HAK retreat in Australia came to a close with the planting of 110 shrubs
We kick this year off with a recent story from our community in Australia.
Mark Allaway and Jill Lancashire, our Australian coordinators, tell us about the recent Habit Alignment Key (HAK) retreat that was led by our founder, Tenzin Ösel Hita.
“The HAK retreat was held to explore the relationship between mind, art, science and environment in our globally connected lives, as we negotiate the 21st century. A planting event was held to conclude the retreat and 30 attendees offered their time to plant a range of shrub species to restore the Box-Ironbark woodland at Atisha Buddhist Centre.”
Amy Hursthouse, Jalu Hursthouse, 5 years old, and Mila Hursthouse 7 years old.
All the plantings and efforts were dedicated to “the long life and happiness of Tenzin Osel Hita, the swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and the health and good fortune of all the attendees at the Habit Alignment Key Retreat at The Great Stupa and Atisha Centre.”
In addition to the planting, Mark tells us that “the Kadampa Stupa has been the big focus for the year for me and Atrisha Centre. I wanted to finish as much of the garden areas as we could for Ösel’s HAK. It is good to look back from where we started 18 months ago and the quiet, slow, but important work around the Stupa site. These pics show the initial site works and almost complete areas. The photos illustrate how we are seeking to improve the whole environment for all sentient beings to enjoy – humans, birds, insects, etc.
One of the many highlights was that Mark met our Global Tree Initiative Project Manager, Lana Mina Popovic. Here they are together:
A very big THANK YOU to Mark and Jill for organizing this planting event, to everyone who participated, and to our partner, Atisha Buddhist Centre for your continuous efforts and support in fulfilling the vision of our founder.
If you are in Australia and want to plant or sponsor trees, get in touch with Mark or Jill:
Mark@PlantGrowSave.org
Jill@PlantGrowSave.org
FACTS
| Who: | Mark Allaway and Atisha Centre volunteers |
| Why: | To the long life and happiness of Tenzin Osel Hita, swift return of Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the health and good fortune of all the attendees at the Habit Alignment Key Retreat at The Great Stupa and Atisha Centre |
| Where: | 25 Sandhurst Town Road, Myers Flat VIC, Australia |
| When: | December 13, 2023 |
| What kind of Trees: | Spiney-Headed Mat Rush – Lomandra longifolia 30x Rushes – Juncus spp. 10x Acacia lanigera – Woolly Wattle 10x Bursaria spinosa – Sweet Bursaria 10x Poa labillardierei – Common Tussock Grass 30x Myoporum parvifolium – Spreading Myoporum 20x |
| How many: | 110 |
