Recent events
Our Summer Party in mid-August was a very enjoyable occasion, attended by several Sangha members, some of whom were accompanied by their partners, as well as three well-behaved dogs. A particular pleasure this year was having Rev. Alicia join us for the event. It is always lovely to have this annual opportunity to socialise with people informally, away from the Priory. The party was held in its traditional venue in Erpingham in North Norfolk, with its ideal setting of a large garden (much needed when the dogs first met each other), orchard and pond. The warm sunny weather enabled us to take advantage of the glorious outdoor location and enjoy some good conversation over the buffet lunch. I’m very grateful to everyone who helped the event run smoothly, especially our hosts and those people who offered lifts to and from the venue.
Rev. Alicia, from Sitting Buddha Hermitage in Cromford, Derbyshire, made a short visit to the Priory, which coincided with the Summer Party. Rev. Alicia is a trustee of the Norwich Priory’s charity and it was good for her to be able to see the changes to the Priory since her visit last year (especially the newly-installed boiler and the absence of the dangerous trees in the gardens). We also went for a walk in the nature reserve that has recently opened nearby. It was a pleasure to have Rev. Alicia around and she was able to enjoy the good weather, sitting in our garden, under the new gazebo.
Rev. Alina was another monastic visitor, who travelled down from Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey to stay for a few days in early September. It was lovely to welcome her back to the Priory and she certainly saw plenty of differences since she was last here, three years ago. Rev. Alina kindly offered some teaching while she was with us, joining in a discussion at a Dharma Evening and giving a talk at an Evening Meeting.
In early September, we held a memorial for Sonny Mann, who had died a month earlier. Sonny was an occasional visitor to the Priory in its early days, before ill health and frailty prevented him making the journey from his home in North Norfolk. Several Sangha members gathered for the ceremony and shared memories of him over coffee afterwards. In 2004, Sonny had an article published in the OBC Journal and this was read out, bringing Sonny’s distinctive voice to the occasion. The photo below shows the altar set up for the memorial.
Forthcoming events
We shall be celebrating our 11th anniversary on Sunday 3rd November. The morning’s event will begin at 9.45am with a meditation period, which will be followed by a ceremony to express our gratitude for the life and teaching of our founder, Rev. Master Jiyu. Then there will be a Dharma talk and discussion over coffee and biscuits. Please contact the Priory if you would like to come along.
There will be a sesshin from 27th November to 1st December (inclusive). This intensive meditation retreat will include nine meditation periods each day, together with Dharma talks and working meditation. The sesshin will be limited to eight trainees attending in person, with priority given to those who can be present for the whole retreat. However, do contact the Priory if you are interested in joining for any length of time and we’ll see if we can make it work. The meditation periods will be shared online.
Thanks
Thank you very much to everyone who enabled me to take some time away from the Priory for retreat and renewal in September. I am grateful to those who offered me the place to stay and who kept the Priory’s events happening in my absence.
My ongoing gratitude also goes to everyone who helps with keeping the house and gardens tidy and well-maintained, as well as those people who offer help with various office and computer tasks.
With best wishes and in gassho,
Reverend Leoma