This year Moksasari and Debbie invited anyone with a connection to our Centre to join them in walking the 180-mile route of the Greater Manchester Ringway, in stages over a number of weekends. They had three main aims: to build Sangha, to raise money for a new retreat centre for women in training for Ordination and to get fit.
Like our Sangha, the route covers a wide and varied area of Greater Manchester, taking in the green spaces, waterways and countryside of all ten boroughs: Manchester, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, Wigan, Salford and Trafford. From the the canals and green spaces of the South, the hills of the east, the peaks and valleys of the north, to the wetlands and farmland of the west, the group changed with the location and with the terrain, as the seasons turned.
The walk began on 25th March and we complete the Mandala on 8th October, walking down the Bridgewater Canal from Stretford to Salford Quays, through Ordsall and then along the River Irwell to the city centre, winding our way to the Buddhist Centre, mostly on pedestrian routes and with shorter options available.
In the Centre's Lotus Hall, we end the venture with a closing ritual dedicated to Vairocana and a celebration open to everyone. Donations to Tiratanaloka [un]Limited are still welcomed.