Ordination
On Tuesday Bhante Sumano and Tahn Tānakāro took full ordination surrounded by the sangha at Wat Thai Thavorn. Sadhu sadhu sadhu!
City Pilgrimage
After a brief burst of travel, the Upavana monastics have arrived in New York City, and are staying with the Indonesian Buddhist Family in Queens. They have made the journey to seek full ordination for Bhante Sumano and Anagarika Drew. It will happen on Tuesday, Oct 5 in the early afternoon, at Wat Thai Thavorn,
True Distinction
There is no distinction to be found in the world of having. No matter how much you have, you could always have more. No matter how many people you exceed in wealth there will always be those who are wealthier. If not now, then previously, or in the future, for wealth does not stay in
The Beauty of Sangha
When I first embarked on the spiritual journey I had all sorts of ideas about what it would be like. My first inspiration was to put on a backpack and try walking across the country from east to west. In my mind the land was full of good and wise people and teachings would be
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3 Fetters
Last night for the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto offered a reflection on the first three of the Ten Fetters, the tendencies of mind that bind us to samsara. Detailing each fetter, he gave real world examples, and provided advice on how to contemplate and overcome these fetters in our practice. The talk can be found here.
Camping Retreat
The Upavana group camping retreat wrapped up last weekend. It was a success! The weather was great and the community of friends that gathered to meditate, eat, hike, and discuss dhamma together represented some of the friends that have done the most to help make Upavana work this year. Many blessings to everyone involved! The
Fridays Evenings Cancelled
After a seven month run, Upavana’s Friday evening meditation will be stopping for now. With good weather having Tahn Pamutto and the other monastics roaming about western massachusetts with little internet access, as well as a dwindling interest in the session, it is hoped that freeing up the slot and energy will pave the way
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Desire and Goal Setting
For this Uposatha evening talk Tahn Pamutto discusses the matter of desire. Being free of desire is the well known goal of the Buddhist path, but less well known is the way the word is used and that being free of ‘Taṇha’ does not mean being without goals or motivations. Tahn Pamutto explains how seeing
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The Thing About Energy
Last night I had what would objectively be called a rough night – I was out in the forest, sleeping on the ground with just a thin tarp beneath me and just my robes for warmth. I fell asleep late and tossed and turned until the break of dawn when I packed my gear and
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Wabisabi
Even in a town of 850 people: when one considers all the possible connections of family, relatives, friends, and coworkers, the reality of death is never far away. There are times when the pace of death and loss seem to increase, but for the most part it is only our sensitivity to its presence that