Vacancies

RIDE IN THE LIMO

" Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." - Oprah Winfrey

It was just like that.Edita was suddenly taken ill, sent to hospital and we had two 6 day retreats booked in close proximity. So the limo had broken down and we had to take the bus.We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to our neighbours, Craig, Charlie, Sue and Nigel who cooked food offerings for the retreat, our Chair of Trustees – John |who created one of his amazing Curries and was also very supportive in giving us helpful tips and menu suggestions. By this time our Helping Hands had settled into a comfortable team approach with an identified Cook, on a day system, complemented with tried and tested menus. We started to relax and enjoy this bumpy bus journey, our Lam Rim community was blossoming and the participants of the retreat expressed their appreciation.Edita returned with the limo, and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you so much for taking the bus with me - Margaret

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." - Emerson

OUR NEW REFERENCE LIBRARY

Michael Miko (who passed away in the Summer of 2006) was a one- time resident of Lam Rim Buddhist Centre, student of Geshe-la and Founder member of both Bristol Centre and Lam Rim( Wilts and Glos) Buddhists passed away in the summer of 2006. Donations in appreciation of his life were sent to Gya Khangtsen in Drepung Loseling Monastery for the establishment of a Debate Courtyard for the monks to use during their studies. This was articularly apt because Michael often enjoyed a good debate about interpretation of texts or different Buddhist philosophical schools of thought. Michael left his extensive library of Buddhist texts to Lam Rim Buddhist Centre. After some careful thought it was decided to establish a Reference Library for his books and many thanks go to Mike Austin for cataloguing the books and transporting them here, and to John Allman for the care he put into make additional shelving, staining and varnishing them and making the alcove look good.If anyone wishes to reserve a book from Lam Rim Buddhist Centre Reference Library, then a written request will be required and the loan is for 4 weeks.

OUR 30th ANNIVERSARY GARDEN PARTY

On the 31st July 1978 we moved into Pentwyn Manor and Lam Rim Buddhist Centre was established. Ven Geshe Damcho-la chose the name as it referred to the Text that he would be giving Teachings from.On the 31st July 2008 it was our 30th Anniversary, however since the actual day was a Thursday, we celebrated our 30th on the following week-end. We had stalls, an Art Exhibition, with paintings by Colin, Beth, Kay and Jacqui ; a shortened Summer Pantomime and live music, together with tea and cakes. All the activities were the creative offerings by members of Lam Rim Buddhist Centre and it was a very moving experience hearing them rehearsing, discussing, preparing for the Big Event - these talented young people are the next generation of Lam Rimmers – our young Lam Rim community entertaining the old Lam Rim vanguard, together with new friends and neighbours along with the children and grandchildren from our village and surrounding areas.The Summer Pantomime – A Shortened “Quest for the Red Herring” was a huge success with Simon, Nik, Beth and Tom . Even Barney, Gaenor’s Boxer dog actively participated by growling in the appropriate places. I think everyone will remember the lines. “I’ve lost the plot” “It’s in the bag” “Oh no it isn’t” “Oh yes it is ” was the excited response.Everyone looked so happy and relaxed – for many people it had been a long since they had experienced a live performance from actors and musicians. To be sitting together in such a beautiful garden – even the flowers displayed their best blooming faces for such a special occasion.After the pantomime visit www.theatrespace.co.uk we enjoyed the singers/ musicians- Caroline, Paul, Nik, Beth and Jo singing some of Geshe-la’s favourite songs, especially Be Happy Don’t Worry. It was so kind of Caroline to dedicate their offerings to Lam Rim Buddhist Centre and all the help that people have received and in many instances lives have changed course into a more positive way of living. Geshe-la would like to thank all the performers for all the time they devoted to rehearsing, also Ruth and David, Eric, Dan, Jed, Peter, John,Jan, Wendy and Caroline for all the preparation work they carried out; and our friends and neighbours for being so supportive. Many thanks to Wendy for being such a perfect tea lady and all Edita’s students who made such amazing cakes. Finally, Edita who worked tirelessly to ensure that everything is in its place and at its best for this celebration.It was clearly a great success! Neighbours still stop me in the village and say – “oh we did enjoy your Garden Party – it was great fun.” Happy Anniversary.

SERVICE TO OTHERS

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." - Mohamed Ali

A transition time is happening at Lam Rim – thanks to your response to our Helping Hands Register we are now experiencing a regular 5 day team that come one day a week to help share the workload with Edita and me. We have also enjoyed Work Party Intensives, where a group of people have come and stayed, brought their own bedding and food – (so that Edita and I have no extra work), and then have targeted particular projects that we would like them to concentrate on.We have also enjoyed Helping Hands coming for the day, again to concentrate on a particular task. It really does lighten our load and is a great help, It also brings a whoosh of new energy through the door, which is most welcome.We have now started to replenish the Prayer Path with Wood Chippings, so if you have some free time and would like to enjoy some exhilarating exercise then please make contact.

OUR NEW POLYTUNNEL

Many of you may recall the demise of our old second-hand polytunnel – after the snows of 2006 it collapsed into a shape that was contorted and appeared as if it had suffered a body blow from above, which it had – so last year we were without. No home-grown organic veggies and tomatoes. They were sorely missed.This Spring we were determined to erect a new polytunnel – Paul and Gaenor carried out the research and we chose a 14ft wide and 32ft long polytunnel from Five Star Polytunnels. At the end of April the materials were delivered and Paul from Cardiff, Alan and Eric braved the wind and rain to erect this Earth Cathedral (Central inside height is 7 ft 9 ins) After a few weeks Edita moved in with her green fingers and the growing commenced.With all the wet weather we have experienced over the last 3 months, the polytuinnel has provided ideal conditions to work in. It is warm, dry and the interior now resembles one of Henri Rousseau’s canvases with exotic foliages. We have green, red and golden tomatoes, green peppers, aubergines, butternuts, melons, cucumbers, courgettes, lettuce, rocket together with herbs of dill, basil, parsley and coriander. There are also trays of seedlings waiting to be planted out in the garden.Some of the science supplied by Five Star Polytunnels is very interesting.:- Air- Carbon Dioxide(CO2) is a tiny part of the air we breathe, yet it is vital for the energy process. It is beneficial; to ensure both end doors of the polytunnel are open to make sure there is adequate ventilation.Light- Polythene covering usually allows about 90% of light through, and far less if the film is cloudy and old. This cloudiness can be an advantage in the summer if high-density light affects young fragile plants. Netting can be used for shade inside.Nutrients-The plants take up nutrients when they are in a solution. Fertilisers applied to a dry soil have no effect until rainwater or irrigation system water washes the fertiliser down to the roots. It is possible to control the nutrient supply more easily for plants grown in a polytunnel. This means that plants are freer from pest and disease, and are more likely to be healthier.Warmth-The polytunnel makes use of the greenhouse effect to trap heat energy. Radiation from the sun is trapped by the polythene covering and absorbed by the inside materials, pots, tools, structures etc. As the night falls and the outdoor temperature drops, so the inside materials release the trapped energy as radiation or heat. This helps to reduce frost damage.Extension of the growing season is aided by the polytunnel being a protection from cool winds and trapping daytime warmth. The soil and air will be enough inside to support growth when it has stopped outside.Water-The only water to be in a polytunnel apart from condensation is by irrigation. Water can be supplied at ground level and is very effective by using the leaky hose method. For absolute control of the moisture supplied to the plants an irrigation system may be used.Our thanks to Five Star PolytunnelsPolytunnels can be purchased from all different sizes, log on to Polytunnels. They are well worth it.