It looks likely that News & Musings will continue now over at my WordPress site. Please go to http://luangpor.wordpress.com/ and look at the News & Musings page there.
Yesterday I set off early with Tom, Sister Khema and Elizabeth for Hylands Park near Chelmsford where the 21st World Scout Jamboree was being held. Actually it was my second visit. On Sunday we had gone there to celebrate Asalha Puja and yesterday we went again to join in the Scout movement's centenary day, Sunrise Day. On Sunday I gave a short sermon in a gloomy, muddy tent about the significance of Asalha Puja and yesterday I spoke at length to a much larger audience gathered in the open air in brilliant sunshine about Buddhism and Scouting. I am pictured here with Professor Yongyudh Vajaradul, Chairman of the World Buddhist Scout Brotherhood. There are some more pictures here .
Today is the thirty-sixth anniversary of my ordination as a samanera (novice) in Section 5 of Wat Mahadhatu in the heart of Bangkok. Back then on Boxing Day in 1971, I had been in Thailand just over three weeks staying in Section 6 but practising meditation under the instruction of Ven. Chao Khun Dhep Siddhimuni, the Head of Section 5, who became my Uphajjaya or Preceptor. Before it's too late I've rescued a few old photos of the ordination and posted them here . The monk with me who looked after me was Phra Maha Raundeg Simuni. I had known him in England at Wat Buddhapadipa and it was he who had first told me of Ajahn Chah. Phra Maha Simuni was from a large wat in the middle of the city of Ubon called Wat Tung See Muang. On January 1st 1972, Phra Maha Simuni took me to Ubon and eventually introduced me to Ajahn Chah. But before I could go and stay at Wat Pah Pong I had to go with Phra Maha Simuni to a remote village called Ban Pai Yai which he wanted to study and include in h...
A week ago we were asked if on Monday we would take our meal at the Thai Twig Thai restaurant in Leamington Spa and give it our blessing. Naturally we agreed and so yesterday morning shortly before ten a car came to collect and convey us to a corner of central Leamington that I don't recollect having seen before. This is an English owned but Thai staffed restaurant and it was the staff who were anxious that the traditional ceremony of merit making and blessing should take place. It was they then who greeted us and made us welcome before receiving the Refuges and Precepts and listening respectfully while we chanted the Parittas. Then they served us with excellent food. Afterwards I told them the true recipe for a successful restaurant: honesty; courteous and friendly service; and delicious food. And we concluded with the sprinkling of holy water. There are some more pictures in this album .
Comments