Written by: Dr Jerome
Most people wants their life to be smooth sailing and happy. They do not understand that truth behind their suffering. In the depths of the samsaric ocean, Ven. Phra Mana shared that we had lived with ignorance of the truth that all conditioned things are impermanent (anicca), unsatisfactory (dukkha) and anatta (non-self). And through attachment and craving, we conditioned our next existence. We should see that our attachment to material and thoughts brings us suffering. To be relieved from our unhappiness in life, we need to learn to let go of our craving and attachments to material and thoughts. We need to live in the present moment.
Unfortunately, lay people wants simple and quick solutions to their problems. They believe that things with supernatural or special powers can solve their problems. Ven. Phra Mana shared that he grew up in Thailand with this common cultural misconception that monks can offer them services and special items that gives them luck and blessings. So Thai amulets are very popular in Thailand. There is nothing wrong with wearing thai amulets but there is something wrong with the belief in these thai amulets. Looking at this problem closely, we can see that people wants to be wealthy and lucky when wearing these amulets. However, it is this greed, this attachment to material things that make one suffer. Lay people do not see this and continue to request quick fixes to their problems and not understanding this truth! Not only is Thai amulets an issue but common people also indulge in ceremonies for blessings. One of these is the common practice for people to lie in coffins to rid themselves of bad luck. Even newly wed couples also go for these ceremonies! This is what is meant by wrongful rites and ceremonies.
Therefore, Ven. Phra Mana said that Thailand is a Buddhist country but not many people really understand the teachings of Buddhism. We need to propagate right views and correct teachings of the Buddha.
Teachings from Sam Roi Yot meditation retreat (17 to 25 November 2018)
I am blessed to attend a meditation retreat organised by Brother Richard Chia teaching the meditation techniques of concentration (Samadhi) and vipassana (insight) in the lineage of late Ven. Amatha Gavesi Thera. Participants of retreat were even more fortunate to have visiting forest monks led by Abbot Ven. Phra Mana from Sunnataram Forest Monastery during the last 3 days of the retreat.
- Dr Jerome
Buddhism and Meditation courses by Brother Richard Chia: http://www.basicbuddhism.org/ Sunnataram Forest Monastery: https://www.sunnataram.org/