bridge – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Tixover: Visiting St Luke’s in the Field Church! (26.10.2025)

27/10/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

We first visited this Church around 2009 – but at that time we were only focusing on the gravestones in St Mary’s Church – Duddington, and ignoring everything else. This was partly due to the early mobile ‘phones and digital cameras possessing a very limited memory. As time went by, and our genealogical research developed, we were asked to include an ever greater scope in our research which we shared online. This coincided with the technology drastically improving. Meanwhile, when we started this “Wyles” research project – we did not even possess a permanent website – and to date we have had two – before settling on the site we now possess. Tixover is just over the bridge at the Western boundary of Duddington – and is about a mile or so down the road. Tixover (Old English meaning “Kids eat grass on a slope” – kids being young goats).

Thoughts on the Zhuang Menghan [庄梦涵] – Emily King – Case! (14.2.2025)

14/02/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

When Mainland Chinese people arrive in the West, usually as students, or sometimes employees, they are usually shell-shocked at the very different culture they find – even if the people are kind and considerate. The fundamental dualism that has built the Judeo-Christian world is thoroughly alien to these people (I have even found this to be the case regarding the very small percentage of genuine Christians that exist in China). Whenever I have travelled around the world, as soon as I exit the aeroplane, I can immediately feel the different frequency of the culture I have entered. I know nothing and am at the mercy of the indigenous population until I can find my feet. When I return to England, as soon as I land, it is like a hand in a glove – I am familiar with everything and know how and what to do to achieve objectives and solve difficulties. Acculturation and acclimatisation are a matter of experience and familiarity. Even Chinese people born outside of China sometimes express an underlying sense of alienation within the culture their parents or ancestors migrated into.

Mum, Dad & Charlotte Got this GIANT Chocolate Bar!

Calibration Hits “57” So It’s Time To Excuse My Little Self-Indulgence….! (30.5.2024)

30/05/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

My academic (and Ch’an) teacher – Richard Hunn (Upasaka Wen Shu) – lived into his 57th year and was struck-down by cancer far too early (passing in 2006)! I suspect I will last a few years yet – but we never can tell! Still, I rise early to perform my academic and spiritual duties. Although now married with children – I have permission to still wear the black-robe of the Caodong Ch’an School – and to carry the Dust-Whisk of Authority. Of course, the only authority I possess is over my own mind and body. Oh, and I love The Beatles!

Meditating & Meandering Through the Beautiful Ruins of Waverley Abbey! (11.5.2024)

12/05/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

This was a place where a group of Cistercian monastics (following the Rule of St Benedict) – also known as “Trappist” monks – spent years in silent contemplation of the Bible and their inner minds. The lifestyle of such a monk is designed to “still” the mind and empty the interior of all desire. Only when the mind and body of the monk is “empty” might God grant “grace” and make himself known – but he might not. Either way, once the monk is empty of all desire – the love of Jesus Christ can shrine view. The monk possesses no opinion and so the cycle of each da peacefully unfolds.

Redhill: Gymnastic Bronze Medal Earned By Kai-Lin! (24.3.2024)

24/03/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

Every Monday evening at around 5 pm – and after a long day at school – Kai-Lin gets her sport gear on and heads out to train in Gymnastics at Wood Field School. Sundays are usually the only day Kai-Lin has a complete rest – but she was up at 7 am and loosening up for today’s challenge! The Judges ruled that over-all – the points Kai-Lin earned – secured a “Bronze Medal” in her group! Kai-Lin demonstrated that sheer will-power can prevail!

Human Rights Groups “Concerned” Over Extension of Mainland Driving Standards to Hong Kong! (8.6.2023)

08/06/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

Human Rights Groups in the West contest that 90% of ALL road accidents across the world either directly involve a Chinese person – or are watched “online” by a person of Chinese ethnic decent (possessing one or more ethnic Chinese parents). A spokesperson for these Human Right Groups contested, “We are very concerned by this threat from the Mainland government! Beijing is acting like Hong Kong is an integral part of China and that it possesses the right to align the cultures of the two places! The extension of Mainland driving standards to Hong Kong is a violation of every known international agreement designed to protect individuals from the excesses of governments!”

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