GCSE Religious Studies Trip to Hartridge Monastery

On Wednesday 24th September, our Year 11 GCSE Religious Studies students visited Hartridge Monastery in Uppotery, Honiton, home to the Thai Forest Sangha.

The day began with an insightful discussion with one of the monks about life in the monastery, the relationship between the Sangha and the wider community, and some of the more complex Buddhist teachings the students have been studying.

Students then took part in a traditional alms offering; lining up to offer spoonfulls of rice, just as monks receive on their morning alms rounds in Thailand. This gave them the opportunity to experience the importance of dāna (generosity) in Buddhism: giving freely without expectation of return, a practice central both to Buddhist teaching and Thai culture.

After sharing lunch — and helping with the washing up afterwards — students experienced a guided session of Metta (loving-kindness) meditation. This practice begins with wishing yourself well; to be happy, healthy, and free from suffering, before gradually extending those same wishes of compassion and goodwill to others: first to those in the same room, and finally to all beings throughout the world.

The day concluded with a walk around the monastery grounds, including the peaceful woodland paths and the monks’ secluded huts (kooties).

It was an enriching and memorable experience, bringing classroom learning vividly to life.