Film :Thai Forest Tradition: Ajahn Chah

Thailand in 1977 with Ajahn Chah
Here we have a wonderful open University film giving some really rare footage of Ajahn Chah, and some very interesting insights into the Thai Forest Tradition, including some interviews with a London monk, and some wonderful teachings. I personally really enjoy the simplicity and forthrightness of Ajahn Chah, he is a very down to earth, open and friendly teacher. He is an exponent of the Thai Forest tradition and has founded many monasteries including Cittaviveka in Chithurst England, where I have spent some beautiful times.

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Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand

At forty-five, successful businessman Peter Robinson gave up his comfortable life in London to ordain as a Buddhist monk in Bangkok. But the new path he had chosen was not always as easy or as straightforward as he hoped it would be.

In this truly extraordinary memoir, Peter describes his ten-year metamorphosis into a practising Buddhist monk, while being initiated into the intricacies of an unfamiliar culture.

Peter tells his story with compassion, humour and unflinching honesty. It's the story of a 'Phra Farang' - a foreign monk - living and practising his faith in an exotic and intriguing land. Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand. Phra Farang: An English Monk in Thailand

Times of Change: My First Goenka Vipassana

The Morning After 

I awoke early with a blistering hangover and an angry girlfriend laying beside to me. I was too ill to even smoke a cigarette. It was one of many such mornings that I have experienced and I'd had it with this lifestyle, I wanted to change. I simply sat up and started meditating, I did have some previous meditation experience from a retreat in India some ten years before, coincidentally almost to the day. That trip to India was an amazing and transformational experience, but I soon forgot to practice on return to the real world ,and seamlessly slipped back into my debauched ways. This particular morning was the culmination of some heavy karmic action and I knew there was some suffering on the horizon, I also knew that the way I had been living had to change and I stopped smoking and drinking right there and then, my girlfriend also left me that morning. All my vices and crutches were gone in one fell swoop, I was alone in bed, sitting in meditation with a banging headache.

S.N Goenka 10 day Vipassana Retreat

This was the start of a journey that continues to this day but led me very much sooner into the clutches of S.N. Goenka, and a vipassana ten day meditation retreat. A friend of mine after hearing of my experience on that pivotal morning told me that he was going on a vipassana, and invited me along, I was only too pleased to accept as I had such great memories of my time in India and thought this would be a great healing experience. I knew vipassana to be extremely challenging but I was determined to get through it. A few weeks later I was packed in the back of my friends Renault 4 on my way to southern Portugal.  

10 Days Of Silence, No Intoxicants, No Touching

Most people who have heard of vipassana know that it is fundamentally a ten day silent retreat where contact of any kind is forbidden amongst the practitioners, that means no talking, touching, making hand signals, gestures, or even looking each other in the eye for ten days. Personally I loved the idea and couldn't wait to not have to talk to anyone. There was to be ten hours of meditation every day and no food after lunch except fruit for the new students and lemon tea for the old students who had done a vipassana before. The best part is that everything you need for basic living is taken care of so you can fully concentrate on the meditation practice, all the food is prepared for you, all the washing up is done, there is literally nothing to worry about...

The Tough Meditation Regime Starts At 4:30am

The days start at 4:00 am with the banging of a gong calling all to the meditation hall, it has to be said at this point if you are considering a Goenka retreat then take some ear- plugs, it is possible to be in a room full of snorers, I was and I also snore like a bear. Students meditate for the first hour and a half alone and are then joined by the teachers who begin by playing a sound recording of Goenka chanting and giving some teachings, he also give advice on surviving vipassana and leads further silent meditation until the 6:30 breakfast bell. By this time new students will normally be feeling the pain of sitting for so long in meditation, and desperate for some food, I know I was. After queueing for breakfast and eating in silence there is a little time to spare before the next meditation gong at 8 0'clock. This seemed a good time to take a shower but as time progressed I used to shower while the others were eating. Although there is less food available the later it gets, having the shower to myself was preferable. The rest of the day is as follows:

• 8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
• 9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher's instructions
• 11:00-12:00 Lunch break
• 12-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
• 1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
• 2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
• 3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room
• 5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
• 6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
• 7:00-8:15 pm Teacher's Discourse in the hall (a video of the charismatic Goenka)
• 8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
• 9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
• 9:30 pm Retire to your own room--Lights out

Now that is a long day believe me but I highly recommend going on a Goenka retreat although I personally have found other traditions more beneficial, I think this is a great way to try meditation, it's a real immersion experience that will no doubt have a profound effect on your life. Have a look at this book Meditation Now: Inner Peace Through Inner Wisdom written by S,N Goenka

Look At The Best Meditation Cushions...

                                  Vipassana music,mp3,cd 

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"Through meditation one accesses a feel or a state of mind entirely different to every drug and different to the ordinary sober state. living a meditative life, one breathes to a different music ...I feel that at some point in the future we will see musicians drawing us closer and closer to a profound stillness and detachment with their music". Vipassana music. 

Look At The Best Meditation Cushions...

Retreat Into The Real World

Test Your Mettle 

Most of us are content to go on a retreat for a few days and then let things slide until the next time; happy that we have put in many hours of sitting in meditation and have listened to some Dhamma talks. For sure going on a retreat is rejuvenating and we can learn many new things and meet new friends. But what happens when we return into the real world with all its hard edges, knocks and suffering? It can seem so harsh and unfriendly after the solace of a retreat environment, but it is in the real world that our Dhamma mettle is truly tested and we can soon tell if we have really learned anything at all from the Buddhist teachings.

Remain Open And Observe

You Are So Selfish!

How do you react to someone that is verbally abusing you? Especially if that certain person is your parent. Parents can teach you more about the state of your inner world in one short telephone conversation than one year in a meditation hall. One wrong word from mum or dad can really press those buttons and set us flying off the handle like a five year old. As Eckhart Tolle says in Practising the Power of Now, “our parents are the best spiritual thermometer”. Its not only our parents that can catch us off guard, work colleagues, friends or even strangers on the bus can really flip our switch if we are not aware and open to what is. It is imperative to see that the circumstances arising in front of us can be the greatest teacher, as they show us that which we hold onto within.

Breathing Space

It's so difficult not to react to the world, but the Buddha taught that it is crucial to be free of attachment to pleasure and pain. If we are always seeking pleasure and avoiding pain then we are not following the teachings. Some people react very badly to criticism and very quickly become defensive saying “leave me alone” or words to that effect. But it is possible that there maybe some truth in the critical words that could be reflected upon and learned from. This is an intelligent way to practice. It is the same with all of our senses; tasting, touching, seeing or hearing. For example if you see someone on the street that you don't like the look of and feel aversion, there is the point of practice. If someone is having a loud conversation on the bus behind you and you are getting irritated, there is the practice. On the other side of the coin if you are being highly praised by a noteworthy person and you are beginning to swell with pride and pleasure, there is the point to practice.   

Make Yourself A Refuge Unto Yourself

Atta hi attano natho

Purify Your Heart & Mind

The Buddha taught us that the most important thing in life is to find refuge within our own hearts. We can spend so much time finding refuge in unimportant things that we rarely take the time to look at how we really are inside. We may try to find refuge in external things like beautifying our houses or earning lots of money, there is nothing wrong in either of these things and we might gain some satisfaction from them, but they can distract from the true Buddhist Pathway if our hearts are neglected and deep down we are feeling anger or dissatisfaction. We might also take our bodies to be a refuge and become charmed with them as we let ourselves believe that our bodies will be ever lasting and strong, when of course this is not the case. If we try to find refuge in our friends, family or even our teachers before we have truly found refuge within,we will eventually be left alone with our hearts, so the heart is where the Buddhist work should start.

Questions Of Faith

Buddhist and Christian Views On Death and Faith

Faith helps Us to Be Strong

Recently my mother died and I spent many weeks by her side in a hospice before she passed away. My day to day life became focused on death and dying and I was forced to broach my own mortality once again. The Buddhist teachings on death and impermanence were very valuable to me and helped me through this difficult time, although I am still sceptical about reincarnation I find it a more likely outcome than heaven, but at the end of my mother's life it was faith that kept her strong and fearless in the face of death. She really belived that heaven was waiting for her.

The Beginning of the Path

Starting point.

Down to earth.

Buddhism does not start off by trying to explain life's mysteries like who is god or why are we here.
The initial teachings are about looking at and accepting life and the world as it is.
Completely as it is.
Not just the external world but your internal world as well.
Buddhism has no dogma.
In fact people from any religion can practice meditation and follow the precepts which are designed to improve daily life and ecourage loving kindness.
You are encouraged to investigate all the teachings deeply and decide for yourself if they are right for you.
Meditate on them.
The mountain only has one summit but many paths that lead there.

The Second Noble Truth, Attatchment

The second noble truth.

Attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things.

Not only the physical objects that surround us. But also the ideas and objects of our perception.

Ignorance of not comprehending how our mind is attached to impermanent things causes suffering.

The reasons for suffering are craving and clinging. Attachment.

Heres a head spinner. We can not actually be addicted to anything. Only the act of craving is addictive.

Because the objects of our desires are transient.

Loss is inevitable.

Suffering will follow.

Objects of attachment include the idea of a "self" or what we call self.

Suffering includes everything from great physical pain or the grief of losing a loved one, to the slight thought in the back of your mind that something is not quite right.

The End of Suffering

The third noble truth.

The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering is possible.

The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining non attachment.

This means that suffering can be overcome by removing the cause of suffering at the root.

Meditation can take you safely to the root of your suffering so that you can observe it. See it for what it is and let it pass without becoming attached to it. You are like the sky watching the clouds pass by.

Like the root of a weed. Once it is removed it wont return.

Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas.

The Middle Way

The fourth noble truth.

The cessation of suffering and the middle way.

There is a pathway to the end of suffering.

A path of self-improvement.

Which is described in more detail in the Eightfold Path later on in the text.

It is the middle way between the two extremes.

That of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism). And excessive self-mortification (asceticism).

It is taught that the pathway to the end of suffering can stretch over many lifetimes. But immediate alleviation and lessening of suffering is possible today

Craving, ignorance, delusions and the effects (karma) will disappear gradually as we progress on the path.

Right Understanding

#1. Right understanding.

Ditthi.

Right view comes from the understanding of the Four Noble Truths through comprehending them and testing them through experience in real life.

You can experience the true nature of things through meditation, mindfulness and awareness.

A wish to follow the Buddhas teachings is based on informed and intellegent choice that has been tried and tested by the individual.

Not blind faith.

Right Thought

#2 Right thought.

Sankappa.

Right thought refers to the energy behind our actions.

Right intention can be described as a commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement.

When we first start out on the path it is difficult to have the right thoughts and intentions because we are just beggining to learn and are not really sure what they are.

Things will be uncovered and realized as we continue. The Buddhas way is an ever deepening process.

Buddha described three types of right intentions.

Renunciation which means resistance to desire and craving.

The intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings like anger and aversion.

The intention of harmlessness meaning not to think cruelly or violently.

To develop compassion.

Our thoughts are incredibly powerful and have a great impact on our lives.

Right Speech

#3 Right Speech.

Vaca.

Words can make enemies or friends,start wars or create peace.

 

Buddha explained right speech as follows.

 

• To abstain from false speech. Especially not to tell lies or speak deceitfully.

 

• To abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others.

 

• To abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others.

 

• To abstain from idle chatter and gossip that lacks purpose or depth.

 

For me the difficulty in stopping drinking and smoking was easy compared to the effort of  practicing right speech.

Right Action

#4 Right Action

Kammanta.

Actions are the physical deeds of the body.

Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind.

Right action means;

To abstain from harming all sentient beings. Animals and humans.

To abstain from taking what is not given (stealing).

To abstain from sexual misconduct.

Right action means to act kindly and compassionately. To be honest and respect the belongings of others.

And to keep sexual relationships healthy, respectful and harmless to others.

Right Livelyhood

#5 Right Livelihood

Ajiva

A monk on alms round in the UK

Right livelihood means to earn a living in a righteous way, without causing harm to other beings.

 

The Buddha mentions four specific activities that should be avoided.

They are as follows;

 

• Dealing in weapons. 
• Dealing in living beings. Includes raising animals for slaughter.
• Dealing in slavery or prostitution. 
• Selling intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs.

 

This does not mean that people involved in these livelihoods cannot practise Buddhism. Most likely they would want to cease trading in unethical ways after some time of study and practise.

 

A Monks Livelyhood

Within some traditions ordained monks are not permitted to even touch money or request food and drink; they must wait to be offered. This meant that the communities within which the monks lived understood this arrangement and offered food freely. The Buddha intended that monks should remain in constant contact with the lay people and performing alms rounds in the local villages ensured this. Lay people also offered food directly to the monasteries. He also ruled that monks should not eat after 12 noon, this was to stop monks from turning up at all times of day and bothering the people in the villages. It is also easier to meditate with an empty stomach and much healthier not to eat later in the day. However Monks are permitted to drink water or tea without milk in the afternoon and evenings.  Clothing is also offered to the monks in the form of robes; it is very important that they look after and respect the items offered and ensure that they last as long as possible, after all people would stop giving to a wasteful monastery.