Introducing: Sri Somananda Pirivena at Bopaththa Temple, near Eheliagoda Town, in Sri Lanka!

Big apologies for not writing anything up until now, but it's enough to say that I've been busy placing two feet firmly on Sri Lankan soil...(and losing the odd flipflop in the tropical rain!)

I've been teaching English here, in Bopaththa Village, (near Eheliyagoda Town) and within this pirivena (which is a school for young Buddhist monks) for nearly 3 weeks now, and it's been an amazing experience so far. There has been so much to take in, adapt to, ride along with... that I'm definitely having to put into practise my own brainwashi...er tuition on fostering a 'Growth Mindset' delivered to my brilliant year 5 pupils last year. (This is why I love teaching - because it brings the best out of me; it enables me to make real connections with beautiful open minds and also, it reminds me regularly of the most important things in life: to love, to learn and to grow). 


I'm not sure where to start, so I am hoping that some of my photos will help paint a picture of my life here... 

cleaning duties 

sweeping the compound

My room by dusk - (nice colours!) 

Some curious visitors

My bed, with useful mosquito protection!

My front 'door' and window shutters

a tentative early morning step outside 

In terms teaching and learning (the main driver of this trip), I have certainly had the privilege of working with the most amazing young learners, who work incredibly hard everyday. 
To offer some sort of picture, these lads wake up at 6 (sometimes 5) and start their daily jobs, such as sweeping the compound area, cleaning and tidying everything, or helping to prepare breakfast. 
After this, they wash briefly and then worship the Lord Buddha at their temple within the compound (which the villagers here also use each evening). 
After breakfast (at around 8am), they start their learning, which can be either independent study, from homework given, or small classes like my smaller English sessions. This stops at about 11, when they have a full wash and also hand-wash their own robes - all in the outside shower area. (Each boy has his own large bucket for this, which I borrow too!).  
Lunch is then taken at around 12pm, when a big metal gong is hammered out. Before eating, the children offer out lines of worship aloud, in praise of Lord Buddha's wisdom, and in unison. If the villagers (or other Buddhists from further afield) have come to offer Ahms (to donate food and other supplies), this act of worship, in the Ahms hall, takes much longer because the people donating food also worship with the children and with their chief incumbent monk. 

Breakfast in the Ahms Hall

Pirivena academic hall

Afternoon learning starts at 12:45pm ('pirivena time'), and before settling down into their graded areas, they offer a call and response meditation, which focuses their attention on their collective wishes (please see the video - I really like one line in their called-out prayer of 'May we be calm peaceful and happy').  Each one, of their 8 lessons, lasts for 35 minutes, and their sessions are conducted in English, where possible (quite useful for me!). 

The youngest learners in the largest 'Primary B group'

schools finished at 5:45pm

In addition to my English, their lessons include: mathematics, history, Sinhala (their own language), Buddhism (Dharma) with Social Science, Pāli (an old 'dead' language, like Latin, spoken by Lord Buddha himself), and Sanskrit (an ancient written language said to be one of the first in the world). 
It never ceases to amaze me how hard and devoted they are to their studies - never complaining about their work load and always in such high spirits, joking and smiling all the time. Frequently, they come to seek help for homework much later at night, from their respective teacher, and sometimes lessons on a Sunday have continued until 10pm!  (This said, I am really pleased to see that they do like to play volleyball on a Sunday for a few hours too!). Amazing and remarkable young learners, who are so respectful - always asking me if I've eaten, or sharing their few treats or fruits with me. 

Grade 3 students

Grade 1 students

In the evening, they worship at the Temple for another hour, from 7 until about 8, and then eat dinner at about 8pm. They do study and homework after this, but if this is finished, they can have some freetime, and enjoy playing a game like hide-and-seek.
Some of the older monks go out to offer guidance on Dharma to villagers in their homes, and return to eat their dinner at about 8.30pm or 9pm.  (A full day's work indeed!)
ON some Saturdays, Television is a often treat where they can watch a film or a programme.
Usually, the children are in bed by 10pm, if they do not have any additional tasks, such as lighting the special candle at the Buddha statue, or a visit somewhere else.

Much more to write, but hopefully this sketches an initial picture of my life here in Bopaththa Village...