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One of the great joys that your visit in
the Golden Land can bring is to experience an extended stay in a monastic
environment.
Integrating into monastic life can
involve joining a devoted community of practicing monks, nuns, supporters, and
lay people. While you may have to negotiate some gaps in language and culture,
many monasteries warmly welcome foreign yogis who come to learn more about
Burmese Buddhist practice and take it as a privilege to look after them. For
many, it is a treasured meritorious deed as through their actions they are able
to spread Buddha’s teachings beyond their own limited region. It is also a
wonderful way to make lasting relationships with Burmese monastic and lay
people, and by joining their community wholeheartedly, it can deeply transform
one’s practice and understanding of Dhamma. As one American monk notes, “My
teacher, Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadaw says that if you like this place, then you
have certain qualities, or as we call it, ‘parami’… eventually it comes down to
being one who ‘enjoys themselves.’ Those who cannot and who want an easy and
relaxed life eventually leave.”
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| Burmese monks at a local monastery |
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