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Post by spindrift on Oct 24, 2009 17:59:28 GMT
Most weekends, either on Saturday or Sunday I spend time at a Theravaden Buddhist monastery not far from where I live. It is truly my 'refuge'. I can be sure that, apart from one day in the year when everyone gets together, I will be immersed in peace and quiet with time to reflect and contemplate in the presence of the Buddha. Here I find my way and come to terms with whatever life throws at me. The path to this monastery was long and unyielding but finally, after many years, I have come home. It is not for me, in this life, to be a renunciate but I am fortunate that I can be inspired by those who have taken this most difficult step and who are willing to communicate the Buddha's teachings to one such as myself. Here I am in the monastery gardens. And here is the meditation Hall. You can either sit cross-legged on a mat and cushions or you can sit in a chair. The one day when we all get together is called the Kathina Day. The day starts at 10:00am with meditation in the Dhamma Hall and those who feel able to 'take the Precepts' do so in front of the Buddha image and abbot. There are 5 precepts for lay people (over 200 for monks and nuns). Precepts can be taken by those to wish to publicly vow to try and lead a moral life harming no living creature. After the Precept ceremony there is the Rice pindapat ceremony when those attending offer the monks (bikkhus)and nuns cooked rice. Bikkhus are renunciates, homeless people, who own nothing more than the robes they make themselves from donated fabric, an eating bowl and in the case of men, a razor. Buddhists give the essential of life to the Bikkhus who, in turn, give us the Buddha's teachings. Bikkhus cannot prepare or help themselves to food....they must wait until they are offered food. If the faithful do not feed the bikkhus then they will go hungry (without complaint). Bikkhus only eat once a day and they do this before midday. The rest of their day is given over to contemplation, meditation and teaching. So now I've explained the basics I can get back to the one day in the year when the faithfull come together at the monastery to offer food, not only to the bikkhus, but also to each other. After the meal the day is spent wandering around the beautiful grounds, taking part in the chanting of the Dhamma and listening to the teachings.
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Post by spindrift on Oct 24, 2009 18:24:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2009 19:27:41 GMT
It looks like a really lovely place, spindrift. Do you know what the building was originally?
(I don't know what sort of Buddhist event was taking place in Paris recently, but I saw quite a few saffron robes in the metro.)
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Post by spindrift on Oct 24, 2009 20:48:51 GMT
The buildings shown in the pictures are new. The main building (not shown) is a 19th c house surrounded by many acres of woodland (donated). The bikkhus are 'forest monks' in the Thai tradition from northern Thailand. Most of them live in small one-room huts in the woods. The nuns have a small house in the same village. They all follow the teachings of the Venerable Ajahn Chah. Have you heard of him? He died about 20 years ago.
All monks from S.E. Asia and Sri Lanka wear the saffron robes.
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Post by imec on Oct 24, 2009 21:01:22 GMT
Looks like a nice place spindrift - and some interesting customs. How did you get involved in Buddhism?
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Post by spindrift on Oct 24, 2009 21:18:09 GMT
After the meal has been enjoyed by the lay people sitting on the grass under the trees (the monks always eat in the Dhamma hall by themselves), we gather on the lawn next to the Dhamma hall for the ceremony of offering new robes to the monks. In the picture you can see people holding the new folded robes ready to offer them to the monks. If people want to donate funds to the community it is possible to clip an envelope containing money onto the rigging at the back of the picture. Monks are not permitted to handle money. Fiscal matters are dealt with by an appointed layperson. The monks and nuns then sit and chant in Pali, the ancient language used in the Buddha's time (2,500 years ago). In my opinion the beauty of the Theravaden tradition means that nothing has changed in the way of the community's life since the Buddha lived. Most people stay until the late afternoon, then everything is cleared away and many of us remain for the evening Puja (chanting, meditation and Dhamma talk). I have attended Kathina day for two years running. It is held in June and that day is always sunny and warm.
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Post by spindrift on Oct 24, 2009 21:28:23 GMT
Imec - over the past 10 years I have been spending time in Nepal living with Nepali people and trekking around the high Himalayas. All Nepalis living in the hills are Buddhist as are some who live in the towns. If you ask a Nepali whether he is a Hindu or a Buddhist he will invariably answer that he is both! Indeed I have often seen Buddhist and Hindu temples within a stone's throw of one another. The historical Buddha (Prince Siddharta Gautama) was born in Lumbini, Nepal which was, 2,500 years ago, a part of India. Over the years I have been drawn to Buddhism for it is a gentle and tolerant way of life following the path of doing harm to no-one and doing good for all living (sentient) beings. This includes animals of course. There are no dogmas in Buddhism; one is encouraged to investigate the teachings before feeling that one has to believe them. I have visited temples in Japan, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Gradually I have slipped into the Buddhist way of life and I have found my niche.
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Post by imec on Oct 24, 2009 23:02:20 GMT
Thanks spindrift. Sounds like we could all use a little bit of Buddhism. I've always wanted to go to Nepal. Maybe someday.
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Post by bixaorellana on Oct 25, 2009 0:27:55 GMT
Spindrift, this is lovely! Your respect for the place and the joy and peace you've found on that path come across in all the wonderful pictures and in your clear and helpful words.
I always love the composition and detail in your photos, and your sprightly talent is very much in evidence in this thread. Thank you!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 2:03:04 GMT
Thank you spindrift (the name 'spindrift" now has newer meaning and significance) for sharing this part of you with us. Most calming.
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Post by auntieannie on Oct 25, 2009 10:46:18 GMT
thank you. The peace literally oozes out of these pictures.
I always find that buddhist have a very healthy sense of humour. If I had a mind to change religions, I would want to become a buddhist.
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Post by spindrift on Oct 25, 2009 11:36:24 GMT
Annie! that's interesting. The Dhamma hall is a very peaceful place. I took an old lady there for a visit. She has been suffering extreme pain from her crumbling spine. She found great release by weeping.
Bixa, thanks for your remarks about my pictures.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 11:53:30 GMT
Regarding the Buddhist sense of humor,I'm sure Spindrift would enjoy this little yarn,if i may indulge for a few here. The author Peter Matthiessen tells a great story in one of his books about coming home one evening from one of his whirlwind,world travels. In his driveway he sees a small group of Buddhist monks chattering away. Weary from his long trip,he encounters them and in a somewhat brusque manner glares at them and as he passes the monks by he hears them giggling,in a low toned voice saying "Poor Debowah". (Deborah was Peter's beloved wife who had converted to Zen Buddhism over a period of time while Peter was traveling). Peter converted shortly thereafter and recounts this tale with great affection and humor,laughing at himself.
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Post by spindrift on Oct 25, 2009 12:00:02 GMT
I like that glimpse of intimacy....have your read the book he wrote about going into Upper Mustang, the Kingdom of Lo....? I think he wrote it in the early 1990s...I've got it upstairs. It was this book with its amazing pictures that more than anything else inspired me to venture into Lo. I am thoroughly hooked on the place now and I long to return. Anyone want to come with me?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 14:50:48 GMT
A real insight in to what being a Buddhist is, thanks for this Spindrift. It certainly seems like a very peaceful place.
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Post by imec on Oct 25, 2009 17:29:13 GMT
Were these taken with your new camera spindrift?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2009 17:33:42 GMT
I'm having a little deja vu here Spindrift on the topic of Matthiessen. I thought you were referring to Snow Leopard or Nine-Headed Dragon River,both with Buddhist topics but no photos. Don't know this book,again. And, I believe I have the calendar in my mind marked to take a trek with you.
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Post by spindrift on Oct 25, 2009 18:13:31 GMT
Imec - I haven't bought my new camera yet! I might buy it at Heathrow duty free on my way to Phuket at the end of the month. It's rather expensive. Casimira - the book I'm referring to is: East of Lo Manthang - in the land of Mustang written by Peter Matthiessen with photography by Thomas Laird. Published by Shambala. I bought it Kathmandu in 2004. I have a feeling it was publised in India. Do try and get it. Yes, we'll be trekking in Tibet May 2010 (with any luck)
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Post by spindrift on Oct 25, 2009 18:17:13 GMT
It's for sale on Amazon but I see it's very expensive. Only 2 new and 4 used. This is the cover of the book.
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Post by lola on Jan 23, 2010 14:01:18 GMT
I'm just finding this now, Spindrift. I don't see nuns in your photos. Do they attend this feast?
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Post by spindrift on Jan 24, 2010 0:21:47 GMT
Yes, Lola. They live apart from the monastery about half a mile down the hill. Their little house is next to a retreat house for women. I believe they have their morning chanting and meditation service in their house. They are always in the main Dhamma hall for evening pujas.
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