Photos

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A makeshift mouse trap. Apparently, one can take a

A makeshift mouse trap. Apparently, one can take a large bucket and tie a plastic sheet over it. Then, one can make a hole and insert a funnel. The funnel can be made from pop bottles, yogurt containers, etc. Apparently, in Sri Lanka, people use coconut to catch mice. Anumodana to clever YouTubers for the suggestion.

Dropping rocks into a makeshift mouse trap. A larg

Dropping rocks into a makeshift mouse trap. A large mouse has taken up residence in the kuti roof.

At the ancient monastery of 'Budugala'. About two

At the ancient monastery of 'Budugala'. About two more months to take advantage of this great opportunity.

The architecture of Pamsukulika monasteries has a

The architecture of Pamsukulika monasteries has a certain amount of mystery to it.

Rain Clouds at the Pabbata Kuti: In the Balangoda

Rain Clouds at the Pabbata Kuti:

In the Balangoda area, frequent rains are said to start in late October. This can give a roughly two-week window to try some local wandering after vassa

The walking meditation path at the Pabbata Kuti. S

The walking meditation path at the Pabbata Kuti. Some kutis have a covered walking path for use during the rain. Sometimes, these are connected with electricity for use at night.

Setting bedding out in the sun: Mold seems to dev

Setting bedding out in the sun:

Mold seems to develop quickly in caves. Sunning one's bedding and bed boards every two to three days can help.

Stopping the 'Rilauws': Piled many stones on top

Stopping the 'Rilauws':

Piled many stones on top of the pipe joint. It seems the rilauws (monkeys) frequently break the pipe at this place. The pile of stones seems to have worked. Despite the hot weather, the pipe still remains unbroken.

Fixing a broken pipe: In.most solitary kutis, wat

Fixing a broken pipe:

In.most solitary kutis, water comes from an 'ulpath' or underground spring. When water stops coming to a kuti, one can follow the line of the pipe from the kuti until one finds the break.

Had fixed the pipe in this spot perhaps six times since coming to the kuti. The villagers said 'it's monkeys'. Had imagined monkeys waking over the pipeline and accidentally breaking it. Apparently, however, they deliberately break the pipe to get water during the hot season.

Back at the ancient Budugala Monastery. A great in

Back at the ancient Budugala Monastery. A great inspiration to have it nearby. Homage to the ancient monks that used to practice here. Sanghang saranang gacchami | I go for refuge to the Sangha.

Sunning the bowl at the Pabbata Kuti. The Buddha l

Sunning the bowl at the Pabbata Kuti. The Buddha laid down many regulations re: the bowl.

"When the bowl has been washed, it should be put away only after having been dried (in the sun, if the sun is out). Before drying it in the sun, one should first pour out and wipe away any water in it. And one should not leave it in the sun longer than is needed to ensure that it is fully dry."

-BMC 2: Alms Bowls and Accessories, pg 838 (PDF version), by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Heading out on pindapata from the Pabbata Kuti. Th

Heading out on pindapata from the Pabbata Kuti. There's a very naughty type of monkey called a 'Rilawa'. One has to be careful to throw one's leftovers quite far away. If one doesn't, they sometimes surround one while one eats, waiting for an opportunity to take food.

Ajahn Medhino had a good trick for keeping them at bay. He would keep his leftovers in a sealable bucket. The next day on pindapata, he would take his leftovers quite far along his route. He would throw them some distance from his kuti. Thank you, Ajahn for the good example 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.

Cellphone holder for wandering: Was looking onlin

Cellphone holder for wandering:

Was looking online for a lightweight cell phone tripod. Instead, ended up googling DIY cellphone tripods. Some clever YouTubers had some very innovative solutions. Many involved cutting a slot out of everyday materials and resting the phone inside. Tried it out with some yogurt containers from pindapata. It seems to work very well. It's also extremely lightweight.

Here one holder at about 90 degrees and another at about 45 degrees. Everything nests together in a plastic bag, also fro pindapata. It still has to be tested on the road. So far it seems to work well. Gratitude to those clever YouTubers.

At the ancient monastery of Budugala. Budugala bel

At the ancient monastery of Budugala. Budugala belonged to the Pamsukulika sect of ancient Sri Lanka. The Pamsukulika sect was probably the most prominent forest sect in the Anuradhapura era.

Close to the monastery are the ruins of an ancient

Close to the monastery are the ruins of an ancient Aranya. Despite being close to the road, it has a quiet feel. A blessing to have it so close by.

Searching for a forest carika path from the Pabbat

Searching for a forest carika path from the Pabbata Kuti to the ruins of Budugala.

Downloadable .gpx data for forest carika routes is available at...

http://www.dhammavinayapatipada.com/forest-carika-tudong-routes/

This video shows how to safely remove a snake from

This video shows how to safely remove a snake from one's kuti environment. The method requires a plastic bucket with a handle and stick. It may be most useful for forest monks.

*Anjali and bows to Than Ajahn Thanissaro for kindly passing along this method. Than Ajhan related how he used this method to remove cobras from the kitchen in Thailand.

Quote from Kusan Sunim: Kusan Sunim was one of Ko

Quote from Kusan Sunim:

Kusan Sunim was one of Korean Zen's great masters. He was highly regarded for his meditative accomplishments both in Korea and abroad. He passed away in 1983.

"There is no one who can undertake this task for you. The student’s hunger can never be satisfied by his teacher’s eating a meal for him. It is like competing in a marathon. The winner will only be the person who is either the fittest or the most determined. It is solely up to the individual to win the race. Likewise, to achieve the aim of your practice, do not be distracted by things that are not related to this task. For the time being, just let everything else remain as it is and put it out of your mind. Only when you are awakened will you be able to truly benefit others."

The Zen Temple years. With my mother, Joan Halbgew

The Zen Temple years. With my mother, Joan Halbgewachs and friend, Percy Harris. Circa 2007.

On August 6th, Samu Sunim passed away. 'Sunim' as

On August 6th, Samu Sunim passed away. 'Sunim' as we used to call him was one of my first Buddhist teachers. He was a pioneer in the Buddhist community in Toronto. He founded an order which trained many in meditation and Buddhist culture.

His help in my early Buddhist life was pivotal. He was a stern teacher, but also had an excellent sense of humor. His guidance helped me to grind away at many of my coarse qualities.

Much gratitude to Sunim. Wishing all the best on his onward journey.

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