Happiness, gratitude, health and good spirit

July 4th, 2007 at 02:14am

Over the last few years I’ve been so lucky to meet so many amazing people in my travels. Today I share one of those special people with you. The following is a mail that I recently received from Tam, a Vietnamese girl who I first met in Burma at a guesthouse and then randomly met again 2 years later while doing my meditation retreat at Wat Rampoeng in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She became very fluent in English while working as a tour guide in Vietnam, but has remained more dedicated to her passion of learning Buddhism and exploring the realms of mediation. She is an inspiration.

Dear friends,

Two years ago, I sent you an e-mail talking about my wish to see vipassana practice develop in Vietnam. It appears that I was not the lone owner of that wish, many hearts have murmured the same. And the devas (protectors of the Buddha’s Teaching) must have heard: We’ve just finished 20 days vipassana retreat held in Nguyen Thuy pagoda, lead by my teacher Ajhan Suphan, from Wat Rampoeng, Thailand. There were 130 people who attended the two retreat, one ten days (from june 2nd to june 11th), the other 7 days (from 12th to 19th), 20 of them did the combined retreat from 2nd to 19th.

Many of the students were monks and nuns from different traditions who already have experience to various degrees, in different techniques. The rest (50-60 percent) were lay people, some with experience, some totally beginners. When the retreat started, there were many difficulties: problems resulting from living conditions (they have to live in big communal rooms, sleeping on the floor and use shared toilets as well as all other facilities), doubt and resistance to new technique, to the teacher. Step by step, these faded by, meditators developed more faith and effort and we could notice progress in many. One of the major obstacles most yogis had was the lack of right attitude: in vipassana practice, calmness is not the aim, neither psychic powers (although they can be a by-product), we practice just to understand the reality as it is, and from this understanding, detachment from all becomings occured as a result… Anyway, at the end of the retreat, most expressed their joy and faith and many would like to have the chance to practice again under Ajhan’s guidance, wether in Wat Rampoeng or in Vietnam.

The main factor of the success comes naturally from Ajhan Suphan’s loving kindness and wisdom. Throughout the retreat, he worked very hard every day from 4.30 a.m to 8,9 p.m, just some breaks for meals. Two Dhamma talks were delivered daily: one short (15mn) in the morning, and one longer (1 hour) in the evening.The rest of the time was for reporting (students relate their practice to the teacher): about 8-9 hours each day. From the first student to the last, Ajhan was always in good mood, patiently giving them the time they needed to talk about their problems in pratice, and gave them advices accordingly. His loving kindness to encourage students to put more effort, his wisdom to put them on the right track, this of course depends on each student ability and willing to listen.

Being one of the translators, I have the privilege to stay long time near by Ajhan. Before the retreat, like most, I had always been moved by his loving kindness and felt transformed by the power of his being in the present moment. However, I hadn’t appreciated to its value his verbal wisdom, due to my own ignorance and expectations. This has changed after the retreat though. As one saying goes: The wise understand the fool but the fool can not know the wise. Well, one can deduct that I have growed a bit in wisdom … Being in the presence of a true Master is like seeing one-self in a clear mirror. It reflets all your imperfections, but without any feeling of guilt or shame, only gratitude and bliss (and also laughing)…
After the retreat, we organize a short trip to show Ajhan Hue, Hanoi and Halong bay. Again, it has been another non-verbal lesson about enjoying without attachment. We, students, feel we still have a long way to go.

In Hue, we met with a monk who lives in a forest monastery, very beautiful setting and atmosphere. The monk him self is a great artist and calligrapher, and has a good heart. He is trying to build up a meditation center in the forest for vipassana pratice and has invited Ajhan to come and lead retreats. However, there is still much to do since the monk is relying on his own to get funds…One thing I am sure of is that when finished, it will be a really good place.

In Hanoi, we organized a day trip to Halong bay with some of our friends, so that they can have the chance to meet Ajhan. In a cave in Halong bay, Ajhan even gave a small Dhamma talk !!!

Ajhan and his Thai followers have left yesterday, leaving us with much happiness and gratitude, and full motivation to continue the work. We hope that similar events can be organized soon, for the benefit of many.

Well, that’s quite enough for reading… I hope my e-mail will reach you in good health and spirit. I would like to share with you the happiness and merit I could have from the retreat…
I hope that the inspiration we feel here can also reach your hearts….

Your friend,
Tam

Entry Filed under: Australia,Perth