Aruna Ratanagiri
Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery
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Aruna Ratanagiri, (Harnham Buddhist Monastery) a Theravadin Buddhist monastery of the Thai Forest Tradition in Northumberland, England. The community consists of monks, novices and postulants from a wide range of nationalities, usually numbering around 8 Sangha members and an adjacent lay retreat facility known as Kusala House.
History
The monastery was founded in response to increasing interest, particularly in Northeast England, in the Thai forest tradition. When, in 1980, a group of local yoga students tried to find a suitable cottage which they could offer as a retreat facility to the Sangha, farmer John Wake of Harnham Hall responded, and they agreed to rent one of his farm cottages. In 1981 Ajahn Sucitto became the first bhikkhu to take up residence, and began initial renovations; on the June 21, 1981 the monastery was officially opened by Ajahn Sumedho; and in that same year the Magga Bhavaka Trust was formed (now it has a new trust: Harnham Buddhist Monastery Trust).
Vision
The primary focus for the Aruna Ratanagiri monastery is to provide and maintain a sanctuary suitable for the training and ongoing practice of Theravadin bhikkhus, in keeping with the Pali vinaya and forest tradition of Northeast Thailand.
Today, through freely distributed books and Dhamma talks, regular discussion groups and Sunday evening talks, and also in the context of more than 5 times yearly meditation retreats, Harnham offers spiritual support for practitioners far and wide. Monks from Harnham regularly visit meditation groups in the North East of England and Scotland, in addition to a lot of non-Buddhist groups and individual visitors, including school and university groups, are coming to the monastery to learn about Buddhism.
Abbots
· Ajahn Sucitto (1981 – 1981)
· Ajahn Viradhammo (1981 – 1983)
· Ajahn Anando (1983 – 1984)
· Ajahn Thiradhammo (1984 – 1987)
· Ajahn Pabhakaro (1987 – 1990)
· Ajahn Munindo (1991 – present)
See also
External links
- Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery
- Books by Ajahn Munindo (PDF, HTML)
- Talks by Ajahn Munindo (MP3)
- Portal page for the branch monasteries of Ajahn Chah
- Forest Sangha Website
- Dhamma Talk Audio Files
- Distribution of Dhamma Talk CDs
