Buddhism and Abortion

[![fetus](/images/fetus.webp" >}}](/images/2016/12/fetus.webp" >}} What do Theravada Buddhists believe in terms of abortion? Much of what has been written are liberal beliefs and overturning what is written down in the texts. They claim “Modern Buddhism” as a section heading, but there is no such thing as “Modern Buddhism” since there is no such thing as “Modern Kamma.” The rules of kamma do not change over time, and abortion has been around since the time of the Buddha.

No TV Huh? Part I

[![television-144961_1280](/images/television-144961_1280.webp" >}}](/images/2016/11/television-144961_1280.webp" >}} I remember when I moved into my new place in Old Greenwich, CT. It was a duplex house and I had the bottom floor. I was within a Frisbee throw into the heart of the charming Old Greenwich village.. (not to be confused with “The Village” of Manhattan). I was also near the train station which would take me to Manhattan if I wanted. I could run to the beach park and back as part of my 4 mile exercise route.

Making Helmut Schmidt’s Day

A Story from 1993 from my college days, before the Internet was around. I remember all the way back in ‘93, when I was in college and I had just spent a few weeks in China for an academic scholarship. Because I was now some type of “International” student, I was asked to attend a “lunch hour” question and answer session with Helmut Schmitt. Although I had international travel experience, I was hardly experienced in “international issues,” and I did not even know who or what he was.

Lucky-Draw and Devas

Calculation of odds. Do you believe in devas? Devas are the Buddhist equivalent to angels. Ok .. Here is the story. I was on alms round two weeks ago and a regular supporter invited us to ask for anything for our studies at school. I needed some pens, so I asked for some pens. He told me to wait and showed up with a huge pen gift-box. He opened it up for me and there was a fat and expensive Cross pen inside.

Learning to Fly

[![hang-glider](/images/hang-glider.webp" >}}](/images/2016/09/hang-glider.webp" >}} Below is a Wrigley’s TV commercial from the 80s which started my lifelong dream to hang-glide and a genuine excuse to get educated. Whenever I saw this commercial as a child, my jaw was to the floor. It was something I had always wanted to do. Thanks to youtube, I can trace it all back. I was never really college material, I took the SAT’s once and bombed on them.

Make The Best Free Meditation Seat: The Samadhi-Sausage

Download Free A4 format PDF Download Free A5 format PDF Tutorial on How to Sit Many times I have given advice to yogis on how to sit properly and I have received raving success. In fact, I asked one fellow student to model for the pictures you will see in this article and he was absolutely amazed at how comfortable he was as soon as he sat down. He spoke loudly with joy and excitement as soon as he was seated in the Samādhi-Sausage, which prompted other people to peek inside the room to see what all of the commotion was about.

Kauai Propagation Presentation

A 2 part Powerpoint presentation about what two monks did in Kauai, Hawaii during June to December 2015. The theme was propagation, but the propagation was done just from being monks who do not touch money, and collect their food the traditional Buddhist monk way. The vision, how it got started, stories and experiences were shared. About 50 people were in the audience. Running time is about 1 hour total for both.

A Different Love Trumps Hate

[![pexels-photo-13918](/images/pexels-photo-13918.webp" >}}](/images/2016/07/pexels-photo-13918.webp" >}} [![hatredlove](/images/hatredlove.webp" >}}](/images/2016/07/hatredlove.webp" >}} This video clip below came my way and I would hate to say that not only is this guy is correct right near the end of his talk, but he is expressing the same thoughts as the Buddha and myself…well, at least the last part. This link will skip over to 3 minutes 38 seconds. Remainder running time is about 2 minutes. NOTE: There is more I say below after this video: https://www.

The Coolest Incense Holder

Here is a sample video and written instructions for making a self-contained incense holder made from a plastic bottle. It is the coolest incense holder I have ever used. The idea is not mine. An American lay person had one at his dorm room and I thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread. I made mine in minutes. The Problem: No matter how you slice it, incense holders often let the ashes fall outside of the “catching-base.

When It Rains It Pours

[![IMG_20160703_121038](/images/IMG_20160703_121038.webp" >}}](/images/2016/07/IMG_20160703_121038.webp" >}} I had a really good day going for alms today. When it “rains it pours.” Although it rained today, I am talking about alms donations. I told myself, that if this village does not give (like usual), then I will skip it and find another one or stay with the shack village alone. After 3 weeks of only one donor in that village, I finally got some edible food….

The Benefits of Faith Alms

[![Mala in Hand](/images/malahand.resized.webp" >}}](/images/2016/06/malahand.resized.webp" >}} The benefits of “Faith piṇḍapata”. This is a term that I learned either in Abhayagiri, Ca, or Wat Pah Nanachat or both. Probably brought to the West from Ajahn Pasanno who is/was the abbot of both. This means that when you go on alms, you make a determination to only eat the alms food you collect. When you do something like this (and I am not sooo perfect when I follow these things), you can learn a lot about yourself and the real Buddhist teachings.

An Open Letter to Ma Ba Tha

Top: Ma Ba Tha conference Bottom: Reaching out to Muslims to show loving-kindness. Recently, I was convinced to go to a “seminar on peace” this past Saturday. Some of you may have seen my picture on Facebook in regards to a Ma Ba Tha conference I attended. I was told that I should not pay attention to the negative press and that they are a peaceful organization and the gathering was about peace.

Visit to Varanasi Monastery, Mingaladon

Sima of Varanasi Monastery. A Brief Visit to Varanasi Monastery, Mingaladon I had a few more days before I was allowed to arrive at ITBM University (I am there now). Very close by is one of my favorite monasteries in the Yangon District. Actually, there are very few choices for monks who follow the monk’s rules (Vinaya) if you want to live with like minded vinaya monks. Even though Pa-Auk is a vinaya monastery, there is not the same consistency of monks who have vinaya in their hearts.

Homeless and Living Out of a Box.

[![cooler](/images/cooler.webp" >}}](/images/2016/05/cooler.webp" >}} I remember when I went to America in 2008 with one of my monastic friends named Ven. Visarada. He was an experienced monk and had good ascetic practices. When we went to America, he did not have any luggage and brought everything he owned with him. Instead of using luggage, he used a simple cardboard box. It is simple, easy to get, easy to dispose of and also more suitable for a monk than fancy luggage.

Why Are The Monks Fighting Over Food?

I cannot believe that I am writing an article that explains how the monks are fighting over food. It is very awkward to hear isn’t it? On the other hand human nature is human nature. We have six monks who sit at each table and sometimes there is not enough of the special items to go around. And that is when the fighting begins… But it is not what you think.

License to Spill (Myanmar Thingyan, New Year)

In the eight plus years that I have lived in Myanmar, I have never seen the Thingyan Water Festival festivities happening in the street. I normally spend my time in the monastery and normally, if I went on alms, it would be early in the morning. However, our Kyownpine monastery goes out on alms round a little later so we can collect real food to actually eat a little bit easier (so the donors have time to cook).

Pa-Auk Monastery in Mudon

Kyownpine Pa-Auk Branch Monastery in Mudon, Myanmar. I have moved to Yorgo Sayadaw ’s new monastery called Kyownpine. The Yorgo Sayadaw read my first ordination transaction 15 years ago and invited me to come. He speaks no English, but we have fun together. Such a lovely place, lots of Metta here. Good views, cool at night (75 degrees), nice kuti. [![2016032113164100](/images/2016032113164100.webp" >}}](/images/2016/03/2016032113164100.webp" >}} [![2016032113164000](/images/2016032113164000.webp" >}}](/images/2016/03/2016032113164000.webp" >}} This place is suitable for foreigners to live at complete with proper vinaya (monks’ rules).

Kauai Slideshow

I recently made a Hawaii video slideshow. Here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DjEHWNTHQ0

Bagan Slideshow

Here is a video slideshow of my Bagan trip. We had scheduled 8 full days to travel around, and mostly on foot. We had a limited budget and it was a real joy. Basically, the less transportation you have, the more you can take in. However, you need time to do that. Ven Pannyagavesaka went with me. He likes to take pictures and I like to wander around. It was a good match.

Back in Myanmar Headed to Pa-Auk Meditation Center

From the pamc lookout. I am back in Myanmar from Kauai, Hawaii. I will begin the Bus trip to Pa-Auk Meditation Center this morning. What a long transit back that was. Here is a picture taken from Pa-Auk Lookout point that friends and I had fun taking a while back. I will begin the Bus trip to Pa-Auk Meditation Center this morning.

The Blue Room Session and Update

[![blueroomtwo](/images/blueroomtwo.webp" >}}](/images/2015/12/blueroomtwo.webp" >}} I went to the sacred Blue Room cave today with a friend named Narayandass. Its waters are known for their healing powers. I made a recording of some chanting before we meditated there. It was a special time and extremely high on my “Before I Go” list. A recording can be found at https://archive.org/details/Blueroomkauai. The raw recording has nothing added but was trimmed at the beginning and end of the file.

Mangala Sutta Dhamma Talk

[![Mangala3 audio](/images/Screenshot_2015-11-29-14-04-15.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/Screenshot_2015-11-29-14-04-15.webp" >}} Here is a link for the Dhamma Talk on November 28, 2015. The talk was the third on the Mangala Sutta. This time, there was a high quality recorder. Talks are not edited. There are three parts. Lovingkindess and chanting. Part 1 Mangala sutta -who are the wise and review. Part 2 Meditation. Part 3

Loving Kindness Wins The Race

[![race_aircraft_sky](/images/race_aircraft_sky.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/race_aircraft_sky.webp" >}} Loving Kindness Wins The Race (Adventures in Going for Alms in Hawaii) Last week we encountered a disturbing event while we were going for Alms in village in Kauai. There was a lady on a bicycle who approached us and asked us what we were doing. Her tone of voice was not so happy, but we enjoy telling people what we are doing because it does not happen so often and that is one of our goals when we stand in front of each house.

Oasis Radio Show Archive

[![oasis radio](/images/oasis-radio.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/oasis-radio.webp" >}} Easy but Low quality download and playback here (interview only, no music) Please try https://archive.org/details/oasis111518-2 http://americanmonk.org http://withmetta.net

Some Wish For Peace

[![some-wish-for-peace](/images/some-wish-for-peace.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/some-wish-for-peace.webp" >}} Some wish for peace, I did something (story below) I thought I would repost this on my blog due to the recent events. We must strive for peace. Originally posted on WithMetta.net I just got back from inviting 2 Muslims to serve at the head of the meal line for Tomorrow’s lunch at Pa-Auk. Everyone thought I was crazy and that the Muslims would kill me or at least shout at me as soon as I entered the compound.

It's Only Half The Story

Yesterday, I had spoken about how someone took our pictures and who said something like, “I just wanted to tell you (her hand was now over her heart) how much …what you do means to me. I really want to thank you for what you are doing!” She drove off in her electric car that sounded like a vacuum cleaner. A few moments later, the same vacuum cleaner showed up again, and then she asked if she could take our picture.

KKCR - Monks on Kauai Community Radio

Dear Friends, Here is the link to the kkcr radio show where we were interviewed on Kauai Community Radio for about one hour. It gives a good taste of what we did on the island: [archiveorg id=oasis111518-2] We will be on the radio on Sunday at 11:00 am Hawaii time. The radio station is kkcr and can be streamed at the main page below. http://www.kkcr.org Program 10am -12pm http://www.kkcr.org/djs/kamran.htm We will come on at 11am island time.

New Dhamma Talk November 28

This might be the last Dhamma Talk for Kauai.???? [![Dhamma-Poster](/images/Dhamma-Poster.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/Dhamma-Poster.webp" >}}

Mahamangala Dhamma Talk 2

HERE IS AN UNEDITED version of the Dhammatalk on the Mahamangala Sutta #2. There is quite a bit of silence in the beginning, so please be patient. Download here [![mangala2](/images/mangala2.webp" >}}](/images/2015/11/mangala2.webp" >}}

Very Sweet Indeed

[![IMG_20151028_112524](/images/IMG_20151028_112524.webp" >}}](/images/2015/10/IMG_20151028_112524.webp" >}} Yesterday, we got some pre-Halloween candy during our alms round at one of the houses. I thought that was very “sweet” of our donor. Halloween is a holiday on October 31, in America where kids dress up as, well, anything they want. They go around the neighborhood at night and ring the doorbells and say “Trick or treat!”. Then the person at the house would place some candy inside the ambitiously sized candy collection bags.

Pa-Auk Forest Monastery HD

I made this video from 55 minutes of nearly silent footage. I cut it us and added a script to it. The titles in English are from the original and are misspelled in some areas. The monastery is more or less the same except a new health clinic which i had posted pictures of earlier. I finally got a higher resolution copy uploaded (in full) to YouTube, thanks to a wonderful Bhante who helped me upload it from the DVD Version.

A Useful Quote from "Free Spirit"

[![freespirit~01](/images/freespirit01.webp" >}}](/images/2015/10/freespirit01.webp" >}} We spend almost an hour at the library on Tuesdays when we wait for the Thai Restaurant to open. Ven. Dewananda signed this book out of the library called, “Free Spirit.” I was curious since “Free Spirit” was the name of my family’s sailboat when I was a kid. While I was flicking through the book, which by the way was well written, I came across this quote that struck me.

Why the moons are off by one day in Eastern and Western Calendars

The website Http://TimeAndDate.com is a “must-know” and “must-have” for Buddhist monks, especially when they travel abroad. It calculates the Moon Phases and Solar Noon for a specific area. One thing that was very enlightening was how the Western calendars were off from the Buddhist calendars for the new and full moons. Why? Well… pick a place in the East, like Yangon and see when the full moon is. Then pick a place in the far West like Honolulu and see when the full moon is.

New Dhamma Talk Location

My friend Nikita (x ven Kippabinnya) made this flyer for our new location. There was a request to move to Kapaa which is more central. Golden Lotus seems like a nice place and they have cushions and chairs available. [![Old School Buddhism Dhamma Series](/images/Old-School-Buddhism-Dhamma-Series.webp" >}}](/images/2015/10/Old-School-Buddhism-Dhamma-Series.webp" >}}

A new Spot

[![kilaueafarmsSubhuti](/images/kilaueafarmsSubhuti.webp" >}}](/images/2015/10/kilaueafarmsSubhuti.webp" >}} [![kilaueafarmsdeva](/images/kilaueafarmsdeva.webp" >}}](/images/2015/10/kilaueafarmsdeva.webp" >}}I had to ask Bhante Devananda several times in order to go to the end of the road to see the ocean today. We have been at this location for six weeks now without ever going to the ocean at the end of our own road. However, after we got there, Bhante Devananda did not want to leave. Being the nice monk I am, I let us stay and we meditated on the mountain until it got dark.

Kauai Dhamma Talk September

Here are links to the two parts of a Dhamma Talk on the Mahamangala Sutta givin at Princeville Community Center in Kauai. September 27th. The first part has Loving kindness The second part starts the main subject. (First 3 minutes were not recorded) The talk will be a series on the Sutta. This talk covered the introductory verses. The files are unedited and the breaks are recorded. Feel free to edit and resend them to me.

Unedited Kauai talk August

Here is an unedited file from the dhamma talk I gave. The first section on Loving kindness is missing. Soon I will add the first talk which has a similar first section. The two hours consists of: Chanting and loving kindness meditation 5 minute break An introduction and general overview of the Sabbasava Sutta. 5 minute break A brief meditation session, followed by Q/A and sharing of merit. The talk can be downloaded Here.

Dhamma Talk 3 in Kauai

[![dhammatalk27th](/images/dhammatalk27th.webp" >}}](/images/2015/09/dhammatalk27th.webp" >}}

That Which Feeds Us

This video is probably the most beautiful and entertaining environmental message on Kauai, GMO and agriculture you will ever see. A “Wow!” for all 22:55 minutes! Subscribe to this blog to receive updates via email. https://vimeo.com/130279788

Kauai Update #2

I am still happy to report that things are continuing to go well. However, we did have a small hiccup, OK, a big one. We moved. Yes, I know it was beautiful place we had, and maybe the most beautiful place in Kauai too. But something was just not right and so we decided to move out and we are in a new place on a three acre tropical fruit orchard.

Inclination for Meditation

[![grassmeditation~01](/images/grassmeditation01.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/grassmeditation01.webp" >}} These days, most meditators meditate inside buildings on flat and hard surfaces. One should try to meditate outside on a nice grassy area that has a 20 to 30° angle. It does not take much to find such a place and if you do, you might feel there is no need for pillows or other bulky equipment for your comfort. Go ahead and give it a *try!

Our Bodhi Tree

There is a Bodhi Tree on our property and we sometimes do a vandana (chanting) in front of this tree rather than at the gazebo. We did one tonight until a passing rain cloud sprinkled on us. From Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhi_Tree The Bodhi Tree, also known as Bo (from Sinhalese: Bo) and “peepal tree” in Nepal and Bhutan, was a large and very old sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa[1])[2] located in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher later known as Gautama Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment, or Bodhi.

Lumaha'i Beach

[![Lumahai Beach](/images/IMG_6591.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/IMG_6591.webp" >}} Our third beach trip with chanting and meditation during sunset. Lumaha’i Beach. We walked to the center of the beach and then sat down on top of a sand ledge to do our chanting. Afterwards, we did our meditation until a small rain cloud started to sprinkle down upon us. We had a good Dhamma discussion with our driver who is eager to learn about Buddhism and meditation and often asks us when the next trip will happen.

Kauai Update 1

Report on Kauai I am pleased to write you with a very happy report on our trip to Kauai. We have been doing really good work and things have been working out well. My concepts and ideas about Kauai as a special place for monks to live and practice has met and and exceeded my expectations. I feel it is very good for my overall monk life and development. Instead of relying on a big monastery structure for my needs, I need to keep on my toes in order to survive.

Canyon Hike Review

This is a picture of the Waimea Canyon Trail. I recommend going on the Canyon Trail Hike and going further beyond the small waterfall and then to the edge of the cliff where the top of another huge waterfall is. The view is so spectacular.

This Morning's View

My view this morning after chanting and meditation. [![20150807_064958](/images/20150807_064958.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/20150807_064958.webp" >}}

I forget how many rainbows I have seen this month. Maybe 7 or 8? This one was over our property. Today...

I forget how many rainbows I have seen this month. Maybe 7 or 8? This one was over our property. Today I saw 3 Rainbows in Hanalei, including a double rainbow. Such a beautiful Island, and I really have not explored much because it is so satisfying where I am already. Yesterday was our one-month anniversary. [![IMG_20150721_071616](/images/IMG_20150721_071616.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/IMG_20150721_071616.webp" >}} This was posted on Google+

I went to Waimea canyon today

[![blogcovercanyon](/images/blogcovercanyon.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/blogcovercanyon.webp" >}} I went to Waimea canyon today. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waimea_Canyon_State_Park I think it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen or tied to seeing the whales jumping out of the ocean at the 8 mile cliff campsite from the kalalau trail fifteen years ago. All that said, they are both found on Kauai. The pictures are great, but disappointingly flat. The last picture was Polihale beach. This was posted on Google+

Our kuti in Kilauea, Kauai.

Our kuti in Kilauea, Kauai. [![IMG_20150705_152441~2](/images/IMG_20150705_1524412.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/IMG_20150705_1524412.webp" >}} This was posted on Google+

Modern monks transcribing an ancient Buddhist Pali Grammar book (suttamala) in Kauai.

Modern monks transcribing an ancient Buddhist Pali Grammar book (suttamala) in Kauai. [![IMG_20150703_133241~2](/images/IMG_20150703_1332412.webp" >}}](/images/2015/08/IMG_20150703_1332412.webp" >}} This was posted on Google+