Early this morning, I was in the kitchen here at Telford Priory, and saw a couple of counters were awash with water! Briskly I mopped up, checked the cupboards below and mopped them up too. While down low, I removed the pots and pans in the cupboard and gave the shelves a thorough clean. With a bowl of hot water and still on the floor, the cupboard doors got a clean, and the floor and….well, I could have gone on forever. Cleaning, like just about everything else, can become obsessive.  After all, there is always something somewhere that needs cleaning! However, the priory cleaning has to ..read more

This ceremony, was held at Telford Buddhist Priory in early October 2023, with the sun shining brightly for the occasion. About 80 people attended, many travelling from a distance. The event was ‘filmed’ by Rev. Master Aiden Hall Prior of the Turning Wheel Buddhist Temple in Leicester, and expertly edited by Rev. Master Roland Watson, resident at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. Bows of gratitude for your work. Rev. Aiden wrote about the event in their November 2023 Newsletter.  As the anniversary of Rev. Masters death approaches, he died March 3rd, there may well be updates here. And am so sorr ..read more

On Sunday 5th November we celebrated the Festival of the Founder. Rev. Master Jiyu, first founder of Telford Buddhist Priory, was honoured during the ceremony. There were many bows, much incense and offerings generally, including our singing of scriptures and invocations. Afterwards there was a talk, a ‘show and tell’, with stories about a number of items I have of Rev. Masters, accumulated over the years I spent with her at Shasta Abbey in the 1980s and 90s. Many thanks to James for filming and to Rev. Roland for uploading the file to YouTube ..read more

I reference a country hotel called Lovelady Shield Hotel where the little group of walkers I was with would have tea. As it turned out we had tea at The Nook Cafe, close to several long distant paths, one being Isaac’s Tea Trail. Many thanks to the group and for being treated to the much appreciated tea, cheese scone and butter ..read more

“In case of calamities do not forget to breath.” An inspiring thought by a sangha member, in The Netherlands. The tile made for them now graces their ‘works’ loo. A timely reminder for all of us to take time out in that private sanctity, of calming and privacy. The lavatory ..read more

If you have a moment – Listen Appreciate Touch/Feels Know……. And if you have a moment some-time-now do listen, and appreciate todays BBC Radio 4 program Something Understood. This mornings beautiful rich Living in the Moment with Rabbi Dr. Harvey Belovski is good for the ‘soul’. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0001h0x?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile ..read more

This presentation was given on July 1st at the Leeds Sangha Day. There was an offering ceremony just before this talk, when those present passed around food and other items in a circle. The celebrant blessed each offering when it returned to the altar.  Later the items were parcelled up and given to the monks who were there. For me, that ceremony is an example of circulating spiritual merit. Such merit is ‘generated’, best one can say, through action. I go into this during the presentation, however there is much more to say on the subject.  Remembering Glenda who wrote an email months ag ..read more

In 2020, Turner said that despite having serious health problems, the last 10 years of her life had embodied her ideal vision of happiness. ”I found happiness because I desire nothing. It’s a happiness I never knew existed. In the past, happiness was, ‘Oh I bought a dress!’ ‘Oh have this car!’ It was all material things. Now I get up in the morning and meditate. Inside, a feeling of wellness where you’re sitting there, just where you want to be. There’s nothing you want. People think when you’re on stage, that they are your glory days. The lights, the clothes… They were not my glory days. The ..read more

It has been over forty-nine days since Rev. Saidō’s passing, and this is a significant juncture spiritually, marking the end of the period after death known as the Bardo, which is said to be an interim state when the connection of the newly-dead with this ‘world’ fades and their ‘going on’ is more in focus. It is now time for us to let go, and our ‘going on’ to come into focus too. The flames of the Toro (the fire) represent and are the blazing up in the immaculacy of emptiness, a profound ‘letting go’. Go on your way, dear Rev. Saidō, we love you. It is time to allow the flames to wave you o ..read more

Waiting for the wave. One member of the Telford Priory congregation was in Spain on the 18th March and not able to attend the funeral/reception for Rev. Saidō. This is what she did, aided by her husband, to remember him… The clearing, sorting, recycling and dealing with Rev. Saidō’s business as his executor continues. I anticipate this process taking months rather than weeks. So I remain here at the Telford Priory for the time being. The Priory continues on with three zoomed meetings and in person, Wednesday and Friday at 8.00 and Sunday mornings at 10.00 am. It is no longer necessary to book ..read more