News & Events

August 2018

Everyone enjoyed beautiful summer this year giving smile and great hope of wonderful home grown organic salads and vegetables on the dinner tables. As the month of August began weather got colder and nights become shorter. Nevertheless, centre was busy as usual extending its helping hands giving support and encouragements. Apart from busy running courses at the centre, the centre continued its activities outreaching communities locally and beyond.

The centre raised £510 to help victims of the natural disaster and dam collapse in Attapeu Province. Norman, Matthew and Lucy represented on behalf of the centre to hand over the fund to the Ambassador of PDR Lao on 11 August 2018 at Copthorn Hotel.

In the past, the centre has supported flood victims in Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Similarly, the centre also raised significant fund to support Earthquake victims in Nepal, which killed almost 10,000 people and almost a hundred thousand households. There are still thousands of people struggling to establish their houses.

On 12 August 2018: Venerable monks along with Rudee went to attend the first ever Traditional Jataka Tale telling event in London, which was organised by Nibbanaram Buddhist Group. Ajahn Sujan is an advisor and operates finance of this group. The event was organised to raise a fund to establish centre, where venerable monks will be residing to conduct Buddhist activities and meditation classes. At the event, along with other monks, Luangpor Pradit, Ajanh Yui and Ajahn Sujan also gave talks in traditional form.  Meanwhile, the centre also offered fund just almost £400 for the establishment of the centre. The event went very well and hopeful that the centre will be established soon for the benefit and welfare of many people.

On 15 August 2018:

The centre organised 2nd year Novice ordination on the day with a presence of Venerable Phra Rajwithetpanyakhun or Dr. Laow, who was the preceptor for two novices; Norman and Lucy, from the Netherlands and England respectfully. Both being a student the University of Aberdeen regularly visited the Varapunya Meditation Centre attending meditation classes and finally embark to learn further by being a novice and living a monastic life.

The ceremony was attended by number of members and rejoiced on their noble act. They stayed at the centre as novice for just over two weeks learning and practising Buddhist philosophies and practice of meditation. They also had an opportunity to go alms in the city experiencing monks’ going around collecting food from people. The centre would like to express appreciation to  all members who supported for the successful Novice Ordination project by providing food and other necessities.

Mindfulness Mondays at the Aberdeen Health Village has been very successful and number of attendants are still remain high volume. Massive thanks and appreciation goes to Liz, who has been working very hard toward the success. Meanwhile, we are happy to announce that the 2nd Learning Mindfulness Meditation at the Credo is starting on mid September 2018, which David is going to lead. This course is designed to give more insight into meditation and facilitating group practice for the better understanding its theory and benefit of meditation.

On 7 July 2018, Ajahn Sujan along with Ajahn Wichian and two members of Varapunya Meditation Centre traveled to Jersey channel Island building bridges between centre in Aberdeen and people in Jersey. It was a fruitful visit and people warmly welcomed us all and given first class hospitality during our stay.

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Varapunya Meditation Centre will be celebrating second year in its new home this year 2018. The centre has been busy with spiritual enhancements, physical developments and outreach helping communities. 

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