Photos

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Kuragala has quite a dynamic new abbot. The ancien

Kuragala has quite a dynamic new abbot. The ancient monastery is undergoing a massive renovation. A very large stupa is being built near the cliff. There also appears to be a massive new Sala going up. A large pond and new monks residence are being constructed further into the monastery. The area is beautiful to visit.

A view along the hike.

A view along the hike.

Headed out on a hike to the nearby Kuragala ancien

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 K

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.

Asanka and two if his friends generously brought u

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.

After the burn, we swept the kuti out with a mixtu

After the burn, we swept the kuti out with a mixture of mud mixed with water and Dettoll (antiseptic). If the consistency is right, the mud turns into small balls when swept. These balls pick up dust and disinfect at the same time.

To de-scent the cave, we prepared a large fire. Mo

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 🙏🏽.

The Canada Kuti is almost complete and looks beaut

The Canada Kuti is almost complete and looks beautiful. Looks like it's mainly just the inside floor and sand for the walking path. Then, it should be ready for habitation.

The rains have begun. Here gathering firewood to s

The rains have begun. Here gathering firewood to store in a dry place.

Bhantes Kittisaro and Yasoja stopped by the kuti f

Bhantes Kittisaro and Yasoja stopped by the kuti for a visit. Ven. Kittisaro is our senior monk at the monastery with more than 30 vassa. A blessing to have the chance to pay respects to him and Ven Yasoja.

Homage and respect to the Vinaya 🙏🏽🙏🏽

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

A view inside the front room of the cave.

A view inside the front room of the cave.

Sunning the bowl outside the kuti. The Buddha reco

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.

Here cleaning out the water tank and getting some

Here cleaning out the water tank and getting some dirt for further cave cleaning. Apparently, one can mix sand with water, throw it dusty rooms, and then sweep it to get rid of the dust. Think that may have the chance to try the technique out this week.

Yesterday was the Uposatha day in Sri Lanka. Asank

Yesterday was the Uposatha day in Sri Lanka. Asanka stopped by in a surprise visit with two of his friends. All three were keeping the eight precepts

They swept the path all the way to the kuti. Afterwards, they swept out the cave and lit a fire to get rid of the bat smell. Following this they emptied and cleaned the water tank and the settling tank. All of this may have taken me several weeks to complete. Impressive to see their skills. Wishing many merits

Robes dry in the sun after an afternoon of cave cl

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 bu

Firewood is stacked in preparation for the cave burn.

There is a lovely cave near not far from the kuti.

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.

There is a cave kuti above the kuti where I'm stay

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.

Headed out to a rock near the kuti to try some stu

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.

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