The rain was falling hard this past evening. The electricity was out as usual. I was doing some chanting in my kuti and this was what it looked like. This was posted on Google+

I saw a newly ordained bhikkhu near the "Pre-leftovers" table. I asked him how he was doing and he said to me. "I am doing much better mentally, physically and energetically. No attainments for what I originally came here for, but things are good."I told him, "You can be happy just radiating Loving-kindness all of the time. It will help with your meditation, but if you do not get any attainments, you still win.". He smiled, asked me how I was and then we parted just before another heavy rain settled in.ADVANTAGES OF LOVING-KINDNESS DISCOURSE (Mettānisamsa-Sutta). Anguttara Nikāya (A.11:16) Translated […]

Cats Like To Eat CornDid you know that cats like corn? Try it, or let them try it. Dogs really like corn too (leave it on the cob). Dogs like just about anything and can survive well on a vegetarian diet of leftover rice and curry.The picture is of my neighbour's cat's daughter eating my leftover corn removed from the cob at his kuti. This was posted on Google+

Better Late Than NeverSome people believe they are too old to become a monk. Venerable Ashin Nandasara ordained at age 55 and has accumulated 30 Rains which is very special among monks who ordain at any age. Currently, he is the oldest bhikkhu practicing today at Pa-Auk Meditation Center (Main) at Aged 85. He is a native of Kawkareik Township and remembers staying with Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw during "The Early Days" when Sayadaw was staying in a bamboo kuti where the 3 story dorm is now. A warm and friendly bhikkhu, who is often known for sharing all of his […]

Monks' RobesThis scene is easily recognizable to be the area close to the Upper Meditation Hall, located halfway up the mountain. Long ago, I camped out inside that hall for about two years with the "overflow bhikhus," but that is another story.  This was posted on Google+

I just wrote a chapter explaining samadhi based on Abhidhamma. This was posted on Google+

My friend from Ukraine came for a short visit. This was a picture in India. This was posted on Google+

Monasterynote5: Walkman KaraokeHere is an excerpt from Walkman Karaoke, a story from a collection I wrote from 1999 to 2006 entitled, Going For Broke. Often, these stories would be sent out to family and friends I had long ago whome most were not Buddhists. The stories were just stories and electronic cameras were not common then. In fact, we had a photographer down the street who would come here and take a photo to make our visa or passport photos when we needed one and the color would not be so good because the electricity was never stable for the […]

According to the Buddhist texts: After coming back from alms round, we should put the extra food we will not eat aside for the bhikkhus who come later and need it. They too can take from or donate to this bowl. It is quite useful and is used everyday by many monks. It reduces much waste and makes pre-leftovers edible, allowable and shareable. Monks cannot eat food that has not been personally offered by a donor. This food has been made allowable because it was offered during alms round. Novices and lay people cannot touch "already-offered-and allowable-food" unless a monk […]

It is not just a job, it's Right Livelihood.A kitchen worker makes an aspiration after delivering the day's meal to the Pa-Auk Upper Monastery, Myanmar.Photos by Yogi Bram (Belgium) This was posted on Google+