August 2003

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=80 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Emoyeni Retreat Centre</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters"><B>Back</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2f484070.png" border=0 width="900" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I><B>August 2003</B></I></div> <div> <B>Newsletter</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="19e14b90.jpg" border=0 width="276" height="185" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">Black is black!  That's the colour of the landscape after a recent fire which burnt the veld from the access road all the way up to the main house at Emoyeni.  The fire started next to a labourer's cottage on one of the neighbouring farms and with a light wind behind it, pushed quickly towards us.  Our firebreaks contained the fire very well and we, together with helpers from surrounding farms, were able to put it out before it had travelled too far.  Nevertheless, as we look out from the front verandah, the veld looks (for now) like a black, rocky wasteland….  The fire happened just after the Living and Dying Retreat and is a graphic reminder of the ongoing process of death and renewal that make up our lives!</div> <bR> <div> Apart from one day in June we have not had any rain for three months now, so the countryside is looking rather dry and dusty - not too unusual I guess and, of course, the trees and grasses are well adapted to these tough, dry winters.  The little stream next door has lived up to its name, Droëspruit, and for the first time since we have moved here, has dried up.  However, despite the bleak landscape, the first glimpses of Spring can already be seen with the blues and purples of the early wild flowers, and a slash of crimson - the first flowers high up on the coral trees.  As it warms up it won't be long before nature bursts forth with the new season's growth and the bushveld, once again, is abundant with spring flowers.</div> <bR> <div> In November, we can look forward to the first retreat at Emoyeni by Geshe Ngawang Tsondo, the Tibetan monk who has joined the staff of the Office of Tibet in Pretoria, where he will be resident for 3 years.  Geshe-la studied at the prestigious Sera Monastery in South India, where he was awarded the Geshe degree (Doctor of Philosophy) in 1994.  </div> <bR> <div> In mid-December, Martine and Stephen Batchelor arrive in South Africa and will begin their teaching program with a 4-day retreat at Emoyeni.  They are internationally renowned Buddhist teachers and authors, and draw on a wealth of experience - Martine was a nun in Korea for 10 years, and Stephen a monk in both the Tibetan and Korean Zen traditions.  They teach worldwide and are recognised for their ability to convey the Buddhist teachings in a direct, straightforward way that is very accessible to Westerners.  Book early!</div> <bR> <div> Some very good news is that from mid-August, Lynne Crossley will be joining the community at Emoyeni for a period of about 6 months.  Lynne has been working at the Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo for the past year or so and will looking after the cooking, the veggie garden and improving the range of books and other offerings in the shop at Emoyeni.</div> <div> During the winter months we have been continuing the work of clearing out the Lantana, Sickel-bush and other nasties around the living areas. The exterior of the main house and adjoining bungalow have been painted, firebreaks have been burned, and so on…  Other improvements have come about through the on-going generosity of Friends of Emoyeni: a full set of curtains for the Stone Lodge has been donated, some used insulation panels for the main house, books to improve the library, kitchen and garden equipment…..  This kind of support and encouragement is the underlying strength of a Retreat centre.  A big thank you!</div> <bR> <div> Recently the baboons have come quite far down the mountain on occasions, and higher up the mountain we have seen some leopard spoor - so even though the antelope have been scarce during the winter months this year, there is always something intriguing happening on the mountain!  </div> <bR> <div> The Emoyeni Trust AGM held in June was very well attended and provided an opportunity to hear the progress made at the Retreat Centre over the past year, and look at the financial report - for the first time income exceeded our expenses which meant that the Centre showed a "profit" of R22 234 for the year!  The Building Fund now stands at about R100 000, a good start, but we now need to go out and find new donors who would be willing to support the construction of the new retreat centre facility.  Some ideas were discussed at the AGM  which we will follow up on.  If you have any ideas or contacts that might be willing to contribute to the Building Fund please contact Mervyn or Johann at the Retreat Centre.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>THINGS YOU COULD BRING TO EMOYENI</B></div> <bR> <div> At the AGM several people suggested that we publish a list of "Things we need" at Emoyeni - staple foods, kitchen and garden equipment, etc.  So here it is:</div> <bR> <div> <B>FOOD:</B> </div> <div>  Brown Rice (Old Mill Stream),  Butternut, Brown Sugar, Rooibos Tea,</div> <div>  Black Tea (Joko, Five Roses), Muesli, Jungle Oats, Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)</div> <div>  Frys' Soya Products (sausages, cutlets, burgers), Marmite, </div> <div>  Cheese (Tussers & Cheddar). Jam, Peanut Butter (Black Cat),</div> <div>  Epol (for adult dogs), Husky (Chunks in gravy)<B>   {These are for Rocky our dog)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>OTHER:</B>  </div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>URGENTLY NEEDED: A food processor and small electric blender PLEASE !</B></FONT></div> <div>  Kitchen or Gargen equipment such as Garden gloves, Spades, Forks, Hosepipe, Wheelbarrow….</div> <div>                   </div> <div> <B>BUILDING MATERIALS:</B></div> <div>  Can you obtain these at discounted prices?</div> <div>  For example Scaffolding, Corrugated iron sheets, window frames, doors…</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>