Newsletter – Summer 2025

Dear Friends of Cittaviveka, warm greetings,

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This summer’s newsletter is a bit later than usual, which, on the positive side, gives us more to share with you.

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Since our last newsletter, the Winter Retreat passed peacefully and harmoniously, generously supported by the live-in retreat team and lay friends from both near and far. Since then, our usual shift out of retreat mode into activity has kept us engaged in caring for this beautiful monastery, including the forest, Hammer Wood. Spring is also a time when the resident community is more available to travel, be it for teaching engagements, home visits, or pilgrimages. However, in early July, those of us who were away began to gather again at Cittaviveka, in time for entering the traditional three-month Vassa or Rains Retreat, on July 11th. We began this special time of year by observing one week of all-day group meditation practice, from early in the morning until late in the evening. Each morning, Luang Por Sucitto kindly offered a Dhamma reflection. Those reflections are available on the monastery's YouTube channel, found at www.youtube.com/@cittaviveka

Community

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This Vassa, the resident monastic community consists of twelve bhikkhus (monks), three sīladharā (nuns), three sāmaneras (novices), two anagārikas (male postulants) and one anagārikā (female postulant). We also have three laymen living here full-time: Upāsaka Thitadhammo, Craig Dalton (Caretaker) and Haydn Roberts (Kitchen Caretaker). All together, the community is comprised of people of thirteen different nationalities. The Buddha-Dhamma has no borders, and this is a good example of how people of diverse backgrounds and cultures can live together in harmony.

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Many of you may already know that Ajahn Cittapālā decided to step back from her duties as the leading senior nun at Cittaviveka. Sister Nyānasirī and Sister Vidurā, previously both resident at Amaravati, have now taken on this leading role in tandem. Ajahn Cittapālā is planning to leave Cittaviveka by mid-October and move to Amaravati. There she will start her ‘new’ life as a nun who has resigned and chosen to live well away from the field of her old responsibilities, at least for a while. We wish to express our deep gratitude to Ajahn Cittapālā for the many years of supporting Cittaviveka and the extended community, and wish her well as she enters this new phase of her life. 

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Both of our Guiding Elders, Luang Por Sucitto and Ajahn Kāruniko, are spending the Vassa here this year. Having people with so many years of experience living a monastic life is a benefit to us all. Speaking of Elders, from July 28th through 31st, Luang Por Pasanno visited us, accompanied by Ajahn Kārunadhammo and Venerable Cittapālo. During his monastic life, Luang Por Pasanno was abbot at both Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand and Abhayagiri Monastery in California. He is currently spending ten months at Amaravati, supporting that community as a Guiding Elder while Ajahn Amaro is away on a well-earned sabbatical.

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On Sunday, July 27th, Luang Por Sumedho’s 91st birthday, ten members of the Cittaviveka monastic community visited Amaravati to pay respects and wish him well as he celebrates another year of a life lived skilfully. He is still sharing his experience as a Dhamma practitioner, regularly offering talks and Q&As, as well as encouraging us by the example of someone who is experiencing the fruits of several decades of spiritual cultivation.

Precept Ceremonies

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On July 2nd, an Anagārika Precept Ceremony took place at Cittaviveka, welcoming Matt Heyda to a one-year commitment to practise Dhamma in a monastic form.

Forest Work

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In early July, the monastery held a Forest Work Week, focusing on maintaining the health of our ancient woodland. Many lay volunteers either stayed at the monastery or joined us for the day, led by our forest team, Venerable Cāgadhammo, Chris Matthews and Dielle Wood. We are grateful for all of the kindhearted and generous attention that people offered.

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The autumn Forest Work Period this year is scheduled to take place from November 6th through the 28th. People are invited to join us for either all or part of it, staying here in the monastery or coming as an outside volunteer. 

Ancient Tradition

Earlier this summer, two Cittaviveka residents, Ajahn Maha Foo-kit and Venerable Candasāro, undertook a walking pilgrimage, or tudong in the Thai language, from here to Hartridge Monastery in Devon. They set out on foot with little in terms of belongings; primarily their alms bowl and a small tent. However, they also set out with lots of faith because they were living entirely on whatever alms-food they might receive each day. Checking in with them afterwards, they shared some of their encounters with people and mentioned the kindness and generosity they had received. 

Upcoming Events

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This year’s Kathina Ceremony at Cittaviveka is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 12th. More information will be available on the monastery website, through paper and electronic mailouts, as well as notices posted around the monastery. As always, we greatly look forward to this auspicious gathering and hope you can join us.

There are plans for Luang Por Sumedho to visit Cittaviveka around the middle of August, accompanied by Ajahn Asoko and Ajahn Vinīta. Details about this visit will be available closer to the time. 

A Fond Farewell (offered by Chithurst's lay secretary, Jāgarā)

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Chithurst’s long-term feline resident Cūla died on Friday, August 1st, after a period of declining health, aged twelve. A rescue cat, she was tiny in stature – hence her Pāli name, which means small – but a big character and popular with sangha and lay visitors alike. She could sometimes be observed circumambulating the stupa in the steps of her carer, or curled up in the laps of sangha members during long meetings! There was a touchingly large gathering for her burial with chanting dedicated to her; Cūla brought much joy to a myriad of people over the years. Thank you and farewell, little friend.

Gratitude 

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When people come to visit Cittaviveka, whether it’s at the midday meal-gathering, during an organized visit by a school group or other organization, or simply a drop-in visit by curious people, I often mention that literally everything here at the monastery was freely offered. The monastery was established in 1979, and forty-six years of generous, warm-hearted support have allowed it to be developed, maintained and available to everyone. Thank you!

With all good wishes from the entire Cittaviveka community,

Ajahn Ahiṁsako – Abbot 

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​​​            Print-ready PDF available here.

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