Here at Telford Priory to write a leaflet about our religious order, The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. The intent is to raise awareness about the Order generally. What it does, it’s purpose and the like. Here’s a line about our basic religious purpose:
The underlying purpose of the Order is to foster the successful religious practice of its members.
On way to foster success is to remember that one practices alone together with others. Writing collaboratively, as we are, is an expression of this. When isn’t it a matter of alone/together?
Without a jot of ambition left
I let my nature flow where it will.
There are ten days of rice in my bag
And, by the hearth, a bundle of firewood.
Who prattles of illusion or nirvana?
Forgetting the equal dusts of name and fortune,
Listening to the night rain on the roof of my hut,
I sit at ease, both legs stretched out.
Zen Master Ryokan
It’s nearly tomorrow. The today is old, tomorrow not yet born. Long day with computer, internet security issues (solved), and all manner of other computer matters. And amidst all this a hospital visit to one who could be miserable all things considered. But not. She said, I’m completely dependent, I’ve got nothing…and yet there IS something. Everything is happening so fast.
Thanks to Ryokan, my hospitalised friend and Rev. Saido for his patience.
The following verse is recited three times during both animal naming ceremonies and animal funerals. There was a Funeral Ceremony here at the Priory this morning held in memory of a congregation members long-time feline companion, Topsy.
Desire the pure crown of Buddhahood
and realise the True Nature of a Bodhisattva quickly.
These words strike a cord, pointing out the important thing. A help amidst the bustle and tumble, good reminder for all I’d say.
This afternoon while driving between Manchester and Telford (avoiding very slow moving traffic on the M6) I became lost on the Cheshire Plain – all the while listening to Gardeners Question Time on Radio 4. Could the panel suggest suitable plants for the handlebar basket of my electric bicycle? Really!? One is never completely lost with Radio 4 aboard, never bored either!
Signs for places, towns and villages flashed by, most were unfamiliar to me. A brown place-of-interest sign caught my eye. Secret Bunker. Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. Below are excerpts from declassified files concerning England’s, somewhat worrying, preparations in case of a Nuclear Attack. Read, laugh and cry. There is more on the website.
Meat-on-the-Hoof.
The flesh of cattle, poultry, sheep, pigs ect will be safe to eat provided the animals are slaughtered before they become sick with radiation sickness.
Nuclear Handbook for Staff Officers (War Office 1963)
Potatoes.
For a meal consisting of meat & vegetables about 2cwt of potatoes would need to be peeled for 400 meals. (1 ton for 4000 meals) Allowing for wastage, which varies according to the type of potato and the season, this provides about a 6oz portion per person. It is estimated that the time taken for four people to peel 1 cwt of average quality potatoes is about 1 hour
.
Metropolitan District Emergency Feeding Plan 1985
Protective Measures.
Suitable clothing for use in a fallout area includes: Well clothed denim overalls. Gumboots or strong leather boots. Strong plastic or fabric gloves to prevent direct ingress of radioactive material into the body. “Scarf” or sweat rags around the neck to stop radioactive dust getting in. If no respirator is available a simple lint or “smog” face mask (a handkerchief over the nose & mouth could be used in an emergency) A closely fitting helmet or hat such as a beret, which will keep radioactive dust out of the hair, since the head is more difficult to de-contaminate than the rest of the body.
Civil Defence Instructors Book HMSO 1960
I’ll be at Telford Priory until the 21st February, then returning to Throssel where hopefully all the snow will have melted and spring will be in evidence.