monastic – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Zen of Galmpton! (24.8.2035)

24/08/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Here we are. Zen is Ch’an in reverse – which is good as perception is the wrong way around. Turn it the right way around – and Zen becomes Ch’an the right way around. Not always an easy task – like catching a steam train whilst it is obscured by it’s own smoke. What a joy such contradictions are. They exist to test our perception and determination. As such, nothing else matters. We all look up – and we all look down – just like every koan (gong-an) you may have viewed. Still, none of it matters if you cannot lay it all down. None of it matters at all.

The Pure Behaviour of Ch’an Master Ti Guang [体光] (1924-2005)! [22.10.2024]

22/10/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

This is why Master Ti Guang had perfected the realisation of “stillness” (emptiness) and “movement” (function) – and was able to express this through a martial technique free of greed, hatred, and delusion. All year roung, Master Ti Guang wore a tattered, patchwork robe – following the Buddha’s original example of only wearing a robe constructed out of tattered clothing taken from the rotting corpses lying around in the charnel grounds of ancient India. Master Ti Guang never ate any food after noon each day. Master Ti Guang understood (and followed) all the rules and regulations governing the strict discipline of the Meditation hall. As a consequence, Master Ti Guang had stilled and expanded his mind, and manifested endless degrees of insightul wisdom throughout his life!

Meditating & Meandering Through the Beautiful Ruins of Waverley Abbey! (11.5.2024)

12/05/2024 Adrian (釋大道)

This was a place where a group of Cistercian monastics (following the Rule of St Benedict) – also known as “Trappist” monks – spent years in silent contemplation of the Bible and their inner minds. The lifestyle of such a monk is designed to “still” the mind and empty the interior of all desire. Only when the mind and body of the monk is “empty” might God grant “grace” and make himself known – but he might not. Either way, once the monk is empty of all desire – the love of Jesus Christ can shrine view. The monk possesses no opinion and so the cycle of each da peacefully unfolds.

China: Gansu Buddhist ‘Smile of the Orient’ Said to Equal That of the ‘Mona Lisa’! (5.9.2023)

05/09/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

The early Buddhist groups in China mirrored that of the extant Confucian scholiastic system – often forming around married laymen – with disciples taking the surname of the teacher as their ‘Dharma-Name’ and essentially becoming an extension of his family. Grottoes such as that featured below were places where Buddhists could meet, share and practice their understanding of Indian Buddhist philosophy. An understanding of Buddhist monasticism started to arrive and distinguish itself in China from the existing lay-practice around the 5th century CE – the date I believe this ‘smiling’ monk appears to date from. Whereas Buddhist lay-practitioners did not shave their heads (like Daoists and Confucians) – monastic Buddhists (male and female) were required to shave their heads – indicative of their ‘rejecting’ of the desire-laden conventions that define, guide and justify the external world.

Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic: First quarter of 2023 Saw Over 800,000 Tourists Visit! (11.5.2023)

11/05/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

There are various activities that are unique to the people of Luang Prabang, such as wearing traditional clothing, unique food and experiencing the lifestyle of the local people. In the past 2 years, there were 883,096 tourists who visited Luang Prabang. In this, 483,765 domestic tourists, 399,331 international tourists – with the average income from tourism amounting to more than 336 million US dollars. Along with this, Luang Prabang province has 97 hotels, many resorts, 400 guest houses, 311 restaurants, 97 travel companies, 19 entertainment stores, 36 massage and spa shops, 553 national tour guides (with at least 126 women performing this role) and 41 provincial tour guides (including 11 women). All of this development has continued to attract tourists to continuously visit Luang Prabang each year!

Football: Thailand Emerges Victorious in (Two-Leg) ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup! (17.1.2023)

17/01/2023 Adrian (釋大道)

This is the new approach. We used to let just anyone into the squad, but we really struggled in defence! Higher-up the decision was taken to ensure that every eligible player has at least 12-months living in a local Wat – including full ordination! Meditation practice of this length of time has really improved our ‘first touch’ of the ball, not to mention our running up the pitch and our creative passing! Although in Buddhism we are taught to ‘give everything away’ – this is not the case on the pitch! When we have possession of the ball – it is our time – and we will only give it away when the time is right – this is the result of developed ‘panna’. This is why before each half we have a team huddle and generate ‘metta’ (loving kindness) which permeates the changing rooms, the pitch, the stadium, country and universe! Dhammic-football will eventually become a worldwide phenomenon when Thailand lifts the FIFA World Cup! Of course, before that happens, we might have to teach the Thai people to read and write, build modern and safe housing, schools and hospitals, and develop a sustainable economy not premised upon Western religious fetish or sex tourism, but if our King can have sixteen wives due entirely to the good kamma he has generated in previous existences, so can we!”

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