Lmst

I spent the last three months in Australia, visiting a number of monasteries and temples. I also spent a week on tudong north of Sydney. People were kind and generous everywhere. Thank you!

Bhante Jāgaro enjoying the sunset over the bay just outside of Sydney.

Today, I left Seattle after visited Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho and the Clear Mountain community (https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org).

Three monks handling a Q&A in a people-filled gymnasium.

Bhante Jāgaro receiving gifts from Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho.

Early morning in Seattle, overlooking Elliot Bay.

Yesterday, I arrived in Portland after a week long train ride journey starting in Boston. Midway, I was invited by a group of lay people for a Q&A in Michigan.

A monk putting down his pack to prepare for receiving alms in Michigan.

A small island in the Columbia River during a foggy morning train ride.

The Oregon-Washington bridge on a train entering Portland.

Today I am leaving the US northeast and am heading westbound via train. I plan to arrive at the west coast by next week.

A monk walking on alms in the rain on Main St.

Twin train tracks surrounded by forest and a lake.

Today I left Temple Forest Monastery in New Hampshire. The monastery and the community has grown and matured over the last decade.

A rock engraved with “The Gate to the Deathless is Open.”

The last week I have been traveling through the northeast…from New Jersey, to NYC, to Rhode Island, to Boston, to Lowell and surrounding areas. Traveling sometimes by walking, sometimes by train. Receiving food sometimes on piṇḍapāta, sometimes by invitation.

Eating a meal by the Merrimack River in Lowell.

Doing piṇḍapāta in New Jersey on a relatively “warm” winter day.

Traveling with my backpack and bowl on a colder, winter day.

Today I left Empty Cloud, heading towards NYC. I appreciated the opportunity to go on alms rounds, often with spells of cold and rainy weather.

The outside of the monastery on a cloudy day, originally taken in 2023.

On alms, trying to stay dry (unsuccessfully).

I left Ajaan Dick’s monastery in Virginia today after a short stay. I first visited the monastery 11 years ago as a lay man.

9 monks from Forest Dhamma Monastery on alms round on a cold November morning.

The sala of Forest Dhamma Monastery at dawn with the moon overhead.

Today, I left Bhante Rahula’s temple in Maryland.

A framed drawing (in front of a wood carving with bells) of Bhante Rahula meditating in India while a tiger watches, thinking: “meal or message?”

Mitta, the temple cat, walking in the back-area paths.

The last couple of weeks I visited Bhavana Society in West Virginia. It was wonderful meeting Bhante Gunaratana and his community and getting the opportunity to listen to his teachings first-hand.

Leaves turning bright red in the fall weather.

The Buddha image in the meditation hall.

The “Rahula” cabin in the forest, named after Bhante Rahula, who was one of the early residents and teachers at the monastery.

I left Bozeman, Montana yesterday with gratitude and appreciation.

Walking nearby the “M” on the hills outside Bozeman.

I'm entering the 3-month vassa period near Lake Tahoe, California.

This period is one where Buddhist monastics commit to staying in one place. Often, monastics use this time to intensify one's meditation practice, or to study the rules of being a monk.

#buddhism #vassa #monk #monastic

A purplish, stone Buddha resting in bed of leafy plants.

Back in May, John Dalbey helped guide Ryan and I from San Luis Obispo into Santa Margarita. During that time, he interviewed me and recently published the transcript on the White Heron Sangha website.

https://www.whiteheronsangha.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=222925&item_id=89073

#Buddhism #tudong