There’s no trail in space,
no outside contemplative.
People are smitten
with objectification,
but devoid of objectification are
the Tathagatas.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 15. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing you all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

~Bhante Joe ... See more

A view along the hike.

Headed out on a hike to the nearby Kuragala ancient monastery. One can follow the cliff to the monastery. An inspiring and quiet hike.

Preparing some hot water for tea at the Dahatuna Kuti. As it turns out, black tea seems to be a good medicine for the stomach. This seems to best especially the case when mixed with some sugar. It seems to work almost as an antacid. Black tea can be quite common in Sri Lanka. Kappiyakarus often provide monks in kutis with both teq and sugar. A blessingto help with digesting spicy food. ... See more

If you focus on the errors of others,
constantly finding fault,
your effluents flourish.
You’re far from their ending.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 14. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luangta 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Hello Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Just thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing you all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

To de-scent the cave, we prepared a large fire. Monks are not allowed to burn the ground, so it was raised on a metal platform, supported with sticks. A 'teepee' of smaller sticks was used in the center, while larger sticks were arranged around the outside and top 'log cabin-style'. Asanka gave some aromatic leaves, which we put on top and covered with more sticks.

It burned quite well, and was very hot. There was still a faint smell. However, much of the bacteria may have been eliminated, as being in the cave no longer induced coughing. Homage to Nyanadipa Bhante for the helpful advice 🙏🏽. ... See more

Asanka and two if his friends generously brought up ten bags of sand and a bag of concrete. The plan is to re-concrete some of the floor. The bags were quite heavy. Impressive to see their stamina.

It’s easy to see
the errors of others,
but hard to see
your own.
You winnow like chaff
the errors of others,
but conceal your own–
like a cheat, an unlucky throw.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 14. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luang Por 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Just thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/08/27/tc/257661/tradition-matters

A TRADITION THAT MATTERS Daily News Aug 27th 2021
The history of the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition and its future

Friday, August 27, 2021

Sri Lankan Forest Monk Tradition claims a long history. As the oldest Theravada Buddhist country in the world, several forest traditions have existed, disappeared and re-emerged circularly in Sri Lanka. The current forest traditions and lineages are influenced by the Thai and Burmese traditions.
In the early days, Sri Lanka was the centre of both Theravada village and forest traditions in the world. Many ruins of ancient forest monasteries can be seen in the large forest areas of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Tissamaharama, Situlpawwa and Ruhuna. Today there are many forest monasteries scattered throughout Sri Lanka. According to Guide for Foreign Buddhist Monastics and Lay Practitioners written by Venerable Bhikkhu Nyanatusita Thera, there are approximately 296 meditation centres and forest monasteries in Sri Lanka.
Pure Vinaya lineage

Many contemporary forest-dwelling monks have served Buddhism immensely. Notably, Venerable Ambagahawatte Indrasabhawara Gnanasami Maha Thera, founder of Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya in 1864, brought pure Upasampada from Ratnapunna Vihara in Burma. His intention was to re-establish a pure Vinaya lineage in Sri Lanka. And also Venerable Nauyane Ariyadhamma Maha Thera is still fondly remembered by many Sri Lankans for his exceptional mindfulness (Sathi) and control over physical actions in day-to-day activities.
There are many westerners who found peace and liberation in the Sri Lankan Forest Tradition. A notable western monk is Venerable Nyanadassana Maha Thera. Venerable Nyanadassana is a Buddhist monk from Greece who has lived in Sri Lanka for over 20 years. He resided in the Mîtirigala Forest Hermitage for over 19 years. He has studied and practised meditation under the guidance of the late Most Venerable Matara Sri Nanarama Maha Thera, the first Meditation Master at the Mitirigala Forest Hermitage.

Recently, the forest monks have been subjected to many harassments and violations of rights. Venerable Olande Jinawansa, a Buddhist monk from Holland, was murdered in December 2020. Police said that the Thera used a canoe to travel between the island and the mainland. This canoe was found overturned. Given that a weight was tied around the Venerable Thera’s feet, police suspect that he may have been murdered elsewhere. Early this year, a forest-dwelling monk in the Knuckles Forest reserve was displaced due to a Wallapatta racket.

Archaeological looting
Venerable Welimada Dhammarathana Thera said that these valuable plants are being destroyed as the forest officials and many people who are there to protect the forest are not fulfilling their responsibilities. He also brought up the archaeological looting of the Buddha Statue belonging to the Dimbulagala Aranya Senasanaya, Kosgaha Ulpatha. The reclining Buddha Statue in the vicinity of the monastery has been destroyed by the constant drilling and blasting of the rock structure by looters. Venerable Dimbulagala Rahulalankara Thera requests the Archaeological department to safeguard these valuable sites.
It is the duty of the Buddhists in the country to ensure the protection of the Forest Monasteries and the Forest Dwelling Monks. And also the protection of the forest reserves in the country. One of the most effective ways to ensure this is by creating long-lasting policies that no government could easily overturn so that this tradition is protected and preserved for future generations.
Bhante Joe Atulo Kuliyapitiye Dhammadipa Thero ... See more

There’s no fire like passion,
no seizure like anger,
no snare like delusion,
no river like craving.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 12 & 13. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Homage and respect to the Vinaya
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

On the full and new moon days, Theravada monks traditionally gather together for a recitation of the monastic rules. Yesterday was the 2nd of 8 Uposathas in the rainy season. Thought to do a short post on the Vinaya...

Sanghadisesa 13: "In case a bhikkhu living in dependence on a certain village or town is a corrupter of families, a man of depraved conduct—whose depraved conduct is both seen and heard about, and the families he has corrupted are both seen and heard about—the bhikkhus are to admonish him thus: “You, venerable sir, are a corrupter of families, a man of depraved conduct. Your depraved conduct is both seen and heard about, and the families you have corrupted are both seen and heard about. Leave this monastery, venerable sir. Enough of your staying here.”

And should that bhikkhu, thus admonished by the bhikkhus, say about the bhikkhus, “The bhikkhus are biased through desire, biased through aversion, biased through delusion, biased through fear, in that for this sort of offense they banish some and do not banish others,” the bhikkhus are to admonish him thus: “Do not say that, venerable sir. The bhikkhus are not biased through desire, are not biased through aversion, are not biased through delusion, are not biased through fear. You, venerable sir, are a corrupter of families, a man of depraved conduct.”...

"And should that bhikkhu, thus admonished by the bhikkhus, persist as before, the bhikkhus are to rebuke him up to three times for the sake of relinquishing that. If while being rebuked up to three times he relinquishes that, that is good. If he does not relinquish (that), it entails initial and subsequent meetings of the Community."

"just as the ocean is stable and does not overstep its tideline; in the same way my disciples do not — even for the sake of their lives — overstep the training rules I have formulated for them... " [2]

1. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The Buddhist Monastic Code 1. The full text of the BMC is available at www.dhammatalks.org
2. Uposatha Sutta. Ud 5.5. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The full translation as available at www.accesstoinsight.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing you all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

Sunning the bowl outside the kuti. The Buddha recommended that monks sun their bowls after eating. A good way to freshen the smell and to disinfect somewhat as well.

A view inside the front room of the cave.

People give
in line with their faith,
in line with conviction.
Whoever gets flustered
at food & drink given to others,
attains no concentration
by day or by night.

But one in whom this is
cut through
up-rooted
wiped out–
attains concentration
by day or by night.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 12 & 13. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

Robes dry in the sun after an afternoon of cave cleaning. Hopefully we might be able to burn the cave and finish painting by next week.

Firewood is stacked in preparation for the cave burn.

There is a lovely cave near not far from the kuti. A hill below leads to another village. Caves were a traditional dwelling place for monks on Sri Lanka. This cave may be a nice place to stay depending on the season. ... See more

So know, my good man,
that bad deeds are reckless.
Don’t let greed & unrighteousness
oppress you with long-term pain.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 11. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luang Pu 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Just thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing you all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

There is a cave kuti above the kuti where I'm staying. Myself and another monk have a plan to clean the kuti and make it inhabitable. It has been the residence of bats for many years. Nyanadipa Bhante said that one could burn the cave to clear out any excrement. We are hoping to try a burn after some sweeping in an effort to clean the cave and clear out the smell. ... See more

Headed out to a rock near the kuti to try some studying. A beautiful location, but ended up heading back to the kuti, where it was less windy. Some monks (not myself) only study during the day while there is natural light and reserve the night for meditation. ... See more

Heading back from pindapata. About a week ago decided to try to make a rock bridge across the stream. As I was piling rocks, a young boy came and stood at the side of the bank. Without saying much, he began to collect very large rocks and bring them for the bridge. He ended up staying until the bridge was done. It turned out he was 13 years old. Inspiring to see the faith of the villagers. ... See more

Whoever kills, lies, steals,
goes to someone else’s wife,
& is addicted to intoxicants,
digs himself up
by the root
right here in this world.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 10. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luang Por 🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that you're having a great day. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

Giving a rinse and wipe-down to a new glot. Hope to head out with it after vassa.

A view from the rock near the kuti. Wonderful to have these places of nature.

Life’s easy to live
for someone unscrupulous,
cunning as a crow,
corrupt, back-biting,
forward, & brash;
but for someone who’s constantly
scrupulous, cautious,
observant, sincere,
pure in his livelihood,
clean in his pursuits,
it’s hard.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 15 'Impurities', Verse 9. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Homage and respect to the Vinaya
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

On the full and new moon days, Theravada monks traditionally gather together for a recitation of the monastic rules. This past Saturday was the 10th of 10 Uposathas in the hot season. Thought to do a short post on the Vinaya...

Sanghadisesa 12: "In case a bhikkhu is by nature difficult to admonish—who, when being legitimately admonished by the bhikkhus with reference to the training rules included in the (Pāṭimokkha) recitation, makes himself unadmonishable, (saying,) “Do not, venerable ones, say anything to me, good or bad; and I won’t say anything to the venerable ones, good or bad. Refrain, venerable ones, from admonishing me”—the bhikkhus are to admonish him thus: “Let the venerable one not make himself unadmonishable. Let the venerable one make himself admonishable. Let the venerable one admonish the bhikkhus in accordance with what is right, and the bhikkhus will admonish the venerable one in accordance with what is right; for it is thus that the Blessed One’s following is nurtured: through mutual admonition, through mutual rehabilitation.”

"And should that bhikkhu, thus admonished by the bhikkhus, persist as before, the bhikkhus are to rebuke him up to three times for the sake of relinquishing that. If while being rebuked up to three times he relinquishes that, that is good. If he does not relinquish (that), it entails initial and subsequent meetings of the Community."

"just as the ocean is stable and does not overstep its tideline; in the same way my disciples do not — even for the sake of their lives — overstep the training rules I have formulated for them... " [2]

1. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The Buddhist Monastic Code 1. The full text of the BMC is available at www.dhammatalks.org
2. Uposatha Sutta. Ud 5.5. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The full translation as available at www.accesstoinsight.org ... See more