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Measuring the Mind

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Measuring the Mind Spring 2011•2554 Volume 16, Number 2 it? How could I engage the mind in a way that brings a quality of lightness to it?” When we practice this way, we are employing appropriate attention. It’s measuring the mind from a place of Dhamma, as opposed to a perspective of personality, of “me” and “mine.” We recognize that the mind is just a force of nature that can bring benefits or have drawbacks. When we simplify things for ourselves in this way, we can engage in a manner that brings forth the benefits that are possible. For working with the mind, the most general perspective on practice is to divide it into the aspects of samatha and vipassanā—the development of tranquility and of insight. These are different quali- ties that the mind needs to rely on. They can be developed in a variety of ways. To Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Sudanto lead a traditional almsround in White Salmon, WA, close to Pacific Hermitage create balance within the mind, we need to have both of those capacities available to us. The mind has the potential to become Measuring the Mind peaceful, tranquil, settled, still. It has A talk given by Ajahn Pasanno on July 31, 2010 the capacity for insight, understanding, wisdom, and discernment. Those are both This evening I’d like to talk a bit about to fill our minds with things that actually fruits of the practice that can arise, but meditation practice. Particularly as we’ve create more suffering than is useful, and they’re also ways of attending to the mind begun the Vassa, the formal rains retreat, more confusion than is necessary. and skills we can develop: attending to the we are trying to encourage everybody But there is another way to practice. mind in ways that foster tranquility and (Continued on page 12) to give more time to the formal side of We can attend to the actual need of the practice. In doing that, one of the things mind, gauge what’s going to be useful, and INSIDE: we need to learn is how to measure our discern how we can bring about a certain own minds. The term “measure the mind” balance in the mind. If the mind is restless From the Monastery Pg 2 means to give ourselves a more clear or agitated, rather than launching into a Gratitude, Death, and the sense of what the mind actually needs, running commentary on how awful it is, Third Noble Truth Pg 4 what is going to be useful and beneficial. we should ask, “What is it that would be a “Namatthu Ācariyassa” – Oftentimes when we evaluate the mind, source of balance? What would be useful Homage to Our Teacher Pg 6 we produce a running commentary on in bringing about settledness?” If the mind Calendar Pg 8 & 9 how things relate to the self: “I’ve got this is dull or lacking energy, we should actu- The Concept of “Retreat” in defilement or that defilement,” “I’ve got ally recognize that, not as some personal Early Buddhist Texts (Q & A) Pg 10 this problem or that problem,” “I’m like trait or some personality flaw, but instead Venerable Day… Pg 14 this or I’m like that,” “I shouldn’t be like as the state of the mind right now. Then Contributors: The Sangha, Ajahn Chah, Ajahn this or like that.” When we do this, we tend ask, “What would be useful to brighten Pasanno, Kovilo Bhikkhu, and Anagārika Brian From the Monastery Spring 2011 Winter Retreat—Going Back to held meetings that focused on the skillful the Roots guidance of the Sangha in its many dimen- The monastery undertakes many impor- sions. Devoted laypeople came from far tant activities in the areas of generosity and and wide to cook food for all participants, virtue, but cultivation of the heart through offer material requisites to the monastics, formal meditation is the emphasis of the and participate in the commemorative Winter Retreat. Fifteen years ago, the first events. The overall feeling of Sangha and American branch monastery of the Ajahn faith was both nourishing and inspiring Chah Tradition, Abhayagiri, opened its as the best in people was brought out by doors to the public. The community took the focus on Ajahn Chah and his teach- this 2011 retreat time to reconnect with ings. After returning to Abhayagiri and the roots of its tradition by focusing on the re-joining the retreat, Ajahn Pasanno life history, teachings and practice of Thai continued to read the teachings of Ajahn meditation master Ajahn Chah. Chah to the community for the remaining In January, Ajahn Pasanno led the 10 weeks. For many, the most memorable community in the three month annual readings included Ajahn Jayasaro's draft of Winter Retreat before taking leave for a the biography of Ajahn Chah. The voice Scattering J's ashes at McKerricher State Park week in Thailand. While there, he partici- of Ajahn Pasanno held a natural authority pated in the regular commemoration of as he not only read the translations, but Ajahn Chah’s 1992 passing. Thousands answered questions and added recollec- schedule was varied to support the of lay people and several hundred monks tions from the time he had spent with his needs of the community. The middle came to pay respects to the relics of teacher in the tropics of Thailand. Hearing of the retreat focused on more solitary Ajahn Chah in order to remember his about the life of a forest master living in practice and allowed the monastics to goodness, his teachings, and his example. Northeast Thailand from 1918 onwards create their own schedule of meditation It was a time for Sangha harmony as helped the community understand more and study. A group of monks continued monastics gathered from many regions about its origin and tradition. with their Pali classes and found inspira- and re-connected with spiritual friends During the three month retreat, a tion from the Buddha’s teachings in they had not seen for a long time. Elders group sitting and walking meditation the original language of the Theravada Canon. Throughout the retreat, a crew of resident laypeople generously supported the monks as well as participated in the retreat schedule. The community ended the retreat with a day out to the coast, eating the morning meal at Three Jewels Dhamma Hall in Fort Bragg. At the coastline, the Sangha held a ceremony in commemoration of J. Steiber-Buckley's death. J. died of throat cancer in 2008 after spending more than six years self- lessly serving the Abhayagiri Community. Many community members allowed his ashes to drop through their fingers and softly combine with the water element of the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, the Pacific Hermitage in Washington was ending their winter Abhayagiri cloister area with heavier than usual snowfall retreat. Despite the snowy weather during 2 • Fearless Mountain the retreat, they continued walking alms CTTB Connection round once a week. As of April the three In the dark of the night, Ajahn Gunavuddho bhikkhus present resumed their daily alms departed Abhayagiri and walked 20 miles round and teaching schedule. The local to attend a special meditation session support and good wishes have been very at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas beneficial for the monastics and the project (CTTB). CTTB is located just outside of as a whole. Anagārika Joe Ginsberg, who Ukiah and is a large Chinese Mahāyāna spent the Winter Retreat at the Pacific monastery of the late Master Hua. The Hermitage, returned to Abhayagiri in tradition of walking from monastery to April. Tan Pamutto left a few days later to monastery was common for monks in the join Ajahn Sudanto and Tan Cāgānando time of the Buddha, and in these unprec- at the hermitage. The hermitage continues edented times of global and environmental to progress smoothly, and many photos are problems, Ajahn Gunavuddho tried this available at hermitage.abhayagiri.org. practice both to and from CTTB. During After almost three years of service at Ajahn Gunavuddho's two weeks at the Ajahn Pasanno with his mother Rhoda Perry Abhayagiri, Ajahn Yatiko was invited to monastery he was able to meet a number spend the month of January wandering of the community members who greeted much careful consideration and consulta- (tudong) as an alms mendicant in India. him warmly. This was also an opportunity tion, to leave the monastery and explore lay He walked alone in the heartland of the to see the workings of the Dharma Realm life in his young age. His father picked him Buddha with just the bare necessities. University located inside the monastery up, expressing gratitude to the community Without carrying food or money, he and to participate in the daily routine after for Kevin's 18 months at Abhayagiri—an had a number of adventures along the the session ended. The experience was experience that seemed to benefit all of his way and met many people who were not rewarding on many levels. family. We wish him the best of luck and acquainted with the Theravada Forest The connection between Abhayagiri needless to say, the door is open for him if Tradition. Many Indians wanted to know and CTTB is important historically, as he so wishes to return. Brother Samatā, a why he would practice in such an austere the late Master Hua of CTTB was instru- visiting monk from the Plum Village tradi- way. He gave teachings and had much mental in planting the roots of Abhayagiri tion (headed by Vietnamese master teacher time to meditate on the trip.
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