Dhamma Greetings to Everyone!
As women in this new tradition one studies in the ancient way of the
original Buddhist "Monks" in a very similar environment too.
Getting as close as we can to what the Buddha said and taught in the
meditation is our foremost
training here. The importance of developing a clear meditation
practice with comprehensive understanding of the
Teachings of the Buddha cannot be overstated. In this program one
establishes a firm foundation of practice and knowledge for the rest of your life as a female monastic.
Establishing an American
Buddhist tradition without adding many cultural overlays is a tricky
thing. Some cultural differences will undoubtedly evolve as the tradition grows. This is to be
expected. An American tradition being established by an American Monk is long overdue for Buddhism in America. Much of what we have seen so far has
been an invitation for Americans to join in supporting foreign Buddhist lines to
continue them on in this country. This is how it happened in other
countries at first too. Cultural
traditions and various ceremonies have tended to overshadow the original
practice of Buddhism. The practice got changed and results deteriorated.
Special
care is being taken not to overshadow the simple but delicate original
instructions and intention of the Buddha. By putting the meditation back
into its original position of importance, placing it ahead of
philosophical pursuits and deep thinking, many students are witnessing
vast improvement in their understanding of the Dhamma and they have
taken the practice to a new level in daily life.
This 'excellent progress' has been done "without pain and with quick
comprehension" just as described in the Digha Nikaya Sutta 28:10.
Contrary to myth, forest monks are not expected to remain
totally silent all the time! One is encouraged from the start to ask questions
and to talk openly about the Dhamma while working and to learn from one another.
We are expected to be curious and to intelligently debate the teachings
found within the texts. There is always the challenge to investigate precisely what the Buddha did
for ourselves. The best way is to immerse ourselves in it 24/7 !
One does not take the word of the guiding teacher but uses it to
establish a good line of investigation. Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi
gently guides us along
a training path that quite often turns out to be a fun and fascinating adventure.
Listening to the suttas being taught out loud regularly and continually practicing
as close to the Buddha's instructions as possible gradually becomes a new
pattern in our lives. One is asked to pursue extensive meditation and
investigation individually and to routinely examine the various points of Dhamma
and apply them to daily life.
Serious students agree not to read for
a period of one year, before going further to examine other materials on their own.
their
Samaneris are introduced to visiting teachers and they often travel across the country. Exchanges to study are encouraged.
This training is an immersion approach, an engaged form of
Buddhism that truly works and is a happy experience! Throughout
the training, on each study point the student is encouraged to
experientially see and prove that point for themselves using the same tools that the Buddha used in his own investigation.
There are many smiles during the course of training.
Even when it is slightly cold or one is sitting for hours in the woods,
smiles can happen. Many
clear new insights occur.
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Dhamma friends in California donated a Buddha statue in the winter of 2005-2006.
They gave our center an ongoing blessing. This particular Buddha has now
made a further journey 12,000 miles all the way to Kobe, Japan. That
same Buddha
Statue will be representing the USA at the World Buddhist Summit
Council and is now housed in the Royal Hall of Buddhism in Japan to be
unveiled in April 2008 to the World. This is quite an adventure for this Buddha statue. To even
be near this statue, one will feel Metta grow in your heart and it brings up
a smile! |
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