Samaneras, Anagarikas, Upasikas, Sangha members, Pilgrims & Helpers of the Aloka Novitiate 2009 at the Dhamekh Stupa
"Recall to mind that you are in the vicinity of the sacred site where the Buddha preached the first sermon..." Bhante Mahinda guided all at the Aloka Novitiate 2009 in Sarnath, India in this contemplation daily.
"Rejoice with the merits that have brought you to this sacred site... and have a sense of gratitude for your parents, teachers and all those who have made it possible for you to be here..."
This constant reminder and guidance enabled us to -- slowly and surely -- connect with this sacred land, one of the four that the Buddha in the Mahaparinibbana sutta exhorted all pious persons to visit and look upon with feelings of reverence after his Mahaparinibbana.
To be up close and personal to the very site where the Buddha preached the Dhammacakkapvatana Sutta and turned the wheel of Dhamma was indeed a blessed experience. Day by day in the two-week stay -- some three weeks being in the advance preparation team -- one can feel enveloped by the blissful serenity that this holy land exudes.
Without a care in the world as to how the next meal will be coming, what food will be on the table, what to wear, whether you are colour co-ordinated, etc etc etc. Meal times are fixed. 7.30 for breakfast and 11.30 for lunch. Attire is also fixed. Just the simple saffron robes for samaneras and whites for anagarikas and upasikas.
No worries. No handphones to answer. No emails to reply. No deadlines to meet. Just be focussed, experience the bliss of monastic life. Drink in the air of serenity and peace as one calms and feels the quietness of the mind.
In brief, this surmises what the 32 samaneras, 11 anagarikas, 76 upasikas went through in the Aloka Novitiate from Dec 14-29 -- the third in a series of Novitiate Programmes that Bhante Mahinda is conducting in the Buddha's holy places.
"Rejoice with the merits that have brought you to this sacred site... and have a sense of gratitude for your parents, teachers and all those who have made it possible for you to be here..."
This constant reminder and guidance enabled us to -- slowly and surely -- connect with this sacred land, one of the four that the Buddha in the Mahaparinibbana sutta exhorted all pious persons to visit and look upon with feelings of reverence after his Mahaparinibbana.
To be up close and personal to the very site where the Buddha preached the Dhammacakkapvatana Sutta and turned the wheel of Dhamma was indeed a blessed experience. Day by day in the two-week stay -- some three weeks being in the advance preparation team -- one can feel enveloped by the blissful serenity that this holy land exudes.
Without a care in the world as to how the next meal will be coming, what food will be on the table, what to wear, whether you are colour co-ordinated, etc etc etc. Meal times are fixed. 7.30 for breakfast and 11.30 for lunch. Attire is also fixed. Just the simple saffron robes for samaneras and whites for anagarikas and upasikas.
No worries. No handphones to answer. No emails to reply. No deadlines to meet. Just be focussed, experience the bliss of monastic life. Drink in the air of serenity and peace as one calms and feels the quietness of the mind.
In brief, this surmises what the 32 samaneras, 11 anagarikas, 76 upasikas went through in the Aloka Novitiate from Dec 14-29 -- the third in a series of Novitiate Programmes that Bhante Mahinda is conducting in the Buddha's holy places.
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