The Sangha Kommune (僧伽公社) – A Place of Spiritual and Physical Growth! (Founded 16.2.2010)

The Chinese Buddhist monastic community is referred to as a ‘Sangha’ (Sanskrit for ‘spiritual community’), whereby men and women form a voluntary association premised upon following a strict set of rules known as the ‘Vinaya Discipline’. Within this community, there is ‘equality’ between all members, with the leaders being those who have followed these rules for the longest times. This is because such people are thought to have more experience at adhering to the Vinaya Discipline (which includes celibacy and vegetarianism), and are therefore able to effectively advise all others through the difficult times they my face in their practice. As those with little experience have less to share, they are not considered leaders whilst more experienced practitioners live in the vicinity.

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Surrery: WWII Anderson Shelter – Rural Life Living Museum! (29.5.2026)

The fact that thousands of working-class people in London took to the Tube tunnels for safety demonstrates just how few people possessed these shelters. My mother’s family – which lived in Lewisham – did possess one of these “Anderson Shelters” – and it saved their lives when Hitler’s bombers finally came! During September, 1941, Hitler targetted the working-class areas of London with the intention of either wiping-out the working-class (and preventing them joining the British Armed Forces) or scaring them so much that they would not volunteer to fight Hitler. Hitler destroyed large parts of Lewisham – which included my mother’s family home. They had took cover in the shelter and as my grandfather was piling-up the sand-bags around the door – when the bombs fell that destotyed their house and street!

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Royal Army Veternary Corps

Surrey: Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) – Horse Ambulance (Mark II – Converted Bullock-Cart)! (29.5.2026)

When horses were hurt (and not automatically shot) they were transported in the type of conveyance pictured above – but I think this might have been rare (new horses were acquired quicker than wounded horses could heal). At the end of WWI, many thousands of conscripted horses were gathered on the beaches of France – after serving the UK loyally (even participating in cavalry charges against machine-guns) – and instead of being shipped back to England and discharged to their owners, the UK government (probably Churchill) ordered them “shot”. The bullet was cheaper than the shipping and compensation owned. Of course, although some horses were used in WWII (1939-1945) – technology had improved dramatically and horses were not required as they were two-decades previously. From a compassionate perspective it would be good to think that all British horses had access to above level of care – but reality is not built upon fairy-tales. Only the lucky few (probably the horses of high-up Officers) were subject to this kind of care. This British Army Ambulance appears to have the battle honour of “Normandy”!

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Field-Stripping Devices is an Important Skill!

Surrey: Gee & Kai-Lin Field Strip & Assemble a Wooden Stool! (29.5.2026)

Anyway, we visited the “Rural Life Living Museum” (ob May 28th, 2026) – not far from the log-cabin area we were staying at in Tilford (a bourgeois cesspit of wealth). We have visited similar places not far from Sutton, and also in Oxford, Devon, and Cornwall. Many Moons ago, I visited places like this in the Lake District and in Scotland. They are essentially centres of education for school-children – and for adults to reminisce. My childhood (pre-Star Wars) was a very different reality to that which exists today. The working-class pre-1977 were very localised in mentality – with the middle-class attending university and developing a world-wide appreciation. This difference in education always benefits the middle-class who understand more and are able to use this knowledge to keep the workers in their place. Stll, it was a good day out and I will have to author a number of posts to cover it all.

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Peter Wyles - 84 Today!

UK: My Father – Peter Wyles – is 84-Years Old Today! (28.5.2026)

My Dad was born on May 28th, 1941 to his Irish mother (Gladys Kllmurrey) – in an Army Barracks in Lincolnshire. His father was training at the time for D-Day. The thinking was that if the war went on for decades – my Dad would grow up, reproduce and become a soldier – and do on. Today, despite having to exist in an uncaring system – my father has made it to “84”- despite many set-backs and hurdles. At this age – every day is precious. Still, we look forward with strength and determination. We will face the arrows and slingshots of destiny – and we will not flinch.

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The Spinning Jenny - Weaving machine

Surrey: Visiting Farnham Museum! (27.5.2026)

These former workers adopted the mannerisms, culture, and dress of their social betters (the “aristocracy”) and were even able to “purchase” an education for their children. This new bourgeoisie (the “Merchants”) were even able to stand for election in Parliament. After purchasing weapons and raising armies – the bourgeoisie eventually seized control of the means of production (following the English Civil Wars). They now comprise one of the most conservative strands in UK society – and certainly maintain this air of elitism in Farnham. A local book-dealer even tried to sell me Das Kapital Vols I, II, & III (printed in the USSR in hardback) for £100 – claiming they were “rare”. In fact, a full set is usually four volumes and I often find them on the bottom shelves of old book-shops – usually attracting dust – as no one cares for their content. I do collect them and usually spend around £5 per copy. Imagine that – a bookseller in Farnham attempted to reduce Marx’s critique of capitalism to yet another vehicle of that capitalism! But that is the way capitalism works and is exactly how Farnham has attracted its wealth and conservativism. Florence Nightingale gets a mention – Gee trained as a Midwife at St Thomas Hospital (London) – which maintains a Museum recording the life of Florence Nightingale. Indeed, Gee is designated as a “Florence Nightingale Midwife”.

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