Tag Archives: CITTAVIVEKA Chithurst Buddhist Monastery

BUDDHIST MONKS IN WINCHESTER ‘ BIN THAT BAT (Monk’s Alms Collection)

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Buddhist Monks in Winchester High Street

Monks collecting alms may be a daily occurrence in Thailand, but in Winchester, it probably a first. The monks made a keenly awaited visit to Winchester at the invitation of the local Thai community.

Runge Knight makes her offering of alms.

The monks began their walk through the city, meeting small groups waiting to present them with their offering of alms for daily living , receiving the customary blessing for their acts of merit.

Giving of alms for daily living items

The prolonged Covid-19 pandemic has made it more difficult for Buddhists to attend the Cittaviveka Monastery at Chithurst between Petersfield and Midhurst to make their offerings. Visiting times and conditions are restricted and may be viewed on the monastery’s website.

King Alfred Statue, The Broadway, Winchester ,

Pra Ajan Gavelesko and fellow monks pause by the King Alfred statue in Winchester Broadway.

In the Abbey Gardens, Winchester
Pligrims themselves, the groups of monks pose beside a ‘Pilgrim’s School sign outside Wolvsey Castle, Winchester
Beside the River Itchen, Winchester

Words and pictures : www.Tony Knight photography & MEDIA

LOOK BACK : KATHINA 2017 at the CITTAVIVEKA Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, Midhurst, Sussex UK.

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Cittaviveka was the first Ajahn Chah monastery to be established outside of Thailand. Started by Ajahn Sumedho, its establishment coincided with Ajahn Chah’s visit to Britain in 1979. The property includes Chithurst House, its adjacent Dhamma Hall, and Hammer Wood with many meditation kuṭīs (huts). There is also the Rocana Vihāra for nuns and Āloka cottage for their female guests. 2424 web T CHITHURST KATHINA copy

Members of the Buddhist community from across the south of England celebrated the annual Kathina festival in October 2017.  Food was laid out on tables in the ground, as people arrived with food

Monks emerge from the Dhama Hall for the rice and meal offerings accept

Monks emerge from the Dhamma Hall for the rice and meal offerings accept

Those attending lined the outside of one wing of the cloister, around the edge of he lawn, into the other end of the cloister, and wound its way into the grounds as monks passed by collecting alms.

Monks collecting contributions of rice

Monks collecting contributions of rice

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Children play an important part, join in the rice offerings

Children play an important part, joining in the rice offerings making it a family event.

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A meeting of friends.

An important part of the day is the offering of the Kathina cloth, which is carried around the Dahmma Hall three times in procession.

The offering of the Kathina cloth

The offering of the Kathina cloth

A few minutes rest in the cloister

A few minutes rest in the cloister

The celebrations are an opportunity for friends to get together

The celebrations are an opportunity for friends to get together

Those attending, defer to the monks, who prepare to enjoy the culinary offerings

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The monks circulate around the tables choosing their favourite treats.

Monks enter the Dhama Hall

Monks on their way to the Dhamma Hall

Entering the Dhama Hall.

Entering the Dhama Hall.

After enjoying the donated fruit, cakes, sandwiches and other goodies, celebrants join the monks in the Dhamma Hall.

Celebrants gather in the Dhamma Hall to hear the monks chanting

Celebrants gather in the Dhamma Hall to hear the monks chanting

The Dhamma Hall is an inspiring conversion of a former cow shed, which has been enlarged and beautifully crafted from fine English Green Oak to provide a space for quiet contemplation and rejuvenation of mind and spirit.

The Buhdda, which is the focus of prayers and offerings

The Buhdda, which is the focus of prayers and offerings

Accepting offerings of rice

Accepting offerings of rice

The Kathina celebrations are held at Chithurst Monastery annually in October or November.

STOP PRESS : The 2018 Kathina celebrations will take place at Chithurst         Monastery on Sunday 11 November 2018.

Words and pictures : Tony Knight photography & MEDIA

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M : 44 – (0)7532 -697 – 902

comarkuk@ntlworld.com