Connect with the Triple Gem. Connect with spiritual friends
Communicate with one another to stay informed
Commune for the communal support and be self sustaining
Bhante Mahinda advocates keeping in mind these 3Cs – not the Cs of cash, credit card, condo – to be able to realise, accept and surmount the Big C of Change that always confronts us.
Speaking to past and iintending participants of the Aloka Novitiate at Aloka House on Saturday, (24 July 2010) Bhante reminded everyone that “as we live in this time of change, it is important to learn how to cope and accept things as they change”.
He quoted the Buddha (in Dhammapada Verse 277):
Sabbe sankhara anicca'ti
Yada pannaya passati
Atha nibbindati dukkhe
Esa maggo vissuddhiya
Sabbe sankhara anicca'ti; All component things are subject to change
Yada pannaya passati: When one sees with wisdom. Sees what? Sees that all component things are subject to change
Atha nibbindati dukkhe: One becomes detached from suffering
Esa maggo vissuddhiya: This is the path of purification
Bhante said many can say that they understand the word “change” but really, they do not realise the phenomena of change.
“If one realises the phenomena of change, one would have realised the Truth. One would experience the bliss and a certain marked transformation would have taken place. The more one experiences and realises change, the more things will change in one. One’s perception will change and the way of life will change. When one experiences change, one will accept things as they come without reacting (negatively).”
Bhante said the Aloka Novitiate in the holy sacred sites in India created opportunities for participants to connect with the Buddha. Through that, one would then see the Dhamma clearer and be closer to Sangha.
Through the Novitiate experience, the participants knew how to live in peace and harmony in one place. Albeit, living in refugee style but still peacefully. Peaceful atmosphere and great harmony, added Bhante, is the kind of environment that is conducive to support spiritual growth.
“That is why the Buddha instituted the Sangha community; to facilitate the development and purification of the mind.”
Bhante called upon the Aloka Novitiate participants to stay connected with the Triple Gem and create their own Sangha – their own spiritual community.
He advised that the affinity of coming together in the Aloka Novitiate be nurtured by maintaining communication to be informed. And build this up to commune with compassionate love.
In the context of commune and communal support, Bhante said the sensible thing to do in such times of change is to invest in something that will sustain life.
Action Plan
The following are the decisions made in the mini workshop that deliberated on Bhante’s advice of connect, communicate and commune:
- Maintain Aloka Connect, groups of five or more that will stay connected and do things together like having fellowships as well as attending Dhamma discussions and Metta Bhavana sessions in Aloka House
- Stay connected via Friends of Aloka Facebook
- Communicate to inform of prayer support needed in times of sickness or bereavement involving loved ones
- Connect each Friday at 8.30 pm to radiate metta and make aspirations for a safe journey in the forthcoming Aloka Novitiate in Kushinara
- Set up eco-farm to commune, pick up skills on organic farming, produce organic vegetables, be self-sustaining and have refuge place in times of crisis
Footnote: Bhante emphasised that he called for the gathering of past participants as well as intending participants of Aloka Novitiate as it was easier to group people with one such commonality to start with to provide guidance so as to be able to steer the course of spiritual life. It should not be construed as to exclude others.
