Khlong Ngae Visit

Trip to Khlong Ngae with BMBMC members led by Uncle Lim

Yesterday both Amy and I followed Uncle Lim and 15 BM Buddhist Meditation Centre's members to Ajahn Sati's temple in Khlong Ngae, Southern Thailand.

We went in two vans, both Amy and I in the first with Mr Chuah and his family, Mr & Mrs Khor, and another couple in one van whereas, Uncle Lim, Mr Lee and the rest in another. We left BM at 1.30 pm and reaches Haadyai at 4 pm.

We stopped at Haadyai for a two hours shopping spree. Then we had our dinner in one of the Haadyai restaurant before proceeding to Khlong Ngae at 7 pm (Thai time)

Ajahn Sati's temple is in Khlong Ngae a small town situated between Danuk and Haadyai. But we had to go into the outskirt of Khlong Ngae and then turn into a rubber tree plantation.

We arrived at the temple at around 8 pm. Some devotees there welcome us and we proceed to pay respect to Ajahn Sati.

Then all of us decided to take our bath but since there are only 4 bathrooms near the shrine hall, Uncle Lim took three of us to another bathroom area about 10 minute walk up the hill. Whew! The water was cold but refreshing.

After taking our bath, Uncle Lim took us to the hanging cliff cave about 200 m uphill. We saw three bhikkhus there meditating. Both Mr Lee and I decided not to sleep there tonight although Uncle Lim will bring some of us there to sleep.

Coming back to the shrine hall, the ladies already lying down to sleep. I too find a place and luckily I brought my sleeping bag for there are mosquitoes all over the place. It was not that cool but rather humid in the hall.

Special and Perpetual Mindfulness

Tonight marks the end of the 10-days Vipassana Retreat for the year 2010 conducted by Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa at BMBMC.

In this final night, Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa encouraged yogis and members of BMBMC to continue their practice of Vipassana meditation even after the retreat.

There are two types of mindfulness, said Sayadaw, "They are (1) Special Mindfulness, and (2) Perpetual or Continual Mindfulness.

Special Mindfulness is the mindfulness that one cultivates during the retreat on their 4 postures and general daily activities.

Perpetual Mindfulness is mindfulness that one cultivates during their normal daily activities like preparing to cook, or doing the laundry.

One must try to practice the Perpetual Mindfulness so as to enable one to speed up their Vipassana Meditation practice.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!

Samadhi and Upekkha Sambojjhanga

Tonight Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa expounded 2 of the last 7 Bojjhangas that are samadhi and uppekha sambojjhanga.

What is Samadhi sambojjhanga?

Calmness

Last night Dhamma talk by Sayadaw U Ukkamhsa is about passaddhi sambojjhanga or the factor of calmness.

In order to understand this factor of Enlightenment of calmness, we have to know its meaning, characteristics, function and manifestation, said Sayadaw U Ukkhamhsa.

What is the meaning of passaddhi?
It is the cessation of kilesa or defilements. With this cessation of defilements, peace will be attained.

What then is the characteristic of passadhi?
Passadhi had the characters of quieting the disturbances of our physical and mental factors. By quieting or reducing the disturbances, yogi will experience tranquility or calmness. This calmness will helps the yogis to overcome the suffering experieced in the process of meditation.

How does this factor of Enlightenment functions?
Passadhi eliminates disturbances of our physical and mental factors.

And its manifestation? A yogi can know the manifestation or appearing of passadhi by the inactivity of consciousness. One will feel like a statue, as there is stillness just like one take shelter under a shady tree after climbing a big mountain.

Yogi will experience pain both mentally and physically during meditation. When passadhi arises, one will will calm without any unpleasant feeling or sensation. One will feel as if one had lose his consciousness. Sometime, a less experienced yogi may mistaken this calmness as Nibbana.

The Second Bojjhangga - Investigative of Dhamma

(from http://www.shiftedreality.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/darkness_to_light_2560x1600.jpg)

Tonight talk by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa at BMBMC is the continuance of yesterday talk about the 7 Bojjhanggas.
In yesterday talk, Sayadaw expounded about Sati-sambojjhanga. So, tonight the talk is about dhamma-vicaya-sambojjhanga or Investigative of Dhamma

To know that there is the arises or not arises of this bojjhanga, yogis should know the three aspects of this bojjhanga namely

1. its characteristic
2. its function
3. its manifestation

What is the characteristic of this bojjhanga?
It is the investigating or the penetrating of Rupa and Nama dhammas in their individual essence. Investigation means the discerning and perceiving the true nature of Rupa and Nama, its arising and passing away and the association with impermanence, suffering and uncontrollable.

What then is its function?
The function of this bojjhanga is like a lamp that illuminate as it allows one to clearly see the rupa and nama.

What is the manifestation of dhamma-vicaya-bojjhanga?
This bojjhanga manifests in yogis as a form of non-bewilderment or clear comprehension. Just like in a dark forest, a person does not know the directions but as soon as there is light he knows the direction. The arising of this bojjhanga enable yogis to discern clearly the nature of Rupa and Nama dhammas

Therefore, Sayadaw said, that if a person mention that I feel pain when pain arises he still has wrong you as I feel is a form of clinging. This is sakkaya ditthi and one can still fall into Apaya

Investigative of Dhamma will give rise to knowledge. At this point, yogis should know that there are 3 type of knowledge or nanna.

1. Sutta-nana - knowledge gained from learning or listening to Dhamma
2. Citta-nana - knowledge gained from thinking
3. Bhavana-nana - knowledge from observing or discerning Rupa and Nama right at the present moment

Out of these three nana, it is the bhavana-nana will help a yogi abandon sakkaya ditthi. It is from the arises of this nana will the dhammavicaya bojjhanga arises.

What is the cause that this dhammavicaya bojjhanga that has yet arises will arises?
Sayadaw said it is Yoniso-manasikara - observing and noting of all phenomena in all time.

In the Commentaries, it is stated that there are 7 ways for the arising of dhammavicaya bojjhanga, namely

1. Inquiring and questioning of the Dhamma
2. Purification of the bases (internal and external) for example cleanliness of body (internal), clothes or bed (external)
3. Balancing of the 5 Faculties namely Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration and Understanding
4. Avoiding ignorance people that are ignorant of Rupa and Nama
5. Associate with wise people who are knowledgeable about arising and passing away
6. Reflects on profound Dhamma (Teaching of Lord Buddha)
7. Inclination toward investigation of gaining knowledge

Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu

Sati-sambojjhanga

Once a bhikkhu asked Lord Buddha, "What are the bojjhangas that are talked about?" The Buddha answered, "The Bojjhangas are the factors leading to the Four Noble Truths."
Buddha added "There are 7 Bojjhanggas, namely

1. Sati
2. Dhamma vicaya
3. Viriya
4. Piti
5. Passadhi
6. Samadhi
7. Upekkha

Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa giving the Dhamma talk

Tonight talk given by Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa is about the first of the 7 Bojjhangga that is Sati samojhangga at BMBMC in conjuction with the 10-days Vipassana Meditation Retreat from 5th to 14th of June.

How is Sati a bhojjhanga? How can Sati be the factor leading to Enlightenment? Sati (or Mindfulness) is like the guard, that checks the entrance and the exit of the people from a place. As seeing consciousness arises, sati is aware of it.

Sati is based on the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness that are kayanupassana, vedananupassana, cittanupassana, or dhammanupassana .

Therefore, if yogis is to always keep on noting mindfully during the retreat, then the yogis is cultivating one of the bhojhangga that will lead to Enlightenment.

The arrival of Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa

Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa (right)

Tonight both Amy and I were at BMBMC to welcome Sayadaw U Ukkhamsa and his kapiya.

The arrival of Sayadaw marks the beginning of a 10-days retreat starting from 5 to 14 of June.
Sayadaw will be giving Dhamma talks during the 10-days retreat at 8 pm everyday.

The titles of talk is

1. Vipassana meditation on distraction
2. The 7 Bhojangas

If any of the my readers of this blog is interested to join in this retreat, you are most welcome to join us at BMBMC

Both Amy and I had signed up for 3 days starting from 5 to 7 June.