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We are glad we joined IMP5 Compiled by Ven Kumara Bhikkhu In a questionnaire distributed during IMP5, all participants responded that they were glad they joined the programme. Why is that so? Here are some of their answers:
Labels: IMP SBSNo Boot Camp This LIM TEIK LEONG, here to videotape the goings on of Introduction to Monkhood Programme 5 (IMP5), takes his eyes away from the viewfinder now and then to bring to you his personal, insightful views. Contrary to what we hear Buddhists say, let me assure you, there is no suffering-not where the IMP is concerned anyway. There is suffering only if you have the wrong mindset. Waking up at 5am may sound alien to those who are not used to it. Finishing the day with no dinner or tea may sound like an impossible task reserved only for the monks but those who have experienced meditation retreats can attest to the ease with which you slide into the routine. IMP is handled with kid gloves by Bhante Aggacitta, though he is firm. From what I see, he is almost motherly; although fatherly would be a more acceptable word. The patience he exhibits in showing how the robes are worn and actually arranging the robes on the participants is an example of this. One would expect them to have learnt how to do this after four days but he was still helping them. In the meditation sessions, when someone once commented that what he said was too soft, in the next session he raised his voice above his normal gentle one to cater to for those at the back. “Do what I do,” is the motto here as the monks lead by example. Every morning they lead the line down the hill for pindacara. Seeing the participants lining up before reaching the Hokkien Cemetery pavilion conjures up pictures of boot camp. The white robed parti¬cipants line up while the four bhantes and the resident dog walk down the line like sergeant majors on inspection day. Is the robe put on right? Is the alms bowl slung over the shoulder correctly? When some¬thing is awry, the monks do the neces¬sary adjustments like parents fussing over their own child. Attention to detail shows the respect they all have for the devotees waiting for them with the food. Last minute instructions are given: “When you are sitting there waiting for your turn to take food, lower your gaze and radiate metta to all the devotees there.” The mutual respect and inter¬depend¬ence between the laity and Sangha is very strong. The walk down the hill each morn¬ing is something to look forward to. Boy, the dog which has adopted SBS, is there to lead the troop down everyday. And why not, he gets food there too. As for the rest of the participants, the good food and abundance of fruit is motivating-making the walk down sprightly and light. Once the food is collected and the devotees thanked, the participants look forward to the walk up-as halfway up by the waterfall, breakfast can begin. Only thing missing is a bollywood star singing. After breakfast, there is only half the hill to walk up. And once up there, it is free time until lectures at 10.30am. They are actually to do cleaning and sweeping but all that have usually been done the evening before and so there remain only a few touch-ups. Those who are tired catch a quick snooze and everyone is fresh for the next slot in the timetable. Formal meditation is less rigorous than in retreats where yogis have to sit for hours. Here the sessions are only one hour. And Bhante teaches you how to sit, what to do with the wandering mind and what to do when the inevitable pain comes. There are experienced meditators in the group but the introduction to meditation is more than welcome to the new ones. Meditation is not a dreaded word in IMP. It is taught as part of life and not to be confined to formal sitting medi¬tation. Bhante reminds everyone several times daily, “Even when you’re off the cushion, be aware of all your daily activities. Be aware how your mind reacts to objects attracting its attention.” At times come the orders, “Everybody out-sit under the trees. Do forest meditation.” And so they all troop out to find shady spots under the trees next to the classrooms. You are in the jungle (use your imagination) and yet you are a step away from the con¬ve¬niences of modern living. Dis¬cuss¬ions and talks are often held under the trees. Only the opening salvos of threatening rain can get everyone in the hall again. Evenings are for things like Pali pronunciation so that you can chant better. Listening to the class chant¬ing for the first time is enter¬taining because of the mistakes. The devas will have a hard time under¬stand¬ing what is being chant¬ed in the beginning classes. But it has been all right so far. With the daily chanting of Khandha Sutta, even with the mispronunciation of the beginners, there have been no cases of snake attack. Either they under¬stand or the chanting has made them move out of earshot. This makes daily outdoor cleaning as pleasant as an evening walk in the fresh breeze of the hill. Night is for chanting and an hour of sitting meditation. Some nights, meditation is around the bodhi tree. Cushions are provided. You sit there in the dark and listen to the soothing instructions given. When you are numb from sitting, open your eyelids slightly and peer out through half-closed eyelids at the looming Buddha-like poses in front of you. Spine-tingling the first time, it is an expe¬rience to savour. So, where is the suffering? There is firmness but not strictness. I would recommend the programme for those who think life here is hard. Things might change if you ordain but IMP is an introduction. The accom¬modation is good. The facilities are better than spartan. Cooling or chry¬santhemum tea is occasionally brewed for general consumption. There are also hot water facilities, ample clean bathrooms, an abundant water supply and caring organisers. Tourists pay a fortune to expe¬rience eco-holidays which may be the luxury version of this. And instead of Belgium chocolates on your pillow, there is an abundance of metta and guidance. You leave with an under¬standing of the nature of things to help you in life. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn’t come. You won’t be able to forge the kind of camaraderie that make fellow sufferers bond-there is no tyrannical sergeant bullying recruits, only a compassionate monk with a sense of humour, very serious about the Sasana. Labels: IMP SBSI M Peace VEN NYANASANTI was visiting us when Introduction to Monkhood Programme 5 (!MP5) started. He now brings you to this "oasis of quiet joy". I witnessed a catch-22 recently. Twenty-two people volunteered to catch the monastic train(-ing) at Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary and spend two weeks exploring and experiencing life in the Sangha. This group of inward bound adventurers abandoned home and hair and leapt boldly from the layperson’s five-precept orbit, towards the novice monk’s ten-precept domain... and they landed somewhere in the middle! Donning white robes and eight-precept armour, they seemed unsure where they had abruptly been reborn. (Whoever said there is no place for an intermediate life in Theravada Buddhism?) Sensing their quandary, Bhante Aggacitta soothingly reassured them that they had arrived at a fortunate destination: the realm of the anagarikas-the (honourable) homeless ones. His introductory briefing was not going to be a sonorous monologue. Bhante Aggacitta first tackled the pernicious misconception that this was to be just another novitiate program (with all due respect to the good efforts of others). Without mincing words, he stated: “This Introduction to Monkhood Programme (IMP) is designed to be a foretaste of monkhood for those considering a long-term commitment to this way of life” (uneasy quivers in the audience). Next, he quizzed them: “What is monkhood?” Greeted by blank stares, he sympathised and offered them a multiple-choice answer: (a) Monks are priests (b) Monks are exorcists (c) Monks are skilled meditators (d) Monks are preachers (e) Monks are scholars. “So, what do you think?” prodded Bhante. Thus challenged, invisible group dynamics was evoked among the white-clad brotherhood and an almost equal number of hands were raised for each of the options, thus effectively hedging the embarrassment of a wrong answer. Unfortunately the correct answer turned out to be (the equally invisible) option (f) All of the above! “Monkhood is a spectrum of duties and responsibilities, some of which are compulsory (e.g. following the Vinaya rules) and some optional (e.g. learning Pali)”, Bhante explained. Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) is superbly situated, designed, executed and tended to. Although I had seen pictures in the SBS newsletter, when I first arrived I was taken aback by how much prettier it is in actuality. I was told that the size of The Sanctuary is some ten acres; however, the immense views it affords pervaded me with an enormous sense of space. When coupled with the openness, mutual respect, care and sense of purpose, which characterise the SBS Sangha and supporters, I felt transported into an oasis of quiet joy in the midst of a world thirsting for inner peace. The IMP participants seemed as moved as I was, judging from the long periods many of them would sit in silent contemplation, as though soaking in the serene, scenic surroundings. With interactive lectures, open discussions, self-study, physical exercise, meditation instructions, and an invigorating almsround (attractively labelled as “nature hike” and “riverside breakfast”) each day, the IMP was designed to be a crash course in monastic experience. “Life in SBS is pretty relaxed and informal, so enjoy your time here”, Bhante Aggacitta proposed, perhaps to help unwind some of the stress-prone individuals and others intimidated by the schedule. In this IMP they would be learning the refined art of moving away from the usual busy rush that crowded their lives, towards the be, see hush of enhanced present moment awareness. So this was to be a crash course... in tranquil, slow motion. Come evening of day one and all were learning the basics of handling their bowls and wearing their robes (in three variations). To add to their considerable confusion, I suggested that each look upon his almsbowl as the Buddha’s Head and treat it as such. Some jittery fingers and sweaty palms were so taken aback by this revelation, that a few bowls were suddenly liberated, allowing them to bounce boisterously on the floor. Ears were clasped in agony, so heart rendering was the clatter. As I write this article, I am reminded of the assignments I had to submit in school and college. There was the inevitable deadline by which we had to turn in our work and I excelled at procrastinating until the very end. The adrenaline would then kick in and whoosh me through my assignments like rocket propulsion. Amazingly, I usually managed to do quite well despite this less-than-exalted study strategy, and soon it was such an ingrained habit that I wondered if I would ever learn to do my work at a more evenly balanced pace. So, as I write this piece-my first ‘assignment’ with a deadline since I became a monk three years back-I am pleased to discover that I’ve begun working a full week before my deadline! This feels like a first for me: no adrenaline, no stress, no late nights and caffeine highs... just doing my work in a relaxed, calm way. Why do I bring this subject up? It’s because people sometimes ask me (and I sometimes ask myself) what changes I see in myself after these years in the robes? All the detailed rules to follow, the unexciting monastic routine, the duties, the hours of meditation... is it really worth it? Just sitting here doing this assignment way before my deadline... I can’t help thinking that my monastic training has had something to do with this tiny (but significant) change I’m witnessing now... my journey from IMPatience to I M Peace! Just a few days into IMP and it was already time for me to leave for Sri Lanka. Although I was unable to see the programme to its completion, I was nevertheless IMPressed by the sincere interest shown by the participants and their willingness to step out of their comfort zones to experience a wholly different way of life: the Holy Life! May this experience strengthen their commitment to inner transformation. May the manifold merits they acquire benefit, in widening circles, all beings! I would also like to share some observations from my month-long sojourn in Malaysia: (a) I was moved by the genuine interest in contributing, serving, studying, applying, sharing and open-mindedly investigating the Dhamma among a cross-section of the community. Buddhism here is a healthy faith buzzing with vital energy. It makes me wonder: maybe being a religious minority in a country can be a blessing in disguise if it evokes an interest in understanding, preserving and sustaining wholesome traditions (b) The regular visits and teachings by renowned Buddhist teachers and the local representation of a large number of Buddhist traditions underline the cosmopolitan nature of Buddhism here (c) The local Dhamma centres I visited impressed me with their creative, multi-faceted activities, non-sectarian approach and enthusiastic participation (d) I think that in terms of free distribution of priceless Dhamma literature, perhaps this country is currently a world leader! (e) I even discovered a wonderful Dhamma teaching hidden in Malaysia: “Mindfully And Lovingly Accept Your Situation’s Impermanence Always”! Before I end, I want to take this opportunity to bow to all my teachers; to express my gratitude to my parents and all who have supported me; and convey my appreciation to all the fine people I’ve been privileged to have met and learnt from this last month. May we all keep growing in Dhamma! May we all know real happiness; real freedom! Sadhu! Labels: IMP SBSFeedback from IMP Participants (Bits and Pieces) By Vidhuma Chiu Sheng Bin Participants give you their evaluation of IMP2 The second Introduction to Monkhood Programme was held from 20 March to 9 April, 2004. Four participants took part in the programme. A fifth, Ven Kavissara, joined as part participant and part observer. We bring you some of the comments from the participants. Sumutta Chu Leng Hock Besides talks from SBS monks, it was a good idea to get monks from other places to give us talks. It would be better though if we had been supplied with handout notes. Talks should be longer, say about 1_ hours. I suggest some sessions of informal discussions with Sangha members. My faith in the Triple Gem has become stronger. Khantibala Wong Tin Song The programme gave a proper perspective on the forest tradition and proper conduct based on the Vinaya. I was able to experience the way of life of a recluse away from worldly matters. The experience has given me more food for thought on the possibility of becoming a monk some time in the future. Samanta Koh Meng Hock It definitely gave me an insight into the life of a monk. Besides, it gave me a chance to enjoy a time of seclusion after a year of taxing study in university. It also gave me the opportunity to know people, monks as well as participants, who are know-ledge-able in the Dhamma. I will treasure this always. Vidhuma Chiu Sheng Bin We received systematic and well presented all-round training. It gave me a chance to share, serve and cooperate within community living. A few sessions of informal discussion would have been beneficial. The broad based activities have given me deeper insight into what it is to be a monk. The daily walk for piõóacàra could be a bit tiring for some. Ven Kavissara Great benefits, both in spiritual and moral development. It has made me more health conscious as I received much benefits from the sessions related to health, such as “Health and Monkhood”, yoga and qigong. I also gained new knowledge on meditation practice. Having more guest speakers share their experiences of Dhamma practice would make the programme more interesting. Fruit flies can be a nuisance to some though. Maybe more insect-repelling trees such as the neem could be planted. Labels: IMP SBSWinged Seeds to be Dispersed by Tan Joo Lan “As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made…” Thus, from a proliferation of seeds many an upright tree will grow. An unusual natural phenomenon took place just before the start of the Introduction to Monkhood Programme (IMP). All who saw it were agog with wonder. It seemed as if the energy generated by the preparations for IMP had sparked off some cosmic energy, igniting the branches of a towering tree growing on the slope below the Abbot’s Office. Standing upright, head and shoulders above the other trees surrounding it and unobstructed by surrounding foliage, it was illuminated by a blaze of flaming red bracts. There were myriads of the red bracts in clusters of four waiting to take wing, carrying with them a crop of seeds to be dispersed by the wind. On 25 November 2003, the Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) Sangha began nurturing its own seeds. Nine participants of IMP, ages ranging from 16 to 49 years, registered for the programme. They included students, a leisure industry executive, a businessman, and a finance executive. All had gathered at SBS with one aim in mind — to experience the life of a Theravada monk in SBS. They were the first batch of Introduction to Monkhood Programme Participants (IMPPs), and were transformed into white-robed, bald headed and bare-footed monastics complete with Pali (a language in which Gotama Buddha’s teachings are preserved) names bestowed upon them by Ven Aggacitta or by others previously. Thiradhamma, Ariyavamsa, Sivali, Subhamitta, Nandiya, Sumana, Medhavi, Dhammavijaya and Pannobhasa lived the life of an SBS Theravadin monastic for a fortnight. I had the privilege of being an observer at some of their activities. So allow me to share with you some glimpses of the activities carried out as part of the integrated programme that had been drawn up to give IMPPs a holistic experience, balancing the mundane, the intellectual and the spiritual. The process of transformation had already begun when each IMPP freed himself of the vanity of his crowning glory. For most of them it was the first time they saw themselves bereft of hair. They also learned some basic living skills which I am sure were new to most, if not all. They sewed their own amsa (a small robe worn over the left shoulder) and made brooms needed to clean the surrounding compound with. Daily tasks included doing their own laundry as well as cleaning the compound and kutis (huts). The intellectual and spiritual side of their training involved attending talks and discussions on monastic matters, chanting various Pali passages according to proper pronunciation and meditation. Two other subjects were perhaps more novel: learning some basic practical astronomy to understand the reckoning of Uposatha days (full moon and no moon when monastics meet to reaffirm their commitment to the monastic discipline) according to the alignment of the full moon with Pali constellations and making a sundial to determine solar noon time. Walking down and up again every morning to collect alms food at the Hokkien Cemetery Pavilion must have been a foot-tickling experience, to put it mildly. Nightly yoga exercises, taught by Sivali, a qualified yoga instructor, to maintain fitness and health were also part of their life. They discussed the Dhamma and practised some aspects of the Vinaya (monastic discipline). Practice of the rules leads to harmony and excellence in the Sangha, to individual growth and development, to the increase of lay devotees, to the perpetuation of the true Dhamma as well as to the fostering of discipline. The abbot, Ven Aggacitta, gave a series of talks. He stressed that different personalities have different strengths and weaknesses and as a monk grows in his experience of the Noble Eightfold Path, he should be able to find the area in which he performs best, be it meditation, research and teaching, pastoral service to the Buddhist community, monastery administration, or devoting himself to the tradition of the forest monk. One of the guest speakers was a Malaysian of the Fo Guang Shan Monastic Order, Ven Hui Xin. In his talk on “My Experience of Monkhood” he told the participants that when he first applied for a place in his training school, he had to write an essay about what he intended to do after he was ordained. This is important because an aspirant must have good intentions for wanting to be a monk. The good intention is the good seed from which a strong tree grows. Ven Ajahn Sujata shared his experiences of life as a forest monk in his talk, “Make the Forest Your Teacher”. Then KL Hor delivered his thoughts on how a person can “live meaningfully and joyfully in a dedicated spiritual life” as a member of the lay community. Such principles of living could also be adopted as a guide to build up discipline by aspiring monks so that they could help themselves to help others. Tan Ho Soon’s talk was on the topic “What I Would Do if I Were a Monk”. He began by considering the role of a monk in the area of community service, but concluded that his ultimate goal would be to strive for liberation from all forms of suffering. Lim Teik Leong’s “Speaking in Public” gave the participants helpful tips on how to speak in front of an audience. Interesting Q & A sessions ended these sessions. When asked for their response to the programme, many indicated that the most significant and memorable practice was collecting pindapata (alms food). The daily walk down the hill for their alms food had an unforgettable impact on their consciousness. Breakfast by the riverside some mornings on their way back up the hill must have been an invigorating experience. “We know we have to follow some dhutanga (ascetic) rules… I wanted to see how far I could go… I have had a lot of reflections on how I have applied the teachings …Obviously I’m not good at certain things. Ven Aggacitta’s approach gave us a lot of personal time to absorb what we learnt in the programme,” said Medhavi. Pannobhasa did not hesitate in his appreciation of the experience “…I like it…the time passed very fast …observing morality and accumulating good kamma.” Dhammavijaya pointed out that he had attended two other novitiate courses, but found that those were different from IMP. The schedule was well-planned, there was no pressure and he would have preferred the course to be longer, at least one to two months. “I’d heard of Ven Aggacitta, but didn’t really know him. Now I know he is a monk who really follows Vinaya and dhutanga practices. He is very open, patient and respects other points of view. After seven days, we still didn’t know how to wear the robes properly, and he checked and helped us with them every morning. He is full of caring kindness.” In an allusion to the Buddha’s advice to the first 60 arahants, Ven Aggacitta in his concluding address to the pioneer batch of IMPPs similarly advised them, “O IMPPs, I have been freed from all misconceptions of monkhood. You too have been freed from all misconceptions of monkhood. Wander forth and travel around for the welfare and happiness of the many, of gods and men. Preach to them about IMP which is beautiful in the beginning, the middle and the end! ” The end of this first IMP is by no means the end of an interesting experience. Rather, it is the significant beginning of an important stage in the lives of the participants, and in the development of the Buddhist community in Malaysia. Nine fine Malaysian males have taken the first step to finding out whether they have got the right stuff. We are coming of age. O winged seeds of russet tinge, Standing tall on the forest fringe, Your fate: dispersal far and near; Taking root, sprouting shoots. Dare we to think That this is Nature’s omen: The Sanctuary’s role A Sangha to mould For Malaysians to uphold? Labels: IMP SBSEvaluation of IMP by Lim Lay Hoon A programme designed to allow Malaysian males considering monkhood to get the feeling of it without having first to make a commitment, was carried out. This will, we hope, help them to make decisions when the time is ripe. A programme, Introduction to Monkhood Programme (IMP), was held in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary from 25 November–9 December 2003. Malaysian men with a bent towards the monastic life in SBS were invited to join the programme which is an emulation of monkhood. Ong Boon Uar, Michael Tan, Lee Toon Sun, KC Ng, Charles Khoi, TL Cheong, Melvin Ho, Victor Lim, and Yeoh Kar Kheng became the pioneers of IMP. The activities conducted during the fifteen days included the following: • Lectures by Ven Aggacitta and Ven Kumara • Presentations by guest speakers • Discussion sessions with the SBS Sangha • Pindacara (alms round) • Pali (a language in which Gotama Buddha’s teachings are preserved) pronunciation • Pali Chanting • Meditation • Skills training (sewing; making brooms; practical basic astronomy; determining solar noon time) • Yoga • Riverside breakfast The constraint of facilities limited the number of successful applicants to ten. Unfortunately, one of them had to withdraw at the eleventh hour due to unforeseen circumstances. At the end of the programme, an evaluation exercise was carried out where all the nine participants wrote about their impressions of IMP. This has given us valuable feedback which will stand us in good stead in the tailoring of such courses in the future. Allow me now to share with you the views of some of the participants, given in response to questions posed to them in the evaluation exercise. Are you glad you participated in this IMP? There was unanimous agreement on this. In the words of Thiradhamma, “I had some reservations before I came because I was told that Ven Aggacitta is a very strict abbot and the training programme would be very tough. Well, it turned out to be a very enriching experience for me and I am glad I came.” Medhavi said “I’m very happy to say that whatever ignorance and misconceptions I had about being a monk have been cleared. Ven Aggacitta is a teacher who has the ability to tap and develop his students’ potential.” Sivali says, “Ven Aggacitta, being open-minded, patient and kind, is a teacher to whom the participants can voice their opinions freely.” Has your purpose for participating in this IMP been achieved? None of the participants were disappointed, although Sumana and Ariyavamsa felt that they did not fully achieve what they had hoped to achieve. Ariyavamsa, who expected IMP to be a meditation retreat explained, “I had come with the main purpose of attending a retreat and the secondary purpose of getting monkhood training.” Sumana however, whose purpose was to gain an insight into the lifestyle of a monk felt that he had not really experienced the normal life of a monk. “It is so because this is a crash course,” he said. The majority came with the main purpose of getting a taste of monastic life in SBS and agreed they had more than a taste of the flavour. How do you rate your desire and chances of making a long-term commitment to monkhood? More than half the men came to the programme with an inclination towards making a long-term commitment to monkhood. Their actual experience of simulated monkhood did not dampen this inclination in any way. Thiradhamma said, “Although I cannot join the monastic life immediately, the possibility is there after I have fulfilled my worldly responsibilities.” For Dhammavijaya and Sumana, the experience has whetted their appetite and they will be coming back for more. They left with the promise that they will be back in SBS as postulants in February 2004. SBS awaits your return! In what way have you bene-fited from this programme? This question received unanimous positive response, with the majority explaining that they now have a better understanding of monastic life, know and understand more about Vinaya rules and are aware of the purpose and benefits of observing them. For some, it was an opportunity to enjoy simplicity and peace. With inspired conviction, Dhammavijaya said, “Today I have a better understanding of the Theravadin’s Vinaya. If one has a deep understanding of the Vinaya and its benefits for one’s spiritual progress, one will abide by the Vinaya. Then, this automatically harmonises the Sangha community which serves to increase the faith of the lay people. This understanding will dispel uncertainties in one’s mind. Hence one is able to highly discipline oneself rightly.” Subhamitta contributed, “The IMP has helped me to make a better informed decision about joining the SBS monastics.” Do you find the activities in this programme interesting? All participants agreed there was never a dull moment. Some of them even felt that two weeks was too short a period of time for the programme. “From day one until the end of the programme, it was so much fun for me. It would be good to have an IMP Advanced Level”, enthused Dhammavijaya. Generally, the talks by Ven -Aggacitta and the guest speakers, discussions and -pindacara topped the list of most ---interesting activities. It is not -surprising that riverside breakfast and yoga were --well--received as they were novel -experiences for most, if not all, participants. For Sivali however, pindacara was an unforgettable experience for a different reason. Moved by the faithful devotees who turned up daily, he said, “It took a few days to get accustomed to the physical demands of walking down and up daily for pindacara. But it’s worth the effort. It was touching to see the large group of devotees waiting eagerly to offer food.” In Conclusion The success of the first IMP at SBS can best be summed up in the words of Sivali: “IMP is an excellent programme for those who have stirrings of monkhood. SBS is an ideal place for one who has decided to go forth. This is because SBS has all the necessary facilities and a capable and experienced teacher. SBS also has a holistic programme to train new monks, not only in the theory and practice of the DhammaVinaya but also other skills expected of monks in the 21st century.” Labels: IMP SBS
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