Email Reflections: 10 Simple Courtesies

The Tiger Temple is located near the most famous tourist spot the - Bridge Over the River Kwai. The temple is formally known as Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno in Thai language. From 1999 the monks are engaged in taming tigers and all this started when an abandoned tiger cub was found in the nearby forests by villagers who gave the cub to the monks to take care of it. As the news spread, many people started bringing orphaned cubs to the temple. Most cubs had lost their mother to poachers and were too young to fend for themselves. Presently there 18 cubs in the temple.

MZC: I saw in your schedule that you have talks and question and answer times. What are talks that you have been giving, and what are some of the questions being asked? Do you feel the retreatants have the chance to get past the academic and ask the questions they really want to ask?

Thailand mostly comprises of people who speak Tai language. Tai speaking people are spread over Central Thai, the Northeastern Thai, the Northern Thai, and the Southern Thai. Central Thai is the area where one finds most Tai speaking people.



Over the years, different statues of Gautama Buddha have been built in the various Buddhism-practicing countries. Have you ever wondered how big is the biggest Buddha statue?

When a thought arises, label it "Thinking." When a sensation arises, label it "Feeling." When a sound arises, label it "Hearing." Notice how the act of labeling something decreases its power to distract you. Do this and gently, relentlessly bring your awareness back to your breath. There is nowhere to go, nothing to do. Just sit, watching your breath. The key to greater inner freedom is your unwavering commitment to return to awareness, again and again.

Throughout the years, Buddhism has taken on many different forms, as seen with the establishment and growth of various schools. Each school possesses their own take on rituals and traditions. The earliest form of Buddhism, which is also practiced in Thailand, is called theravada. Branching off from this school, Mahayana Buddhism was formed, which deals with Zen Buddhism, as well as Pure Land Buddhism. Another major school is called Vajrayana, as seen through Tibetan Buddhism. Today, all three schools are found throughout the world.

Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddharta Gautama, known as the Buddha. His basic teachings are The Four Noble Truths and The Noble Eightfold Path.

This first stage, anapanasati, can be outlined and succinctly instructed, as this is the part of the practice that one can actually do, practically and willfully. The second component, insight, arises out of the firm foundation of anapanasiti like an act of grace. Insight into the true, unwavering nature of reality happens spontaneously over time when the mind settles into deeper states of acceptance and concentration.