All posts by Mugo

The Merit of Cleaning

Early this morning, I was in the kitchen here at Telford Priory, and saw a couple of counters were awash with water! Briskly I mopped up, checked the cupboards below and mopped them up too. While down low, I removed the pots and pans in the cupboard and gave the shelves a thorough clean. With a bowl of hot water and still on the floor, the cupboard doors got a clean, and the floor and….well, I could have gone on forever. Cleaning, like just about everything else, can become obsessive.  After all, there is always something somewhere that needs cleaning! However, the priory cleaning has to be low on the to-do list.  Until the need is obvious, pressing and can’t be eclipsed by, for example, screen work.

This morning a woman wrote a comment having just discovered the Jade Mountains website. She landed on a post about cleaning and ‘accumulation’ and wrote a comment. Thank you and here it is.

I finally found your site, and almost immediately stumble on this! Cleaning is like my anti-forté, a nemesis of sorts. My fridge is constantly filled. I set my intention to eat up what is there, clean out what has passed beyond healthy consumption, ready for a deep clean. But every time I open the door to look again it seems more full than ever. And the more I consume, the more accumulates (both in the fridge and round my waist). And the smell grows. A self-fulfilling cycle. Until finally, the fridge shelf collapsed under the weight, forcing a wholescale clean out and reevaluation.
For now, the fridge smells fresh again, and is working so much better. Now the real work is to make regular checks, to leave space for the fridge to breathe, and only adding to the shopping trolley what is truly needed and not just desired.

I think there can be an accumulation of just about anything, internally within one’s mind and body and externally – you name it. Sitting in meditation regularly with the unspoken intention to ‘let go’ of that which has accumulated has a consequence, far-reaching.

Yes, far-reaching, and extending well past what we like to regard as ‘me’ and ‘my life’, extending to all beings. This is the Bodhisattva Path, as understood in Mahayana Buddhism. To live an altruistic life. There is much to say on this subject…for another day.

See this post ‘Accumulation and Cleaning’. Clearly, I’ve thought about this subject before!

The Ceremony of Interring Rev. Saidō’s ashes in the Stupa

This ceremony was held at Telford Buddhist Priory in early October 2023, with the sun shining brightly for the occasion. About 80 people attended, many travelling from a distance. The event was ‘filmed’ by Rev. Master Aiden Hall, Prior of the Turning Wheel Buddhist Temple in Leicester, and expertly edited by Rev. Master Roland, resident at Throssel Hole Buddhist Abbey. Bows of gratitude for your work.

Rev. Aiden wrote about the event in their November 2023 Newsletter.

As the anniversary of Rev. Master Saidō’s death approaches (he died March 3rd) there may well be updates here. And I am so sorry to all the regular Jade Mountains readers. I’ve been quite busy, one way and another, since Rev. Saidō’s departure. However, things are easing and I hope and intend to get back to posting more frequently.

Show and Tell – Video Remembering Rev. Master Jiyu-Kennett

On Sunday 5th November we celebrated the Festival of the Founder. Rev. Master Jiyu, first founder of Telford Buddhist Priory, was honoured during the ceremony. There were many bows, much incense and offerings generally, including our singing of scriptures and invocations. Afterwards there was a talk, a ‘show and tell’, with stories about a number of items I have of Rev. Masters, accumulated over the years I spent with her at Shasta Abbey in the 1980s and 90s.

Many thanks to James for filming and to Rev. Roland for uploading the file to YouTube.

Pausing by the River South Tyne – greetings video

I reference a country hotel called Lovelady Shield Hotel where the little group of walkers I was with would have tea. As it turned out we went instead to The Nook Cafe, close to several long distance paths, one being Isaac’s Tea Trail. Many thanks to the group and for being treated to the much appreciated tea, cheese scone and butter.

The Lavatory

“In case of calamities

do not
forget to
breath.”

An inspiring thought by a sangha member, in The Netherlands. The tile made for them now graces their ‘works’ loo.

A timely reminder for all of us to take time out in that private sanctity, of calming and privacy. The lavatory.