 |
| To walk in Buddha Path |
Thus have I heard:
At one time the Lord Buddha settled near Savatthi in the Jeta Wood
at Anathapindika's monastery.
Then came the gods, when the day before the morning, with
bright light illuminating the whole Jeta Wood.
The gods approached the Lord Buddha and honor Him, then stood to one side.
While standing on one side, the god was said to the Lord Buddha in this verse:
Many gods and men, disagree about the Blessing, which
is expected to bring salvation. Please explain what is the Main Blessing.
..........
Patient, humble when warned, visited the monk, discussed Dhamma at the appropriate moment, that's the main Blessing.
..........
Due to pursue these things, man will not loss in anywhere,
and walk safely to every place, that is the Main Blessing.
On the basis of this Sutta we join together with Saddha
Kirana Family Gathering (SKFG), traveled to Thailand to visit some of the
senior forest monk (Luang Pu).
 |
| Everyday we line up for Pindapatta |
 |
| waiting for others |
Wat Arannavivek Monastery - Luang Pu Plien
Our
first visit was ascetic Wat Arannavivek Monastery - Luang Pu Plien. By bringing various foods, souvenirs and other gifts, we meet and saluted Luang
Pu. Luang Pu Plien welcome us with pleasure, not a lot of words being
delivered because he was ill and doctors recommend not too much talking. After
receiving the blessing and pictures together, we were immediately ushered by
Bhikkhu Pannavajiro, Indonesia monk who practiced in the temple to the hall
where we were staying.
The
next morning we were given the opportunity to follow the monks walk around the
village to receive alms from the faithful (Pindappatta). The monks walks barefooted and very neat, we were going to try to follow in their footsteps with haste, but the monks just walked casually.
 |
| barefooted i walk the path |
Throughout
the trip
 |
| every morning i wait to give the alms |
After
returning to the monastery, received blessing and breakfast, we
immediately take leave to continue our journey to the next recluse.
Wat Pu Sangho Monastery - Phra-a-chan Wanchai
Our
second visit was Wat Pu Sangho Monastery - Phra-a-chan Wanchai. In this second
monastery, we had the opportunity to see the life of the monks who practice in
the rocky or cave area. After waiting for some time, we get the chance to meet and listen to
the advice of Phra-a-chan Wanchai.
 |
| preparing the tent |
A-chan with his simple, firm and straightforward speaking style advised that we always
remember to practice meditation and taking care of Citta (inner mind). In this
occasion, I personally asked A-chan the permission to documenting forest
monk lives much closer for 1 week. And A-chan agree to give the permission. Then I
asked again to A-chan, "When is the right time for me to come?" A-chan said, "RIGHT NOW!" We were surprised to hear the answer A-chan that
is so firm and spontaneous.
After
the question and answer session is completed, we handed souvenirs and funds to A-chan. Then when we asked permission to photograph together, A-chan suddenly
said, "Already taken, it’s enough." We were only able to smile to
hear A-chan answer that is so
straightforward.
Then we salute and leave to continue next trip.
 |
| the path to Kuti |
Wat Pa Na Kam Noi Monastery - Luang Pu Inthawai
Late
afternoon we arrived at the Wat Pa Na Kam Noi Monastery, so we do not have the
opportunity to meet Luang Pu Inthawai. And after we hand over the rice, oil,
sugar and other thing to the monastery kitchen, we were ushered to our place to
stay by a young monk.
For
the man, we were placed in 2 kuti (house) in the forest which is about 500
meters from Dhammasala. And for the woman, they were placed at different area. Each kuti accommodate 4 people. We had to down a stone
path and the path surrounded by thick trees. Throughout the trip we find a
variety of small animals such as snakes, monkeys, and crickets sounds with
pitches.
 |
| Forest Monk Kuti |
We
were only given candles for lighting in the kuti, luckily we bring flashlight. The
dark and dense atmosphere, heavy rain, thunder, lightning and the sound of the
animals at night, adds to the sense of fear in the minds of our own. And after
we calm our mind, we were sound asleep until morning.
Rain
greeted us in the morning, and we had the opportunity to witness how the monks
still practice Pindappatta despite increasingly heavy rain.
After
breakfast, we finally had the opportunity to meet Luang Pu Inthawai. And on
this occasion, Luang Pu gave Dhamma about how we all can meet and together
on this day due to past karmic connection between us all.
And
after we give souvenirs, we continued on our way back.
 |
| with light from candle and torch |
Wat Pa Daeng Monastery- Lung Po Lee
On
the way to the Wat Tham Sahai Monastery, we first visited the Wat Pa Daeng Monastery
- Luang Pu Lee. However, because of Luang Pu Lee conditions were unfavorable and
should be isolated in a glass room, we were only able to see Luang Pu from
outdoors only.
We
then prostration for Luang Pu health and continue our journey.
 |
| no more and no less |
Wat Tham Sahai Monastery - Luang Pu Janrien
Heavy
rain and day before the night greeted our arrival at the Wat Tham Sahai
Monastery - Luang Pu Janrien. The monastery atmosphere quite scary because we
had to climb about 100 stairs with a statue of a snake on his left and right to
get into the dhammasalla in a large cave. And at this monastery, it is prohibited
to take any picture anywhere in monastery area. Even when one of our member
taking Luang Pu picture with his smartphone, we immediately requested with
respect to remove the picture from our camera.
When
we arrive, at the same time Luang Pu Janrien was receiving other guests also.
And because of the lateness of the hour, Luang Pu allows us to directly take a
rest in the hall that had been prepared for us. Man and woman in separate hall.
 |
| i eat what i need, not what i want |
In
the morning we were invited to have breakfast with Luang Pu with the manner of
the monastery, where we were welcome to sit in rows lengthwise, and foods placed on the trolly will pass in front of us in turn. Here we learn
to take the food we need or what we can eat, not what we want, and take the
amount according to the needs. We are also required to move the trolley
with a quick and silent move.
After
breakfast, we were welcome to meet Luang Pu Janrien, but Luang Pu could not give
advice because there were still a lot of guests and people who met in the
morning that day. And after we gave the souvenir to Luang Pu, suddenly we were
pelted with candy by one of the Luang Pu assistant. It turns out that throwing
candy is a way of blessing. It is the blessing procedures performed at this monastery ,
so we collect all those blessing sweets.
Wat Doi
Dhamma Chedi Monastery - Luang Pu Baen
We
arrived at Wat Doi Dhamma Chedi Monastery - Luang Pu Baen, in the afternoon. And we were received by one
of the monks who then gave us advice and guidance regarding the procedures for
us to stay in this temple, because Luang Pu Baen not in place at the time. We were informed that the possibility to meet him in the next morning.
 |
| merit |
We
get the advice that the best way to do Merit
is not to just to drive around visiting the monk with a variety of food /
money, but to do Merit is best to
practice Sila (5 basic precepts; do not kill, steal, commit adultery, lying, intoxicated)
and Samadhi (meditation). We are required to practice Sila and do not talk / keep
silent during our stay at this temple. And we were also required to participate
in vespers before the break and the morning service at 3 am. We were the first
group that permitted to stay at this forest monastery as an outsider who came
to visit (not the people who train), for that we were expected to behave while
in the monastery. Then we were welcome to occupy a hall that has been provided
and getting ready for the evening service.
This
morning we had to immediately rush to tidy up all of our belonging, due to our
flight schedule was changed by the airline during the day into a morning
flight. We only have a little space of time to meet Luang Pu Baen and
participated in Pindapatta. On that morning, we still have no idea whether we
will have the opportunity to meet Luang Pu because we still have not been
informed when Luang Pu had returned to the monastery.
Not
long after the monks returned from alms, Luang Pu Baen meet us at the time when we
will present the alms. Jokingly, Luang Pu suggested we stay at this temple for
2 more weeks due to the smoke condition in Indonesia, where the fresh air at
this monastery is very good for health. And when we will present souvenirs and
candle, Luang Pu reject these merit and giving us advice that was quite hard.
Luang Pu advocated that the souvenirs and candles to be used at the
altar of our own to remind ourselves of the message Luang Pu, in which the
merit that we carry has very small worth (while showing less than 1 vertebra
little finger.) Merit that is dedicated to the Buddha and the Sangha must be
pure, namely by practicing Sila and Samadhi. Some of us quite surprised to hear
the sharp advice from Luang Pu, but we can only be silent and smiling.
 |
| in this bowl i took the alms |
Not
long after Luang Pu Baen leave us and went to Dhammasalla, we immediately left to the airport. Throughout our trip was silent, perhaps some of us
are still contemplating the sharp advice from Luang Pu.
Wat Khaoyai Yana Monastery - Luang Pu
Uthai
After
landing in Bangkok and drive the car for about 2 hours we finally arrived at
the end of a journey to visit the monk, Wat Khaoyai Yana Monastery, Luang Pu
Uthai.
 |
| remember to clean our heart |
We
were received with great enthusiasm by Luang Pu Uthai, and we were also
accompanied by Pi Toy, Charoensi (Luang Pu's student), which greatly
helped translate dhamma of Luang Pu.
Luang
Pu invited the men to rest in the Dhammasalla basement, the woman in separated area or dorm and getting ready to join the
evening service. After we cleaned up, we immediately get into the Dhammasalla to
join the service. Come across our mind, how we can chant written in Thai language. Amazingly they have prepared the seat and
chanting book written in English for our group so that we can join the chanting
together.
Luang
Pu Uthai fill the dhamma sharing this evening with a very special, like a
father who love and nurturing, urged the other monks and other people who
practice in the monastery to develop love for our group from Indonesia. Luang
Pu continued the dhamma with dialogue and stressed to us to practice Sila and
Samadhi. How Sila and Samadhi can bring happiness and life will come better.
How misconduct will take us to the four world of woe (apaya bhumi).
 |
| the dukkha from the apaya bhumi |
After dharma sharing, Luang Pu still have chance to take us around the monastery, to see how Luang Pu put small fish in running small pond around the monastery in order to reduce the risk of mosquito and others.
In the morning, we were given the opportunity to help the monks prepare the food from Pindapatta. We learned a lot about the rules, ethics and procedures for the Sangha to be maintained. One of the lesson is about how to Kappi. When we offered the fruit to the monk, we have to make sure that the seeds from the fruit will not grow again. The monk will ask, "Kappi yam Karohi?" (are these fruit and vegetable proper for the monk to eat?). Then we have to see if the fruit are proper or not. If the fruit are not proper, we have to make them proper by sticking fork or break open the fruit and answer, "Kappi yam bhante". (Yes, it is proper.)
After helping the monks, we then were given a bowl of rice and a spoon for
ritual alms. Yes, here we are taught different procedures for alms, which all
donated food goes into the kitchen and as a ritual we were given a bowl of rice
to later put in the monk bowl with a spoon. After Luang Pu finished reading a
prayer and took the food, we were welcome to enjoy the food that prepared by kitchen
volunteers.
Again
we are given the opportunity to meet and talk with Luang Pu before we left. And
on this occasion Luang Pu Uthai showed his sense of pleasure with our presence
from Indonesia, and wishes to be able to meet again. We were given many dhamma
books and some have even written in Bahasa Indonesia.
Closing
And
that was the journey visiting the forest monk in Thailand, which we did last
month. Personally, I felt this trip has been planned so that we can learn and
understand the Dhamma better.
Where
at the beginning before this trip started, maybe some of us have the thought that
just by giving money, food and other things, can obtain abundant blessings for happy
life. But this trip has given us a lot of lessons and dhamma such as:
-
Luang Pu
Plien – has provide a sense of comfort by accepting the beginning of our
trip and eliminate all concerns that arise from our own minds, such as the
condition of the forest, shelter, food and others. Give us the chance to
experience the task, compassion and respect to the monks when they are
practicing Pindapatta every day.
- Phra-a-chan Wanchai - with no strings attached, straightforward and firm, RIGHT NOW! The time
for us to begin to practice Samadhi, do not wait and do not look for any more
reason, but we should keep striving to train ourselves, to develop our
spiritual, rite at this moment. Ceremonial strings attached are no importance,
Luang Pu remind us to train developing our Citta 24 hours a day.
-
Luang Pu
Inthawai - experience the life of a monk in isolation / loneliness in the
middle of the thick forest. Often our own minds had been the cause of fear in
ourselves. That we all can come together in this trip
because of the karmic connection between us all.
- Luang Pu
Lee - that in the end we all have to experience old age and death, so let
us not forget to continue to practice and grow in the dhamma.
- Luang Pu
Janrien - that ceremonial or ordinance is simply an ordinances, and can be
changed according to the conditions and needs. That anywhere, in the cave /
forest, self training can always be developed.
- Luang Pu
Baen – the reminder are very appropriate for us to always remember and
learn that "the Merit" must be pure that we can offer to the Buddha
and the Sangha by diligently practicing Samadhi and observe the precepts (Sila)
for the development of ourselves. Funds that do not wish to return, funds that sincere.
Reminder that "the primary blessing
is not only to visit the hermit but also to be humble when alerted."
-
Luang Pu
Uthai - seemed like coming home to a father who protect, cherish and warm
from fatigue, disappointment, and emotions. But also do not forget to remind us
to come back to the house, actively practicing the Sila and Samadhi.
 |
| everyday i practice Silla and Samadhi |
At
the end I would like to send my gratitude to Saddha Kirana Family Gathering who
have accepting me to join this journey, Brother Adi who has arrange the trip
with so passionate and Pi Toy, Charoensi (Luang Pu's student) who has help translating and
explaining the Dhamma to us, so we can understand the dhamma much more in this
journey.
Sabbe
Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar