Two monks from Shasta Abbey went to the Sakyadhita International Conference on Buddhist Women in Bangkok, Thailand in June. What stories they had to tell on their return. Their particular contribution to the conference was around the singing/chanting of scriptures in English. They did a brilliant job. Here you can see them singing the Scripture of Great Wisdom at the begging of the Conference. You see them about three minutes into the video.
And even better! Here are the two monks singing the Dedication of Merit at the close of the conference.
This is one of my favorite invocations. Sing along why not. Found on the Shasta Abbey website. Well done Rev. H – you have missed nothing out!
Another full day which included a two hour nap starting around 11.00 am! The mind and body can only take so much of this intense planning and organizing. This morning we mailed a parcel of clothes to the Funeral Home for Iain to be dressed in. Details, details, so many details to be taken care of.
I know very many of Iain’s friends and and on-line acquaintances are offering their best wishes and thoughts to his wife and family, and me. I mentioned to Iain when we last spoke on the telephone that spiritual merit was being sent and he said he knew that. Yes, he did know that. Deeply.
What on earth am I going to do without him watching over my posts and sending me emails when I made spelling blunders. Or worse, my language use slipped beyond his tolerance level. He loved language, among other things.
Hi to all of you who have left comments. This evening I went back through my posts to those made in early June and answered comments. That’s my writing done for tonight. It has been a busy day, and a good one with summer in full leaf and flower.
In my mirror,
birth and age
sickness and death
reflect.
Sour and sweet
bitter and hot,
true sweet dew.
Into the four forms,
my body disintegrates,
earth and fire
water and wind;
emptiness.
But like Buddha’s kindness
I am everywhere.
From Bones of the Master, by Tsung Tsai
Many thanks to Mischa for sending in this quote/poem. After long days of making arrangements for ceremonies it is good to get this uplifting piece. I sense that Iain has been everywhere, or almost. Messages are coming in with news of his kind acts. Simple acts of kindness.
This is part of what I wrote on the plane as I flew back from the States a couple of days ago. So sorry to be cutting my visiting tour short.
Reykjavik, try saying that when you’re tired! There on the map. On the screen. On the seat back. In front of me. Through the window to the right, the full moon. Full of mystery and promises. To the left the sun rises. A new day, a day that never ended, or that’s how it seems right now. I’ve had quite some hours to absorb the reality, the passing on of a dear friend and fellow traveler. His light burns still and yet Iain of Little House In The Paddy no long lives. A heart attack. Heck! That must be true or I wouldn’t be up here returning to England!
This is all rather a shock to me and to all of us who knew Iain. If you never met him I’d suggest you take a look through his blog, he is there. Bless him.
Posts may be few and far between while we do – what we do – when a Buddhist dies. What you do – when anybody dies – that’s give them a good send off. And in so doing wing their way with a loving heart.
Practice Within The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives
