Tonight the monks offered a blessing at a fundraising event (“Trunks Up”) for the protection of threatened elephants in Thailand. The event organizer paid a visit to ABMT this winter and requested their participation in the event. Given the Buddha’s compassionate relationship with all living beings, including some noteworthy encounters with elephants, the monks were happy to oblige. The blessing offered was Karaniya Metta Sutta, or the Discourse on Goodwill.
Songkran 2019
A few photos from today’s Songkran Festival...
Wat Padhammachart (La Puente, CA)
Wat Padhammachart is a Dhammayut monastery not far from Los Angeles. The relatively large property has monks’ and nuns’ quarters, a large Buddha hall, a very nice community hall and eating area, and several attractive aesthetic features dotting the property.
Wat Thai (Los Angeles)
Wat Thai of Los Angeles is the largest Thai temple in the Los Angeles area. Each month, the monks of ABMT go to this temple for the recitation of the Patimokkha—the basic code of monastic discipline.
ABMT’s 23rd Anniversary Celebration
Here are a few photos from today’s event.
Reading...Practicing
“Don’t read too much—practice too much.”
Ajahn Chaiya
Overcoming Our Childlike Tendencies
A talk by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo:
Jivitam Aniyatam, Maranam Niyatam
Aciran vata ayan kayo
Pathavim adhi sessati
Chuddho apeta viññano
Niratthamva kalingaram
In no long time this body will lie on the ground, discarded and devoid of life, as useless as a log.
Wat Nevada Dhammaram (Henderson, NV)
Wat Nevada Dhammaram is a Dhammayut monastery situated on a couple of acres of desert on the southern edge of the Las Vegas area. Despite being only a few minutes’ drive from I-15, this small temple is in a tranquil and rustic setting.
Circa 10th C stone sculpture from East India
Wat Chaiyadhammwihan (Las Vegas, NV)
Wat Chaiyadhammwihan (or Chaiya Meditation Monastery) is the home of the Burmese meditation master Sayadaw U Zeya (or, Ajahn Chaiya). The large monastery property houses monks’ and nuns’ quarters, as well as separate quarters for lay men and women wishing to stay for short- or long-term retreats.
Dying Buddha
Dying Buddha, 3rd or 4th C stone sculpture from Pakistan
Not-Self
From Anatta-lakkhana Sutta:
”Form [...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness], monks, is not-self. If form [...] were self, this form [...] would not lend itself to dis-ease, and it would be possible (to say) with regard to form [...], ‘Let my form [...] be thus. Let my form [...] not be thus.’”
Seated Buddha
Seated Buddha, 19th C gilded wood from Japan
Wat Nevada Dhammaram
A simple sign welcomes visitors to this quiet, rustic monastery in the desert.
Wat Dhammabucha
The Luang Pu Mun Sala is one of two primary meditation halls at Wat Dhammabucha in San Antonio, Texas. Luang Pu Mun, a monk widely considered to have been fully enlightened, was the founder of the Thai Forest Tradition.
Marananussati
Pavata dipa tullyaya
Sayu santati yakkhayam
Parupamaya sampassam
Bhavaye maranassatim
Observing insightfully others’ lives come to an end and seeing it akin to a flame kept in a windy spot, meditate on death.
Seated Young Arhat
Seated Young Arhat, 13th or 14th C stone from China
Wat Dhammabucha (San Antonio, TX)
Wat Dhammabucha is a warm and welcoming Dhammayut monastery with monks’ and nuns’ quarters, as well as extra kutis available for potential use by lay visitors receiving permission from the abbot to stay overnight.
Metta Forest Monastery (San Diego County)
The welcome sign at the entrance to Wat Metta—the Dhammayut monastery that is home to Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
