SCANvis
Monastics visits - This group look at the organisation of monastic visits in the UK, and liaison with Plum Village.
With reference to comments and perceptions in my old sangha (in Edinburgh) there is a sense of the importance of monastic contact and teh hope that a permanent presence would be welcome. Re Peace Cottage, the general feeling is that it is too inaccessable from Scotland.
I mentioned in my response to SCANcot, the suggestion of a monastic presence at the cottage, on a rota basis. This ought to encourage greater use of the cottage although, obviously, there would be an accommodation issue.
The Sangha Fayre at Nottingham was a positive contribution although not all sanghas were adequately represented. Perhaps encouragement here, or a “national” leaflet template for those sanghas with less facilities?
Yes, more opportunities for people to receive the Trainings – but first, awareness of what it all means needs to be more widespread.
Paul Rees, 15th March 2011
Posted on: 15th March 2011
I imagine that all members would appreciate more contact with monastics. Members could be encouraged to go to Plum Village via organised trips/bursaries. A national bursary fund with money ring fenced for PV would encourage members to go to deepen their practise and thereby benefit the whole of the UK sangha. My sense is that more members would attend PV if organised trips were available.
The Nottingham retreats were wonderful ways to offer Thay’s teaching to many people. They required an amazing amount of time and energy from dedicated people, many of whom I suspect, were left feeling exhausted.
In theory, each retreat should become a little easier as experience refines the process. However, unless we have sufficient human resources, these events could become counter productive. I sincerely hope that this is not the case but perhaps it should be borne in mind.
Posted on: 21st January 2011
I understand that lack of funds is the main barrier to inviting monastics to Sanghas/Retreat.
There is an opportunity to receive the Five Mindfulness trainings at Woodbrooke, Birmingham each year for those who participate in the 5 day Retreat ‘Mindfully Together’.
Ellen Pryor
Posted on: 17th January 2011
Our first post re monastic visits, please send more!
It would be wonderful to have more connection with monastics in the UK through visits and hopefully long stays, or even a permanent presence, at the Being Peace Cottage.
It would also be helpful for there to be more opportunities for people to receive the Five Mindfulness Trainings in the UK.
Joy Magezis
Posted on: 3rd January 2011
Below are a few questions to help begin the exploration of what Sangha members would like to see happen:
- Would your Sangha appreciate greater connection with monastics – perhaps through a monastic visit?
- What value does your Sangha put on a permanent presence in the UK?
- What are your thoughts about the being Peace Centre being used for short and long term monastic stay?
- Would you appreciate the UK Community of Interbeing be more proactive in organising lay member trips to Plum Village in France?
- What were the strengths and weaknesses of Thay’s London visit and retreat in Nottingham this year and in 2008?
- Does your Sangha feel that the space fro connecting with other UK Sangha groups worked at the Nottingham retreat? Is there anything that can be improved in the future?
- Would your Sangha like to see more opportunities available in the UK to receive the Five and Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings?
Posted on: 7th November 2010
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