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Dhamma-Vinaya Paṭipadā

Dhamma talks and activities of Bhante Joe

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This page contains photos from Bhante Joe’s Instagram page. To go directly to his Instagram page… click here.

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Was planning to head out for a night in the glot,

Was planning to head out for a night in the glot, but spotted a grass fire approaching the rock where had planned to stay. Villagers set fire to the tall grass every year. Once the grass has been burned, it becomes much easier to walk around.

Asanka, who is the kappiya karu for this kuti came

Asanka, who is the kappiya karu for this kuti came by to help clean the water tank. The tank is perhaps seven or eight feet deep. Asanka actually came by on his day off. He normally works as the cook and kappiya karu for the main monastery. He starts working at 2am. He said he sleeps four hours a night and another two hours during the day. Highly impressive to hear about his efforts.

Headed out behind the kuti in search of a path dow

Headed out behind the kuti in search of a path down the mountain. There is quite a lot of tall grass. This grass is called elephant grass and can grow quite tall. Learned a trick from Ven. Pasado, which was to use two sticks to part the grass.

A nice night on the rock. This rock is quite large

A nice night on the rock. This rock is quite large and is heated by the sun throughout the day. It gave off heat all night long -- a bit like sleeping on a heating pad. A wonderful opportunity.

Setting up the glot. Was possible to hang the glot

Setting up the glot. Was possible to hang the glot by wrapping the string around a few small branches nearby.

There is a lovely rock near the kuti. Thought to h

There is a lovely rock near the kuti. Thought to head out to try a stay in the glot.

Putting the finishing touches on some sweeping at

Putting the finishing touches on some sweeping at the Dahatuna kuti.

A nice lookout at the end of the walk.

A nice lookout at the end of the walk.

Sometimes when walking through the forest, one can

Sometimes when walking through the forest, one can run into a nest of ticks. It seems that nests of small ticks are often found in very tall grass along animal trails. Sometimes, almost 100 can be in each nest. Going through forests one can feel a sense of urgency to maintain mindfulness. Nice to go into these places of nature.

Heading out on morning pindapata from the kuti. Wo

Heading out on morning pindapata from the kuti. Wonderful to have these places of nature.

Doing some repairs to the glot. Ven. Pasado has re

Doing some repairs to the glot. Ven. Pasado has recommended using contact cement to path the holes, rather than sewing. Termites had eaten some holes through the glot at Laggala. An excellent method to repair -- fast and effective.

Wishing everyone a happy Vesak. In the Theravada B

Wishing everyone a happy Vesak. In the Theravada Buddhist tradition, Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment, and parinibbana of the Buddha. Hope that Vesak brings much peace, happiness, and progress in the Dhamma. Patipatti saranai.

~Bhante Joe

*Artwork by Chathurika Dharmagunawardhana

At the solitary 'dahatuna kuti'. An inspiring loca

At the solitary 'dahatuna kuti'. An inspiring location and a wonderful opportunity to be here.

Headed back to Tanjantenna after seeing many inspi

Headed back to Tanjantenna after seeing many inspiring things in Laggala. Had the opportunity to move to a solitary kuti across the road called the 'dahatuna kuti' (kuti 13). Headed for a hike up the hill behind the kuti. There is a large rock lookout had seen in the distance several times, but never been able to reach. Heard someone shout from behind and it was none other than Yasoja Bhante. He and two other monks were going on an overnight trip to the rock. A blessing to see their forest practice.

With Madura Mahatthaya, the kappiya Kari for the I

With Madura Mahatthaya, the kappiya Kari for the Iryagasulpota Kuti. Many of the solitary kutis in Sri Lanka seem to have a person from the village who helps to care for the kuti and the monks who reside there. This person is called a 'kappiya karu'.

Almost every day, this gentleman would ask me if there was anything I needed for the kuti. When I got a wound on my foot, he consulted with a doctor and brought medicine the next day. Although one is living in a solitary kuti, one sometimes feels that the whole village is looking out for for one's welfare. Amazing to see the strength of these communities.

Some sweeping at the kuti.

Some sweeping at the kuti.

Nyanadipa Bhante's meditation seat.

Nyanadipa Bhante's meditation seat.

After the kuti, Madura Mahatthaya mentioned that N

After the kuti, Madura Mahatthaya mentioned that Nyanadipa Bhante had built a meditation seat on the edge of a cliff. He said he never been, but that it was up the ridge from the kuti above mine.

We decided to go to take a look. The climb was somewhat steep. It was inspiring to think of Nyanadipa Bhante making the trip. At the top of the mountain, we came across a path, which seemed to disappear off the edge of a cliff. Just beyond was Nyanadipa Bhante's meditation seat. If one fell off, chances are that one could fall over the cliff below. Some of the rocks were quite large. Apparently Bhante constructed it in his 50's. A great inspiration to see. The following day, headed back for some more time there.

The following day, told the villagers about my pla

The following day, told the villagers about my plan to visit the kuti. They warned me away, as there was a large debara (wasp) nest. This particular variety of wasp is quite large. They can grow perhaps more than an inch in size.. their nests can be perhaps 1 1/2 metres high and perhaps a meter at the thick part of the base.

Madura Mahatthaya, the kuti kappiya Kari offered to join and I accepted. It turned out the wasps had vacated the kuti, but left their nest. It was about a half hour walk from my kuti, on a large rock. A nice location.

On the search for a nearby kuti. Had heard that th

On the search for a nearby kuti. Had heard that there was a path to another kuti. It had been inhabited by a well-respected forest monk named Bhante Vijitha. The government later requires that the nearby pindapata village move in order to make way for the construction of a new wewa. The kuti was later abandoned. Headed out on the path, but turned back after hearing the sounds of rain in the distance.

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