Buddha Sàsana Newsletter of the Blue Mountains Insight Centre

Farewell, John McIntyre, Editor

s deep winter settles over the Blue Mountains, the Centre seems Ato lie dormant, in seasonal recess. The grass ceases to grow, the currawongs dig deeper into the compost for a meal, the leafless trees await the warmth of spring. Venerable Ariya ¥àõi's retreat of seven weeks, long anticipated by yogis, staff and volunteers, has come and gone. The seasonal change again reminds us that nothing stays the same—this is true of the life of the centre, maintained as it is by the efforts and energies of many people. This inevitability of change we acknowledge in this Winter issue—we are preparing to say farewell to our long-standing manager, Tara, who later in the year will complete her service and enjoy a richly deserved sabbatical in Nepal. We know her as a practised manager with a steady and competent style and as a respected Dhamma teacher—but in a larger sense, we farewell someone who has played a founding and guiding role since the earliest days. So, from our hearts, Tara, we say ‘thank you’ for those full years of service and your great contribution to BMIMC over the years. May you fare well and happily! Sàdhu! Sàdhu! Sàdhu!

In this issue

Meditator profile. Faith Teh recalls how life after university has led her to the Mahàsã tradition and her recent period of service at BMIMC prior to travelling to Burma to further her practice. Classic Dhamma Books Graham Wheeler introduces a series of reviews of influential guides to insight meditation, with a review of Nyanaponika's 'Heart of '. The Western Buddhist experience We give a summary of Glenys Eddy's 2003 research on meditators’ practice at BMIMC and the Institute. Archiving the Dhamma John McIntyre reflects on the process of putting away some twenty years of Dhamma talks recorded on cassette tapes at BMIMC. Manager's report Tara MacLachlan farewells us as manager at BMIMC with some reflections about her Dhamma service and her plans for next year. The Building Program We reprint our appeal for funds to garner the resources needed to build a new staff building now approved by Blue Mountains City Council. UN International Day of . The Australian observance of the UN International Day of Vesak was held recently in Parliament House, Canberra.

1 1 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter Winter 2010 A Me d i t a t o r ’s Li f e

Faith Teh gave Dhamma service for as it supports the sitting and helps the seven weeks of Venerable Ariya to cut through restlessness and ¥àõi's retreats at the Centre. She tells torpor. how she came to be involved in the Mahàsã tradition and her aspirations Part of her journey in the Dhamma to ordain and practise in Burma later included participation in a two this year. week ‘novitiate program’ organised in 2008 by the Venerable Mahinda n 2002, Faith graduated from at BodhGaya, India. This involved a Iuniversity with a Commerce huge group of 300 people from all degree and began full-time work over the Asia Pacific, ordaining as but things did not go too well. She or samaneris, with robes was unhappy, even depressed, over and accommodation provided. conflicts with her boss, until things The daily timetable was demanding: Faith Teh came to a head and she left. wake at 4am, chanting at the Bodhi A few days later, wandering around Tree followed by breakfast, then a During April and May Faith worked the city, she found herself in the Dhamma class from 9 to 11 with as a kitchen assistant at BMIMC book section at Myer’s, where she meditation in the afternoon, a talk during Venerable Ariya ¥àõi's came to a shelf of Dalai books. from 7 until 9 and bed at 10. retreats. She didn’t think seven weeks serving for an ongoing retreat The Art of Happiness caught her eye This gave her a ‘taste of renunciation’ was too much, since full-time work and she thought ‘I really need a and she found it a heart-opening had kept her too busy for Dhamma dose of that’ and since it was ‘quite experience. That experience led her service over the past years. digestible’, read it through there to realise that she ‘had the capacity and then. Every page spoke to her. to renounce’ and strengthened her She believes the experience will Though she knew nothing of the resolve to practise. prepare her well for the next stage of intensive practice. It has been Dhamma or vipassanà meditation, One night, three nuns gave a helpful to talk to the Venerable there was no turning back from Dhamma talk together, short talks about the different ‘flavours’ within then on. She talked to Buddhist but very inspiring. One in particular Burmese Mahàsã practice. If parents friends (Faith is Malaysian spoke with a quiet firmness and approve, Faith plans to be at Ashin Chinese) and started going to the conviction about why it was so Indaka’s monastery in , UNSW Buddhist Society and a few important—though the goal of Burma for the Rains Retreat. months later tried a Goenka retreat sotapàna seems so distant, it is at Blackheath with them. She felt achievable in this lifetime! Faith We all wish her well in her Dhamma ‘thrown in the deep end’ but stayed then realised that she possessed the journey. the course because of her friends. rare conditions for her practice— This led her to practise in the her health, freedom from worldly Goenka way for three years. worries, the capacity to practise Meanwhile, Faith was keeping in and a desire to progress. touch with her mother in Malaysia Last year Faith turned thirty, which who was concerned about her she felt to be a turning point. Back getting involved in a ‘meditation in full-time work, again she found it cult’. Then, a Mahàsã practitioner demanding and stressful, affecting persuaded her mother to sign up her peace of mind so much that for a retreat in Sabah. Her mother it undermined her volunteer found the retreat very rewarding, counselling work with Lifeline. and Faith, after further reading, After much deliberation, during realised it was different from the a retreat at Buddha Dhamma Goenka approach. over the Christmas holidays, she The next year she and her mother made a determination to resign attended a Mahàsã retreat led by with two months notice—gaining Jnanapurnik. She says she time to reflect and plan a different really took to walking meditation future.

2 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter Winter 2010 Th e We s t e r n Bu d d h i s t Ex p e r i e n c e

Western meditators are not often against their own values and life born into a Buddhist culture, yet their experience. In an environment meditation experience can lead them of minimal social pressure, to develop a Buddhist perspective on transformation of belief is gradual life. What is the process of becoming over a period of from months to a Buddhist in this way? years. Glenys Eddy explored this question in her 2003 doctoral research. She Deeper understanding of the interviewed practitioners affiliated nature of the commitment process with two Buddhist Centres, Blue is provided by viewing it in Mountains Insight Meditation Centre terms of religious resocialization, and the Gelugpa Tibetan Vajrayana involving the reframing of one’s Institute. understanding of reality and sense- of-self within a new worldview. Glenys describes four stages that Glenys Eddy’s starting point is mark the transition of the Western that Western is usually Gandharan (Graeco-Buddhist) sculpture Buddhist from being a ‘seeker’ to a an experience of conversion. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco committed adherent—engagement, She wanted to understand how apprehension, comprehension, and meditators become ‘converts’ and The comprising commitment. This transition is a and committed Buddhists. the three groups of sila (ethics), samàdhi(concentration) and pa¤¤a process of ‘socialization’. She found that this occurs through (wisdom) provide a strategy for Engagement is the first and tentative a process of ‘self-transformation’ as negotiating lived experience in orientation to Buddhism while meditators take up and apply new the light of meditation techniques, apprehension is the understanding beliefs and practices in their lives. which are specific to each Buddhist of core Buddhist notions. A person becomes a meditator orientation. Comprehension occurs through through a process of religious (or Meditation practice applies learning how various aspects of philosophical) experimentation doctrinal principles (the three the worldview form a coherent when the claims of a religious characteristics, the Path, the five meaning-system, and through reality are tested against inner faculties and so on) in one’s own application of Buddhist principles understandings and convictions, transformation. Or to put it another to the improvement of one’s own and ‘validated’ through experience. way, these principles are discovered life circumstances. It requires an These understandings become in one's meditative experience. [This understanding of the fundamental clearer as a result of experimental seems especially true of our Mahasi relationships between doctrine, participation in religious activity. tradition of vipassanà meditation practice, and experience. The adopted Buddhist worldview with its rigorous experiential Commitment to the group’s outlook becomes more meaningful as it investigation of mental and bodily and objectives occurs when these ‘frames’ personal experience. phenomena—Ed.]. are adopted as one’s orientation to In this way, meditative experience Glenys Eddy participated in reality and found to be an efficacious (and its interpretation according retreats and workshops and and ethically sustainable strategy to Dhamma) is tested for whether interviewed participants in order for negotiating life. Sustained it improves the ‘quality of lived to understand how the activities of commitment is conditional upon experience’. It must be relevant a Western Buddhist Centre assists continuing validation of that to current living, and ethically their exploration of Buddhism experience. sustainable. and their eventual commitment to Buddhism. Commitment arises through the meditator gradually accepting and Individuals take an actively Glenys Eddy. The Western successfully discerning the three experimental attitude toward the Buddhist Experience. PhD Thesis, marks of samsaric existence— new group’s activities, withholding Department of Religious Studies, dukkha, anãcca and anattà—as an judgment while testing the group’s The University of Sydney. Accessed interpretive framework for lived doctrinal position, practices, and on-line at ses.library.usyd.edu.au/ reality. expected experiential outcomes handle/2123/2227.

Winter 2010 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter 3 Ar o u n d a n d Be y o n d t h e Ce n t r e

Archiving the Dhamma centre I am very satisfied with my level of meditation. There are many wenty years is not long, but retreat centers around the world Tover two decades the centre has including Burma but very few where gradually accumulated a body of we can meditate energetically to Dhamma talks recorded on cassette gain the high level of wisdom. tapes. We know yogis need good health, These cassette tapes were intended nutritious food, a conducive as a record of esteemed teaching, to environment and high principles be replayed or perhaps occasionally such as Noble Silence to be able to transcribed and published in the energetically meditate and gain the newsletter. high level of wisdom which is the main aim of vipassanà meditation. Cassette tapes! and the machine called a ‘cassette deck’ for playing Without this Centre, I personally would not gained much wisdom at them! The digital revolution has John at work archiving some twenty years of outmoded the technology and taped Dhamma talks held by BMIMC. all, therefore I would like to thank made the tapes all but redundant— BMIMC so very much and wish that the centre may be able to run yet they are Dhamma, so in May As the era of the cassette tape passes retreats continuously and benefit the tapes were archived. Doing so into history, we can appreciate all yogis. Sàdhu! Sàdhu! Sàdhu! prompted some reflection on the all the more the benefits we changing forms of the Dhamma. enjoy of ready access to digitised May all beings be able to share my It is not so many decades since an Dhamma through Internet archives good deeds. earlier generation knew such as dhammaseed.org and Julie Moe Moe Buddhism only from a few books accesstoinsight.org. and publications of the Buddhist Publication Society and issues of A letter of thanks The Wheel. Meditators going to I would like to thank Blue Mountains Burma in the 1950s may have Insight Meditation Centre so very found English typescripts of talks much. There are many things that by the Mahàsã Sayàdaw (U Sobhàna I would like to give thanks for but Mahathera) and others. the major ones are: In the mid-eighties, Burmese 1. The ongoing invitation to Sayàdaws and their followers Sayàdaw U Lakkhaõa, (Kyaswa were making the Mahàsã tradition Sayadaw) that since 1998 has UN Observance of Vesak available to the West, and soon given us the chance to meditate there were new guides to stand with a highly skilled and respected An impressive ceremony was held in alongside Nyanaponika's Heart of Burmese teacher. the Great Hall, Parliament House in Buddhist Meditation (1954, see Canberra to mark UN International 2. Providing and continuously review in this issue) and Rahula's Observance of Vesak. All major improving healthy food and an What The Buddha Taught (1959). traditions were represented with environment so we are able to many ethnic communities present: The archive includes many talks by meditate energetically and gain Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Sayàdaw U Pandita (the Centre's high level wisdom. guiding teacher) and senior Burmese, Thai, Lao and Sri American lay teachers—Steve 3. Highly principled conduct of all Lankan. retreats, such as the fact they are Armstrong, Michelle McDonald, A gift of the English Tripitaka completely silent, which also leads Sharon Salzberg, Allan Clements, to the Parliament was accepted to gaining a high level of wisdom. Steven Smith and Joseph Goldstein. by the Speaker of the House of The earliest talk, from 1977, is by I have been meditating at Blue Representatives, and relics were Jack Kornfield. There are, of course, Mountains Insight Meditation donated by the Sri Lankan High many talks by the Centre's visiting Center every year since 1998 due Commissioner. The formalities teachers over the years. to the full support of yogis from the included chanting by .

4 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter Winter 2010 Cla s s i c Dh amma b o o k s The Heart of Buddhist Meditation

This newsletter begins a series of on several occasions and each time reviews of Dhamma books that have it seems to offer something new that been important influences on the was not previously apparent to me. I lives and practice of those associated also enjoy Venerable Nyanaponka’s with BMIMC. didactic style of writing which Graham Wheeler, management reflects his great proficiency with Committee member and a senior language. lay teacher at the Centre, here tells of his discovery of Nyanaponika Ven. Nyanaponika was born into a Mahathera's inspirational essay on Jewish family in Hanau, Germany satipaññhàna practice. in 1901 as Siegmund Feniger and in early 1936 (following Krystalnacht) left Europe for to join was staying in Kandy, Sri Lanka in an older, German-born , late 1979 when someone lent me I Nyanatiloka Thera, at the Island this book by Nyanaponika Thera. Hermitage. Despite being interned Nyanaponika Maha Thera late in life At that time, there were not many during World War Two he was able books about Buddhist meditation to complete the German translations ... I do not know of any book which in English and so this was a real of several Buddhist scriptures and could be compared to this work as revelation. compiled an anthology of texts on a guide to meditation’. After reading this I knew I wanted to satipaññhàna meditation. try the meditation that it described. In 1952, both Nyanaponika and his Editor's note. Graham has a reply Fortunately, I was able to locate a teacher Nyanatiloka were invited written by Nyanaponika Mahathera nearby monastery called Rockhill by the Burmese Government for to his letter to the Venerable in 1988 Hermitage that taught insight consultation in preparation of the expressing appreciation of The meditation to lay people in English. Sixth Buddhist Council and to Heart of Buddhist Meditation. This Although I only stayed at Rockhill re-edit and reprint the entire was just at the time the Buddha for about a week, the experience Canon and its commentaries. It was Sàsana Association was establishing had a profound impact and I’ve at this time that he also completed Blue Mountains Insight Meditation been practising insight meditation a period of training in insight Centre. ever since. meditation under the Venerable The Venerable wrote appreciatively The work itself consists of three Mahàsã Sayadaw. of the new Association's desire parts. Part One is an explanation In 1958 a society for the publication to make possible the study and of the significance of the practice of Buddhist literature in English, practice of satipaññhàna vipassanà and its methods and aims. This called the Buddhist Publication in Australia and enclosed a copy of part includes a commentary on Society (BPS), was established one of his many publications—later the Buddha’s actual teachings and Ven Nyanaponkia appointed included in his Vision of Dhamma. and an outline of the revival of as it founding editor. He held this meditation in Burma and the Nyanaponika was the mentor of position until 1984 when poor technique that evolved there. Part Bodhi, whose moving health necessitated his retirement, Two is an English translation of the memoir ‘For the Welfare of Many’ though he remained as president of Satipaññhàna Sutta and Part Three, can be found on Access to Insight, the Society until 1988. Venerable an anthology of texts translated June 5, 2010, at http://www. Nyanaponkia passed away on the from Pali and dealing with accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/ 19th of October 1994, the last right . bodhi/bps-essay_28.html. day of his 58th rains retreat as a This structure means the book bhikkhu. The story of the German of provides an introduction and at the Forest Hermitage in Sri The Heart of Buddhist Meditation overview of the practice together Lanka, can be found at www.payer. is a modern spiritual classic, with a wealth of resources for those de/neobuddhismus/neobud0203. which Erich Fromm, the esteemed who wish to delve more deeply htm. It was also there that the neo-Freudian author, described into the Buddha’s teachings on Venerable ¥àõamoli (an English as ‘A work of unique importance, meditation. monk) completed his great work of written with great depth, extra- translating the Vissudhimagga. Over the years I have read this book ordinary knowledge, deep humanity

Winter 2010 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter 5 Fr o m t h e ma n a g e r

Tara MacLachlan

his will be my last newsletter experienced so recently at the end Treport as manager of BMIMC. of Venerable Ariya ¥àõi’s seven My plan, as some of you already week retreat, is seeing a yogi’s faith know, is to take a year off to spend and joy in the Dhamma ignited by some extended time in Nepal at their own efforts, together with the Panditarama , both for teacher’s guidance and the staff’s practice and to offer support to support. And often I have had the Sayadaw U Vivekananda and opportunity to see how this flowers Sayalay Bhadda Manika. I will further in their lives—the release be leaving BMIMC sometime from an oppressive situation, a around the end of October to early journey to practise with great November. teachers overseas or a decision to take robes. It will be six years that I have support. And I want to thank all of spent here at the Centre­­—difficult I sometimes get offered thanks for you, who have attended retreats, to believe that so much time has my contribution to such events, worked as volunteers or donated to passed–—and it has been an which causes much happiness to the centre in any way, for giving me incredibly rich experience, arise and deepens my own faith in the opportunity to support you in many challenges and rewards. the Dhamma. Of course, it is not so the Dhamma. easy when something I have done Either way, I can’t emphasize With much metta has the opposite effect, causing enough how much benefit this Tara distress both for myself and the has been for me, to my intensive other person. meditation practice and a significant One must remain in the vastness, practice in itself providing some However, just as in intensive alert and lucid, great opportunities to integrate practice, I have a lot to learn and Letting one’s gaze encompass mindfulness into daily life and to gain from adversity, from those develop the four Brahama Viharas times when things can seem too the infinity of the sky, —loving-kindness,compassion, much. As though seated on the summit sympathetic joy and equanimity. of a mountain open This is when sangha comes to the fore and I have been very fortunate to all the horizons. Hurting others over the past six years to receive amounts to hurting oneself. some wonderful support at such Displaying the faults of others times—so I give my heartfelt thanks amounts to exhibiting ones own. to those people, who include my Stressing their good qualities Dhamma teachers, family and some special friends. amounts to revealing our own. While living at BMIMC I have had Shabkar (1781-1851) the opportunity to travel to Nepal Shabkar, a Tibetan poet, says it much for my own practice every year more eloquently but his words are but now feel it’s time to take an reflective of my understanding of extended break and expand my the Dhamma, of my own experience horizons—both inner and outer— and of my attempts to engage with and in this light I’d like to finish everyone with whom I have had with more of Shabkar’s words, contact in my role as manager and which seem fitting for a trip to the in my life in general. Himalayan region. While it has not always been possible I wish all the best to those to live up to my own expectations, staying behind to carry on the let alone those of others, many work at BMIMC, with a special rewards have come from this acknowledgement to the members intention. I think my greatest of the management committee for Sàdhu! Sàdhu! Sàdhu! happiness in being at the centre, their ongoing commitment and

6 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter Winter 2010 Fu n d r a i s i n g a n d t h e b u i l d i n g p r o g r am

s supporters will know from Athe recent Vesak appeal letter, BMIMC has received approval from Blue Mountains City Council to build the new staff accommodation described in the Summer newsletter. Those who have been on staff over the years will know only too well how much this building is needed. It will offer better conditions for Dhamma service for our dedicated staff and create more flexibility in our accommodation. The building will have two self-contained units of about 35 sqm each. Before we can build we must be sure that the Building Fund has sufficient funds for us to obtain quotations for completion to lock-up stage. Now is the time to give a mighty boost to the Building Fund and help kick-start the project. The completed building will cost in the region of $180 000. $1500 will pay for a square metre to lock up stage. It would be wonderful to receive donations for some larger ‘green’ items such as solar hot water $2500 (after rebates), a 1.5Kw photo-voltaic solar power system, (about $6000 after rebates) or a water tank. Of course, all donations, large or small, are welcome. A Book of U Janaka Talks Over the years, generosity has made possible everything we esteem and A long-imagined project is coming value at BMIMC and continues to to fruition—a book of talks by ensure that the Centre prospers Chanmyay Sayadaw Ashin Janaka from year to year. Bhivamsa (Sayadaw U Janaka). The prospect of better staff accom- In March 1998 Sayadaw conducted a month-long retreat at BMIMC. Chanmyay Sayadaw opening the new Chanmyay modation is surely a practical and Vihara in Springfield, Illinois, USA, 2007 The talks were recorded and two achievable goal. It presents an readying the book for publication opportunity to contribute to the yogis, Nancy Dodge and John McIntyre, undertook the labour of and free distribution. Contribu- next stage of the development of tions are invited to help bring this transcribing the fourteen talks with BMIMC by donating to the Build- project to fruition—to cover the ing Fund. All such donations are a view to publishing them. costs of publication will require tax-deductible. The transcribed talks existed in about $4000. Please use the form on the back draft form for some years before Donations can be made through page and a special receipt will be being checked by Sayadaw and the Centre. Please state the dona- returned to you. corrected and edited by Venerable tion is for the Chanmyay Sayadaw Ariya ¥àõi. Nancy Dodge is now Talks Book.

Winter 2010 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter 7 BMIMC d o n a t i o n f o r m

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8 Buddha Sàsana Newsletter Winter 2010