No Kathina Day This Year (2020)
/This is a brief announcement to confirm that, unfortunately, the monastery will not be able to host an annual Kathina Day gathering this year. This is due to the ongoing pandemic precautions and safety concerns for those who would gather on such an occasion as well as for the resident community. A small ceremony will be held with the sangha which will not be open to the public. Some have asked about whether or not we can live-stream it to watch from home, but that is not an option for us because the monastery does not have reliable or fast enough internet service to make that possible.
We apologize to all of you who normally look forward to coming to the monastery for the usual Kathina Day at this time of year. Hopefully next year we will be able to hold one again. This year, if you would like to come to the monastery from now through anytime until the end of October, to make offerings or simply to visit, you are still most welcome. (On November 1 we will reassess things again and see what is possible regarding meal offerings, etc.) If you have a special offering, are coming from afar, or otherwise wish to be received by the senior monks, please let us know by phoning or emailing that you are coming on a particular day, and we will make sure to receive you.
The Vassa officially ends this year on October 2. The last Sunday Meditation Workshop will be held from 1–3pm on September 27. We plan to keep the open air tent up for the entire month of October, and will be able to continue to receive people outside during this time for the 11am daily meal offering. If you make an appointment to come, this is where we will meet you (behind the sala, in the yard under the tent overlooking the pond below). As the weather gets colder, you will need to dress accordingly to be able to keep warm, since visitors are not able to come inside the building except for dropping off food in the entryway or using the restroom there. There is a semi-sheltered area with tables and chairs set up in the (very clean) open garage area to provide a place to eat and/or sit protected from rain or wind.
For those of you who have asked about what items the monastery currently needs, we will be posting items on the Dana List over the coming days and weeks. The current projects mentioned earlier are all underway, thanks to generous donations; you can find updates here. Thank you all for your understanding and support – and do stay healthy and well.
Ajahn Anando receives visitors at the meal