a moment with Thay

Went to a chaotic Walt Disney colored temple this afternoon with Monkey characters and Avoliketera above a giant dragon. Then because we finished early Thay opted to go into the centre of Dalat to stop somewhere that is special in his memories. We stopped next to a giant lake and sat on the grass. It happened to be opposite another pagoda (don't know if this was by design or not). Thay sat and watched the water and we did the same. The abbott from the pagoda came out and waited behind us. When Thay finished he stood up and made his way to the abbott. The abbott touched the earth to Thay twice before Thay stopped him and said something in Vietnamese.
Then we were invited into the pagoda- with onlookers whom were wondering what a monastic delegation were doing in the middle of the road. I do not know whether Thay was thinking of happy memories or sad memories but it was very moving nontheless and Dalat lakes are beautiful when the sun sets. The silence was very restorative.

dharma in Dalat

Today went to Chua Linh Son where Thay went after rebelling against his root temple in order to practise engaged Buddhism- which interacts with the community. He talked about taking care of your loved ones and the three reconciliation ceremonies that are taking place in Vietnam to grieve for all those whom have suffered during the war on both sides. This and the dharma discussion we had amongst ourselves made me realise that I have been indirectly affected by the war, by the violence and mental illness in my family which is partly caused by the war and civil unrest when my mother's generation was growing up. Although I have grieved for this for myself and dealt with it through therapy on an individual basis I think engaging in a collective ceremony would be an incredible experience. The dharma talk also made me want to contact Alister even more- which unfortunately I cannot for another two weeks when I return to Australia.

thay in Saigon

Have spent the first week on tour with Thay. It is like being with a rock star, photographers are everywhere and he is greeted by crowds wherever he goes. We visited Phap Van temple where sixteen monks and nuns whom were killed when part of the SYSS- the social workers movement that Thay started that took no sides in the war- and the remains of a nun whom immolated in front of the Virgin Mary and Avoliketera in the hope that the two religions would reconcile- this was during Diem's time. Thay has given two dharma talks so far- on basic breathing, the practice and looking after your loved ones. I have taken away the idea that when you meditate you do so for your mother, father, grandparents and others not just for yourself. We can follow the footsteps of the Buddha so the Buddha is alive in this world. I also wish to be truly present for those I love too. There are fifty Western lay friends on this tour ranging in age and they are very nice and present people. We are currently in Dalat where we are visiting four more temples and then going on a five day retreat with Thay in Bao Loc at Bat Nha monastery.

gestating

Reading Thay's book on anger- and about how doing other things mindfully creates writing. I totally agree- call it artistic dates a la Julia Cameron or a necessary gestation period- that's my idea- it is fertiliser for works of art.
I'm realising that I have a lot of anger and fear, and it will take me a while to overcome. I feel that buddhist practice like my writing is a life time practice and I'm happy with that.