Beginnings

After developing an interest in Buddhism, following on from my passion for Philosophy and highlighted by two trips to Thailand in 2011, I visited a monastery in Hampshire last year.

Since my first visit, where I meekly entered the house at 'Cittaviveka' Chithurst Buddhist Monastery near Petersfield, clutching a bucket full of freshly picked watercress as 'Dana' (donated food) over a year ago, I have probably only returned about three times. 

My first visit was somewhat intimidating for a place filled with so much peace and love. The silence and I guess tradition of the way of life there is so that I felt I would interrupt it or shatter something so fragile and pure by doing something wrong. I turned up on a Sunday afternoon bearing a bucket of watercress I had picked from my parent's farm. I parked in a field sign posted 'car park' and walked into a large Victorian looking house. I heard voices down the corridors and followed them into a large kitchen with a long wooden table and wooden tops. I met a 'lay person' in normal clothes, not much older than me and he gratefully accepted my watercress before returning the bucket to me. I then explored the grounds which are truly something out of a fairytale. 

My best friend whom I met at the age of 7, visited the monastery for an extended stay of 3 nights after I had told her about it. When she was there I visited in the evenings and practised meditation and went for walks in the surrounding countryside. This was last year.

I did not return until recently, when said friend went for another extended stay at the monastery and I visited her again. Having now moved I am only 15 minutes from the monastery, I have even cycled past it a couple of times. So no more excuses. I leave the evening Pujas (meditation sessions) feeling rejuvenated and with a deep sense of peace in my heart. 

 

When I attended Puja last Tuesday with my friend, it was being led by the head Nun at the monastery - Ajahn Metta. 'Metta' is the ancient Pali word for 'loving-kindness'. Apparently all monks and nuns are given their Buddhist names by their teachers, and Ajahn Metta's name suits her down to a tee. She is quite small, probably something that is exaggerated by her long brown robes, with glasses and the customary shaven head. Her smile is infectious. She has a soft Austrian accent and is prone to the occassional chuckle. We did the 'metta' meditation practise and had a discussion afterwards. I found this particular session very insightful. As we were leaving, she gave me a copy of the book, 'Parami' by Ajahn Succitto - Head Abbott at Cittaviveka, and I have started reading....

Parami - commonly translated as 'perfection'.

In the book Ajahn Succitto lists the 10 Parami:

Dana - Generosity

Sila - Morality

Nekkhama - Renunciation

Panna - Wisdon

Viriya - Energy

Khanti - Patience

Sacca -Truthfulness

 Aditthana - Determination/Resolve

Metta - Kindness

Upekkha - Equanimity

Practising the Parami is something that we should be doing, all the time, in our everyday lives. To do so will help  us to alleviate stress and suffering in ourselves and in others. 

The development of the Parami comes in 3 stages; 

Initiating -  being aware of the Parami and contemplating them. 

Gathering - using them in the face of resistance from other thoughts and emotions like anger frustration, or craving, using them to overcome these thoughts and steady the mind.

Completion - Thoughts and feelings are established on the good and the whole. Not that you are perfect, but that a perfect balance has been struck. A change of life. 

I would say that I am currently in the 'initiating' stage and I am beginning to remember to consciously gather the Parami and use them at times of resistance. When I feel myself getting wound up for example, I can check my emotions and end the internal suffering of the mind.

In this blog, I guess I am going to make a note of what I learn on my journey with Buddhism. How I can use it in everyday life, the struggles and the successes. 

*Photos here are taken from the Cittaviveka website: http://www.cittaviveka.org/