"Whoever, seeking his own happiness, harms with the rod other pleasure-loving beings experiences no happiness hereafter."
-The Buddha
Happiness Multiplied
"When you hold a child in your arms, or hug your mother, or your husband, or your friend, breathe in and out three times and your happiness will be multiplied by at least tenfold."
Thich Nhat Hanh
"The Heart of Understanding"
Letting Go
A beautiful story from shortly after the Buddha's parinibbana, as told by Luang Por Chah:
"The day before the first Sanghayana [Sangha Council], one of the Buddha's disciples went to tell Ananda: 'Tomorrow is the Sangha council, only arahants may attend.' Ananda was at this time still unenlightened. So he determined: 'Tonight I will do it.' He practiced strenuously all night, seeking to become enlightened. But he just made himself tired. So he decided to let go, to rest a bit as he wasn't getting anywhere for all his efforts. Having let go, as soon as he lay down and his head hit the pillow, he became enlightened."
End of Vassa Ceremony
The three-month rains retreat (Pali: Vassa) officially ends on October 6 but a ceremony celebrating the occasion, which is sometimes called Buddhist Lent, is being held today from 9 am to 1 pm.
Everyone is welcome to join us today for chanting, meditation, to make offerings of food and other requisites to the monks, have lunch, and hear a Dhamma talk.
This event is free and open to the public.
Today's Program
Today is our weekly Saturday program. It runs from 10:30 AM to 2 PM, primarily in the Thai language. English is available from 2 to 4 PM.
The schedule is:
-10:30-11 AM: Monks chanting and ceremonial offering of alms by the laity
-11-11:30 AM: Laity offers lunch to the monks
-11:30 AM-12 PM: Monks have lunch
-12-12:30 PM: Community lunch for the laity
-1-2 PM: Chanting, meditation and Dhamma talk
Chanting is in the Pali language. English and Thai chanting guides can be provided.
All events at ABMT are free.
Donations are welcomed and appreciated.
These Noble Utterances
In speaking of the Dhammapada, Narada Thera wrote, "All these noble utterances should be put into actual practice in the course of one's daily life."
Lunar Observance Day
On this uposatha day, I am reminded of a beautiful quote by Thich Nhat Hanh:
"We see the moon increasing and decreasing, but it is always the moon."
We Must Practice Too
"To support Buddhism with the offerings of food, shelter and medicine is good...but such offerings only reach the 'sapwood' of Buddhism. Please don't forget this."
-Ajahn Chah
Nibbana
"Metaphysically Nibbana is the extinction of suffering; psychologically it is the elimination of egoism; ethically it is the eradication of lust, hatred and ignorance."
-Narada Thera
Causes
"Everything that happens to you has its causes. Once you contemplate it skillfully until you know its causes, you'll be able to get past it."
Ajahn Fuang
(from "Awareness Itself")
Cleansing the Mind
"We must use sati [mindfulness] to constantly cleanse the mind."
-Ajahn Chah
Saturday Program
Today is the weekly Saturday program. It is from 10 am to 2 pm in the Thai language. English is available from 2-4 pm. Everyone is welcome to come for monk blessings, food offering to the monks, community lunch, chanting and meditation.
A Clever Way
"Buddhism is a clever way to enjoy life."
Thich Nhat Hanh
"The Heart of Understanding"
Reap the Benefits
"...put what you've heard into practice right then and there. That's when you'll reap the benefits."
Ajahn Fuang Jotiko
(from "Awareness Itself")
New Moon
Today is a new moon uposatha. This is a fine occasion to remember (or renew) one's precepts, reflect on the Triple Gem, and to cultivate awareness of the present moment.
Don't Worry
"Don't worry about the past or the future, just be still and you will reach the place where there's no advancing, no retreating and no stopping, where there's nothing to grasp at or cling to. Why? Because there's no self, no 'me' or 'mine'. It's all gone. The Buddha taught to empty yourself of everything in this way, not to carry anything around; he taught us to know, and having known, let go."
-Ajahn Chah
Just Practice
I used to ask Ajahn Chaiya if there was anything I could do to assist the monks or help out at the monastery. He would always decline then simply say, "Just practice." Just practice.
Great Medicine
"If we are able to keep the mind quiet, its ability to cure disease will be tens of times greater than that of any medicine. This is called dhamma-osatha: the medicine of the Dhamma."
-Phra Ajaan Lee
Saturday Program
The Saturday programs will resume today with offerings to the monks, lunch, chanting, and sitting meditation. The program will be in the Thai language from 10 am to 2 pm. English will be available for those who would like to come from 2-4 pm.
As usual, everyone is welcome and there is no cost to attend.
Final Retreat Day
Today is the last day of this week's 3-day non-residential meditation retreat at the temple. Anyone is welcome to join us. There is no cost.
