I always like retreats held at Kong Meng San. The meditation halls provide enough space and are conducive for meditation. KMS is a Mahayana temple, good thing is they make the meditation halls look like a “free thinker’s” place. There are no statues in the halls.
I was glad to have this fortune again to attend yet another retreat with a good monk, Ajahn Vajiro. Even though I have no questions, attending retreats regularly help me understand the practice of a monastic. I still need to listen! A calm composure, soft spoken, a smiley face and a well explained Dhamma are qualities I would like to emulate.
“Anger, a Buddhist must not have anger.” He said that. He tried to explain he too has anger. It is always good that monastics acknowledge their shortcomings just as we have them too. I remember a Sri Lanka monk said that an Arhat has anger, it’s their habit, therefore, it’s ok. Well, to me, an Arhat should not have anger because as Buddha had explained, there is a way to end all fetters and meditation is the way! Perhaps the monks have overestimated themselves. I am confident to say that there should be no fetters remaining in an Arhat!
On the first day, no matter how I had disliked walking meditation at that particular timing, I pushed my dislike away. This pushed and trained me to listen and follow instructions. Humbly and happily, with all participants, I made the right effort and remained mindfully walking.
Inspired by the Buddha, I too, like to meditate immediately after meal. I don’t usually get sleepy during meditation after meal. Q & A was interesting. However, I prefer questions that have to do with understanding the Dhamma, the Buddha’s teachings. Other questions were equally important to the person who asked.
I was down with slight flu when I got home and didn’t attend the morning session on the next day. I sat in in the afternoon, listening attentively to his teachings. Two days is good!
I hope there are more such retreats held at KMS. Thanks Ajahn Vajiro for his teachings, KMS for the venue and Buddha Dhamma Foundation for organising this retreats.
May all be safe and happy!
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