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The Boycotting of a Jhana Retreat at Bell Springs Hermitage 14 Apr 2004
From: "Bob Roberts" <mcilbob@earthlink.net>
To: "Jeffrey S. Brooks" <jhanananda@yahoo.com>
Subject: This will be my last word on the subject,
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 15:50:27 -0700
Dear Jeff:
What an incredible lesson this humble offer has become.
Bell Springs Hermitage affiliation with the monks from Abhayagiri goes back 14 year. Daniel owns the Access Group and in his Will he is giving his share of the property to these monks. Upon his death, they become my land partners. Before the monks were given their own property, Daniel had hoped we would be the location of their monastery. A senior monk last year was photographed on Bell Springs for his new book. Since 1996 the Bell Springs webpage has been dedicated to their order without a word ever being said about it.
My simple offer to use the land as prescribed in the deed restriction, and as the only application of the land every approved or discussed has become an insult to the monks, who demanded I remove any link from my webpage to their Abhayagiri webpage. In respect I did so without question. My request as to why has gone unanswered.
I have no idea what it was in the offer that set this in motion. I am sorry that it all went so badly.
Daniel is telling people he does not want any retreats in the foreseeable future. We both hold the right to override the other on retreats. I don't need to ever have a public retreat on the land for my practice or to bring my friends with me to the land.
I really do not know what set this off. I have always remained out of the politics of religion, I don't understand them. I am moving on.
This will be my last word on the subject, and life will move on. It has been a blessing working on this with you, it was fun for a couple of weeks to dream about it. Our paths may cross yet.
Metta.
-Bob