Winter 2010•2553 Volume 15, Number 1

L to R: Metta, Sister Sumedha, Ajahn Anandabodhi, Ajahn Santacitta at Montgomery Woods

SARANALOKA: The Light of Seeds of a New Monastery By Jeanie Daskais

New Year’s Eve isn’t a holiday on the abundant blessings and the gift of a Buddha INSIDE: Theravadan calendar, but a gathering rupa for the new monastery from Ajahn From the Monastery Pg 2 in San Francisco that day and into the Sumedho and the Amaravati . After night celebrates more than the passage a stay at Abhayagiri, Ānandabodhī Settling the Mind Pg 6 st of time. December 31 is the opening and Mettā accompanied Ajahn Amaro Calendar Pg 8 & 9 night of Āloka Vihāra, the first Thai to teach the Thanksgiving Retreat at Tests and Treasures of Tudong Pg 10 Forest Tradition monastery for women in Angela Center, before settling into the San North America. Francisco house with Ajahn Santacittā and From Māra’s Desk Pg 14 Ajahn Ānandabodhī, Ajahn Mettā Anagārikā Santussikā. Rain on the Nile Book Back page and Ajahn Santacittā, three senior nuns The vihāra will be in the Sunset District, from Amaravati Monastery, along with at 1632 48th Avenue, in the same house Contributors: The Sangha, Ajahn Pasanno, Anagārikā Santussikā, will be the vihāra’s where the three ajahns lived in January Tan Ñāniko, Jeanie Daskais and Mettikā. first residents. They traveled to San and February of 2009, until Saranaloka Francisco from England in late fall, bearing (Continued on page 12) From the Monastery Contact: The Monastery and the “Real World”

October 4th marked the end of the monastic ‘rains residence’ – the 3-month observance of stability set forth by the Buddha when monastics are enjoined to abstain from unnecessary travel and engagement. Traditionally during this time monastics give particular focus to their spiritual training, specifically the study of the discipline and the giving of attention to communal practice and harmony. This update on the monas- tery happenings covers the second half of the ‘rains’ through to the end of the year, thus chronicling the intersection and exchange between these two worlds: the monastery and ‘the outside world’; Ajahn Mettaāand Ajahn Amaro, at the Thanksgiving retreat, 2007 the monastic community and the laity; seclusion and engagement. by the newly-founded and still small the Thai monk Ajahn Dto who will community. make Abhayagiri his home for the next Inter-Monastic Conversation Also, in mid-November, Ajahns few years and the Canadian-born Tan As a branch-monastery of Pah Ānandabodhī and Mettā, two of the Pavaro – who was ordained as a Pong, Ajahn Chah’s home base of spiritual teachers of the newly emerging by Ajahn Pasanno at Birken Monastery – practice in Thailand, Abhayagiri is a California Nuns’ Community to be based who will be residing here for one year. grateful member of a much greater inter- in Northern California, were able to come On August 2nd, the vast majority of national network of forest monasteries. for a several-day visit to Abhayagiri. Such resident monks and novices here trav- Accompanying this connection of continued relations further strengthen elled to Wat Buddhanusorn in Fremont, is an ongoing friendly affiliation and a the mutually-appreciated and mutually- CA to pay-respects to its abbot Luang refreshing tradition of inter-monastic respected link to this newly fledged Por Māha-Prasert. This formal homage, visitation. It was in this spirit that community. which has become an annual feature of Abhayagiri was able to host Ajahn Sona, In addition to these short-term visits, the Abhayagiri calendar, is a continu- the abbot of Birken Forest Monastery in the resident monastic population at ation of a tradition from the time of British Columbia, for a one-week stay Abhayagiri continues to fluctuate as the earliest Sangha of paying respects in early October following his term as ‘local’ monks return and ‘foreign’ monks during the ‘rains residence’ to local vener- in-rains residence ‘substitute-teacher’ at settle in. Following Pavarana Day, the able elders. Bhante Gunaratana’s Society official end of the ‘rains,’ the monastery Upon invitation, both co-abbots, in West Virginia. During his stay at welcomed back Ajahn Sudanto and Ajahn Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, Abhayagiri, he offered several public Karunadhammo into its fold. The ajahns, have gone to visit branch monasteries Dhamma talks and warmly made himself who spent their ‘rains’ serving as mentors in New Zealand and Thailand through available for questions and conversation. at Birken Monastery during Ajahn December and January. During this time So too in this connection, Ajahn Pasanno Sona’s hiatus, easefully re-acclimated they will be attending Sangha meetings and Ajahn Yatiko accepted an invitation themselves into the community here and the annual memorial gathering that from Ajahn Viradhammo’s Tisarana where both have spent the majority of occurs each year at Wat Pah Pong on Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Ontario their monastic careers. Tan Sampajāno, January 16th, the anniversary of Luang to attend the October 31st ordination too, is welcomed back after spending the Por Chah’s passing away. of Sumangalo Bhikkhu – Tisarana’s past year living at Wat Pah Pong and Coupled with such emphasis on first ‘home-grown monk.’ Their many several branch-monasteries in North- maintaining intra-lineage relations is years of practice were much appreciated East Thailand. New to Abhayagiri are Abhayagiri’s uniquely American engage-

2 • Fearless Mountain ment with Buddhist monastics of other traditions. During the week of October 5th, five monastics from Abhayagiri, headed by Ajahn Amaro, participated in the 15th Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering at The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB). This year’s theme was: ‘Monasticism and the Environment: Non-Greed, Gratitude and Simplicity’ and was attended by more than forty nuns and monks, representing many different Buddhist traditions. The event explored a variety of themes during the five days that the group was gathered; topics included: monastic responses to global warming, alternative technologies, genetic engi- neering, working with anxiety, cultivation of hope through education, and, lastly, the treatment of animals. On October 7th all of the attendees traveled in caravan to visit Abhayagiri. Along with the formal topics Tan Cunda, hard at work on the Kathina robe of discussion, this Monastic Gathering gave many opportunities for inter-lineage dialogues, as well as a chance for those Meeting the Lay Community ‘Spirit Rock Teen Weekend.’ Spending monastics who live alone to enjoy the rare Several annual monastery events two nights camped under the stars, many company of like-minded renunciants. continued this fall at which the greater abstaining even from the thin shelter Soon after this event, on October ‘real world’ is welcomed en masse into of a tent roof, these young people were 23rd, a group of five senior ajahns, with the more cloistered ‘real world’ that exists able to experience one full daily cycle Ajahns Pasanno and Amaro at their here in Redwood Valley, for the purpose of monastery life: morning and evening head, travelled to CTTB to participate in of hearing the Dhamma and experiencing chanting, meditation, communal work their ‘12th Ordination Ceremony for the a life physically closer to nature. On the (lots of painting!), time for hearing the Transmission of the Complete Precepts’ weekend of August 21st, fifteen teenagers Dhamma and for asking questions, and a at which 3 new monks and 21 new nuns with some seven attendant counsellors period of personal seclusion. During this entered the world. arrived at Abhayagiri for the fourteenth latter aspect of their time at Abhayagiri, each teen was given their own spot in the forest away from any line-of-sight with other people and were allowed such space – unusual for most – for the span of several hours. Both abbots remarked on feeling hopeful that such enbrightened teens, who would voluntarily choose such a venture, existed in the world. The last weekend in September occa- sioned the monastery’s participation in the 8th annual ‘Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage.’ Ajahn Pasanno travelled inw caravan along the course of the pilgrimage, providing Dhamma-reflections through personal conversations and more formal group teachings to the over ninety assembled bicycle pilgrims, along with the thirty or so members of the support crew. The two-day, 140-mile event visited The monastic community at Birken Monastery, for the Rains Retreat of 2009; from L to R – Tan Subharo, Tan Dhammavaro, Ajahn Sudanto, Tan Pavaro, Ajahn Karunadhammo, Tan Suvaco (Continued on page 4)

WINTER 2010 • 3 From the Monastery (continued from page 3)

several Buddhist practice centers along its route; commencing at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin, sojourning in warm and generous welcomes of Dr Thynn Thynn, the founder and teacher at Sae Taw Win II, a Dhamma practice center near Sebastopol, and at The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas in Ukiah. The pilgrimage reached its dénoument here at Abhayagiri, where a closing ceremony was held and the bicyclists were blessed – first by welcome blasts from the spray-nozzle of our garden hose (temperatures reached 106° F over the week-end), then under the shade of the canopy from the assembled Sangha chanting the . Just two weeks later, on October 11th, Abhayagiri hosted its largest ever annual observance of the Kathina festival. This The Kathina ceremony at Abhayagiri, 2009 is a ceremony, sanctioned by the Buddha, as a time of receiving robe-cloth from the lay community, and is thus a symbolic Mountain Center hosted Ajahn Amaro Mettikā’s ‘Three Jewels Hall’) celebration of communal harmony for a few days of teaching specifically for are recurring touch-points of outreach and generosity. Ajahn Pasanno offered their resident community, thus main- where our several ajahns offer teachings reflections in Thai and Ajahn Amaro in taining a friendly connection with this to groups of interested people. English to the over-300 gathered faithful other remote Buddhist refuge. representing most major Theravadan The last week in November occasion- The In-house Community countries in Asia as well as many other ed the collaborative efforts of Ajahn At the beginning of September the nationalities. Smiles of gratitude were Amaro, Ajahn Ānandabodhī and Ajahn Abhayagiri community, in two sequential shared by monastics and laity alike. Mettā to lead the annual ‘Thanksgiving trips, was given the opportunity to travel As through the rest of the year, Retreat’ in Santa Rosa. The theme of to the High Sierras for one-week periods Abhayagiri continued the hosting of its this year’s ten-day residential retreat was of camping and high-altitude medita- regular ‘Upasika Days.’ These are occa- ‘Fullness of Being.’ During this time also, tion, affording an even greater degree of sions for members of the lay community Ajahn Amaro conducted several day-long physical seclusion than is already existent to deepen their practice and strengthen practice sessions at locations outside the within the monastery itself. This retreat their relationship to the monastery; monastery: On September 27th at Spirit time was made possible through the through this season there have been Rock, he led a meditation daylong named efforts of many, especially Robert Hohn varied foci for this event: in August, ‘The ‘Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness’ and Debbie Stamp. The resounding felt ’; in October it was on the theme of ageing and sickness. sense was that the change of pace and ‘Jump-starting your Meditation Practice’; On October 31st he discussed the nature distance from the many duties attendant finally, for the year, it was ‘Dependent of and path to Nibbāna at a Center upon residential upkeep, and other Origination in daily life,’ in December. event in Redwood City; and on November monastic responsibilities, were well worth Beginning on August 5th, Ajahn 1st he and Sylvia Boorstein co-led a the thin air, freezing temperatures and Amaro in conjunction with Heather very successful and much-appreciated any perceived lack of ‘conveniences.’ Sundberg, Betsy Rose and Gil Fronsdal, benefit for Yoga Mendocino – the local As for those ‘many duties’… the helped to lead the five-day Spirit non-profit organization in Ukiah which monastery is happy to witness the Monks’ Rock Family Retreat. The theme this hosts Abhayagiri’s monthly meditation Utility Building continuing its gradual year was ‘equanimity’; activities for class – on the topic ‘Center of Stillness path towards completion. Construction the families included stories, skits, – Heart of Action ~ Finding Stability in will be carried on through the end of games, art, time on the land, a campfire, Turbulent Times.’ the calendar year and into 2010. Anyone council practice, parent discussions, Ongoing teachings at the Berkeley wishing to view the progress of the meditation for parents and children, and Buddhist Monastery, the Lake County building as it comes into being can see a Dhamma talks. Yoga group, and the North Coast Sangha photo gallery on the web at: http://zen. Later that month Tassajara in Fort Bragg (which now meets at abhayagiri.org.

4 • Fearless Mountain Ajahn Yatiko on almsround at the Abhayagiri Kathina

The 15th Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering, at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

WMBG participants visit the new utility building at Abhayagiri

Some of the participants and counsellors Small vehicles at rest, at of the Spirit Rock teen week-end the end of the 8th Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage

WINTER 2010 • 5 – From a talk given on June 30th 2009 and subsequently printed to coincide Settling the Mind with Ajahn Pasanno's 60th birthday, in the booklet "Wisely Reflecting". By Ajahn Pasanno

What are we doing when we sit down and the body. What is the feeling within the fort. Having a base of ease, energy, and cultivate our meditation practice? The body? Is it relaxed or tense, spacious or engagement will support the practice and most important piece is bringing mindful- tight, heavy or light, warm or cool? Pay support the mind. ness, awareness, and attention back to a attention to the posture so that there’s a As we allow the body to settle, bring simple object. sense of balance – not leaning forward too the attention to the sensation of the The mind loves its proliferations – the much, not leaning backward too much, not breath. Where do you experience it things it gets excited about, attracted to, leaning to the right or to the left – really most prominently? Is it at the tip of the wound up about. The mind’s tendency trying to establish an upright posture. Pay nose? Inside the nasal passages? At the is to move toward complication, to be attention to relaxing the body – sitting up back of the throat? In the chest? In the endlessly attracted to anything other than straight, not ramrod straight but straight in abdomen? There’s not one ‘correct’ place simplicity. So the first terms of holding the body in an energetic to feel the breath. Pay attention to where step in meditation and engaged way. it seems clearest. Then pay attention to is putting attention Sometimes in meditation there’s a the in-breath, allowing the breath to come onto something sense that we shouldn’t really pay too in naturally, not forcing or controlling it, simple: the sensa- much attention to the body, that we should not making it even or long or short, but tions within the forget the body and go to the mind. It’s just paying attention. What’s the sensa- body or the true to a certain extent that the mind is tion of the in-breath? Is it pleasant? Is it p h y s i c a l it y the important aspect. The mind is where easeful? Is it cool? Is it warm? Does it feel of being in we create our suffering. But the mind and constricted? Just pay attention. What does body are intertwined; the feeling tone the in-breath feel like? Next, what does within the mind is conditioned the out-breath feel like? and influenced by the body. As you breathe, notice how the breath If we are sitting there affects the rest of the body, how it affects slumped over, not really the mind. How is the breath related to the willing to put forth feeling throughout the body? What does it the effort to be in the feel like at the top of the head, in the face, body, then the mind neck, and shoulders? What does it feel becomes dull or list- like across the chest, or on the back, or on less. By engaging the the different areas of the abdomen? What body in an upright and does it feel like in the legs? Because the balanced posture, the breath affects the whole body, we can relax mind becomes bright and energize the body and the mind with and energetic. When the the breath. Generally, the in-breath has body settles in this way, an energizing quality, and the out-breath we can sit for quite a long a more a relaxing quality. Allow that time and not feel a relaxation and energy to move through the lot of discom- body as you experiment with the breath. Once you’ve become more connected and centered within the breath, body, and mind, it’s helpful to allow a more one- pointed focus to establish itself. What’s a comfortable place to focus? It should be on something that feels interesting, rather than coming from an opinion of what is ‘right.’ Pay attention to what is actually interesting, then allow the mind to settle and abide in the sensation of the breath within that particular sphere of focus. It will be different for everyone. Around the tip of the nose is interesting to me.

6 • Fearless Mountain Settling the Mind (continued from page 6) When I first started practicing, that happening and then letting it go, releasing in, the breath going out, but also of what area was way too close to where all my it. Of course, we don’t often do that. the mind tends to do. What does it like thinking was going on, so I paid attention We pick things up, we pile them on, we to pick up and carry around, creating a much lower down. But these days, the tip carry them around, we cling to them. burden for itself? See the tendencies of of the nose is the most interesting place to The feeling of weight and burden on the the mind. Are we adding anything, are we me, and it tends to work. See what place mind is completely dependent on this carrying anything, are we getting excited works for you. Then allow the attention to picking up and holding on. Ajahn Chah about something? Is it useful? Is it benefi- settle there, to enter and abide in a quality once pointed to a big rock and asked, “Is cial? Are we getting irritated or averse to of attending closely to the in-breath and this rock heavy?” His student said, “Wow, something? Worried or fearful? See the the out-breath. You don’t need to force that’s a big rock; it’s really heavy!” Ajahn force of desire that comes up. it; just let the interest sustain itself. If Chah replied, “As long as you don’t pick it The Buddha talks about three basic the mind wanders, that’s pretty ordinary up, it’s not heavy.” Whether physically or types of desire that cause suffering: sensual – it’s not a big deal, not a disaster, not a desire, or craving for pleasure or gratifica- sign of failure as a meditator. All it is, is tion; the desire for being, or wanting to a wandering mind. Reestablish the atten- become something; and the desire tion; reconnect with the interest in the to not be, or wanting to get rid breath as it comes in and goes out. of something. Ajahn Chah used to caution With the breath as a against spending one’s time neutral foundation, a pushing and pulling the mind mirror for what the around, chasing after it and mind is cranking out, pulling it back. The image we can see the force of he used was of running here, desire. We can’t force running there, pulling this, the mind not to have pulling that. When you lose its various desires, but focus, then just reestablish the by being able to see attention. You don’t have to clearly and understand run off here and run off there those desires, we can to track down a mind that’s let go. wandered. It hasn’t really gone There are so many basic anywhere; it’s still right here. As ways that desire functions soon as you reestablish attention, in the human mind. With that is where the mind is. Be interested practice, we become more in simply connecting with the sensation of attentive and skilled at recognizing the breath, with the presence of the body and not being entangled and pushed right now. around by desire. We start seeing more When the Buddha instructed Mahā mentally, we are always picking something clearly how desire works. For example, a Moggallāna, he gave meditation advice up. The essence of Dhamma practice is company had a really bright idea to sell on dealing with hindrances like sloth and seeing clearly and not picking things up, bread-making machines. They put a lot torpor, but he also emphasized the central not piling a burden onto the mind, onto of work into manufacturing the machines, aspect of Dhamma: “All Dhammas are not the heart. Whether it’s a particular duty, but nobody bought them. So a marketing to be clung to” or “Nothing whatsoever mood, or perception – do we agree or company advised them to design another should be adhered to.” If one knows this disagree with another person – don’t pick bread-making machine that was bigger much, one can understand the whole it up, don't carry that person around. and more expensive and then to advertise Dhamma. Whatever phenomenon arises Come back to the quality of knowing and them both. It worked. As soon as they in the mind, don’t let the mind get stuck letting go. started selling the more expensive model, on it, cling to it, hold to it, get entangled This is where the breath is so useful. everyone got interested in the cheaper one: in it. Recognize it, see it clearly, and then It’s obviously not ‘me or mine’; it’s just a “Wow, this is a deal!” Now, we all probably let it go. function of nature. Breathing in, breathing know someone who owns a bread-making When Ajahn Chah was teaching, out. Connecting with the quality of machine. We’ve probably got one at the he’d say that practice is extremely simple: attention to the breath, it is easier to pay monastery. The company learned to “Knowing and letting go. Knowing and attention to what clutters the mind. What manipulate our desire. We have desires, letting go.” We can turn to that place of makes things complicated? Be mindful of and we often don’t think about whether we clarity and simplicity. Knowing what’s not just the simplicity of the breath going really need to fulfill them – about whether

WINTER 2010 • 7 Abhayagiri Sangha Calendar & Information 2010 2553

Also visit our online calendar at www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/days LUNAR OBSERVANCE DAYS for the most up-to-date information.

2553 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jan 3 Abhayagiri community enters three-month Winter Retreat period, FRI SUN MON WED THU ending on March 31st. 5 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery led by nuns from the creative process’ 8 7 8 7 6 Āloka Vihāra, San Francisco. FRI SAT MON TUE THU 13 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA (with guest teacher). 15 13 15 13 13 16 Ajahn Chah Memorial Day. SAT SUN TUE WED FRI 25 Ajahns Pasanno & Amaro due to return from their travels. 23 21 23 21 21 SAT SUN TUE WED FRI Feb 2 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery led by nuns from 1 2 Āloka Vihāra, San Francisco. 30 28 30 28 28 10 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA (with guest teacher). 1. Magha Puja 2. Vesakha Puja 28 Māgha Pūjā – full moon observance at Abhayagiri.

Mar 2 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery led by an Abhayagiri lay minister. Directions to Abhayagiri 10 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA (with guest teacher).

To Willits Turnout with 31 Abhayagiri Winter Retreat ends. (11 miles) 20 mail boxes 1. Take WEST ROAD exit from HWY 101. y Apr 4 Daylong meditation at Spirit Rock – with Ajahn Amaro. 2. Go straight over NORTH STATE ST. Abhayagiri Monastery and SCHOOL WAY. 16201 Tomki Road 6 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, with Ajahn Amaro. d R i 3. Follow WEST ROAD 3 miles until k m 11 Community work day at Abhayagiri. you reach a T-Junction. To 4. Turn left at the T-Junction onto 14 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA. d R TOMKI ROAD. Continue for 4 miles t s

until you reach a turn-out with We 25 Upasika Day at Abhayagiri.

d 20 mailboxes. The monastery R t s entrance is on the right. a 30-9 Ajahn Amaro, Ajahn Punnadhammo & Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia lead 10- School E

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Contact: www.dharma.org/ims/cm_contact ) s ile m OREGON CALPELLA 6 - it O x te 4 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, with Ajahn Pasanno. a May rr S e t 5 . S r h D d rt p R o lla Eureka ri t N e o East Side n s lp in lley Rd g a c Potter Va Redding s C o 9 Community work day at Abhayagiri. R We d o n d t e h M Redwood a i e Valley k k 12 Ajahn Amaro gives a talk at CIMC, Cambridge, MA Lo U a w ( L 101 G Lake ap Contact: www.cimc.info R Mendocino d Dr 1 14-16 Ajahn Amaro, Ajahn Punnadhammo & Gloria Taraniya Ambrosia lead a Sacramento UKIAH study w-e at Barre Center for : ‘Upekkhā: Being at Peace Oakland To San Francisco SAN FRANCISCO (120 miles) NEVADA in the World.’ Contact: www.dharma.org/bcb San Jose 5 18 Ajahn Amaro gives a series of talks at New York Insight – #1:‘Faith or Belief?’ Contact: www.www.nyimc.org

1 CALIFORNIA 19 Ajahn Amaro at New York Insight – #2: ‘Faith in What? And How?’ Bakersfield

Santa Barbara 20 Ajahn Amaro at New York Insight – #3: ‘Balancing Faith and Wisdom’ N LOS ANGELES 101 10 21 Ajahn Amaro gives a talk at Vajra Yoga, New York City – Catalina Island 5 Contact: www.vajrayoga.com

SAN 8 DIEGO MEXICO 22 Ajahn Amaro daylong meditation at New York Insight – ‘The Wings of the Bird ~ understanding and actualizing the Five Spiritual Faculties’ – Contact: www.www.nyimc.org 23 Ajahn Amaro & Jill Satterfield – daylong meditation & hatha yoga at Vajra Contact Information for events Yoga, New York City – Contact: www.vajrayoga.com 28 Visākha Pūjā – full moon observance at Abhayagiri. NORTH AMERICA UNITED KINGDOM NEW ZEALAND Sītavana Birken Forest Monastery Amaravati Buddhist Monastery Bodhinyanarama Every Saturday evening at Abhayagiri PO Box 5, Knutsford, B.C. Great Gaddesden, Monastery Chanting, meditation & Dhamma talk, beginning at 7:30 pm. Canada V0E 2A0 Hemel Hempstead, 17 Rakau Grove Stokes Valley, Every Lunar Quarter at Abhayagiri (see calendar on this page) +1 (778) 785-6059 Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ. Chanting, meditation, Precepts, Dhamma talk, and late night vigil, beginning at 7:30 pm. email: [email protected] Tel. +44 (0) 144 284 2455 Lower Hutt 5019 (preferred method of contact) Fax: +44 (0) 144 284 3721 Tel. +64 (0) 4 5637 193 Second Sunday of each month at Abhayagiri (April through December) www.amaravati.org www.bodhinyanarama.net.nz Community work day, 8:00 am–4:00 pm. Tisarana Buddhist Monastery First Tuesday of the month in Berkeley, CA 1356 Powers Road, RR #3 Cittaviveka Vimutti Monastery 5:00-6:00 pm, Informal tea gathering. 7:30-9:30 pm, Meditation, Precepts & Perth, Ontario K7H 3C5 Chithurst Buddhist Monastery PO Box 7 Dhamma talk by monastic at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley. Tel: +1 (613) 264 8208 Chithurst, Petersfield, Bombay, 2343 www.tisarana.ca Hampshire GU31 5EU. Tel. +64 (0) 9 236 6816 Second Wednesday of each month at Yoga Mendocino Stewards: Tisarana Buddhist Monastery Tel. +44 (0) 1730 814 986 www.vimutti.org.nz 7:30 pm–9:00 pm: Meditation and Dhamma talk by Theravāda monastic. Fax. +44 (0) 1730 817 334 During the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, the evening will be led by an Upasika. Berkeley Buddhist Monastery www.cittaviveka.org Institute for World Religions AUSTRALIA Every Tuesday and Friday at Portland Friends of the Dhamma 2304 McKinley Ave. Aruna Ratanagiri 7:00 pm–9:00 pm: Meditation and Dhamma discussion with lay practitioners. Berkeley, CA 94703 Bodhivana Monastery Harnham Buddhist Monastery 780 Woods Point Road, Tel. (510) 848 3440 Harnham, Belsay, East Warburton, Fax. (510) 548 4551 Northumberland NE20 0HF. Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery Community List Victoria 3799. www.drba.org Tel. +44 (0) 1661 881 612 Tel. +61 (0) 3 5966 5999 (Rains Retreats/years as a monk) Updated Dec 15, 2009 Fax. +44 (0) 1661 881 019 Fax. +61 (0) 3 5966 5998 Portland Friends of the Dhamma www.ratanagiri.org 1422 SE Tacoma St., 2nd Floor Pasanno Bhikkhu 36 Sāmanera Kovilo Portland, OR 97202 Amaro Bhikkhu 31 Sāmanera Ñānamedhī [email protected] continued Sāmanera Pamutto NORTH AMERICA THAILAND Yatiko Bhikkhu 17 Spirit Rock Meditation Center Sudanto Bhikkhu 15 Āloka Vihāra Wat Pah Nanachat 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 1632 48th Ave., Karunadhammo Bhikkhu 12 Anagārika Sean Fargo Woodacre, CA Bahn Bung Wai, San Franciso, CA 94122 Amper Warin, Gunavuddho Bhikkhu 10 Anagārika Scott Spencer Tel. (415) 488 0164 Pavāro Bhikkhu 6 Fax. (415) 488 1025 Ubon 34310 Anagārika Nate Bertram www.spiritrock.org Cāgānando Bhikkhu 5 Sampajāno Bhikkhu 4 Longterm Lay Resident Yoga Mendocino Cunda Bhikkhu 2 206 Mason St. For a comprehensive directory of branch Upāsikā Debbie Stamp Ukiah, CA 95482 Kaccāna Bhikkhu 1 monasteries please visit www.forestsangha.org Upāsikā Cyndia Biver Tel. (707) 462 2580 Thitapañño Bhikkhu 1 www.yogamendocino.org

Fearless Mountain is the periodic newsletter of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, a Buddhist community in the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho. It is composed 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 of materials submitted to or written at Abhayagiri and distributed free of charge to friends of the Abhayagiri community. Comment within is personal reflection only. Your input is (707) 485-1630 www.abhayagiri.org welcome and appreciated. If you have comments, suggestions, or wish to reprint any of the material contained in this newsletter, please send an email to [email protected] Please keep us informed of your current address. © 2010 Abhayagiri Monastery. All rights reserved. The Tests & Treasures of Tudong by Ven. Ñāniko Bhikkhu

“When there are two paths before you, only stopping during the four months started walking, he gave us packets of always choose the more difficult one.” of the rainy season to stay in some small ‘three-in-one,’ a handy Nescafé/sugar/ –Tibetan proverb monastery. He was on tudong himself Coffee-mate mixture that is nowadays when I met up with him. regarded as the ultimate tudong tonic. I undertook the practice of walking The following is a journal entry We also had borapet (a bitter medicinal tudong1 in Chiang Mai province, Thai- covering a single day; my intention vine which is a more classical and natural land, during the month of February through this account is to relate some of restorative) various roots for headaches and the first half of March 2009. the flavor of my first tudong experience. and pain, ground coffee, green tea, and Originally, my intention was to go salt with us. Just before setting off, the alone because I didn’t know of any tudong 25 February, 2009 monk told us “Be careful. Where you monks to go with and ‘learn the ropes.’ We had stayed the night in a small village were a week ago is one hundred percent It was my good fortune that I met up monastery with a chedi2. It wasn’t really drug dealers. The place you’re going to with Ajahn Tikkhaviro just days before I a place for monks but more of a tourist today is seventy percent drug dealers.” started walking, and that he agreed to let destination. We went on almsround in We had been in the mountains during me accompany him. We spent about forty the local town and we received plenty the previous week but we had come down days on tudong together before I returned of food. As we walked a man began to the valley to explore. I remembered to Wat Pah Nanachat and he continued following us as he had noticed that we Ajahn Tikkhaviro’s comments about all on to Chiang Rai, the northernmost didn’t accept offerings of money, and the fancy cars in the hill-tribe village that province of Thailand. he was curious what monastery we the monk was referring to. The danger Ajahn Tikkhaviro is a Filipino monk were from. Before returning to have our is because sometimes the villagers will of ten years standing. He was ordained meal, he caught up with us and we told believe that visiting monks are spies for at Wat Pah Nanachat, the branch him we weren’t from the area but that the government. monastery established by Ajahn Chah for we were on tudong and that we never Our plan was to follow a dirt road up the training of his foreign students, and received money, according to our stan- from the river valley of Ampher Pai into speaks fluent Thai and English. He has dards of discipline. He was very inspired the mountains. After seven kilometers a stocky, muscular build, a lighthearted because monks who don’t receive money we would meet Mae Yen Waterfall then attitude towards life and a fair amount of were almost unheard of in the north. continue another four kilometers to a tudong experience – about four years. He The middle-aged monk living at village called Baan Huay Mae Yen. I had been traveling around in the north, the chedi was kind to us and, before we was happy that we were returning to

Monks on tudong in Chiang Mai province, Thailand Picture by Ven. Cagino Bhikkhu

10 • Fearless Mountain the mountains because the valley was road, very far away. Ajahn Tikkhaviro really hot and the forest surrounding the said “If we try going down, it’s suicide. valley had all been burnt to make land for We go back and look for another way.” grazing cattle. By 6:30 pm it was getting dark and we The road became a footpath as we were lost. It was clear we would have to meandered up Mae Yen creek. The walk walk in the dark because we were really was cool and pleasant and the trail was in the middle of nowhere, on top of some good. At one point I jumped across the mountain ridge. I yelled out to check for water and missed the rock I was aiming signs of people but there was no response. for, slightly spraining my ankle but after My ankle was swelling and I was out of about fifteen minutes the pain of the water, but Ajahn Tikkhaviro still had injury subsided. some. I was glad that I had new batteries We met up with two westerners on for my headlamp, which would allow the trail. They knew the area and told me to walk for many hours with a us that we should turn left at a campsite strong light. about two hours walk ahead – that way On tudong in Chiang Mai province Just before dark we climbed down a we would avoid having to scale a rock-face. Picture by Ven. Cagino Bhikkhu small rocky face and I lost my balance. I When we got to this place the left turn had no choice but to break my fall with went away from the river and straight up a advantage of him.” my bad foot. All my weight landed on that hill into a bamboo forest. Ajahn We continued up-stream from the ankle and I cried out in pain. After that I Tikkhaviro had reservations, since it was waterfall at about 3:30 pm, thinking the was limping. When it got dark we started so steep, but we still got to the waterfall village wasn’t so far ahead and that we had scaling the steepest hill yet and there was around 2:00 pm. plenty of time before dark. We felt sure no trail at all. We made a fire, I got out my small we would get there before 5:00 pm. We It was so sheer that if you were to fall kettle to start boiling water, then we reached a farm where there were no people backwards you could tumble all the way went for a bath. The waterfall was about around but many buffaloes bathing in the down. Also, the vegetation was taller twenty meters high and very impressive. stream. We then followed an overgrown than us in most places. I was glad I had And cold! The water there comes from trail that started up a mountain and went a walking stick – it saved me many times the higher mountains and reminded me away from the river to the right. Soon here from not falling. I laughed to myself of rivers in the mountains of California. we were climbing higher and higher and as I reflected that I would never choose After bathing we each had a couple three- the trail had disappeared. We then to walk up a mountain like this, let alone in-ones and relaxed while chatting about guessed that the village was probably on with all my monastic possesions. In situ- tudong and Dhamma. the other side of the mountain, so we ations like this Ajahn Tikkhaviro would Ajahn Tikkhaviro liked to preach about thought we should try to wind around the always say, in a very calm voice, “Yeah, tudong as a way of life – not becoming too face of it, but we just kept going up. It was tudong is like this sometimes.” extreme and doing yourself in through really steep! By then it was around 8:00 pm and we over-zealousness, then deciding that living When we got to the top of one moun- were still ascending. The hill seemed to in a monastery is better and never going tain we would scale another. Sometimes go up forever – we had been climbing for on tudong again – having experienced that we met a trail but then it would peter out over an hour. Then Ajahn Tikkhaviro’s cycle himself, he had a ‘been there, done to nothing. At around 5:00 pm my ankle sandals both broke, one after the other, that’ attitude towards that approach. He started to hurt again. We just kept going which was unfortunate because there were said: “Ideally a tudong monk has no plans up. I was sweating a lot and my bag of many trees which dropped spikey seed- or commitments, he lives with uncertainty belongings – comprising my alms-bowl, balls all over the ground. He said “This every day. Sometimes he sleeps under the my third robe, mosquito net and other is the end of me.” Then, after another few stars, sometimes in a cave or a kuti. A odds and ends – seemed to keep getting minutes, a small twig went deep into the tudong monk needs to be flexible and heavier. I was trying to conserve my water, corner of his eye and I had to pull it out adaptable to the situations and people he only drinking about half a cup at a time. with my tweezers. His eye was very red, meets. If he walks too far each day he’ll At one point we came to a clear trail but not bleeding. wear himself out and possibly fall ill. If he with a junction. We were heading east We reached a flat spot on the slope finds a good place he can stay there and and a little bit north towards a mountain and stopped to rest. I had some really practice for a few days or longer. He needs called Dooi Chang. At this point we strong tape which I successfully used to to cultivate great patience in dealing with realized we could either turn back and try fix Ajahn Tikkhaviro’s sandals but, even cold, heat, food that is disagreeable, and another path or plunge down into dense with this small relief of our predicament, people who may want to harm or take vegetation towards what looked like a (Continued on page 15)

WINTER 2010 • 11 Saranaloka (continued from page 1) Foundation, sponsor of the nuns’ trip here, can provide rural land for a perma- nent monastery, with room for lay women and men to stay and for women to train and ordain. It seems both auspicious and fitting that Āloka Vihāra’s opening is on the Full Moon , an occasion for recom- mitment to the Triple Gem, and that that the celebration spans the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. The new monastery has antecedents near in time and far. Perhaps its begin- nings are in the time of the Buddha, who had many female monastic disciples, including many arahants. In ancient India, many nuns lived in independent women’s communities. Or, perhaps it began with the first eight-precept anagārikā ordina- But the Sīladharā had long been a Santacittā began to consider the possi- tion of women by Ajahn Sumedho at familiar presence in the United States. bility. Having each lived in the Sangha for Chithurst Monastery in England 30 years Nuns have accompanied Luang Por more than 15 years, they were interested ago. Eventually, the Sīladharā ordination, Sumedho and Ajahn Amaro on almost in taking a new step. They shared their comprising ten precepts and more than all the retreats they have taught here thoughts and dreams, sensed the poten- 100 other training rules, was developed. since 1990, including those at Spirit tial, and began to form a vision: a place Today there are two Sīladharā commu- Rock Meditation Center, Angela Center where women could train as anagārikās nities in England, living side-by-side in Santa Rosa, and the City Of Ten and Sīladharā together, in a community of with the monks’ communities at Chithurst Thousand Buddhas, near Ukiah. Over women removed from the immediate and Amaravati. the years, many individual nuns have presence and support of monks. Or perhaps it began with a conversa- visited, and some have come frequently, Their sisters supported the idea, and tion between vipassanā teacher Ruth developing close and enduring relation- Ajahn Sumedho rejoiced at the possibility Denison and Jill Boone, now President ships with many lay students and teachers of establishing a monastery for nuns in of Saranaloka Foundation, at Dhamma and fellow monastics. America, where Abhayagiri was thriving. Dena, Ruth’s center in Joshua Tree. Ruth Meanwhile, as the Sīladharā commu- Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno warmly and Jill shared a desire to see the nuns nities at Amaravati and Chithurst welcomed the addition of a ‘sister’ monas- well-provided for and established in the monasteries have grown, more and more tery and encouraged both the nuns and United States, and they drafted plans for women have desired to enter the holy life. lay supporters to pursue their vision. a non-profit to support them. But living space is limited, and the waitlist A series of supporters’ meetings began Thus, in 2004, Saranaloka Foundation to become a novice can be years. Clearly, during Ajahn Mettā’s visit to California was born. Saranaloka’s mission is to women need more places to train in the in 2007 to lead the Thanksgiving retreat provide support for the teaching of the Ajahn Chah lineage. with Ajahn Amaro. In the winter of 2008 Dhamma by nuns in the Thai Forest Also, as the Sīladharā community Ajahn Ānandabodhī and Ajahn Santacittā lineage of Ajahn Chah, to act as financial grew and developed, the nuns became spent two months traveling up and down steward for the nuns, and to support interested in seeing how community life the West Coast, visiting groups and the establishment of a permanent residen- would unfold in a separate nuns’ commu- meeting with supporters. It was clear that tial vihāra. nity, just as separate monks’ communities there was fertile ground for a new monas- Since then, Saranaloka has brought have flourished around the world. tery. Both women and men appreciate nuns from Amaravati and Chithurst These trends in the United States and women teachers, and women want female to the United States to lead retreats, Europe converged about two years ago, role models as well as the opportunity to daylongs and evening sitting groups. A when Jill Boone sent an e-mail to the nuns undergo monastic training. devoted group of hundreds of supporters in England, reminding the senior nuns at Until last year, the nuns had been fairly has grown around the country, including Amaravati and Chithurst of Saranaloka’s itinerant during their visits. In 2009, in the Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest, interest in starting a monastery for nuns for the first time, Saranaloka leased a the Southwest, the Midwest, New York in the United States. house and set up a temporary vihāra for and New England. Ajahns Ānandabodhī, Mettā and January and February. With the nuns

12 • Fearless Mountain staying in one place for an extended time, The nuns also established friendships rural land, large enough to accommo- more people could get to know them and with other Buddhist monastics. Several date a greater number of Sīladharā and experience the flavor of monastic life, built Bhutanese monks, in town for a show of anagārikās, with quarters for visiting lay around silence, contemplation, renuncia- Bhutanese art at the Asian Art Museum, men and women to live for short or longer tion, and devotion. visited the vihāra, as did Thai monks who stays. Although the proposed monastery Ajahn Ānandabodhī, Ajahn Mettā, had lived in San Francisco for many years. will be in the Bay Area, donations for land Ajahn Santacittā and Sister Sumedhā When the board of Saranaloka have come in already from around the lived in the house in the Sunset District, held its annual meeting at the vihāra nation and the world. keeping the monastic precepts, in mid-February, it was clear that the The opening celebration will begin pūjā, meditation guidance and Dhamma time was ripe. The board invited Ajahn with the meal offering at 11 a.m. on talks for lay people, observing the Uposatha Ānandabodhī, Ajahn Mettā and Ajahn December 31st, followed by an afternoon (moon days) and going on almsround in Santacittā to return to the United States retreat that continues through the night the busy commercial district around 22nd at the end of the year to help Saranaloka (bring a sleeping bag if you wish to stay Avenue and Irving Street. Golden Gate fulfill its founding mission. over!). At 7 a.m. January 1st, there will be a Park would do for a forest, and Ocean The nuns returned to England to seek communal breakfast. Beach for long walks and bonfires. final permission from their community Please visit the Saranaloka website, An energetic group of lay supporters and to request the blessing of the Elders’ www.saranaloka.org, for more details of coordinated rides and provided meals. So Council, composed of the abbots, the December 31st vihāra opening, the much dāna was offered that the extra was their assistants and the senior nuns of vihāra daily and weekly schedule, and a regularly passed on to local food banks. At Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries. At calendar of events for the coming months. evening pūjās and Dhamma talks, visitors their meeting in April 2009, the Elders All are welcome. The website also has from near and far overflowed the small agreed, and preparations for the opening instructions for joining the Bay Area and shrine room. of the vihāra at the cusp of the new year national supporters’ e-mail lists. Large numbers of people attended began. events outside the vihāra, too. More than A dedicated group of supporters went Settling the Mind (continued from page 7) 200 people attended a daylong at Spirit to work securing zafus, phone service and Rock on Valentine’s Day. The nuns were a lease for the vihāra, arranging the nuns’ we actually want a bread-making machine, invited to visit around the Bay schedules and travel, posting news on the even if we’re getting ‘a deal.’ Area, including San Francisco Insight, Saranaloka website, and tending to visas The same thing happens internally. Insight Meditation Center, Coastside and health insurance. There are so many examples of feelings of Vipassana, Santa Cruz Vipassana Center And all continue to hold the vision of dissatisfaction or feelings of wanting that and others. a permanent Āloka Vihāra on beautiful are not really known or seen or recognized simply as desire. As we pay attention to desire, externally our life may not become less complicated, but internally life can become more peaceful. By sustaining interest in something quite basic like the breath, we can explore and reflect on what’s pushing the mind around, what desires are being stimulated. And as we pay atten- tion, become more familiar, and understand the nature of desire, we can let go. Knowing and putting down, knowing and releasing, knowing and relinquishing. Maintain that theme as you use the breath. Become more present with the breath, more focused on a particular sensation within the breath, and the mind will settle and things will drop away. Give yourself that opportunity. (Adapted from a talk given on June 30, 2009.)

The nuns on almsround in San Francisco

WINTER 2010 • 13 From ’s Desk Good Intentions, Views and Opinions By Mettikā Hoffman

I am Māra, Master of Suffering, King of Upacālā, to name a few. I tried my best to even one teeny toke, Margarita, or extra Deceit, Fear, Pride, Ego, Vanity, Shame, fool them via their Achilles’ heels but to bite. The intention to be a better husband, Delusion, in short, your ego’s best friend. no avail. partner, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, friend, I’ve been very busy lately organizing, Then I went to Sīsupacālā, but she mother, father, sister, brother, giving leading and co-teaching workshops with saw me instantly. I approached her and more of time, money, energy to the larger my devilish colleagues in demonic educa- said, “Whose creed do you approve of community, being kind and helpful to tion via electronic connections. bhikkhunī?” She said, “I don’t approve of elders, supporting Noble Causes, listening Recently, I’ve also been reflecting on anyone’s creed, friend.” when others speak, not moving during how easy it is to snare humanity in its “Under whom have you shaved your sitting meditation practice, learning the foibles, to catch the untrained and undis- head?” I asked, “You appear to be an ascetic, words of , Tibetan, and Japanese ciplined hearts and minds in habitual yet you say you don’t approve of any creed, chanting, meditating every day, supporting patterns of greed, anger, delusion, views, so why wander around as if bewildered? In monks and nuns, and teachers, living a and opinions. I was opining that in the other groups the followers of those creeds more simple life, causing less suffering old days, 2500 years ago, my job was so place their confidence in views.” to self and others, not being proud and much more challenging and interesting. “I don’t approve of their teachings; demanding. All of these seem so noble Now it’s the same old, same old, drop the they are not skilled in the Dhamma. But and well-grounded, don’t they? How could bait, catch the fish, over and over. It does there is one born in the Sakyan clan, they lead to anything… how shall we say… get deadening after a while. The thrill the Enlightened One without an equal, unpleasant? is gone. Conqueror of all, Māra’s subduer. He is one One of my personal favorites is being It was no easy task to sneak into the who everywhere is undefeated, everywhere a fly in the ointment of people whose minds and hearts of the Lord Buddha, freed and unattached; he is the One with intentions are saving all sentient beings. monks, nuns and laity, and concentrated vision who sees all.” The nun Sīsupacālā The havoc I can create with just views and meditators. I almost had the Buddha under knew me. Sad and disappointed, I (tempo- opinions about this grand topic is impres- the Bodhi Tree but then he had to go to rarily) died on the spot. sive – even though I say so myself – a little kvetching to the Earth Goddess for her Now, in order to challenge myself, ‘certainty-of-my-own-rightness’ sets off to affirm his noble intentions. One time I have decided to work only with people skirmishes and battles royal that can keep I even slipped into Mahā-Moggalāna’s who have undertaken the Precepts (at least living beings occupied for years. intestines but he caught me. “I see you the Five) who have made strong intentions Another favorite is those people who Māra,” he said, and when anyone uses to lead a more skillful and wholesome vow not to tell any more little white lies, those words, they are poison to my ears. I lives. Over the millennia, I have listened not the BIG audacious ones but the little go scurrying off until the next time. in and collected Buddhist practitioners’ ones that make themselves look better and For some reason, I thought it would be best intentions, written them on slips of others look stupid – some of them even a piece of cake to taunt the nuns, to try to paper, not unlike fortune cookie wisdom realize that it’s actually these little ‘reason- unseat their resolve of seclusion. I had just slips, and filled up garbage-sized bags able’ ones that lock them into my power the right ‘bon mot’ to whisper into each of with them. When feeling mean-spirited ever more securely. Still, it is so hard for their ears. To the young and beautiful one, or bored I dump the slips on the floor beings to give these up, especially with a Vijayā, I whispered, “You are so young and review them, then ponder creative touch of obfuscatory assistance from moi. and beautiful, and I too am a youth in my ways to assist their creators in using those My Christian colleagues have a devil prime. Come, noble lady, let us rejoice with very intentions to pave their way into of a time arguing about the better road. the music of a five-fold ensemble.” Among my domain. They say the road to hell is paved with other things she says to me, “Forms, The standard intentions are so predict- good intentions while the Buddhists say sounds, tastes and odors, and delightful able, such as: developing more patience, that ‘intention’ is the underlying causative tactile objects – I offer them right back to sending loving-kindness to difficultpeople, factor of all action. you, for I, oh Māra do not need them.” I allowing people to be who they are without Either way, I’ll see you on the road was sad and disappointed and disappeared approval or disapproval, no more betting – where you may be heading on that is right there. I tried diligently with all the on the lottery, killing the carpenter- up to you. other nuns, Kisāgotamī, Somā, Ālavikā, ants, slugs, snails, roachess, fleas, and and Uppalavannā, Vajirā, Cālā, Selā and aphids, no cheating on income tax, not Your Ego’s Best Friend, Māra

14 • Fearless Mountain Tudong (continued from page 11) campground looked like a government- owned place so we decided just to stay still the hill relentlessly continued up. We there; it was also the case that we were were both exhausted but I thought that, out of energy and couldn’t have gone maybe if we made it to the ridge, then we much further, even if we had wanted to. would meet a fire-break. This would then It turned out to be really pleasant and we give us some hope as such open tracks had it to ourselves. There was water for usually met up with a road somewhere. drinking and bathing. Nevertheless, it was still completely We bathed, drank our fill of water, uncertain as to where we were actually then made a fire in a very large fire pit going. and drank hot three-in-one coffees. I never panicked, and Ajahn Tikkhaviro I was filled with immense gratitude was really calm, but I started thinking for Ajahn Tikkhaviro, and I can’t imagine that this is true anicca, real uncertainty picking up and it would have been cold. what would have happened if I had been in life:— We didn’t know what would We thus continued plodding on along the on my own in this situation. I got the happen or if we would walk all night, dusty fire break, climbing and descending feeling that he’d been living a tudong and there was no use fantasizing about it according to the contours of the hills. lifestyle long enough that he was just because that wasted vital energy. No use We spotted some lights in the distance, taking everything in stride and not giving being afraid because fear can cause one on a different mountain, but the road so much importance to whether a day was to make hasty and unwise decisions. No seemed to head roughly in that direction. difficult or easy – it all can be used for the use stopping and giving up, because then We realized it was where we had stayed practice. we would never get anywhere. My years before heading down into the river valley. Just after midnight we set our ground- of training in letting go were definitely Now, just a week later, we had returned sheets down and lay on the tended lawn coming into effect at this time. to the same spot – the palace! The lights under the stars. The wind was whipping At one point Ajahn Tikkhaviro said were over ten kilometers away. through the mountains so we found some “Wait – we go this way.” During the previous week we had rocks that provided some shelter for each “We just came from there,” I said. It camped out in the backyard of the King of of us. I took a Tylenol for the pain in my seemed like he was just turning around. Thailand’s Chiang Mai palace, which is ankle then crawled under my makeshift “No we didn’t, this is a different way.” only used for special occasions. Normally blankets – my upper and outer robes plus It went up more. I was convinced we were it stays empty and we had had it completely mosquito net folded in half. I slept very just turning around, but we weren’t. The to ourselves (we couldn’t go inside, of comfortably that night. mountains can be tricky like this. At course). The yard was a beautifuly tended Many days were like this. It would 9:30 pm we finally met a fire-road on the garden with orchids and other colorful seem really difficult – when there wasn’t ridge. flowers which sent a subtle fragrance into enough water, or when I’d be dirty, tired I was relieved, but we still hadn’t seen the air. and sweaty – but then, when I had bathed, a village and we really didn’t know if we There were three radio towers next when there was enough food again and a would get anywhere. We stopped on the to the palace – these were the lights we place to sleep, the difficulty would just be side of the road and Ajahn Tikkhaviro had seen. We kept walking and the lights another memory. Thinking in this way shared the last of his water with me. We got closer, then we saw more lights which helped me not to take these experiences each got less than half a cup. “Now water looked like they were coming from a so seriously. Everything that happens in is like gold” is all he said. few houses. At 10:30 pm we found some life is just this way. This is the ‘tudong We were both so tired we considered abandoned buildings. A sign said that meditation’ – used for building wisdom just falling asleep right there with our these were guest-rooms for firefighters, and cultivating the art of letting go. bags still on our backs, but a wind was but there was no water. Then Ajahn Notes: Tikkhaviro stepped in a huge pile of 1. Tudong – Term for Buddhist monks who have human excrement. After all the difficul- taken up a wandering lifestyle, with no fixed ties of the day and our utter exhaustion, location except for the three months of the rainy Fearless Mountain season. The word is a Thai transliteration of the this was just too much. We laughed for a Production Team Pali ‘dhutanga,’ the literal translation of which is long long time. We would like to express ‘a means of shaking off.’ It refers to the thirteen Sometime after 11:00 pm we arrived at ascetic practices that were allowed by the Buddha our heartfelt gratitude to a campground and found that the house – such as eating only one meal a day or living at the Jebbie Lavoie for design root of a tree – as well as to the monastics lights had been coming from this place. and layout, along with who follow those practices. We had walked about ten kilometers since editorial assistance finding the fire-break and the palace 2. Chedi – A monument which usually contains by Kristy Arbon and bone relics of a great sage. was still a few kilometers away. The Elizabeth Matovinovic.

WINTER 2010 • 15 Sanghapala Foundation ABHAYAGIRI NON PROFIT ORG. BUDDHIST MONASTERY U.S. POSTAGE 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 PAID AUTOZIP

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"When Silent Rain was first compiled, back in 1993, part of the idea of producing such a varied collection of material – talks, poems, travelogues and artwork – was that it would then provide an easy source for smaller offprints over the years. However, up until now, no smaller booklets have been spawned from it. This present book, Rain on the Nile, is something of a remedy for that, being both an outcome of that original intention as well as an arena for the offering up of some more recent material – namely, the travelogue of a journey to Egypt made in December of 2006."

Copies of this book can be requested from the monastery at Abhayagiri Publications, 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470. Alternatively it can be downloaded at www.abhayagiri.org/main/book/1848