“For the first two weeks of April Bhante had a break from seeing visitors - the first such break that I have known him take. For the first week of this he was without his usual secretarial support, as I was away in Norfolk. Bhante was not idle, however, and by the time I returned he had finished the eighth instalment of 'Reveries and Reminiscences', and we managed to get it typed up and edited to his satisfaction in time for publication in the May Shabda. The theme, which was suggested by Mangala, is music, and Bhante's experience of it throughout his life.
While I was away Paramartha read to Bhante The Tibetan Book of the Dead: A Biography by Donald S Lopez Jr. Bhante found it very interesting, and recommends it to others. He was turned on to the book by Paul Weeks, who contacted Bhante regarding Lama Govinda, about whom (among others) Paul is writing a dissertation, and who is mentioned in Lopez's book. Otherwise, Bhante and I finished In the Sign of the Golden Wheel, and we have nearly come to the end of Vishvapani's biography of the Buddha.
Bhante's health remains good. He has started trying to have two walks each day when possible, and is enjoying the Madhyamaloka garden even more than usual now that so many of the spring flowers are out. One of Bhante's fillings came out a few weeks ago, and he went to a new dentist to have the filling fixed as well as a general check-up. The treatment went well, and he is pleased with the new dentist”.