This month marked a significant transition during the College meeting, where Ratnadharini ritually handed on the chair-ship of the College of Public Preceptors to Mahamati in an evening ritual witnessed by the public preceptors and the Adhisthana Community. Ratnadharini writes: It was striking to witness Mahamati’s energy ignite as he responded to the call a year ago and he’s been on fire ever since. Mahamati worked closely with Bhante over the years and his many previous responsibilities, which include being an International Order Convenor, and president of the Karuna Trust and several other European Buddhist Centres, mean that he’s well connected across the Triratna world and known for his ability to respond kindly and wisely. He is an excellent man for the job and I wish him well. Sadhu to both!
Later that week we celebrated the completion of The Complete Works. This immense project has been undertaken with the skill, generosity, faith and commitment of so many people, and we spent the evening rejoicing in all of those who have contributed over the last decade. We were joined by many of the wider Complete Works team, hearing short talks, rejoicings, and a ritual which dedicated all the work done to fulfilling Bhante’s Bodhisattva Vow and lifelong mission to spread the Dharma for the benefit of many. It was a moving evening and both the handover and celebration of the completion of this project had a significant effect on the atmosphere around site.
As we always do, the Adhisthana operations team were keen to support the college however they could (which often came in the form of desserts, many contributed by the DharmaLife course guys as well). It’s a delightful, warm and friendly atmosphere when the College come together, and this month was no exception. It’s a privilege to be around such a positive gathering and feel the mutual positivity and generosity flowing between those on site.
The latter half of the month has been busy – a large Autumn Sanghas retreat looking at the White Lotus Sutra, followed by the Sadhana Convention where almost 100 Order members came together to dwell in the blue skies together. The Operations team have been practicing the Going for Refuge and Prostration Practice too, with Bodhiketu leading us into the visualisation and passing on his meditation tips over the past couple of months.
The wonderful Jyotikari has been here volunteering for a couple of weeks; an essential addition as several members of the team have been away on retreat, and we celebrated Annika’s 30th birthday with homemade vegan tiramisu and a balloon arch made by Olivia and Maitriyogini. The Autumn leaves seem to be especially beautiful this year, although the mild weather confused a few species! The shrine has therefore been ornamented with white daffodils from the new cut-flower beds and a tortoiseshell butterfly has been rehomed in an outdoor shed to hibernate over the winter. We then got snow, with the opportunity for building snowmen and snowball fights (see below for a photo of Reggie the snowman).
