Here I discuss some things about the support that came as a result of using my alms bowl.

I will be going to the USA in a few days. I was thinking of all of the anger that is on the left these days. When the left is in control, it is the opposite. Loving-kindness is a good thing and should be practiced often.

Update March 19, Protections, Leaches, Monks and Khandha Paritta. Here is a small \"walk and talk\" update while on my way for alms. This time, I had a friend who came with me and was willing to film me while I talked. (Ven Anandajoti translation.) “Virūpakkhehi me mettaṁ, mettaṁ Erāpathehi me, “I am friendly with the Virūpakkhas, with the Erāpathas I am friendly, Chabyāputtehi me mettaṁ, mettaṁ Kaṇhāgotamakehi ca. [01] I am friendly with the Chabyāputtas, and friendly with the Kaṇhāgotamakas. Apādakehi me mettaṁ, mettaṁ dipādakehi me, I am friendly with those without feet, with those with two feet I am friendly, catuppadehi me mettaṁ, mettaṁ bahuppadehi me. [02] I am friendly with those with four feet, with those with many feet I am friendly. Mā maṁ apādako hiṁsi, mā maṁ hiṁsi dipādako, May the one without feet not hurt me, may the one with two feet not hurt me, mā maṁ catuppado hiṁsi, mā maṁ hiṁsi bahuppado. [03] may the one with four feet not hurt me, may the one with many feet not hurt me. Sabbe sattā, sabbe pāṇā, sabbe bhūtā ca kevalā, May all beings, all living creatures, all who are born, in their entirety, sabbe bhadrāni passantu, mā kañci pāpam-āgamā. [04] may all see prosperity, may nothing bad come to anyone. Appamāṇo Buddho! The Buddha is measureless! Appamāṇo Dhammo! The Dhamma is measureless! Appamāṇo Saṅgho! The Saṅgha is measureless! Pamāṇavantāni siriṁsapāni, ahivicchikā, satapadī, uṇṇānābhi, sarabū, mūsikā. Measurable are creeping things, (such as) snakes, scorpions, centipedes, spiders, lizards, and rats. Katā me rakkhā, katā me parittā, paṭikkamantu bhūtāni! I have made this protection, I have made this safeguard, may (all these) beings go away! Sohaṁ namo Bhagavato, namo sattannaṁ Sammāsambuddhānan”-ti. I revere the Fortunate One, I revere the seven Perfect Sambuddhas.”

In this video we discuss how monks greet each other. There are three parts. 1) Paying respect 2) Mutual sharing of merits 3) Mutual apologies Here is the Table of Contents: 0:00 Introduction 1:29 Demonstration with Ven. Upali and explanation 5:43 Paying respect and seniority 14:33 Rejoicing in merits 22:42 Forgiveness 28:09 Recap and Conclusion 32:15 Special merit sharing for a monk's deceased mother In the Sri Lankan Tradition, we have a tradition when we see first monks and when we say goodbye. We say this pāḷi phrase: (Sādhu means well done) Junior: Okāsa, vandāmi, Bhante. Please allow me this opportunity, Venerable Sir, I venerate pay respect to you. (bow once) Elder: Sukhī hontu, Nibbāna-paccayo hotu. May you be happy, may this be a cause for you to realize nibbāna. Junior: Mayā kataṁ puññaṁ Sāminā anumoditabbaṁ. May the master rejoice in the merit that I have made Elder: Sādhu! Sādhu! Anumodāmi. Sādhu! Sādhu! I rejoice in your merit. Junior: Sāminā kataṁ puññaṁ mayhaṁ dātabbaṁ. May the master share with me the merit that he has made Elder: Sādhu! Anumoditabbaṁ. Sādhu! You should rejoice in my merit. Junior: Sādhu! Sādhu! Anumodāmi. Okāsa, dvārattayena kataṁ sabbaṁ accayaṁ khamatha me, Bhante. Sādhu! Sādhu! I rejoice in the merit that venerable has made. Please allow me this opportunity; Venerable Sir, forgive me for all deeds committed by me through the three-doors of body, speech and mind. Elder: Khamāmi, khamitabbaṁ. I forgive you, you should forgive me also for all that I may have done. Junior: Sādhu! Okāsa, khamāmi, Bhante. Sādhu! Please allow me this opportunity; Venerable Sir, I forgive you for anything that you may have done (bow three times) Elder: Sukhī hontu, Nibbāna-paccayo hotu. May you be happy, may this be a cause for you to realize nibbāna.

I recently lost about 10 Kg which is over 20 pounds. I'd like to share with you how I gained weight and how I also lost it. We talk about the troubles of being a senior monk, Buddhist Monk rules (vinaya), Buddhist Monk reflections on eating, and habits. Lastly, we talk about how the difference between the difficulty in losing weight compared to the ending of all suffering. In short there is no comparison.

A tour of my kuti in Spring Hill, Hantanna

A small video on the towels and soap that monks use.