|
In keeping with the topic of making assumptions of others that we have discussed during our Nonviolent Communication workshop on Sunday, here is a story is taken from a collection of 108 by Ajahn Brahm:
"My first year as a Monk in northeast Thailand coincided with the last year of the Vietnam War. Close to Ajahn Chah's monastery, near the regional city of Ubon, was an American air-force base, Ajahn Chah enjoyed telling us the following true story on how to deal with abuse. An American G.I. was traveling from the base into town on a rickshaw. On the outskirts of town, they passed a roadside bar where some friends of the rickshaw driver were already quite drunk. 'Hey! they shouted in Thai, 'Where are you taking that dirty dog to?' Then they laughed, pointing at the American soldier. For a moment, the driver was alarmed. The soldier was a very big man and in Thailand calling someone a 'dirty dog' meant an inevitable fight. However, the soldier was quietly looking around, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. Obviously, he did not understand the Thai language. The driver, deciding to have some fun at the American's expense, shouted back, 'I'm taking this filthy dog and throwing him in the Moon River to give the smelly mongrel a wash.' As the driver and his friends laughed the soldier remained unmoved. When they reached their destination and the driver put out his hand for the journey's fare, the American soldier quietly walked away. The rickshaw driver excitedly shouted after him in broken but clear English, 'Hey! Sir! You pay me dollars!' To which the big American soldier calmly turned around and said in perfect accented Thai, 'Dogs don't have pockets.'" Rev. Anwol
0 Comments
I would like to share with you some of Thich Nhat Hanh's thoughts on death and dying:
Please do not build a stupa for me. Please do not put my ashes in a vase, lock me inside, and limit who I am. I know it will be difficult for some of you. If you must build a stupa though, please make sure you put a sign on it that says, 'I am not here.' In addition, you can also put another sign that says, 'I am not out there either,' and the third sign that says, 'If I am anywhere, it is in your mindful breathing and in your peaceful steps.' No coming, no going, No after, no before. I hold you close, I release you to be free. I am in you And you are in me. Thich Nhat Hanh's 10 Rules for Life: 1) Find your Buddha mind 2) Have compassion 3) Stop seeking others approval 4) Be open to the mysteries of life 5) Be aware of your body 6) Transform your suffering 7) Keep to your convictions 8) Cultivate stability 9) Get rid of anger 10) Practice meditation Rev. Anwol Devadipa |
A blog by the Lotus Heart Zen Meditation and Study Group members
Practice SchedulesArchives
June 2022
|
RSS Feed
LocationTemple: By Appointment Only, Oneida, NY
Lotus Heart Zen Location |
Contact Us |