AZC Newsletter December 2025
From Amala-roshi:
We posted our last newsletter in May, and looking back over the winter and spring that have passed since, I am struck by the steadiness of our shared practice life at the Centre. The world has been shaken by fire and floods, war and injustice. We have sometimes been able to take action or offer support. Sometimes we have had to just bear witness. But through it all, we have met to sit together, nurturing each other and our commitment to wisdom and compassion, for the sake of all beings.
News from Normans Hill Road
In March a team of Sangha volunteers shifted a large pile of top soil to establish a new garden, after the upheaval of the demolition of the garage and construction of the Sangha Cottage. A small vegetable patch has been planted as well as various flowering shrubs, which are already producing blooms for altars. The plants are establishing well, and the cottage is beginning to look settled now.
It is an ongoing joy for us to be able to offer Sangha members and other visitors accommodation. We are looking forward to the arrival of Francesco Nanni, who is coming from Rome in mid-December for a mix of training, sesshin and holiday. Paolo Andrizzi will also be here for our January sesshin.
Vegetable garden re-established at the Sangha Cottage, spring 2025.
Tiny forest
In both July and September Sangha volunteers pitched in to help maintain the “tiny forest room” behind the zendo. Begun almost a decade ago by AZC members on a piece of Auckland Council owned wasteland behind the Centre, the forest is thriving, but does need regular care. At our working bees we cleared litter, weeded and pruned, and also planted a few more grasses and flaxes to help fill out gaps in the forest. Special thanks go to Priscilla for her dedicated attention to this project, and to regular participants in energetic working bees. Next year we plan to enhance the little oasis further with a pou whenua (carved post) at the entrance and a mural on the back wall of the Centre, which overlooks the forest.
Lee Elliott pruning the cherry at a “tiny forest” working bee.
Changes at Bella Rhaka
For more than 15 years, the beautiful retreat centre at Bella Rhaka has been home for many of our sesshins. The current owners have had the property on the market, and we await the results of the tender process as we write this (no, with an asking price of $5 million plus, we didn’t put in an offer!). We will definitely be at Bella Rhaka for the 2026 summer sesshin in January, but things are less certain beyond that.
If Bella Rhaka does sell, depending on what the new owners decide to do, we may need to find a new home for our sesshins. We have been doing some road trips to check out the most promising options and are pleased to report that we have located an interesting alternative, a children' s health camp at Port Waikato, and have bookings pencilled in for Spring 2026 and Summer 2027. The search has reminded us that there are not a lot of venues around Auckland that are suitable for sesshins of more than twenty. The quality of the environment is a key element in the sesshin experience but one over which we have limited control.
Post-sesshin brunch, September 2025
Podcasts of Teishos
We quite frequently hear how much people appreciate listening to AZC teisho podcasts. Feel free to share them with friends you think might benefit. If you are a regular listener, and not already a supporting member of the Centre, please consider becoming one, or making a regular donation towards podcast production.
Honoring Bodhidharma
On October 7, we had our annual Bodhidharma Day ceremony, honouring the founder of Zen. A traditional question in Zen is, "What is the meaning of Bodhidharma's coming from the West?" That is, "What is the essential teaching of Zen?"
In one version a monk asks, "What was Bodhidharma's purpose in coming from the West?" and Zen Master Linji (Rinzai) replies, "If he had had a purpose, he wouldn't have been able to save even himself."
And so we go on, committed, yet without attachment to specific outcomes.
Gassho, Roshi
Bodhidharma Day altar, October 2025
From the Treasurer
2024 - 2025 Financial Year: Final accounts
In the last newsletter I provided preliminary results for 2024-2025 financial year. Since then we have submitted final accounts to Charities Services and I am able to provide you a summary of our finalized accounts:
Profit and Loss:
The financial results for the 2024-2025 financial year show a surplus for the year of $59,147 (before interest, depreciation and loan repayments). When adjusted for these items, in particular loan repayments of $27,000, the surplus was $24,580 an increase of $14,346 over the 2023-2024 financial year.
Balance sheet:
Cash on hand increased from $105,505 (31 March 2024) to $143,117 (31 March 2024), an increase of $37,612. In addition the Paramita Trust building loan dropped from $590,000 to $563,000 over the period.
Update – six months to 30 September 2025
Profit and Loss:
Revenue for the six months through to the 30 September 2025 was slightly ahead of the same period in 2024 while expenses for the same period were slightly down.
Balance Sheet:
Cash position: As at 30 September 2025 we had cash and deposits on hand of $155,235, versus the 31 March 2024 balance of $126,963, showing the steadily improving cash position. The Paramita Trust loan balance was further reduced to $545,000.
As always, a big thank you to all of you who donate to the Centre — we couldn’t exist without you. Thanks also to John Allan and Robin Gardner-Gee for preparing the end of year accounts.
