. So it is a bit of a juggling act as to when they must sit back and let go. Too early, the project collapses. Too late the project is undermined.
I had the opportunity to talk about this with Jim, our Chair, when he was here as assistant late January. And one significant thing he pointed out was that if the place was truly to find its feet without me, I need to remove myself far enough away so as not to be breathing down Satipanya's neck.
It was then an old desire arose in me. My initial inspiration way back when I returned from Sri Lanka in 1998 was to start a meditation centre in a conurbation. So it seems to me the next move ought to be to move into a city, and the obvious one is Shrewsbury.
There is already a small amount of people there involved in Satipanya. Such a move allows me to be far enough away and near enough.
This would also be a valuable asset as a feed for Satipanya for I have no intention of running courses there, save an evening class or two. I hope to live reclusively. And I would continue to teach at Satipanya.
Once I have taken up my heavenly abode, it could continue as a City Centre or could be rented out as a source of financial support.
I would hope that within five years, we shall be able to afford to buy or to make a down payment and raise a mortgage.
Many thanks for any financial support you can give to this project.
So please, consider a donation if you have not given one before. And if you are already giving, a small addition would be gratefully received.
You can download the form from the Donation page and email it. No need to sign.)
However, if you prefer to offer by way of Internet Banking the details are below.
Many thanks.
Treasurer on behalf of the Trustees.
Account Number: 91 49 81 34
Sort Code: 40 34 31
Bank Address: HSBC, 42 Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 2EB, UK
International Bank Account Number: GB32HBUK40343191498134
Branch Identifier Code: HBUKGB4166W
Karuna Book: Every morning at puja we call the names of those who are sick or dying, or are having a hard time.
Mudita Book: Every evening at puja we call the names of those who have something to rejoice.
Click for Bhante's Away Courses
The Calendar for 2019
Assistants Needed
See below Assistant need or: http://www.satipanya.org.uk/calendar/
As assistant you have the opportunity to serve others. It can be a way of expressing gratitude for the gift of Dhamma.
Although the morning is mainly taken up with breakfast preparation and cooking, the rest of day is for practice.
You can see the menus here.
As an assistant, we do not expect payment of the deposit or a donation because you have kindly offered your time.
However, your commitment is essential, for the course would be very difficult to run without an assistant and may indeed have to be cancelled.
If you are interested, follow this link: Course Assistant
For info. about Retreats and teachers see website www.satipanya.org.uk
See drop down menus: especially About Us, Teachings and Retreats
Would you like to come and assist on a course?
Scroll down to see where we need you.
Teachers: Click on names for bio.
Easter Mahasi Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Vipassana means “Seeing clearly”.
When we see the world as it really is, we will be free from the distress that comes from identifying with a limited view of who and what we are.
During the retreat, we relax from all our usual busyness to give our full attention to present experience.
We learn to see the world more clearly, and to disentangle the knots of confusion that bind us to emotional turmoil.
At precious moments, the heart opens and we sense what it means to be free.
Assistants:
Sat 06 - Sun 14 Robert Narayan-Taylor
15 -27 April Catherine O'Loughlin
Start dates: Sat. 06, Sun 14 and Sat 20 April
Finishes Sat. am 27 April
The usual schedule and format – see website,
easily modified for beginners.
Buddha Day
Honouring Our Exemplar and Teacher
Taking Refuges and Precepts Ceremony
On Saturday 04 May : Start 10.30
Local Assistant: Needed
Morning Meditation
Please bring veggie food to share for
communal lunch at noon.
Ceremony starts 13.30
Afternoon Talk : Taking Refuges and Precepts : Procession
Tea and Biscuits 16.00
.
Vipassana : Metta : Bodycare
Bhante Bodhidhamma
with Bryan Lester, Reiki Master
Assistant: Ruth Wogan
Come Friday evening if you want to join in Buddha Day Celebration
Sat 04 – Weds 08 May
Towards a Right Lifestyle
The first weekend is devoted to Mahasi vipassana and metta /Loving-Kindness
and exercises that heal and/or invigorate the body.
After that, one can choose what to practise.
Discussion on how to develop the spiritual life.
Mahasi Weekend Retreat
Jenny Birkett
Local Assistant Needed
Fri. 17 – Sun. 19 May
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Especially for beginners.
Weeklong Mahasi Retreat
Guus Went
Sat 25 May – Sun. 02 Jun.
Assistant Mark Blaxland
Sayadaw U Pandita's definition of Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the observing power of the mind, which clearly and simply experiences an object, without reacting to it.
We start actively to develop this power with the body as primary object. That makes it possible not to get fully entangled in the hindrances and to come to know something about them. Sitting meditation, walking meditation and daily activities are fully equal in importance. Gradually we come to know other objects of meditation, both internally and externally.
Practical thing: It is useful to take a small notebook and a pen, to make notes of observations after a session or during the day. This will be helpful to make the interview sessions useful and relaxed.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Weeklong Mahasi Retreat
Carl Fooks
Assistant Needed
Sat 15 Jun – Sun 23 June
The Mahasi system can feel challenging, and its emphasis on moment-to-moment mindfulness can prove to feel particularly difficult. Carl teaches a gentle approach to the practice encouraging a skilful and effective orientation that helps practitioners to commit themselves fully to the practice and the schedule, and thereby get the most out of the course.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Summer Mahasi Retreat
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Assistant Needed
Eleven week roll-on, roll-off Retreat.
Minimum stay eight nights.
Start dates: Saturdays:-
29 June & 13 & 27 July; 10 & 24 Aug. 07 Sept.
Finishing Sun. 15 Sept
Celebration Sat 14. See below
N.B. Start restricted to listed Saturdays.
Alternate Sun. possible for Mahasi devotees.
A challenging Retreat easily modified for beginners.
See Beginner’s Testimonials on website.
You are encouraged to stay for more than one week.
Assistants : May be Needed
29 June – 13 July :
13 July – 27 July : Assistant : Iain MacLeod
27 July – 10 August : Assistant :Iain MacLeod
10 – 24 August: Assistant :
Ben Preston
24 August – 31 August: Assistant : Jim Tibby
31 August – 14 September: Assistant : Dea Paradisos
Sangha Day : Twelth Anniversary
Saturday 14 September
Assistant Needed
Please bring veggie food to share for
communal lunch at noon.
Ceremony starts 13.30
Talk: To be announced.
Weekend Mahasi Retreat
Carl Fooks
Fri 20. – Sun. 22 September
Assistant Needed
The Mahasi system can feel challenging, and its emphasis on moment-to-moment mindfulness can prove to feel particularly difficult. Carl teaches a gentle approach to the practice encouraging a skilful and effective orientation that helps practitioners to commit themselves fully to the practice and the schedule, and thereby get the most out of the course.
The usual schedule and format – see website.
Day Retreat
Jenny Birkett
Saturday 26 October
Local Assistant Needed
Kick Start/Top
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
Mahasi Monthlong Retreat
Noirin Sheahan
Start dates Sat 2, Sun 10, Sat 16 Nov.
Sun 24th possible for Mahasi devotees
Ends Sat am 30 Nov.
Assistants: Needed
Vipassana means “Seeing clearly”.
When we see the world as it really is, we will be free from the distress that comes from identifying with a limited view of who and what we are.
During the retreat, we relax from all our usual busyness to give our full attention to present experience.
We learn to see the world more clearly, and to disentangle the knots of confusion that bind us to emotional turmoil.
At precious moments, the heart opens and we may sense what it means to be free.
Assistant Nov.Sat.02 - Sat. 16 : Needed
Assistant Nov.Sat.16 - Sat. 30 : Needed
The usual schedule and format, easily modified for beginners.
Day Retreat
Saturday 04 Jan 2020
Bhante Bodhidhamma
Local Assistant Needed
Kick Start/Top
Arrive 09.30. Finish 17.00
Please bring veggie food to share.
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by filling in the form in MAILING LIST at the bottom of the front page of the website.
Many thanks.
Finally, please forward this email if you know someone who may be interested. Thanks.
Onward
Bodhidhamma
SATIPANYA BUDDHIST TRUST
www.satipanya.org.uk
Directors - Jim Tibby Richard Benjamin Maureen Tibby Mike Regan
Limited Company Number 05924965 Registered Charity Number 1116668
Satipanya, White Grit, Minsterley, Shropshire SY5 0JN
T: 0044 (0)1588 650752
info: info@satipanya.org.uk
