Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey hosted our 2019 biennial monastic sangha gathering in September. We continue to meet every other year, with a Rules Conclave every sixth year. This schedule seems to address the need to spend time with each other and discuss issues that jointly affect us all. This year most of the temples of the Order were represented, and we were grateful for the good turnout and participation.

Topics discussed focused primarily on our response to changes in the Order due to the aging of the monastic sangha and the rate at which new monks are entering. We also talked about caring for aging and disabled monks, and what some of the financial and practical aspects are involved. This discussion included ways to offer mutual support to each other as monks encounter personal end-of-life issues, particularly health and legal ones, such as power of attorney and wills.

Another topic was looking at our approach to practice to see if there are ‘blind spots’ which may be hindering the attraction of new monks. We discussed the use of language in our scriptures, as well as gave attention to possible generational issues such as climate change and veganism. We appreciated hearing from several young novice monks and postulants at Throssel who offered their perspective on what drew them to the practice. One morning was devoted to a presentation on safeguarding, which is a current issue for UK temples and a growing concern in other parts of the world.

Generally, our mornings were devoted to discussions, leaving the afternoons open for small group meetings, get-togethers of individual monks, and the occasional walks and teas which give monks a chance to be together in a relaxed and informal occasion. We were grateful to have pleasant weather most days, and our thanks go to Rev. Master Haryo, to Throssel Hole Abbey for organization and hosting, to all the monks who made the effort to attend, and to all the lay sangha who helped with transportation and care of temples while their resident monk was away.