Dear friends,

Bhante’s body is now at Adhisthana. He arrived yesterday afternoon (Thursday) and around 60 Order members, Mitras and friends from the Adhisthana mandala (the community, people here on meetings etc and local sangha) gathered to welcome him back. It was a beautiful afternoon with stunning light shining over Adhisthana and the hills beyond. The hearse arrived as the light was fading and we lined the drive as the car drove slowly up to the courtyard. In the courtyard Bhante was received by Saddhanandi, the chair of Adhisthana and the four dharmacharis who were to carry his body to the Amitabha shrine room: Paramartha; Sanghadasa; Sthanashraddha and Yashodeva. We proceeded in silence behind them and, as they carried Bhante into the Amitabha shrine room to prepare and dress his body, the rest of us went to the main shrine room to chant and meditate. There was a still and peaceful atmosphere.

The funeral director has advised that this weekend is important for the condition of the body being maintained until the funeral next Saturday. Therefore we are managing the viewing times and the numbers to enter the shrine room at any one time. The limit is 15.

We currently have around 150 people on site for an Order Weekend and feel that is the capacity of the viewings possible over this weekend.

Viewing of Bhante’s Body
From Tuesday we can begin to offer the opportunity to come and spend time with the body of our Teacher.

Centre and Groups coming in groups together have been informed of the time slots available to them over this period. Aparajita and Nandavajra will be co-ordinating this. The Chair of your Centre should be in contact to let you know what has been arranged for your centre should you wish to come along as a group.

Individual visitors and those local to Adhisthana will be welcome to enter for a viewing in the following slots:
 
Tuesday 5th - Friday 9th at 8am, 11am, 2pm and 5pm each day.

These times will be slots open for those visitors who are not part of a Centre group. 

You do not need to book but you could inform Aryajaya: aryajaya@icloud.com if you are planning to visit so we can manage numbers.

To care for Bhante's body the room will be unheated (so wrap up warm) and offerings of candles and incense are not permitted. You are welcome to bring flowers but please don't place them on the body. Please know that circumstances may change so you may not be able to sit with his body at the time you've booked. Of course, we hope that will not happen.

Adhisthana cannot offer meals or accommodation unless you are coming from outside Europe so please make your own arrangements. For those needing accommodation please contact the Adhisthana office (admin@adhisthana.org) and they will advise. Although priority will be given to those coming from further afield, if you are coming from mainland Europe do also contact Adhisthana office as they may be able to help.

Vigil in Adhisthana main shrine room
There will also be a 24 hour vigil in the main shrine room beginning at 9pm on Monday evening and continuing until Friday night. There will be chanting and meditation beginning on the hour every hour. Everyone is welcome to join this. 

It has been wonderful to read of the vigils and pujas being held at centres throughout the world. Please keep sharing on the remembrances page as it helps us all to stay connected during this special time for our community.

Any queries or need for further information please contact the Order Office (orderoffice@triratnaorder.org)

Information about Bhante's funeral and burial 
Sangharakshita's funeral and burial will take place on Saturday 10 November at Adhisthana from 12.30pm until about 4pm. Everyone will be welcome. It will be possible to arrive at any time that morning and to join in with the rituals and meditation which will be taking place. We will post details here about practical arrangements soon.

For those of you who wish to come from outside Europe, Adhisthana will provide accommodation from Tuesday 6 November if possible - please contact admin@adhisthana.org. For those of you coming from continental Europe Adhisthana will try to help with accommodation if requested, which may mean advising on where you can stay locally.

with metta

Parami, Mahamati and Paramartha

View a list of accommodations local to Adhisthana