Tuesday, 12 December 2006
Kamalamani writes -
“Manjusvara's funeral at Bristol Buddhist Centre was a very rich and fitting celebration of a life well lived. It marked beautifully the moving on of Manjusvara from his current life as a Dharma farer, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, ex-husband, lover, musician, poet, writer, fundraiser and world traveller. The funeral services were co-ordinated and led with immense love and care by Harshaprabha, Saddhanandi and Taravajra, following Manjusvara's wishes. There were rejoicings and remembrances from his family and friends (his brother: John Keefe, Meg Moginot, John Crown and Mario Cavalli, John Bloss, Manjuvajra and Samayasri), from poet and 'Wolf at the Door' friends (Dhivan, Larry Butler, Varasahaya), from friends at the Karuna Trust (Jayaraja and Amalavajra), from India (from Padmadhara read by Silajala), and from Bristol sangha friends (Satyalila, Suhada and Jvalamalini). In recent months Achintya has been creating a digital archive of poems by Manjusvara and Ananda, so we were fortunate to hear recordings of Manjusvara read some of those poems - it was incredibly poignant to once again hear his voice.
“The funeral was followed by a smaller service at the North Bristol crematorium with eulogies starting with a pre-Buddhist friend Stephen Hewitt, then his brother John, followed by another 'Scouting friend', Keith, then Harshaprabha and Ananda. Keith named how Manjusvara's funeral was a meeting of 'two gangs': his Buddhist 'gang' and his 'gang' of family and friends, and how moved he was to witness the love and respect for Manjusvara from his Buddhist 'gang' and his considerable achievements as a poet, writer, and fundraiser. The services were followed by feasting and an afternoon of spontaneous offerings for Manjusvara in the form of words, poems, songs and music.
“There was a recurring theme throughout Manjusvara's funeral: that he was a kind and encouraging man who gave so much in the different facets of his life and never wasted a moment. Whilst the funeral physically took place in Bristol, it felt to be an international celebration of him and his life. Indeed, several services and rituals have been held in his honour and memory from the UK to India since his death. The love and respect for Manjusvara was reflected in the diverse richness, love, humour and sobriety of his funeral service. The love of his friends in the local sangha was reflected in the responsiveness of so many Bristol friends in making the practical arrangements, skilfully woven together by Satyalila with the support of Jvalamalini and the centre team.
“In drawing this to a close I am reminded of a line from Manjusvara's poem, 'Writing Poetry at Edinburgh Airport': 'there is only one human story: it ends in leaving'. Whilst still absorbing the shock of the swiftness with which Manjusvara's left this life, we are also fortunate to witness his legacy of connection, kindness, boundless creativity, integrity, magical mischief, and love. May all blessings be yours, Manjusvara, as you journey into the next chapter of your human story”.
“Manjusvara's funeral at Bristol Buddhist Centre was a very rich and fitting celebration of a life well lived. It marked beautifully the moving on of Manjusvara from his current life as a Dharma farer, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, ex-husband, lover, musician, poet, writer, fundraiser and world traveller. The funeral services were co-ordinated and led with immense love and care by Harshaprabha, Saddhanandi and Taravajra, following Manjusvara's wishes. There were rejoicings and remembrances from his family and friends (his brother: John Keefe, Meg Moginot, John Crown and Mario Cavalli, John Bloss, Manjuvajra and Samayasri), from poet and 'Wolf at the Door' friends (Dhivan, Larry Butler, Varasahaya), from friends at the Karuna Trust (Jayaraja and Amalavajra), from India (from Padmadhara read by Silajala), and from Bristol sangha friends (Satyalila, Suhada and Jvalamalini). In recent months Achintya has been creating a digital archive of poems by Manjusvara and Ananda, so we were fortunate to hear recordings of Manjusvara read some of those poems - it was incredibly poignant to once again hear his voice.
“The funeral was followed by a smaller service at the North Bristol crematorium with eulogies starting with a pre-Buddhist friend Stephen Hewitt, then his brother John, followed by another 'Scouting friend', Keith, then Harshaprabha and Ananda. Keith named how Manjusvara's funeral was a meeting of 'two gangs': his Buddhist 'gang' and his 'gang' of family and friends, and how moved he was to witness the love and respect for Manjusvara from his Buddhist 'gang' and his considerable achievements as a poet, writer, and fundraiser. The services were followed by feasting and an afternoon of spontaneous offerings for Manjusvara in the form of words, poems, songs and music.
“There was a recurring theme throughout Manjusvara's funeral: that he was a kind and encouraging man who gave so much in the different facets of his life and never wasted a moment. Whilst the funeral physically took place in Bristol, it felt to be an international celebration of him and his life. Indeed, several services and rituals have been held in his honour and memory from the UK to India since his death. The love and respect for Manjusvara was reflected in the diverse richness, love, humour and sobriety of his funeral service. The love of his friends in the local sangha was reflected in the responsiveness of so many Bristol friends in making the practical arrangements, skilfully woven together by Satyalila with the support of Jvalamalini and the centre team.
“In drawing this to a close I am reminded of a line from Manjusvara's poem, 'Writing Poetry at Edinburgh Airport': 'there is only one human story: it ends in leaving'. Whilst still absorbing the shock of the swiftness with which Manjusvara's left this life, we are also fortunate to witness his legacy of connection, kindness, boundless creativity, integrity, magical mischief, and love. May all blessings be yours, Manjusvara, as you journey into the next chapter of your human story”.
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
Saturday, 1 April 2006
a Word From SHirley
Shirley is our ressident sage with hr twigs of w=isdom:
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): My alsation fits in the cat box. He don't like it but i can get him in when he's naughty!
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): my glassess keep ou tthe wind, not because i'm blind.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): i think of myself as being a poet and send my verses to the church. they publissed one last year called My dog ate my cat. It was a true story and trhey called it COMIC verse.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): everyone calls my dog zilla. When i got him I'd lost my teeth he's really calld Cilla but everyone calls him Zilla
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): my glassess keep ou tthe wind, not because i'm blind.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): i think of myself as being a poet and send my verses to the church. they publissed one last year called My dog ate my cat. It was a true story and trhey called it COMIC verse.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): everyone calls my dog zilla. When i got him I'd lost my teeth he's really calld Cilla but everyone calls him Zilla
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): I've got 4 daughters, 2 cats and zilla. we all live in a 2 bedroom back-to-back that Barbara painted yellow after she weent to art school. My husband never stopped smiling but he died when he reached 40.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): I always take my marketeer with me. it has two wheels and a handle anfd can fit lots of things inside. It even fits zilla when we go bingo.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): Last time i put zilla in the cat box my nreighbour peter threatened me with the RSPC.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): I keep thinking i hear burglars and joan next door calls me a silly cow for not locking my door. i've told her that the lock is broke and that it hurts my wrist to turn the key. Thats got her fooled!
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): Someone keeps stealing my undergarments from the wasjing line, and i reckon its peter. He is a weird one. He thinks i'm mad because i wear my coat in the house. Ha! imagine if he knoew that i wear it for bed too!!!
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): My daughters won't come in the house anymore they just hoot that horn until i come outside. They say that i smell.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): My daughters won't come in the house anymore they just hoot that horn until i come outside. They say that i smell.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): They keep giving me new clothes so i take them to the charity sdhop. and pick up some bargains to wear instaed. Ha. They called me a fashion nomad. Whta the hell does that mean??? At least i have hair.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): treacle on the bin keeps hte burglars away'SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): I might be small but i'm not stupid.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): when people ask me what i do i tell them that i like to play with myself. they never ask again. i love bingo and i love cards but i don't like other people so i always play with myself. SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): If people talk to me in the street i drag my left leg behind me and pretend that i'm a leper. it works a treat, then i keep them talking nad talking and taljking and talking. zilla usually pees too.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): peter kiicked my old dog Marcus clean over the street one day when marcus bit him again. he said that marcus wass a basatrd. marcus was a harmless little terrier, he just liked to nibble.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): when a big dog approaches, get in a car immediatly. anybodys car, or go into their house and shut the door. this woman from the estate gave me a right mouthful last time i went in her house, called me a crazy old bag lady. i told her that there was a dog outside and she said it was hers.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): if you find a glove in the street you should keep it. One glove is better than none and you might find anbother and then you got two. i've been wearing one now for 5 years but cant find the second.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): that nosey cow next door was watchinmg me hang out my jacket on the line so i told her that id just washed the collar cos that was the only dirty bit. she thought i was an idiot but it'll be dry in 10 mins so whose laughing now????
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): what the hell are bingo wings???
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): peter kiicked my old dog Marcus clean over the street one day when marcus bit him again. he said that marcus wass a basatrd. marcus was a harmless little terrier, he just liked to nibble.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): when a big dog approaches, get in a car immediatly. anybodys car, or go into their house and shut the door. this woman from the estate gave me a right mouthful last time i went in her house, called me a crazy old bag lady. i told her that there was a dog outside and she said it was hers.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): if you find a glove in the street you should keep it. One glove is better than none and you might find anbother and then you got two. i've been wearing one now for 5 years but cant find the second.
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): that nosey cow next door was watchinmg me hang out my jacket on the line so i told her that id just washed the collar cos that was the only dirty bit. she thought i was an idiot but it'll be dry in 10 mins so whose laughing now????
SPRING CHICKEN (Shirley): what the hell are bingo wings???
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