Dhamma Reflection on Learning and Practice

It will take me about 12 years from diploma to get Ph.D. (diploma 1 year, bachelor 2 years, master 4 years, one year waiting for preliminary Ph.D., Ph.D. 4 years) Not that I am crazy about getting a doctorate, or put a 'Dr. ' in my name, but I enjoy learning more Dhamma especially Pali and Abhidhamma. The process of learning is fun and interesting. and of course, 'back to school' and stay as a student receiving knowledge from the teachers keep the mind humble, and eager to learn more. If I continue to stay in a meditation in Malaysia or Myanmar, I do not have a chance to learn in a systematically way. I did spend 6 years in Lunas. Of course, I can pick up some knowledge regarding meditation. Once, I encountered an elderly Malaysian lady, she said 'No need to learn in university. You should just spend one month or two weeks learning under this famous sayadaw monk. This will be enough!' But how can this short time learning allow us to pick up consistent knowledge. Later, when we are doing a Dhamma translation and transcription project, she realized that we could do this because we have learned enough Dhamma to handle this project. Then her manners become nicer and more respectfully. Sometimes, we have to be very patient when meeting 'sarcastic-type' person, or 'off middle-path' type. Learning is helpful if it leads us to understand the Dhamma that we are supposed to penetrate and understand. So also, practice will be more interesting if it can explain the books/texts that we studied before. In brief, pariyatti (learning) and patipatti (practice) should go hand in hand. When practice becomes mature, one gets pativedha (realisation). However, if we do not know what to practice, then how to practice?? We are groping in the dark, searching for direction. If we know something regarding mind and matter, six sense bases, 12 bases, 18 elements , cause and effect, arising and passing away, or 89 minds, 52 mental factors, 28 matters, mind process, then we can try to see them in meditation. But the problem is when I go to visit meditation centres, the teachers always ask "When are you coming here to meditate?" or they give good advice - "Do not just focus on study! Do more practice!" Of course, they mean well. So also some people, renunciates or not, will say " Just meditate!" no need to learn a lot." At a certain stage of life, we just want to let go everything and plunge in to deep meditation. At other times, we just want to know the book dhamma, especially when we are do chanting, then the mind feels, "I got to know what is this, what is the grammar, what is the meaning of each words, and the relationship with others. I want to to study Pali, I want to study Abhidhamma." The mind is curious to explore the wide field of book dhamma. Then it is time to plunge in to deep study. After some time, the mind feels tired of study. "Tired already! Stressed already! I want to meditate." Packing up one's bag, one and off to meditation centre. That is what some students, after studying three years in my university, pack up everything, and stay in a meditation centre to meditate. This is a change of mind. Whatever it is, as a monk or nun,or a real Buddhist, if we can keep the mind in learning, or in meditation, or in chanting, our mind is pure and good. This is really world peace, we are peaceful internally, and do not give trouble to others! Others can give well-meaning advice, but one should listen to their ideas respectfully and patiently, and then choose the path that the heart really desires. As long as the heart is peaceful, the mind is bright and eager to learn and practice, then one makes own self useful to others and own self, then it is good. then we make enough merits for oneself and others. If someone asks, what is this merit? I will say ' the state of goodness'. A teacher says, we should have Ubayattha (benefits to both). I will clarify as: Attattha + Parattha = Ubayattha. (benefit to oneself) (benefit to others) = (benefits to both) If our life is filled with goodness and ends with goodness, living beneficially for own self and others, then good mind brings happiness and peacefulness right at the present moment. I think, that is what everyone wants, "Peaceful and Beneficial Life".

Dhamma Reflection on Taking Refuge and Truth

The sun is very hot. When meditating under the shade of pagoda building that is not shined by sun yet, the feeling is relief from the heat, and when the cool wind touching the skin, there is a nice sensation.

This reminds me of a story in Tipitaka.

“After King Pasenadi’s death, which was brought about by the treachery of Dīghakārāyana in making Vidūdabha king (the son of Pasenadi), Vidūdabha remembered his oath, and set out with a large army for Kapilavatthu. The Buddha, aware of this, stood under a tree, with scanty shade, just within the boundaries of the Sākiyan kingdom. On the boundary was a banyan which gave deep shade. Vidūdabha, seeing the Buddha, asked him to sit under the banyan. ”Be not worried,” said the Buddha, ”the shade of my kinsmen keeps me cool.” Vidūdabha understood and returned home with his army. “(Pali Proper Name dictionary).

Actually, it occurs to me taking refuge in Triple Gems is similar to sitting under shade away from the hot sun.

Taking refuge in the Buddha means taking the Buddha as our teacher, who teaches us right and wrong, show us the way of life.

Taking refuge in the Dhamma means following the Dhamma as a way of life, doing good, avoid evil and purify the mind.

As for taking refuge in Sangha, sometimes it is not easy to do. Because the consumerism and moral degeneration are plenty, the renunciates are busy with other things than Dhamma. Young ones busy with football and chewing betel; Middle age ones busy with chewing betel leaf and cigarette; Old ones also busy with chewing betel and smoking.

It is very disheartening to see many renunciates in Buddhism smoking and busy with betel nuts. I met a few even asking money from me.  I refused to give them because they would use the money to buy cigarettes and other things.

In the last time, monks are supposed to stay under the tree or in simple dwelling, eat one meal (or two meal) a day, sleep in simple bed; spending more time in learning and practising Dhamma.

How to advise the beginners to Buddhism to observe five precepts, while those who are the main core of Buddhism themselves are not observing the fifth precepts i.e. non-intoxicants (no smoking etc.), though they might keep higher precepts? How to take refuge in them?

The best is to treat the Sangha as a community of noble monks and nuns that existed as in the Buddha’s time. They practised the right way to free from mental defilements and strived for the benefits of oneself and others.

If we have a teacher that we really respect because of the goodness in them, like the morality, concentration, and wisdom, then it is easy to take refuge in them, taking their advice as our guidance in life.

If we cannot meet such teacher, then we ought to seek them, because it convinces that such personality do exist in the world.

What if we cannot encounter them? The best is Mahākappina King, who renounced the world after hearing the three treasures or Triple Gem appeared in the world. His faith was admirably very strong.

If one sees the Buddha, one sees the Dhamma. If one sees the Dhamma, then one sees the Buddha. So, if one cannot see the community of monks as an incomparable pure one, what should one see?

Then one ought to see the Buddha who really existed 2500 years and proven by history as a real living person. By seeing the existence of the Buddha, then one sees the Dhamma as a natural truth of the world.

Kamma is the law of nature (niyāma), just as the law of plants or seed, law of mind, law of temperature and law of dhamma The mind and matter are ultimate truth whereas the self or soul is just a concept.

“Good begets good, bad begets bad.”-This law of kamma can be accepted by many.

Then by seeing Dhamma is about truth, just a teaching on truth, one believes in Buddha. By believing in Buddha and Dhamma, one believes there could be some person who really lives up to the teaching of Buddha.

But nowadays, there are still many noble ones exist in the world. If one really interested to find, one will definitely find them.

When taking refuge in Triple Gem, one frees from seeking refuge in external things, etc. By focusing the mind on the sublime qualities of the Triple Gem, one is away from the defilements of mind such as craving, hatred, etc.

So, taking refuge can be compared to sitting in a shade away from the heat in the sun.

End of Stress (dukkha) for everyone.

End of Stress (dukkha) for everyone.

Yesterday, the exams were over for the diploma, bachelor and masters students in my university. Yesterday, I also photocopied 4 sets and submitted my masters thesis with 130 pages. Thanks to many, including Pali teachers Sayadaw Dr. U Nodhi Nyana, U Pandita, U Thera and U Issariya who helped to check the Pali, and Lori Marsh and Jo Chan who helped to checked English in my thesis.

With numerous amendments and changes, I also got very stressed with my own paper. When trying to read my thesis, my eyes saw, but my mind could not see. This is stress. Nowadays, some writers translate the dukkha with the word 'stress'. This really applied to me.

In the first and second year, we have to attend only three hours for one week. But the subjects become more profound and deep, so we have to spend more time in reading and attend extra class.

During the second year, we have to write 50 pages, and then 100 pages for the third year in the masters. Since I take Pali as my major, my thesis title is 'Comparison study of Saddaniti and Kaccayana on Sandhi Kappa and Nama kappa'. Basically, this is a research on two ancient Pali grammar books that were written hundreds of years ago. It would be interesting if not for the stress.

I remembered in my diploma and bachelor studying time, I always had extra time to do whatever I want to read and do.
But writing masters thesis was certainly a real stress to my mind. All students are stressed at this time. Glad this challenge was over. Now, I can do my own reading, meditation and others.

When studying for my degree in computer science, that was when I was 25 years old, more than 17 years ago, the stress was there. But I was younger. Now, I am considered in the second part of life (33-66).
Hopefully, I can finish my Ph.D. before I reach the third part of life (66-100)!. I can definitely finish within another six years.

Not to say learning is compulsory for all, but of course, learning in an university has its advantage. One has to sit in the classes, listen to lectures, and also memorise for exams. One has to pass up assignments and thesis. Learning in the formal setting has its advantages.

Yesterday was also a new president for Myanmar. So yesterday was really a good day for everyone.
Now, the weather is very hot. Glad the stress and heat in the mind are gone now.

Announcement of new Dhamma course  (10 days)
18th to 28th April 2016 at Thabarwa Centre, Than Lyin, Yangon.

"Analysis of TRUTH"
Applying Pali and Abhidhamma into Vipassana Practice, by Sayalay Cala Theri.
Including meditation, chanting, Dhamma discussion.
18th to 26th April (8 days)
7.30 am-9.00am:Pali*
9.30 am-11.00 am:Abhidhamma *
11.00am:Lunch
12.00pm to 4.30pm:Self-study
4.30pm:Walking and standing meditation at a nearby ancient pagoda (outdoor activity)
5.40pm:Dhamma discussion
6.00pm:Rest/Bath
7.00pm:Basic Buddhism
8.00pm:Sitting meditation
9.00pm:Chanting and sharing merits

* These are intermediate levels. But beginners are welcome to come and listen.

27th to 28th April (2 days) -Meditation retreat

7.30 am: Basic meditation instructions and taking 8 precepts
8.30am:Sitting meditation
9.15am:Walking and standing meditation
10.00am: Sitting meditation
11.00am:Lunch
12.00pm:Rest/walking
1.00pm:Sitting
2.00pm:Walking
3.00pm: Sitting
4.00pm:Dhamma Discussion
4.30pm:Walking at Stupa (outdoor activity)
5.40pm:Meditation Discussion
6.00pm:Rest/bath
7.00pm:Dhamma and Meditation discussion
8.00pm:Sitting meditation
9.00pm:Chanting and sharing merits
Please contact us if you are coming to attend this course.

Volunteering work in Dhamma

Why volunteering creates stress in mind? One helps in Buddhist centre, helping the chief abbot/chief nun, helping other monks/nuns, helping yogis, helping this and that. If one refuses to help, people say one becomes more selfish, more egoist!

I notice a lot of volunteers, whether renunciates or meditators, do not have happy face or cheerful face, but stressed face and tired face. Actually, they suffer from 'compassionate fatigue' or 'volunteering burnout'.
They feel tired, and cannot have time to meditate. When they do sitting meditation, they feel asleep due to tiredness and cannot have mindfulness and concentration on the meditation objects.
They help people to get Dhamma, but they seem to lose the peacefulness and happiness in Dhamma.

Sometimes I wonder, if volunteering work really can bring happiness and peacefulness to the mind!

I also do lots of charity work, Dhamma work. If I work with right people, then things are okay! But if I work with wrong people, people who are demanding, insisting on their way, then I also suffer. Because I feel it is 'not nice' to reject their needs and wishes since they also helping in Dhamma work. Their behaviours create stress in my mind.

What is the meaning behind doing so much volunteering work? Is it to fulfill the parami (perfection)? Or because we really want to help others? Or simply we want to kill the time? or because our 'ego' or 'self' wants to be a useful self in this life? or we need more self-esteem in one self?
The answers can be many, ranging to making this self useful, or simply to really the wish to help people.
As long as we have good motivation or cetana (intention) to help others, this good deed will create good kammic result in this life and next lives.

But if we are overstressed, and our energy is overspent, then we have aversion, anger or even hatred. Then we might even gain unwholesome effect due to our negative minds and emotions. So we get plus points for volunteering, then minus points for our anger and ill-will.

Whatever is it, always be mindful of own intention, energy and wish. We also have to see our level of energy. Sometimes as we get older, our energy become less. Also when we are not healthy, then we get irritated easily.
If we are lacking the power even to save the peacefulness in own mind, maybe it is time to consider if volunteering work is too much.

It is good to 'take leave' from volunteering work. Just simply go to a meditation centre, spend one month in meditation doing nothing by sitting, walking and noticing daily activities, then we might get back our enthusiasm in volunteering or charity work.

Finished teaching 10 days course of Buddhism in Thabarwa Centre

Including Basic Buddhism and meditation for beginners

and Pali and Abhidhamma for serious Buddhists.

Taught by Sayalay Cala Theri,
MA 3rd year in International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University.
BSc Computer (Honors), Coventry University/Inti Colleges and Universities.
Dhamma translator and editor for 9 years.

Loving-kindness and Forgiveness

Recently in Feb 2016, I was teaching in Thabarwa centre to a group of foreigners who were travelling in Myanmar. Most of them were happened to stay in this centre for a few days. I was thinking, I tried to share the essence of Dhamma, without dwelling too much on ritual or superficial side.
I taught them loving-kindness combined with forgiveness. The reason was that I read lots of psychology books and realised people living in modern technology and stress society are not able to slow down, enjoy life and forgive one’s mistakes. I started with the normal way to radiate loving-kindness, and combine with forgiveness practice. I was quite surprised to hear the feedback at the end.
At first, I started with ‘May I be well and happy’ as a loving-kindness practice.
The usual way is wishing us in four ways:
May I be well and happy.
May I be free from mental suffering, - no stress, no sadness, no depression, no unhappiness
May I be free from physical suffering - no body problem. no cancer, no heart problem, no eyes problem…
May I take of myself happily.

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