5:11 pm
I'm sick of writing pages and page so hopefully this will be short and sweet. Yesterday was pretty boring. I'm seriously considering leaving either tomorrow or Friday and spending some extra time in Chiang Mai. All I'm doing at this point is sitting around, going online, and talking to Sam. Yesterday wasn't really memorable or noteworthy except for the night time. Oh, since all of the schools are closed this week I can't teach English while I'm here. Bummer. So yeah, last night I got all emotional and whatnot when Sam and I were talked. We were up until about midnight with a kind of heart-to-heart.
So today Mike got ordained. We went out for lunch which I cam SO sick of, I can't wait to go home. I don't usually get homesick but I think the combination of being bored, hungry, and unsatisfied with the food is really doing it. I took like a 3.5 hour nap today. Not much else to do. Chevaun arrived here yesterday afternoon from Singapore. I'd say she's in her early to mid-thirties. She's here until Friday, I like her! Right, that's really it. WAIT!! My camera is giving me Error 99 again...what the hell I just spent a ton of money getting it fixed like aw eek before my trip. NOT. COOL. Very upset.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
August 9, 2010
From my handwritten journal
~10:25 pm
Today was pretty great. Mike, Sam, and I went to up to the Daylight School with Fred. We brought them some little cakey things and bagged snacks. The school is for children of Shan migrant workers. Refugees from Burma. These people have no papers so according to Thailand they don't even really exist. Shan people have their own language so learning Thai is extremely beneficial towards their success here in Thailand. It's so amazing that they have this opportunity thanks to The Blood Foundation. The children learn four subjects: Shan language and culture, Thai, English, and mathematics. We got there just as both the older and younger kids were eating their lunches. Perfect timing! We got to hang around and play soccer with the kids. I took some adorable photos of the kids brushing their teeth and just being super cute in general. Fred was telling us that before they eat they say a kind of grace that says something like "we're so lucky to have this food and I feel badly for those who have nothing to eat." These kids are practically in the bread line themselves yet they still think that way. If only Westerners could be so grateful.
Man, I really loved being there. I really want to get involved in something like that. Even when I'm in school back in Princeton I can totally go through with volunteering at the Cherry Tree Club--a preschool for local homeless children--which is a mere five minutes from my house. I've volunteered there before and it's wonderful. I had planned on volunteering once a week during the school year but now it feels as if I have to do it. Ideally, I'd love to set something up like that myself. There are so many things I can do right in my own area. Of course I'd love to come back to Thailand and other regions of the world, but for now, Cherry Tree is perfect.
We came back to the temple and met the newest addition, Eliano. He's originally from Italy but he's been living in Tokyo for the last 36 years. [Man the dogs are going nuts right now...I wonder why..I hope everything is okay!] Anyway, we hung around and talked, went to evening chanting, then had a chat outside (with Ben, too!) Funny story, Ben and I were born in the same hospital! Also, his birthday is the day before mine. A few years, too, but that's besides the point! So later on it was just me, SAm and Ben. [Oh my goshhh there's a huge commotion and squealing/barking. I wish I could do something!!! I feel horrible. I hope every doggy is okay, especially the new puppies and CK :[ :[ :[ They're so tiny. Okay upon looking out of my window all I can see are the dogs barking at two women in the Sala...but that doesn't explain the squealing and sad noises..still alarming. Okay it's dying down. Sucks for the people trying to sleep.]
OKAY ANYWAY. The talk with Ben was really good. We kind of expressed our opinions about Fred's one-sided teaching and he actually had very similar views. He was saying that the important part of religion is what it does to improve the world. We also talked about the program and our expectations and what we think we'll ultimately get out of it. Both he and Sam recommended a book for me so I'm going to probably start it now. It's A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and apparently it's Oprah approved. Wonderful. It's not Buddhist but that's all I really know about it. We'll see! Hopefully it gives me some insight. I'm hungry so hopefully sleeping will fix that. I'll wake up and be able to eat! (After waking up the initial four times, that is.)
~10:25 pm
Today was pretty great. Mike, Sam, and I went to up to the Daylight School with Fred. We brought them some little cakey things and bagged snacks. The school is for children of Shan migrant workers. Refugees from Burma. These people have no papers so according to Thailand they don't even really exist. Shan people have their own language so learning Thai is extremely beneficial towards their success here in Thailand. It's so amazing that they have this opportunity thanks to The Blood Foundation. The children learn four subjects: Shan language and culture, Thai, English, and mathematics. We got there just as both the older and younger kids were eating their lunches. Perfect timing! We got to hang around and play soccer with the kids. I took some adorable photos of the kids brushing their teeth and just being super cute in general. Fred was telling us that before they eat they say a kind of grace that says something like "we're so lucky to have this food and I feel badly for those who have nothing to eat." These kids are practically in the bread line themselves yet they still think that way. If only Westerners could be so grateful.
Man, I really loved being there. I really want to get involved in something like that. Even when I'm in school back in Princeton I can totally go through with volunteering at the Cherry Tree Club--a preschool for local homeless children--which is a mere five minutes from my house. I've volunteered there before and it's wonderful. I had planned on volunteering once a week during the school year but now it feels as if I have to do it. Ideally, I'd love to set something up like that myself. There are so many things I can do right in my own area. Of course I'd love to come back to Thailand and other regions of the world, but for now, Cherry Tree is perfect.
We came back to the temple and met the newest addition, Eliano. He's originally from Italy but he's been living in Tokyo for the last 36 years. [Man the dogs are going nuts right now...I wonder why..I hope everything is okay!] Anyway, we hung around and talked, went to evening chanting, then had a chat outside (with Ben, too!) Funny story, Ben and I were born in the same hospital! Also, his birthday is the day before mine. A few years, too, but that's besides the point! So later on it was just me, SAm and Ben. [Oh my goshhh there's a huge commotion and squealing/barking. I wish I could do something!!! I feel horrible. I hope every doggy is okay, especially the new puppies and CK :[ :[ :[ They're so tiny. Okay upon looking out of my window all I can see are the dogs barking at two women in the Sala...but that doesn't explain the squealing and sad noises..still alarming. Okay it's dying down. Sucks for the people trying to sleep.]
OKAY ANYWAY. The talk with Ben was really good. We kind of expressed our opinions about Fred's one-sided teaching and he actually had very similar views. He was saying that the important part of religion is what it does to improve the world. We also talked about the program and our expectations and what we think we'll ultimately get out of it. Both he and Sam recommended a book for me so I'm going to probably start it now. It's A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and apparently it's Oprah approved. Wonderful. It's not Buddhist but that's all I really know about it. We'll see! Hopefully it gives me some insight. I'm hungry so hopefully sleeping will fix that. I'll wake up and be able to eat! (After waking up the initial four times, that is.)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday August 8, 2010
From my handwritten journal
Did NOT sleep well last night. I was up a lot. Woke up around 3 am with bites on the bottom of my left thigh. Bedbugs for sure ewww!!! So naturally that really freaked me out and it took a while to get back to sleep (of course only to wake up from the ringing of the bell. Oh man I can't wait to be back in my own bed. Six more nights here, one in Chiang Mai, and two in Bangkok...then one on the plane (yuck.)
So when I woke up I actually wasn't starving or anything. I had two bowls of Frosted Flakes. We sat around and talked this morning. Max and Becky left around 10. There are a TON of lay people here today. The second Sunday of every month is a Dhamma lesson and meditation and all sorts of things for them for the day. It's strangely mostly all women. Perhaps the men are working. We had lunch with them but (surprise surprise) I didn't eat very much. Sam and I went to go to some walking meditation but the space was occupied by lay people. Oh well! Time to read, I suppose.
8:10 pm
Same ol'. Talked lots, didn't eat past noon, went to evening chanting. I hung my bedding out in the sun so hopefully that took care of the bedbug problem...ugh ew I'm seriously so grossed out by that. We all talked about how being here isn't quite what we'd thought it'd be. Mike ended up meditating throughout the entire chanting and had a really big breakthrough with that, so that's definitely inspiring! I'm going to try to go to bed by 10...let's see how that goes.
Did NOT sleep well last night. I was up a lot. Woke up around 3 am with bites on the bottom of my left thigh. Bedbugs for sure ewww!!! So naturally that really freaked me out and it took a while to get back to sleep (of course only to wake up from the ringing of the bell. Oh man I can't wait to be back in my own bed. Six more nights here, one in Chiang Mai, and two in Bangkok...then one on the plane (yuck.)
So when I woke up I actually wasn't starving or anything. I had two bowls of Frosted Flakes. We sat around and talked this morning. Max and Becky left around 10. There are a TON of lay people here today. The second Sunday of every month is a Dhamma lesson and meditation and all sorts of things for them for the day. It's strangely mostly all women. Perhaps the men are working. We had lunch with them but (surprise surprise) I didn't eat very much. Sam and I went to go to some walking meditation but the space was occupied by lay people. Oh well! Time to read, I suppose.
8:10 pm
Same ol'. Talked lots, didn't eat past noon, went to evening chanting. I hung my bedding out in the sun so hopefully that took care of the bedbug problem...ugh ew I'm seriously so grossed out by that. We all talked about how being here isn't quite what we'd thought it'd be. Mike ended up meditating throughout the entire chanting and had a really big breakthrough with that, so that's definitely inspiring! I'm going to try to go to bed by 10...let's see how that goes.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Saturday August 7, 2010
From my handwritten journal
~1:45 pm
I took the 8 Precepts! Horrible day to do so, though. Right before lunch I started feeling really nauseous and as a result hardly touched my food. Man I'm going ot be hungryyy :/ We made a Tesco's run (the supermarket) and I got some Ovaltine, soy milk, bug spray, hand sanitizer, Nutella, cereal, throat drops, and a lighter (so I can actually light the mosquito coils!) The first evening chanting that we went to proved Ovaltine + soy milk (warm) is ridiculously delicious. Mmm. Can't wait. I'm glad we can still consume liquids past noon. Okay everyone kept telling me how comfortable fisherman's pants are..but I have to disagree. Sucks that I'll be living in them for the next week. I guess I can pack up my normal clothes now. Oh! So we finally had a practical meditation class this morning, both walking and sitting. Easy enough, be mindful of each little movement while walking, and count your breaths while sitting. I've already practiced some sitting meditation before coming here (and before OSHO.) Right now there's some sort of performance going on in the Sala. I'm pretty sure that Fred's 12 year old daughter is there. I hear lots of Kim (hammered dulcimer) being played. I'd love to go watch and take photos but I'm just not feeling up to it. Luckily I can hear it really well from my room. I'm about to nap, that sounds really great. I've got nothing until evening chanting so I'll probably finish up Introducing Buddha and maybe sew or something. Meditation would be good, of course. It's going to be a challenge to keep myself busy without specifically entertaining myself! Ugh..now I got hungry. I might cheat and have something very little to eat. I confirmed with Graham that those who are ill can exempt themselves from things like that. Health comes first! I'll put it off and then later have something to drink then take it from there. I'm already kiiind of cheating a precept now…my tunnels and nose ring are currently in. But again, no one is seeing it so it's not really "decoration." I think the other precepts are more important to follow (self discipline) anyway. Alright, nap time.
9:50 pm
Well, that was a great nap. I woke up a bunch of times but I was in bed for three hours. I started reading a new book, The User Guide to Life...The Moral Diet. I'm hoping this will be what I've been wanting to learn about. The little tag line is "A book of practical advice for understanding and following the Buddhist path to true happiness." Sounds good to me! So yeah, I've done great in terms of no food, especially for what little I ate for lunch. Since about noon all I've had is two cups of Ovaltine. I went to evening chanting tonight and then Fred came around for a chat. We all know what I think of those by now...so I've just showered and cleaned my room. So refreshing! It's Max's last night..boo! I'm going to miss him. I guess I'll just have to go to Brazil :)
Today I finally took photos of the temple grounds. It was around 5 pm so it had fantastic lighting. Okay, time to read for a bit and then go to sleep. The sooner I wake up, the sooner I get to eat! Also...I can't believe tomorrow is Sunday!!
~1:45 pm
I took the 8 Precepts! Horrible day to do so, though. Right before lunch I started feeling really nauseous and as a result hardly touched my food. Man I'm going ot be hungryyy :/ We made a Tesco's run (the supermarket) and I got some Ovaltine, soy milk, bug spray, hand sanitizer, Nutella, cereal, throat drops, and a lighter (so I can actually light the mosquito coils!) The first evening chanting that we went to proved Ovaltine + soy milk (warm) is ridiculously delicious. Mmm. Can't wait. I'm glad we can still consume liquids past noon. Okay everyone kept telling me how comfortable fisherman's pants are..but I have to disagree. Sucks that I'll be living in them for the next week. I guess I can pack up my normal clothes now. Oh! So we finally had a practical meditation class this morning, both walking and sitting. Easy enough, be mindful of each little movement while walking, and count your breaths while sitting. I've already practiced some sitting meditation before coming here (and before OSHO.) Right now there's some sort of performance going on in the Sala. I'm pretty sure that Fred's 12 year old daughter is there. I hear lots of Kim (hammered dulcimer) being played. I'd love to go watch and take photos but I'm just not feeling up to it. Luckily I can hear it really well from my room. I'm about to nap, that sounds really great. I've got nothing until evening chanting so I'll probably finish up Introducing Buddha and maybe sew or something. Meditation would be good, of course. It's going to be a challenge to keep myself busy without specifically entertaining myself! Ugh..now I got hungry. I might cheat and have something very little to eat. I confirmed with Graham that those who are ill can exempt themselves from things like that. Health comes first! I'll put it off and then later have something to drink then take it from there. I'm already kiiind of cheating a precept now…my tunnels and nose ring are currently in. But again, no one is seeing it so it's not really "decoration." I think the other precepts are more important to follow (self discipline) anyway. Alright, nap time.
9:50 pm
Well, that was a great nap. I woke up a bunch of times but I was in bed for three hours. I started reading a new book, The User Guide to Life...The Moral Diet. I'm hoping this will be what I've been wanting to learn about. The little tag line is "A book of practical advice for understanding and following the Buddhist path to true happiness." Sounds good to me! So yeah, I've done great in terms of no food, especially for what little I ate for lunch. Since about noon all I've had is two cups of Ovaltine. I went to evening chanting tonight and then Fred came around for a chat. We all know what I think of those by now...so I've just showered and cleaned my room. So refreshing! It's Max's last night..boo! I'm going to miss him. I guess I'll just have to go to Brazil :)
Today I finally took photos of the temple grounds. It was around 5 pm so it had fantastic lighting. Okay, time to read for a bit and then go to sleep. The sooner I wake up, the sooner I get to eat! Also...I can't believe tomorrow is Sunday!!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday August 6, 2010
From my handwritten journal
12:39 pm
I keep forgetting what day it is. I know that it's Friday (already?!) but the day of the month is always a mystery. Today is going to be low-key. I actually slept pretty okay last night--wayyy better than two nights ago. Man, I kept waking up and was super uncomfortable (of course) and woke up still feeling sick. It was actually surprisingly cool last night in the new room. I even used the comforter in addition to the thin sheet.
Okay so today -- woke up super tired, showered (with a real shower head!!) then had some oatmeal (couldn't do the hearty rice, chicken, and whatever meal that's always at the canteen)--eww just found a tick crawling on my pants :[ :[ thank goodness it didn't bite me, gross--Right, anyway, we had our Dhamma lesson with Fred then went to lunch. Pretty normal. I now have all of my up-to-date photos from here on Facebook. Tomorrow I take the 8 Precepts as we all know, so my computer will be strictly email and photos! I'm sure I've written that a million times already but doing so is reinforcing that restriction. Right now I jut want to nap. We're not going to the Daylight school today, too rainy and we'd have to sit in the back of the truck. I'm glad we're going another time, I really need to get some sleep (I still have a cold.) I think we're going to have one practical meditation session with Fred later on today. That should be good! Man, this whole journal is just repeating the same things over and over, eh? well, I guess it just goes to show what keeps going around in my head.
10:48 pm
Here we go…tomorrow is the big day. I'm going to be strict with myself and hope that Sam and Mike give me a good example (I'm sure they will.) Too bad for Max, on his last day we aren't going to be quite as much fun. I think this will be really good for me. We didn't end up having that practical meditation class with Fred (big surprise) but we do have that special lesson from a guy from the outside tomorrow. I'm hoping to spend a lot of my time in this next week reading about Buddhism and practicing meditation. Tonight I missed evening chanting but I could heard it loud and clear from my room. I won't miss it again but I just wasn't feeling up to it. Becky came by just before that with a teeny tiny white puppy that she named Bobby. She bought him for a local Thai man who's wanted a dog. How sweet :) What an adorable little ball of fluff.
12:39 pm
I keep forgetting what day it is. I know that it's Friday (already?!) but the day of the month is always a mystery. Today is going to be low-key. I actually slept pretty okay last night--wayyy better than two nights ago. Man, I kept waking up and was super uncomfortable (of course) and woke up still feeling sick. It was actually surprisingly cool last night in the new room. I even used the comforter in addition to the thin sheet.
Okay so today -- woke up super tired, showered (with a real shower head!!) then had some oatmeal (couldn't do the hearty rice, chicken, and whatever meal that's always at the canteen)--eww just found a tick crawling on my pants :[ :[ thank goodness it didn't bite me, gross--Right, anyway, we had our Dhamma lesson with Fred then went to lunch. Pretty normal. I now have all of my up-to-date photos from here on Facebook. Tomorrow I take the 8 Precepts as we all know, so my computer will be strictly email and photos! I'm sure I've written that a million times already but doing so is reinforcing that restriction. Right now I jut want to nap. We're not going to the Daylight school today, too rainy and we'd have to sit in the back of the truck. I'm glad we're going another time, I really need to get some sleep (I still have a cold.) I think we're going to have one practical meditation session with Fred later on today. That should be good! Man, this whole journal is just repeating the same things over and over, eh? well, I guess it just goes to show what keeps going around in my head.
10:48 pm
Here we go…tomorrow is the big day. I'm going to be strict with myself and hope that Sam and Mike give me a good example (I'm sure they will.) Too bad for Max, on his last day we aren't going to be quite as much fun. I think this will be really good for me. We didn't end up having that practical meditation class with Fred (big surprise) but we do have that special lesson from a guy from the outside tomorrow. I'm hoping to spend a lot of my time in this next week reading about Buddhism and practicing meditation. Tonight I missed evening chanting but I could heard it loud and clear from my room. I won't miss it again but I just wasn't feeling up to it. Becky came by just before that with a teeny tiny white puppy that she named Bobby. She bought him for a local Thai man who's wanted a dog. How sweet :) What an adorable little ball of fluff.
Thursday August 5, 2010
From my handwritten journal
Today was pretty standard. Breakfast around 8:30 with Max, fed my banana to the monkeys, then had a Dhamma lesson followed by lunch. I read more of Introducing Buddha and took a little nap. Sam and I hung out and played some cards (whoops!) We had two mini chats with Fred this evening. I went to evening chanting once again. It's getting easier to follow along but there are still parts that are either impossible/confusing transitions or just not in the packet at all. Oh well. I'm all set for my 8 Precepts ceremony on Saturday at 8:30 am. I'm excited! It will be extremely difficult to keep from singing, dancing, listening to music, and generally entertaining myself. Byebye Facebook and Google Reader. I'll probably continue to share pictures via Facebook but that's it. I'm going to try to be really strict with myself with the precepts. After all, that's why I'm here. I hope I can look back on these days and say "remember how hard it was? Yes, but I was self-disciplined and pushed through it" (which is very much how I look back on my DCI experience.) Plus, in the grand scheme of my life, eight days is a speck of sand. I can do this. I'm really not concerned with not eating after noon...I hardly eat anything here anyway. Plus I can have liquids (including ice pops!) as long as it isn't chewed. Cow's milk is considered food so that'll be left out of tea, however, soy milk is fair game.
Okay so...the more Fred talks about the 31 Planes of Existence and rebirth and karma and other Buddhist beliefs..the more discouraged I get. As I said, I'm here to gain knowledge about Buddhism, which I'm certainly doing. I also don't doubt that meditation, mindfulness, and the five precepts are great things that I can apply to my life back home (although I already try hard to keep the five.) I don't doubt that crazy things are possible once you get so lost (in tune with?) in your mind through meditation..I'm just skeptical that these things aren't completely personal and internal, rather than perceivable to the general population..and I guess therefore "true." I'm talking about those who reach certain "statuses" and gain special powers. I'm definitely incredibly impressed and respectful of people who know their minds so well...but if I don't see it or experience it for myself, I'm not a believer. I really have no reason to think that these things are true. Think of all the religions and culture that are so certain of their beliefs..it would be impossible for all of them to be true, most of them completely contradict each other. Either way, I'm really glad that I'm getting the opportunity to learn and see what the world has to offer.
In other news, I switched rooms with Sam, so now he and Mike are in the red kuti and I'm in a dorm-style room next to Max. there are two shared bathrooms, each with a (still cold) shower head and sink! Hooray! There are also screened windows so I can keep them open. I have a really great view of the Sala, which is really close by. I'm also excited to be a mere 10 steps or so from the common area where we all hang out/eat/have our lessons. Much more convenient! The kuti isn't far but it's still more annoying than just walking here. On Monday there are two more Monk for a Month people coming to the temple: a guy from Italy and a girl from Singapore. I might need to share a room with the girl. Of course it'd be better if I didn't, since my sleeping is really screwed up..plus I'm afraid she'll be loud in the mornings or something. There's nothing I hate more than people who don't try to be quiet and respectful to those sleeping. Seriously. But if that is the case, I can always do my nightly reading/writing in the common area. I hope my frequent blowing of the nose isn't too disturbing.. Graham didn't tell us the ages of the new people but hopefully we'll be able to relate! Regardless, I usually don't have a problem. I mean, Mike is 48 and we enjoy having him around :)
Today was pretty standard. Breakfast around 8:30 with Max, fed my banana to the monkeys, then had a Dhamma lesson followed by lunch. I read more of Introducing Buddha and took a little nap. Sam and I hung out and played some cards (whoops!) We had two mini chats with Fred this evening. I went to evening chanting once again. It's getting easier to follow along but there are still parts that are either impossible/confusing transitions or just not in the packet at all. Oh well. I'm all set for my 8 Precepts ceremony on Saturday at 8:30 am. I'm excited! It will be extremely difficult to keep from singing, dancing, listening to music, and generally entertaining myself. Byebye Facebook and Google Reader. I'll probably continue to share pictures via Facebook but that's it. I'm going to try to be really strict with myself with the precepts. After all, that's why I'm here. I hope I can look back on these days and say "remember how hard it was? Yes, but I was self-disciplined and pushed through it" (which is very much how I look back on my DCI experience.) Plus, in the grand scheme of my life, eight days is a speck of sand. I can do this. I'm really not concerned with not eating after noon...I hardly eat anything here anyway. Plus I can have liquids (including ice pops!) as long as it isn't chewed. Cow's milk is considered food so that'll be left out of tea, however, soy milk is fair game.
Okay so...the more Fred talks about the 31 Planes of Existence and rebirth and karma and other Buddhist beliefs..the more discouraged I get. As I said, I'm here to gain knowledge about Buddhism, which I'm certainly doing. I also don't doubt that meditation, mindfulness, and the five precepts are great things that I can apply to my life back home (although I already try hard to keep the five.) I don't doubt that crazy things are possible once you get so lost (in tune with?) in your mind through meditation..I'm just skeptical that these things aren't completely personal and internal, rather than perceivable to the general population..and I guess therefore "true." I'm talking about those who reach certain "statuses" and gain special powers. I'm definitely incredibly impressed and respectful of people who know their minds so well...but if I don't see it or experience it for myself, I'm not a believer. I really have no reason to think that these things are true. Think of all the religions and culture that are so certain of their beliefs..it would be impossible for all of them to be true, most of them completely contradict each other. Either way, I'm really glad that I'm getting the opportunity to learn and see what the world has to offer.
In other news, I switched rooms with Sam, so now he and Mike are in the red kuti and I'm in a dorm-style room next to Max. there are two shared bathrooms, each with a (still cold) shower head and sink! Hooray! There are also screened windows so I can keep them open. I have a really great view of the Sala, which is really close by. I'm also excited to be a mere 10 steps or so from the common area where we all hang out/eat/have our lessons. Much more convenient! The kuti isn't far but it's still more annoying than just walking here. On Monday there are two more Monk for a Month people coming to the temple: a guy from Italy and a girl from Singapore. I might need to share a room with the girl. Of course it'd be better if I didn't, since my sleeping is really screwed up..plus I'm afraid she'll be loud in the mornings or something. There's nothing I hate more than people who don't try to be quiet and respectful to those sleeping. Seriously. But if that is the case, I can always do my nightly reading/writing in the common area. I hope my frequent blowing of the nose isn't too disturbing.. Graham didn't tell us the ages of the new people but hopefully we'll be able to relate! Regardless, I usually don't have a problem. I mean, Mike is 48 and we enjoy having him around :)
Wednesday August 4, 2010
From my handwritten journal
Yesterday I woke up at 8. Well, I got up at 8. I was woken up at 4 by the ringing of the bell and barking of the dogs. When I got up I took my first cold bucket shower. I had a dream that I had a sink in my bathroom. Waking up was pretty disappointing. I took my time getting ready and organizing my stuff, and by 9:30 Graham brought us our breakfast. I think I'm going to come home pretty thin. My size 2 pants are already falling off. Although they just might need to go in the dryer. I've been eating just mostly rice. I think I want to eat vegetarian while I'm here. It's not a Thai Buddhist thing--as long as you didn't kill the animal yourself or it wasn't killed especially for you--but it'll earn me "merit."
So anyway, Yesterday we went to a government school that had some sort of festival with food and performances. I got some awesome photos of the children and events. A few military people did a freaky snake show which yielded some great facial expressions for the photos. The Dutch family was there again. One of the performances was storytelling "The Tortoise and the Hare" in English. Adorable! After that (still riding in the back of the truck) we stopped for lunch before stopping at the supermarket. Luckily I was able to find some flesh-colored underwear for when I'll be wearing white cotton after I take on the 8 Precepts. We stopped there to pick up drinking water for Serene's stay at the forest temple. She's been here for two weeks and she's spending ten days at the isolated temple. She's in her thirties and from Singapore. The temple was pretty amazing. It's a cave. We sat around and talked with the Abbott for a while. After that we left and Max and I went for a one hour Thai massage. I don't know how why I keep getting them...they hurt! we came back, ate dinner, then hung out. We went to evening chanting at 6:30 which was pretty cooo. Pretty uncomfortable to sit for that long (roughly an hour,) but luckily we had little cushions. The chanting is all done in Pali--the ancient language of Buddha's time. It's only a spoken language, so it's written phonetically with any alphabet that you'd like. In the evening Sam, Max, and I shared music and talked. Sam and I actually ended up staying up until midnight--yay bonding! It was mostly me talking about my life and such (what else is new) but next time I'd like to learn more about him.
This morning I once again got up at 8. I think I'm going to end up "showering" every other day..it takes forever and it's not exactly enjoyable. Breakfast at 8:30 (rice, fried eggs, some sort of greens and little bit of chicken,) then my first Dhamma lesson at 9! It lasted two hours and it was Fred teaching all four of us. We dipped our feet into a discussion about karma and rebirth and the different 31 Planes of Existence (hells, heavens, human life, animal life, crazy bodiless states..etc.) It was explained that the Dhamma is just discovered truths, not made up by Buddha or anyone else. To be honestly I'm not really buying this stuff but it's great to learn about it and think about it for myself. Fred talked about certain monks who have reached levels of enlightenment who acquire special powers and all sorts of crazy things. They can't show off/speak about it or else they'll be asked to disrobe. How convenient...We just had lunch with Ben (Australian who is a big part of The Blood Foundation) and now Sam and I are sitting outside writing. I actually didn't eat lunch. Not hungry yet! They have two big pens here, one with two monkeys and one with a bunch of bunnies. I want to snuggle the bunnies so badly!!! After I'm done writing I'm going to start reading Introducing Buddha. At some point I need to reinforce the flag patches on my backpack. RIP Cayman Islands patch :( I really hope we start meditation classes soon so I can practice. Once I take the 8 Precepts I can't read leisurely or entertain myself. I should get all of that stuff out of the way. Since the lessons started late I'll probably take them at the very end of the week or maybe even Sunday. Okay Saturday, probably. I think that'll be good. So that means I can to not eat after noon, no makeup or jewelry, no dancing, singing, or entertainment, and no comfy beds, chairs, or putting my feet up. I'll have to wear white robes, too. Man, what a crazy experience!
"What did you do this summer?"
"Oh, just lived amongst monks in a Buddhist temple in Northern Thailand"
At least once I want to give an English lesson to the school here on temple grounds. How cool!
***
I took a little nap and woke up to a huge storm. I went to evening chanting again; there's one part that has such a beautiful melody. I want to start learning the pali chants for my 8 Precepts! Apparently tomorrow is our first meditation lesson! Ben told me that on Saturday someone else will be at the temple to teach us more. I'm really excited! While I'm here I hope to cross the Burmese border. I know the country is in shambles but Ben said that it's quite safe for us--everything in terms of conflict is internal. Plus, I'd only be right over the border and for not very long. I can't blieve that tomorrow is Thursday already. I think either tomorrow or Friday we're going ot go up to the Daylight school. It's now 10:30 and I should really try to get to sleep. I need to start waking up earlier...it'll make eating lunch at 110:30 and dinner at 5 a lot easier. I actually skipped both meals today because I wasn't hungry...I did have a bag of chips and a popsicle, though..gross. I'm definitely tinking I'll be fine with just consuming liquids after noon. I'm clearly not very hungry here anyway. I still have yet to open up Introducing Buddha (however I did manage to read the first 20 pages or so of Elephants on Acid.) I'll do the entertaining things pre-precepts and the Buddhist things AKA readings/entertainment once I take them on.) I think I'll read a few page of this book before heading to sleep. I've got a bit of a cold so that sucks. Goodnight!
Yesterday I woke up at 8. Well, I got up at 8. I was woken up at 4 by the ringing of the bell and barking of the dogs. When I got up I took my first cold bucket shower. I had a dream that I had a sink in my bathroom. Waking up was pretty disappointing. I took my time getting ready and organizing my stuff, and by 9:30 Graham brought us our breakfast. I think I'm going to come home pretty thin. My size 2 pants are already falling off. Although they just might need to go in the dryer. I've been eating just mostly rice. I think I want to eat vegetarian while I'm here. It's not a Thai Buddhist thing--as long as you didn't kill the animal yourself or it wasn't killed especially for you--but it'll earn me "merit."
So anyway, Yesterday we went to a government school that had some sort of festival with food and performances. I got some awesome photos of the children and events. A few military people did a freaky snake show which yielded some great facial expressions for the photos. The Dutch family was there again. One of the performances was storytelling "The Tortoise and the Hare" in English. Adorable! After that (still riding in the back of the truck) we stopped for lunch before stopping at the supermarket. Luckily I was able to find some flesh-colored underwear for when I'll be wearing white cotton after I take on the 8 Precepts. We stopped there to pick up drinking water for Serene's stay at the forest temple. She's been here for two weeks and she's spending ten days at the isolated temple. She's in her thirties and from Singapore. The temple was pretty amazing. It's a cave. We sat around and talked with the Abbott for a while. After that we left and Max and I went for a one hour Thai massage. I don't know how why I keep getting them...they hurt! we came back, ate dinner, then hung out. We went to evening chanting at 6:30 which was pretty cooo. Pretty uncomfortable to sit for that long (roughly an hour,) but luckily we had little cushions. The chanting is all done in Pali--the ancient language of Buddha's time. It's only a spoken language, so it's written phonetically with any alphabet that you'd like. In the evening Sam, Max, and I shared music and talked. Sam and I actually ended up staying up until midnight--yay bonding! It was mostly me talking about my life and such (what else is new) but next time I'd like to learn more about him.
This morning I once again got up at 8. I think I'm going to end up "showering" every other day..it takes forever and it's not exactly enjoyable. Breakfast at 8:30 (rice, fried eggs, some sort of greens and little bit of chicken,) then my first Dhamma lesson at 9! It lasted two hours and it was Fred teaching all four of us. We dipped our feet into a discussion about karma and rebirth and the different 31 Planes of Existence (hells, heavens, human life, animal life, crazy bodiless states..etc.) It was explained that the Dhamma is just discovered truths, not made up by Buddha or anyone else. To be honestly I'm not really buying this stuff but it's great to learn about it and think about it for myself. Fred talked about certain monks who have reached levels of enlightenment who acquire special powers and all sorts of crazy things. They can't show off/speak about it or else they'll be asked to disrobe. How convenient...We just had lunch with Ben (Australian who is a big part of The Blood Foundation) and now Sam and I are sitting outside writing. I actually didn't eat lunch. Not hungry yet! They have two big pens here, one with two monkeys and one with a bunch of bunnies. I want to snuggle the bunnies so badly!!! After I'm done writing I'm going to start reading Introducing Buddha. At some point I need to reinforce the flag patches on my backpack. RIP Cayman Islands patch :( I really hope we start meditation classes soon so I can practice. Once I take the 8 Precepts I can't read leisurely or entertain myself. I should get all of that stuff out of the way. Since the lessons started late I'll probably take them at the very end of the week or maybe even Sunday. Okay Saturday, probably. I think that'll be good. So that means I can to not eat after noon, no makeup or jewelry, no dancing, singing, or entertainment, and no comfy beds, chairs, or putting my feet up. I'll have to wear white robes, too. Man, what a crazy experience!
"What did you do this summer?"
"Oh, just lived amongst monks in a Buddhist temple in Northern Thailand"
At least once I want to give an English lesson to the school here on temple grounds. How cool!
***
I took a little nap and woke up to a huge storm. I went to evening chanting again; there's one part that has such a beautiful melody. I want to start learning the pali chants for my 8 Precepts! Apparently tomorrow is our first meditation lesson! Ben told me that on Saturday someone else will be at the temple to teach us more. I'm really excited! While I'm here I hope to cross the Burmese border. I know the country is in shambles but Ben said that it's quite safe for us--everything in terms of conflict is internal. Plus, I'd only be right over the border and for not very long. I can't blieve that tomorrow is Thursday already. I think either tomorrow or Friday we're going ot go up to the Daylight school. It's now 10:30 and I should really try to get to sleep. I need to start waking up earlier...it'll make eating lunch at 110:30 and dinner at 5 a lot easier. I actually skipped both meals today because I wasn't hungry...I did have a bag of chips and a popsicle, though..gross. I'm definitely tinking I'll be fine with just consuming liquids after noon. I'm clearly not very hungry here anyway. I still have yet to open up Introducing Buddha (however I did manage to read the first 20 pages or so of Elephants on Acid.) I'll do the entertaining things pre-precepts and the Buddhist things AKA readings/entertainment once I take them on.) I think I'll read a few page of this book before heading to sleep. I've got a bit of a cold so that sucks. Goodnight!
Monday August 2, 2010
From my handwritten journal
Monk For a Month - Day 1
I arrived at the temple around 1:30 after taking a mini van from Chiang Mai to Fang. There are three others doing the program here with me: Sam, 22, from Australia, Max, 26, from Brazil, and Mike, 48, from Scotland (but now living in Bangkok.) Mike isn't staying at the temple tonight, but the three of us have been getting along great! We've been hanging out and just talking a lot. Today we went to a temple-turned-school, the grand opening! I got some pretty neat photos of the monks and children. The school was a project by The Blood Foundation. Becky, 17, from Switzerland came with us. She's volunteering and teaching English and what not, not part of the MFAM program. The four of us rode in the back of a pickup truck. Ahh! At the school was also a Dutch family of five. They were really neat to talk to. I think we'll be seeing them again tomorrow.
So I think my stay here will be really interesting. Tomorrow is Buddha Day so there will be some special things going on. We're actually headed to another school in the morning after our 8:30 breakfast. I'm really excited to start the actual lessons. I like how Buddhism encompasses philosophy. Okay, so my room. There are two very thin mattresses on a wooden plank. There's a little shelf thing and a desk with a fan. I'm thankful for my mosquito net and bug repellent coil thing. Also, the window shut completely so it'll stay dark in the morning! Oh, I have my own bathroom. Or should I say--non-flushable (well, manual) toilet, buckets, scoop, and faucet. Tomorrow morning will be my first cold bucket shower. I don't like the lack of sink...I need to get more hand sanitizer to make hand washing easier.
Right now I think the biggest issue for me is whether or not I want to take the 8 Precepts. I really want to...when will I ever again get this opportunity/experience? But dong so would mean taking out my nose ring and tunnels. I asked Graham (the guest coordinator here at the temple) if I could put them back in when I'm in my room alone...but he advised against it, although ultimately it's my choice. Honestly, I'll probably end up doing that. It's not decoration if no one is seeing it...not even me (no mirror!) Maybe I'll leave them in during the night but only poke during the day. Ugh, what a stupid conflict. Man, I hope this book has enough room for everything!
Ooh, there are doggies all around the temple. Only one has a sort of name--Chicken Killer, or "C.K." She's known to kill chickens, whoops. I like how she follows me around and is always wagging her tail. What a cutie!!
Okay it's about 11 pm now and I'm tired! I've got plenty of time later to write in here.
Monk For a Month - Day 1
I arrived at the temple around 1:30 after taking a mini van from Chiang Mai to Fang. There are three others doing the program here with me: Sam, 22, from Australia, Max, 26, from Brazil, and Mike, 48, from Scotland (but now living in Bangkok.) Mike isn't staying at the temple tonight, but the three of us have been getting along great! We've been hanging out and just talking a lot. Today we went to a temple-turned-school, the grand opening! I got some pretty neat photos of the monks and children. The school was a project by The Blood Foundation. Becky, 17, from Switzerland came with us. She's volunteering and teaching English and what not, not part of the MFAM program. The four of us rode in the back of a pickup truck. Ahh! At the school was also a Dutch family of five. They were really neat to talk to. I think we'll be seeing them again tomorrow.
So I think my stay here will be really interesting. Tomorrow is Buddha Day so there will be some special things going on. We're actually headed to another school in the morning after our 8:30 breakfast. I'm really excited to start the actual lessons. I like how Buddhism encompasses philosophy. Okay, so my room. There are two very thin mattresses on a wooden plank. There's a little shelf thing and a desk with a fan. I'm thankful for my mosquito net and bug repellent coil thing. Also, the window shut completely so it'll stay dark in the morning! Oh, I have my own bathroom. Or should I say--non-flushable (well, manual) toilet, buckets, scoop, and faucet. Tomorrow morning will be my first cold bucket shower. I don't like the lack of sink...I need to get more hand sanitizer to make hand washing easier.
Right now I think the biggest issue for me is whether or not I want to take the 8 Precepts. I really want to...when will I ever again get this opportunity/experience? But dong so would mean taking out my nose ring and tunnels. I asked Graham (the guest coordinator here at the temple) if I could put them back in when I'm in my room alone...but he advised against it, although ultimately it's my choice. Honestly, I'll probably end up doing that. It's not decoration if no one is seeing it...not even me (no mirror!) Maybe I'll leave them in during the night but only poke during the day. Ugh, what a stupid conflict. Man, I hope this book has enough room for everything!
Ooh, there are doggies all around the temple. Only one has a sort of name--Chicken Killer, or "C.K." She's known to kill chickens, whoops. I like how she follows me around and is always wagging her tail. What a cutie!!
Okay it's about 11 pm now and I'm tired! I've got plenty of time later to write in here.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Quick update!
I need to leave to catch the van to Fang really soon...plus I'm eating breakfast...so this will be quick!
I'm in Chiang Mai. There wasn't any room at Julie's but we stayed in a place next door. I hung out there anyway. Made some friends: Seb from London, Laura from somewhere else in England, Isabel from Melbourne, and ??? from Ireland (?)
We drank some beers and I taught them how to play two ball (!!) and then eventually we went out to a reggae bar. I'll post the pictures later, it was super fun. The live band played a bunch of ska and I was the only one who knew how to skank. Ahh it was so much fun!
I'm excited but kind of nervous for the temple. Here we go...
I'm in Chiang Mai. There wasn't any room at Julie's but we stayed in a place next door. I hung out there anyway. Made some friends: Seb from London, Laura from somewhere else in England, Isabel from Melbourne, and ??? from Ireland (?)
We drank some beers and I taught them how to play two ball (!!) and then eventually we went out to a reggae bar. I'll post the pictures later, it was super fun. The live band played a bunch of ska and I was the only one who knew how to skank. Ahh it was so much fun!
I'm excited but kind of nervous for the temple. Here we go...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Must..sleep..
It's 8:50 am and I've already completed a 5k. Well...I would've liked to have run more of it, but Sham was my buddy and she's not feeling so hot so we walked a bit of it. Sucks. I could've had a better time :[
Boom:
Yesterday we went to the tallest tower in Thailand, which is like chump change compared to New York. It's 84 floors, with a sweet view:
They had some neat things to take pictures with and of course was as goofy as possible:
We also went to get massages. I'm so glad this time it wasn't sketchy.. I got a Thai massage for the first time. They stretch you out and it's rather nice. I think if I was less flexible it'd be pretty horrible, though. Ummm I bought a pair of shoes for like $4, so that's pretty sweet.
Today we head up to Chiang Mai. I don't know whose bright idea it was to wait until the very last second to buy tickets...but the sleeper train is all sold out. So we're flying. Not that I'm complaining about that but it's just frustrating when things don't get done. Julie's Place [guesthouse] tonight! eee I had so much fun there last time. One night in Chiang Mai then off to the temple!!! For now it's time to shower and sleep and pack for my trip. I'm going to leave stuff I don't need with Sham here in Bangkok.
Boom:
Yesterday we went to the tallest tower in Thailand, which is like chump change compared to New York. It's 84 floors, with a sweet view:
They had some neat things to take pictures with and of course was as goofy as possible:
We also went to get massages. I'm so glad this time it wasn't sketchy.. I got a Thai massage for the first time. They stretch you out and it's rather nice. I think if I was less flexible it'd be pretty horrible, though. Ummm I bought a pair of shoes for like $4, so that's pretty sweet.
Today we head up to Chiang Mai. I don't know whose bright idea it was to wait until the very last second to buy tickets...but the sleeper train is all sold out. So we're flying. Not that I'm complaining about that but it's just frustrating when things don't get done. Julie's Place [guesthouse] tonight! eee I had so much fun there last time. One night in Chiang Mai then off to the temple!!! For now it's time to shower and sleep and pack for my trip. I'm going to leave stuff I don't need with Sham here in Bangkok.
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