An outline of the big event in May
With May fast approaching, the time has come to share with our extended community the schedule for the upcoming big event in May, namely, the combined celebrations for Visakha Puja and Luang Por Sumedho’s 90th birthday.
Some context
Our teacher, and the founder of this monastery, Luang Por Sumedho, was born in 1934 and will turn 90 this year. We felt that to mark this venerable age, and decades of being of benefit to the world, we should organise something special, and bring in many monks from around the world to participate in a large celebration.
However, his birthday is on 27th July, which falls during the vassa (rains retreat), when bhikkhus are restrained from travelling. Thus, the idea emerged that we could combine our usual Vesak festival with an early celebration of Luang Por’s birthday.
A large gathering
Many senior monks from Thailand, and elsewhere, have accepted our invitation to attend this gathering. Altogether, over 120 monastics are expected to be present for this occasion.
In particular, we are fortunate that Luang Por Liem, the successor to Ajahn Chah as abbot of Wat Pah Pong (the main monastery in our lineage), will be the most senior bhikkhu in attendance. Many other direct disciples of Ajahn Chah will be present, making this gathering a very auspicious occasion. All are warmly invited to join part or all of the proceedings, which will unfold over three days.
Timetable
Please note that all the times given below might change as necessary. As the current abbot, Ajahn Amaro, often reminds us: “Adaptability is the key to happiness.” All events take place in the Temple, and times given are BST.
| Friday 17 May (evening only) | |
| – 19:30 | Opening gathering Two short Dhamma Talks |
| – 21:30 | End |
| Saturday 18 May (a day of Dhamma Talks) | |
| – 11:15 | Three Refuges and Five Precepts Short reflection Anumodana chanting |
| – 14:00 – 15:00 – 15:30 | Dhamma Talks (two, 30 min each) Break Dhamma Talks (two, 30 min each) |
| – 19:30 | Evening puja Two Dhamma Talks |
| Sunday 19 May (festival day) | |
| – 10:00 – 10:45 | Three Refuges and Five Precepts Short reflection Anumodana chanting Rice pindapat (alms-round) |
| – 14:00 | Paritta chanting Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Sumedho Asking for Forgiveness from Luang Por Sumedho Offerings to Luang Por Sumedho |
Practical information
For those who are unable to attend in person, most talks and formal events will be live streamed on our YouTube channel.
Since this event will bring in many highly esteemed monks from all over the world, we expect the lay attendance to be high as well. Please be aware that Amaravati will be very active at that time, probably like a Kathina festival day.
Those wishing to attend this event might want to know about HertsLynx, a new bus service in the area that offers cheap, on-demand drives to and from the monastery. If you are travelling with your own car, we ask that you please be considerate of our neighbours by driving slowly and responsibly.
May all beings be at ease,
The resident community at Amaravati