The Conservatory

After the move to Adhisthana when he was 87 years old, Sangharakshita spent most of his waking hours either in the living room or in the conservatory at Urgyen House. The conservatory gave him the opportunity, both in winter and summer, to look out onto the gardens and fields of Adhisthana. It also gave him direct access to the gravel pathways where he could often be seen walking to and fro, or sitting quietly on a bench with a companion.

UP AND DOWN THE GRAVEL PATH: AN UPDATE (2016)

Up and down the gravel path

Between the flowering trees,

I’ve walked this Summer afternoon

To give my spirit ease.

But that was sixty years ago,

And now I walk instead

Between the duck-frequented pond

And roses white and red.

And as I walk I push before

The Roamer that I prize

Though not to give my spirit ease

But my body exercise.

So gaily up and down I go

Upon the crunchy gravel,

For that, at ninety years and more,

Is as far as I can travel.

The Complete Works of Sangharakshita, volume 25, p.460