Offering
Nirodha
News letter ~ Weekly Updated
Celebrating Bhanté Samadhikusalo's 50th Birthday
On 18 November 2018, during a visit to Taiwan, a joyful surprise celebration was organised to mark our teacher Bhanté Samadhikusalo's 50th birthday. Accompanied by Venerable Dhammaratana in Taipei, Bhanté had just concluded a Dhamma discussion when lay devotees and resident monastics gathered to honour the occasion with an impromptu birthday celebration.
Bhanté Samadhikusalo was deeply touched by the kindness, generosity, and warmth shown by everyone present, most of whom he was meeting for the very first time. The gathering reflected the spirit of the Dhamma, bringing together monastics and lay practitioners in a heartfelt expression of gratitude and goodwill.
In December 2018, a Nirodha Retreat on Stillness and Insight, taught by Bhanté Samadhikusalo, was held at a resort in the cool highlands of Sri Lanka. The meditation hall was housed in a colonial bungalow, where polished hardwood floors and a fireplace created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Nestled within a spacious garden and surrounded by rolling tea estates, the retreat offered an ideal setting for deep contemplation. Silent walking meditation took place along quaint paths bordered by lush vegetation, while the small group size allowed each yogi ample time to receive personalised guidance from Bhanté.
Afternoon hikes along scenic mountain trails, followed by guided meditation in the open air, were among the retreat's most memorable experiences. Before beginning the descent, participants gathered for a cup of hot tea to warm themselves, adding to the sense of care, simplicity, and tranquillity that made the retreat especially meaningful.
In this photograph, the meditation yogis are seated in guided meditation amidst the tea plantations of the Sri Lankan highlands, immersed in the stillness and natural beauty of their surroundings.
In the Heart of the Highlands
