Kuti portrait at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery, Mawlamyine, Mon State, Myanmar

A small view of the Pa-Auk Nun's Kuti Village.

A small view of the Pa-Auk Nun’s Kuti Village. !

3-Year-Old Remembers Past Life, Identifies Murderer and Location of Body - The Epoch Times

3-Year-Old Remembers Past Life, Identifies Murderer and Location of Body - The Epoch Times ](http://m.theepochtimes.com/n3/681034-3-year-old-remembers-past-life-identifies-murderer-and-location-of-body/) A 3-year-old boy in the Golan Heights region near the border of Syria and Israel said he was murdered with an axe in his previous life. He showed village elders where the murderer buried his body, and sure enough they found a man’s skeleton there. He also showed the elders where the murder …

I liked this idea!

I liked this idea! Anonymous Saudi Man Has A Beautifully Simple Idea To Feed The Poor ](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/08/saudi-man-poor-charity-fridge_n_5290533.html) Sometimes, making a difference can be shockingly simple. A man living in the city of Hail, Saudi Arabia, came up with a brilliant idea to feed needy people in his neighborhood while sparing them the “shame” of begging, according to Gulf …

Cooking With A Paddle

Cooking With A Paddle During our mahadana (big donation day) celebration at Pa-Auk Meditation Centre in February, the population was over 3,000. Our kitchen was in overflow mode and moved outside. I have included another picture of the pot in case you thought it was the camera angle.

Sayadawgyi scheduled one day for English Q&A. I was chosen by Saydawgyi impromptu to sift through all...

Sayadawgyi scheduled one day for English Q&A. I was chosen by Saydawgyi impromptu to sift through all of the questions and rephrase them so they could be understood. Not an easy task, but I was happy to help!

Sayadawgyi finished his six day Dhamma Talk series in Myanmar Language on The Brahmanimantanika Sutta...

Sayadawgyi finished his six day Dhamma Talk series in Myanmar Language on The Brahmanimantanika Sutta. His first words were about America and the wrong views about Buddhism there. He shouted his lion’s roar and several thousand devotees came to see him. Venerable U Dhammasena was recruited to continue the translation. It was amazing how he was able to translate Sayadaw’s bullet train Dhamma talk style in realtime. It was stressful but he was grateful for the opportunity.

Sayadawgyi is at Pa-Auk Tawya. We are so glad to see him back! Population has grown to 2000 from 1000...

Sayadawgyi is at Pa-Auk Tawya. We are so glad to see him back! Population has grown to 2000 from 1000 in the past month. Sayadawgyi, and many others will leave after the water festival ends. !

Here is a picture of the translation of Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw's Dhamma talk with the fm mic. We used ...

Here is a picture of the translation of Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadaw’s Dhamma talk with the fm mic. We used the mic from Thailand with a 100 ft range. Just anybody in the hall could passively tune in with their telephone or mp3 player’s FM radio component. 90.9 MHz. There is was virtually no disturbance or awareness of this project going on inside the hall. Sadhu to Donors for helping me realize this concept started 8 or so months ago.

Here is a picture of a temporary novice monk (Samanera) from Scotland at our roadside Bodhi Tree. Pa...

Here is a picture of a temporary novice monk (Samanera) from Scotland at our roadside Bodhi Tree. Pa-Auk is one of the few places in the world that follows the vinaya (code of rules) that will ordain foreigners for a short period of time without any commitment. It is part of the Myanmar Monastic Culture. When local people come for a retreat, quite often, they ordain as full monks (Bhikkhus) for that time.

Here is an awesome picture showing the typical patimokkha recitation at Pa-Auk Meditation Center (from...

Here is an awesome picture showing the typical patimokkha recitation at Pa-Auk Meditation Center (from February). The patimokkha is roughly a 45 page book of 227 rules that the monks must follow. They are chanted (by memory) by one skilled in memory. !

Patimokkha picture from February.

Getting Alms At Pa-Auk

My father asked me what the food was like. Here is a small video going through the alms-line at Pa-Auk I’m not sure what year this was. I think sometime around 2015

A few days ago, a friend showed me a trick he "discovered.". The side panel of our monk bags are usually...

A few days ago, a friend showed me a trick he “discovered.”. The side panel of our monk bags are usually double layer and are sewed in a way that a simple cut and hem will create a nifty water bottle compartment. It took me 13 years to learn this one! It takes five minutes or less to complete. !

Natural Dying at Pa-Auk. (tree bark) Picture List: 1. Wood stove made from a steel barrel. 2. Feeding...

Natural Dying at Pa-Auk. (tree bark) Picture List: 1. Wood stove made from a steel barrel. 2. Feeding the stove. 3. The Brew. 4. The brew2 5.Pouring. 6.Rolling. 7. Rolling Vid New batches are made daily for the monastery’s 500+ monks. If anybody knows about mordants, especially iron infused water and how to make it please let me know.

3 Story Dormitory @ Pa-Auk. 80 kuties with private bath. The last picture is the Solar Clothes Dryer...

3 Story Dormitory @ Pa-Auk. 80 kuties with private bath. The last picture is the Solar Clothes Dryer (no carbon credit)

This photographer came to Pa-Auk recently to shoot some pictures. He is really goooood. One or two...

This photographer came to Pa-Auk recently to shoot some pictures. He is really goooood. One or two pictures from Pa-auk will be added next month. Jon Kolkin Fine Art Photography When someone is searching for happiness, I believe what they are really seeking is a sense of Inner Harmony. This comes from a desire to achieve fulfillment, inner peace, and a feeling that we are connected to something greater than ourselves.

Sayadaw U Revata is my favorite teacher (Next to The Most Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw (U Acinna) ) http...

Sayadaw U Revata is my favorite teacher (Next to The Most Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw (U Acinna) ) http://revata-bhikkhu.org This site looks like it was created by Thai Devotees another site http://www.bhikkhu-revata-paauk.com looks like it was created by Myanmar Devotees. Sayadaw U Revata is currently in Thailand by invitation doing a meditation retreat for two weeks. !

Repost of pic only of construction at paauk.

Repost of one single vid small size. 13mb The new Meditation Hall for Lay Yogis in The Middle Monastery...

Repost of one single vid small size. 13mb The new Meditation Hall for Lay Yogis in The Middle Monastery of Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. Work days are rare and voluntary at Pa-Auk, so lots of preparation is done to make it worth everyone’s time. About 500-600 people showed up by my estimates. 4 mixing stations constantly going to feed the fire line, Gloves to protect the hands, a crew to wash the gloves, a crew for drinks, a crew to deliver drinks, a crew to carry sand and rocks and cement to the mixing stations, a crew to give the rocks and sand, etc to the mixing stations, a slide and crew to return the empty buckets, and of course a huge fire line of monks, nuns and laypeople to bring the cement to the second floor.

More on the pariyatti cave monastery.

Pariyatti (study) monastery near Nauyana, Sri Lanka

Pariyatti (study) monastery near Nauyana, Sri Lanka !

February 14th, Mahadana Day. We had approx 1300 Bhikkhus visiting. 667 monks stayed for patimokkha. ...

February 14th, Mahadana Day. We had approx 1300 Bhikkhus visiting. 667 monks stayed for patimokkha. Here is a picture of some monks who were early and waiting for the ceremony to begin. !

3 pics on transportation in Myanmar. 1. The taxes on cars are less expensive than before, but still...

3 pics on transportation in Myanmar. 1. The taxes on cars are less expensive than before, but still expensive. For example, a used (legal) Toyota Land Cruiser may have cost $200,000 USD in 2001. To get around this, it is now very common to buy a tractor engine and make a truck out of it. They are used for hauling just about anything, including school children. Myanmar was once known as a place where you could still see ox and pony carts, but they are quickly becoming a thing of the past.

Today, February 7th, is my ordination anniversary from 2001. I ordained under Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw...

Today, February 7th, is my ordination anniversary from 2001. I ordained under Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw on the February full moon day for the purpose of liberation. I can still remember burning my credit and bank cards the day before hoping to never to touch money ever again. I was so scared, but I knew it was the right path for me. So far, so good. In 1999, I left home to travel the world and possibly following my dream of becoming a monk, and that is exactly what I did.

I just recieved a box of goodies from Thailand for the FM translation system. It has a new fm mic for...

I just recieved a box of goodies from Thailand for the FM translation system. It has a new fm mic for our translation system along with 15 adapters and 10 extra headphones. The adapters will allow one radio to support two sets of headphones. The new microphone has a range of over 100 feet (200 ft circle). I get so happy every time there is a translated talk!

#Photography

Pa-Auk near the bottom.

Pa-Auk near the bottom. !

My neighborhood video. Better.

My neighborhood video. Better. My neighborhood video. Better.

Inside my kuti.#photography

Inside my kuti.#photography !

20 percent of 500 acres at Pa-Auk

20 percent of 500 acres at Pa-Auk !

My Neighborhood

Here is a picture of my old kuti (#123) from 2001 to 2005. At that time nearly all kuties were what...

Here is a picture of my old kuti (#123) from 2001 to 2005. At that time nearly all kuties were what we now call “Black Kuties.” They are black because they were painted every so often with a new coat of used engine oil to keep the bugs out and to “finish” the wood at the same time. Sayadaw U Punnyananda was living there before I moved in. He must have been two vassa then.

These are some stats on Pa-auk.

Path at Pa-auk.

In the early days of Pa-Auk, Sayalay Daw Ma (Shan) Canda used to give fruti to some of the regular monks...

In the early days of Pa-Auk, Sayalay Daw Ma (Shan) Canda used to give fruti to some of the regular monks when it was difficult to come by without private supporters. Nearly every day, she was seen helping out in the almsfood line. She had medical problems, but it was difficult to know by her cheerful attitude and success in meditation. She died about a year ago. The packets still continue and eventually the name on the packages changed to the living Sayalay Yathawati (Rasavati) who manages the dana in her memory.

This is where I eat lunch everyday at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. (My kuti)

This is where I eat lunch everyday at Pa-Auk Forest Monastery. (My kuti) !

Pa auk is now well into the 600 monk range (bhikkhu + samanera).

Itbmu pics. I leave tonight.

OK, This was the first question for English competency. Try to figure out what to write! Yes, you bet...

OK, This was the first question for English competency. Try to figure out what to write! Yes, you bet I asked and so did a lot of others. I should pass both the English and Buddhism sections. About 4 hours of continuous writing in two sessions. This year they did not ask any questions with technical grammer labels from my 6th grade english books I am no longer familiar with. Tomorrow is the oral exam, though we have not been told when or where!

It looks as though I will sit for an entrance exam for ITBMU. I am here because of a medical problem...

It looks as though I will sit for an entrance exam for ITBMU. I am here because of a medical problem and needed a place to stay in Yangon while I get some diagnostic tests done. The test is tomorrow, and I felt it was auspicious timing. I just met with the Prorector and have permission to sit the exam. !

I asked my Kappiya (a monk's helper) if he wanted a pillow. He held up a Coke can and said, "No thanks..."

I asked my Kappiya (a monk’s helper) if he wanted a pillow. He held up a Coke can and said, “No thanks.” After this picture was taken, he was soundly sleeping! U Khin Zaw with a pillow

Pa-Auk Forest Meditation Centre (Meditation hall), Mawlamyine, Mon, Myanmar (Burma) - Google Maps

Pa-Auk Forest Meditation Centre (Meditation hall), Mawlamyine, Mon, Myanmar (Burma) - Google Maps ](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Pa-Auk+Forest+Meditation+Centre+(Meditation+hall),+Mawlamyine,+Mon,+Myanmar+(Burma)&hl=en&ll=16.380895,97.680119&spn=0.003649,0.006539&sll=1.327979,103.909155&sspn=0.007605,0.013078&oq=pa+auk+&t=f&hq=Pa-Auk+Forest+Meditation+Centre+(Meditation+hall),&hnear=Mawlamyine,+Mon,+Myanmar+(Burma)&z=18&ecpose=16.37851612,97.68012038,563.34,-0.032,28.38,0&iwloc=A)

I just finished reading this book (slow). I recommend it highly.

I just finished reading this book (slow). I recommend it highly. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman, Daniel (1st (first) Edition) [Hardcover(2011)]: Daniel Kahneman: Amazon.com: Books ](http://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Kahneman-Daniel-Edition-Hardcover/dp/B00BR9XU96/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388884186&sr=8-2&keywords=thinking+fast+and+slow) Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman, Daniel (1st (first) Edition) [Hardcover(2011)] [Daniel Kahneman] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This book is readable, wise, and deep. Buy it fast. Read it slowly and repeatedly. It will change the way you think

Here is Paauk. Click on the google earth to see the kutis.

I remember Ven. Jinasiri when he was at Na Uyana. I learned a few things from him and spent a couple...

I remember Ven. Jinasiri when he was at Na Uyana. I learned a few things from him and spent a couple of nights in the open forest (no net). Only a couple of nights, while this is his life. He was impressive and I wish him well. Jason Chan – the walking monk - Simple Lives ](http://simplelives.com.au/jason-chan-the-walking-monk/) After leaving Mackay, I wanted to explore simple living in spiritual traditions, especially Buddhism.

On December 14th I returned to paauk main Mawlamyine. There was a Hawaiian drink on the day I arrived...

On December 14th I returned to paauk main Mawlamyine. There was a Hawaiian drink on the day I arrived; Noni. In Hawaii, this fruit, by the same name, is known as, “Even if there is a famine…” If you know the fruit, you will know the rest of the quote. Never the less, it is good medicine and there is no grey area for monks to push for this one. It is medicine and you will know it when you taste it.

This was the picture to the link I posted yesterday

This was the picture to the link I posted yesterday !

This was from Pa Auk Mawlamyine befire I left for Intakaw. With over 500 monks, a fully operational ...

This was from Pa Auk Mawlamyine befire I left for Intakaw. With over 500 monks, a fully operational clinic is possible. Western Medicine Doctors come twice per week. A Dental Surgeon two or three times per week. And of course, Local Myanmar Medicine one day per week. Most medicine is usually donated an available “in-house.” Malaria testing is available “in-house” too. Much has changed since 2001! Sadhu!

New door. Custom Stainless steel.