The Message From Long Ago I was recently interviewed by Skynet television. The monk in charge of foreigners tracked me down for an interview. I originally refused to climb up the Mountain for an interview at the Bodhi Tree. "Too much trouble. Get another monk." I said. Then he arranged for an easy location to be interviewed and he even…
Month: September 2014
The "Beverly Hills" Section of Pa-Auk
The "Beverly Hills" Section of Pa-AukThis is my neighborhood. Over the years, the price of wood had skyrocketed, and concrete kuties have become the new standard. However, that does not stop them from laying teak floors inside. I think teak is quite inexpensive in Myanmar compared to the rest of the world. The same could be said about flowers and…
Flower Art Served on a Bowl Cover
Flower Art Served on a Bowl CoverThe middle flowers go bad within a few hours. It is a good prop for the reflection on impermanence."Sabbe sankhārā aniccā'ti" This was posted on Google+
Which part is the car? Which part of you is you?
Which part is the car? Which part of you is you?A Buddhist classic to explain "The Self and Not Self Paradox." The Pa-Auk Garage was working on the Pa-Auk SUV and I could not help myself. This was posted on Google+
3D Buddha
3D BuddhaI borrowed this Buddha from a friend's kuti for a little while. The Buddha you see is actually a mold of a Buddha. The eyes create this 3D effect with the inverted statue that will always stare at you no matter how you look at it. This was posted on Google+
The Seeds From Long Ago
The Seeds From Long AgoI remember when I first learned how to meditate on my breath some time in 1990, during my university years. Back then, meditation was not so well known. The beat generation's Zen trend in the 60's had died out with disco in the 70's. Barnes and Noble maybe had only a few shelves in a single…
New Pa-Auk Thailand Monastery
New Pa-Auk Thailand MonasteryPicture of location in An-ton 2 hours from Bangkok.The sima was officially completed (by vinaya transaction) about 6 months ago.To complete a legal vinaya transaction, one needs the permission of the residing monks in the village. This could be a problem because monks often do not like newcomers on their own block, especially from Burma. To avoid…
Knowledge of Microphones, Knowledge of Meaning
Knowledge of Microphones, Knowledge of MeaningThe last two patimokkha recitations have been clear sounding without feedback (except when they were playing with the controls). All is due to my recent arrangement for a proper microphone. This makes me very happy and I can rejoice in my efforts when we have our meeting on the new and full moons. I learned…
Alter States of Mind
Alter States of Mind♥♥♥If you look at the center of the picture, you will see a transparent pink heart!I did not notice this until I prepared this post. Very cool!♥♥♥This was going to be the post below:Alter States of MindChanting and setting up my alter is a good excuse to be beautiful. Beautiful is a group of mental ingredients (sobhanacetasika)…
Umbrellas
Umbrellas — Excerpt from Going For Broke from "Walkman Karaoke" (2004) Rainy Season is luckily my favorite. I love all five months of it. It is the perfect temperature also, not too hot, not too cold. It's quiet and the noises around me get white washed out from the rain striking the metal corrugated roofing. We had over 350 Bhikkhus…