Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri’s mother, Sau San Teh (next to Ayya Seri) and the participants in the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 17th of March 2013.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni went forth and ordained as a Ten Precept nun on 17th of March 1985 at Parappaduwa Nuns Island, Dodanduwa, in Sri Lanka. Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s preceptor was Venerable Piyaratana and her teacher was Ayya Khema. On Sunday, 17th of March 2013, about twenty Dhamma friends got together to practice meditation to honour the 28th ordination anniversary of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni. As mentioned in the ‘Sigalaka Sutta’ in the Digha Nikaya : ‘ There are five ways in which pupils should minister to their teacher: by rising to greet them, by waiting on them, by being attentive, by serving them, by mastering the skills they teach..

It was a beautiful, sunny day. We spent the day in Noble Silence, investigating the Dhamma, sitting in meditation and doing walking meditation. My mother, Sau San Teh and Aunty Jasmine, both visiting from Malaysia,also participated in the day. It was a special day for me and a great honour to be able to offer Dhamma reflections and conduct the meditation day on the ordination anniversary of my teacher, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, and in the presence of my teacher and my mother.We contemplated the Sutta Sedaka in the Samytta Nikaya:

There was once a pair of jugglers who performed their acrobatic feats on a bamboo pole. One day the master said to his apprentice: ‘Now get on my shoulders and climb up the bamboo pole.’ When the apprentice had done so, the master said: ‘Now protect me well and I shall protect you! By protecting and watching each other in that way, we shall be able to show our skill, make a good profit and safely get down from the bamboo pole.’ But the apprentice said: ‘Not so, master! You, O master, should protect yourself, and I too shall protect myself. Thus self-protected and self-guarded we shall safely do our feats.’
“This is the right way,” said the Blessed One and spoke further as follows:
“It is just as the apprentice said: “I shall protect myself— in that way the foundations of mindfulness ( satipatthana ) should be practised. ‘I shall protect others’ — in that way the foundations of mindfulness should be practised. Protecting oneself, one protects others; protecting others, one protects oneself.

“ And how does one, in protecting oneself, protect others? By the repeated and frequent practice of meditation.

“And how does one, in protecting others, protect oneself? By patience and forbearance, by a non-violent and harmless life, by loving kindness and compassion.”

PROTECTING ONESELF, ONE PROTECTS OTHERS.
PROTECTING OTHERS, ONE PROTECTS ONESELF.

One of the participants commented later that she had never seen shoes so neatly lined up outside the Sala, the meditation hall. Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni told us a story told by her teacher, Ayya Khema. This is the story:
A disciple of the Zen master went to see the teacher for his daily interview. The disciple started to describe his amazingly deep meditative experience to the Zen master. The Zen Master stopped him and asked him a question: ‘ Before you walked into this interview room, did you leave your shoes on the left side of the door or the right side of the door?’ The disciple answered: ‘I don’t know.’ The Zen Master sent the disciple away and asked him only to describe his great meditation experience after he paid attention to where he left his shoes.

All the participants on Sunday, 17th March, left their shoes mindfully out of kindness and compassion for the safety of all those present. This prevents people tripping over the piles of shoes in front of the doorway. They also scored a ticket to have an interview with the Zen Master! Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu!

Photo 2: Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and the participants at the Sala of the Hermitage, on 17th of March.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Grandma, and Ayya Seri’s birthday cake at dana in February 2013.

By Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

Root canal treatment, birthday cake and a death anniversary seem like three very different things. However, I had personally experienced all three recently.

At the begining of the year, I had root canal treatment on my front tooth due to infection. After two sessions of treatment, I thought I was done and the ordeal was over. However, the infection returned ten days later. I had to go back to the dentist again and I was  given more antibiotics. In addition, I was referred to an endodontist, a root canal specialist. I must admit I was disappointed with the outcome. I was disappointed with my tooth and I was disppointed with myself that I needed to go to more consultations and treatments. The mind was agitated by the disappointment. When I told my teacher, Ayya Vayama, about my agitation and disappointment, Ayya Vayama encouraged me to look at the experience as a part of ’FABRIC OF LIFE’. The words, ‘FABRIC OF LIFE’, were like a bright light shining into my unenlightened  mind!……..

An elegantly decorated and delicious chocolate cake was offered to me by our supporter at dana for my birthday. I was touched by all the good wishes that I received. My birthday was like Christmas is to a child ! I was showered with phone calls and cards from family and friends, as well as presents and ice-cream, and  of course the beautiful birthday cake! It was like I was in the heavenly realm!……..

A few days ago was the first death anniversary of our very good friend, Millie. We remembered her dana, her smile, her kindness and her devotion to and faith in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. We had been chanting and sharing merits with Millie. At that moment, the death anniversary brought up the sadness of the unexpected and sudden loss of our dear friend and the sadness of no longer having her with us………

The pain and discomfort of root canal treatment, the disappointment and agitation, then the happiness and joy of receiving good wishes, and the sadness of the loss of a very good friend were all real in my recent experience. As Ayya Vayama said, ‘They are all part of the FABRIC OF LIFE.’ In the past, I used to hold on tightly to the joy and happiness in life, and avoid the unpleasant experiences as much as I could. Now, I encourage myself to stay, to stay fully and completely with the ’FABRIC OF LIFE’.

The shrine in the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 31st December 2012.

by Bhikkhuni Seri

Happy New Year to all  our friends and supporters of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

At Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage, we welcomed the Year 2013 in  perfect hermit style! We toasted the sunset on New Year’s Eve with red apple and rasberry juice. After that we moved into the shrine to start our puja and meditation. We started the puja with ‘Homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha’ followed by asking for forgiveness from the Triple Gem. We then chanted the’Metta Sutta’ while each one of us took turn to light and to offer a floating candle to the Buddha and to make our New Year’s aspiration. We then meditated together. We finally finished the celebration  at 9.00pm with the sharing of merits and sending good wishes of happiness and peace to all beings in the New Year.

‘Better than ruling the whole world,
better than going to heaven,
better than lordship over the universe,
is an irreversible commitment to the Path.’
-Dhammapada 178-

Happy New Year to all of you!
May you have Happiness, Peace and Ease in 2013!

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni at the start of Ayya Vayama’s 60th Birthday Celebration on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Ming.

Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage put on a Birthday Celebration to honour Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s sixtieth birthday on Sunday, 28th October 2012. This was Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s actual birth date. The celebration started in the afternoon at 2pm. In spite of Ayya Vayama’s ill health and the limitation of space at a private premises, we managed to squeeze in 75 people for the celebration.

Joy and happiness at Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th Birthday Celebration on 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor

It was a hot and cloudy day with no showers forecast. However, suddenly, before the start of the celebration, there was a sprinkle of rain. It was like a heavenly blessing, to celebrate Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th Birthday.

Ayya Vayama’s 60th Bithday Celebration on 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Manora.

The Birthday Celebration was an invitation-only event at a private residence with ABSOLUTELY no alcohol. The Hermitage even invited our neighbours, two off-duty policewomen to preside over the celebration to ensure order and security! However, Subha, the wandering cat, still managed to gatecrash the celebration, even though she found herself two hours late. Subha, the cat, was jealous of Billy, the poodle, who managed to get an invitation to the celebration!

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni at her 60th Birthday Celebration on Sunday, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor

The Birthday Celebration started with the chanting of  the ‘Metta Sutta – The Buddha’s words on Lovingkindness’ to offer lovingkindness and good wishes to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni for her 60th birthday. All of us present sat in silence for a few minutes and sent our good wishes, appreciation, gratitude and lovingkindness to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni.

The official launch of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s book ‘TAKING REFUGE’ to mark her 60th birthday on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012. Photo by Prem.

The highlight of the Birthday Celebration was the launch of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s first Dhamma book, ‘TAKING REFUGE’. It was the first free distribution book published by Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated. This was a beautiful gift of Dhamma by Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni who chose and edited  three of the more than sixty Dhamma talks that she offered at Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre. The gift of Dhamma, ‘TAKING REFUGE’, was generously sponsored and supported by devoted lay supporters and Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated to mark Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni 60th birthday.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s first free distribution book, ‘Taking Refuge’, published by Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated,  on Sunday, 28th October 2012. Photo by Zor.

After the official launch of the free distribution book, ‘TAKING REFUGE’ , the special birthday cake, beautifully decorated with the Western Australia wild flower, ’Hibbertia – yellow buttercup’, was presented to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni. There were also SIXTY yellow roses offered by family and supporters to celebrate the 60th birthday. Peace and Billy led the birthday cheers before Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni blew out the candles:-

‘The complete release of my mind was like the quenching of the lamp’, by Arahat Bhikkhuni Patacara.

As the flames flickered and went out, we all sincerely wished in our heart that Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni would attain her goal, Nibbana, in this very life. 

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni and the beautifully decorated and delicious birthday cake on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Manora.

After the formal Birthday Celebration, the party broke into a relaxed, harmonious and joyous gathering of people with refreshments and birthday cakes. All those who were present came up to wish Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni ‘Happy Birthday’, and personally expressed their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude. Cousin Karina and Aunty Shirley gave Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni a big hug and kisses. They said they could do it differently because they are family!  

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni cut the birthday cake on Sunday afternoon, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

The celebration finished at around 4.00pm. The Cleaning and Tidying up Taskforce worked very hard and was superbly efficient. Much merit to all of you who gave us a helping hand. By 9.30pm, the sala, marquee and the garage were empty of bodies, voices and celebration. Everything was almost back to normal.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and Dr Ping Wang, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s Chinese Medicine Doctor at the Birthday Celebration on Sunday, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

Once again silence fell upon the Hermitage. The moon was still glowing in the darkness of the sky. All that was left were good wishes, lovingkindness and peace.

I am signing off this last post of ‘An Auspicious Weekend In October’  here and now. May all of you be well, happy, at peace and at ease.

Evam.

Upulmali Govinnage offered the Robe Material to the Bhikkhunis at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

On Sunday, 28th October 2012, we had a simple Offering  Of Robe Material Ceremony in the presence of 25 lay supporters, to mark the End of the Rains (Vassa) 2012 at Patacara Bhiikhuni Hermitage. Ayya Vayama’s cousin, Karina, and Aunty Shirley, Karina’s mother, arrived before 10.00am to meet Ayya Vayama and wish her Happy Birthday! Karina had come with her husband to visit Ayya Vayama earlier in May. Karina  returned to Perth from Sydney  especially to celebrate Ayya Vayama’s 60th birthday and brought her mother, Aunty Shirley with her. Ayya Vayama and all of us at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage were delighted to have the presence of Karina and Aunty Shirley for the Auspicious Occasion and the 60th Birthday Celebration.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Karina and Aunty Shirley inside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni and Ayya Seri’s grandma, Ah Ying, sang ‘Happy Birthday’ in Cantonese inside Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Before the official start of  Offering Of Robe Material Ceremony, Ayya Seri’s grandma, Ah Ying, sang a traditional ‘Happy Birthday’ in Cantonese to wish Ayya Vayama good health and happiness. This was then followed by birthday good wishes in Sinhala led by Ananda, wishing Ayya Vayama the attainment of Nibbana in this very life. We had to delay the special birthday wishes in English until the Birthday Celebration in the afternoon! 

Paying Homage to Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha inside the Sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

We started the Offering of Robe Material Ceremony by paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by offering of Refuges and Five Precepts by Ayya Seri. Upulmali Govinnage offered the robe material to the Bhikkhunis of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage this year. A special blessing was offered to Upulmali Govinnage and those who were present for the offering of robe material. We concluded the Offering of Robe Material Ceremony with a blessing by the Bhikkhunis for the offering of dana.

Blessing for the Offering of Robe Material to the Bhikkhunis at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora

Lighting the candles on Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s birthday cake on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

Before the dana, a delicious chocolate birthday cake was offered for Ayya Vayama’s birthday. The Bhikkhunis had the opportunity to sample the  birthday cake during the dana before noon!

The delicious chocolate birthday cake offered for Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th birthday on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012. Photo by Manora.

Dana on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Peace.

Paritta chanting and meditation on Saturday night, 27th October 2012 for Ayya Vayama Bikkhuni’s 60th Birthday, at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Havindra.

The Paritta chanting and meditation  started at 7.00pm  on Saturday, 27th October, on the eve of Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th Birthday. The beautiful lights were twinkling and glowing throughout the evening at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

Paritta chanting at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Saturday evening, 27th October 2012. Photo by Ming

We started the evening with paying homage to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and the taking of Refuges and Five Precepts. We passed the Paritta string around to everyone in the sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. All of us sitting in the sala were connected by the Paritta string of good will and lovingkindness. We chanted the Three Suttas – The Maha Mangala Sutta, The Ratana Sutta and The Metta Sutta.

Offering of blessing by Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni after Paritta chanting at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Saturday, 27th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

After the Paritta chanting, we sat quietly and meditated together. At the  end of the meditation, we chanted Bojjhanga Paritta – The Factors of Enlightenment Protection, for seven times for Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni. Traditionally, Bojjhanga Paritta is associated with good health. The following is a translation of Bojjhanga Paritta from ‘The Book of Protection’ by Venerable Piyadassi Thera:

Seven are the factors of Enlightenment well expounded by the all-seeing Sage (the Buddha), cultivated and fully developed by him.

They are: Mindfulness, Investigation of the Dhamma, Persevering Effort, Rapture, Calm, Concentration, Equanimity. They conduce to perfect understanding; to full realization and to Nibbana.

By the power of the truth of these words may you ever be well.

On one occasion the Buddha, the Protector, seeing that the Theras Moggallana and Kassapa were ill and in distress, declared the seven Factors of Enlightenment hearing which they rejoiced and recovered from the illness.

By the power of the truth of these words may you ever be well.

Once the King of the Dhamma(the Buddha) himself was afflicted by an illness. Cunda Thera with great compassion declared the Factors of Enlightenment. Instantly the Buddha recovered from that illness.

By the power of the truth of these words may you ever be well.

Thus ceased the afflictions of the three great sages, who having removed the defilements by the Path, attained accomnplishment in the nature(essence) of the Dhamma.

By the power of the truth of these words may you ever be well.

Offering of blessing by Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni after Paritta chanting at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Saturday, 27th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

We finished the evening with the sharing of merits. We especially dedicated the merits of Paritta chanting and the practice of meditation to our teacher, Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni for her 60th Birthday. May Ayya Vayama be well and at peace, may she attain Nibbana in this very life!

After the Paritta chanting, everyone was asked, before their departure from the Hermitage that night, to blow up a balloon for the birthday celebration the following day. 

The ballon blowers after the Paritta chanting at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Saturday night, 27th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

The lights were switched off after the last person departed. Silence once again fell upon the Hermitage, with the moon glowing softly in the darkness of the sky.  The sound of the Paritta chanting lingered around, filling the Hermitage with good will, peace and lovingkindness.

Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Saturday evening, 27th October 2012. Photo by Havindra.

In our journey, we often only focus on the goal, the destination, and we miss out on the joy and laughter along the way. Sometimes we tend to waste our time and throw our life away by rushing around chasing the Enlightenment moment. We have forgotten to be here and to be in this  precious moment in front of us, because this is all we have, NOW.

The Operation Taskforce in action at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage, with assistant superintendent, Billy, the poodle, on Friday, 26th October.

The ‘Auspicious Weekend In October’ started on Friday, 26th October. The first Operation Taskforce arrived after dana at around 1.30pm, ahead of the delivery of  the marquee and the Portaloo. The first Operation Taskforce consisted of the set up squad and the dust busters. The Operation Taskforce rolled up their sleeves and tackled the work; vaccuming the sala, cleaning the shrine and the Buddha statue, sweeping, dusting the chairs and rearranging the furniture. Our assistant superintendent, Billy, the poodle, wandered around to make sure we all attended to our jobs.

The setting up of marquee at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 26th October.

The marquee arrived after 2.30pm. Then, suddenly, the Hermitage was filled with poles, chairs and tarpaulins and more Opeartion Taskforce members. It seemed busy but there was laughter and kindness. We admired the skills of the people setting up the marquee with such precision and efficiency. Before long, everything was in its place, and it looked like we were having a big weekend of celebration!

The lighting engineers and the decoration specialists at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on Friday, 26th October.

The decoration specialists inside the marquee on 26th October at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

The second Operation Taskforce arrived at around 5pm to take over the work. This time, the lighting engineers and decoration specialists turned up with their gear. The decoration specialists consisted of a group of women with many creative ideas and yet we managed to work together harmoniously and cheerfully and expressed our opinions clearly. The result was a beautiful and bright decoration of streamers and balloons that filled the Hermitage with an atmosphere of celebration.  At the other side of the Hermitage, you could hear the soft murmurs of Sinhala seeping through the evening while the beautiful lights were hung.

The Superintendent, Ayya Vayama relaxed and had a cup of tea inside during the setting up on Friday, 26th October 2012, at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

The last of the setting up Operation Taskforce signed off at 9.00pm. We were all tired. But our hearts were full of joy, happiness and gratitude. We offered our effort, time and energy to celebrate the 60th birthday of our teacher, AYYA VAYAMA  BHIKKHUNI.  We relished the opportunity to show our heartfelt gratitude and respect.

Display of Ayya Vayama’s photos from age 10 to her time in Sri Lanka and her most recent photos at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage during ‘An Auspicious Weekend in October’.

(All the photos provided by Ming)

The peaceful Buddha on the ‘Auspicious Weekend In October’ in 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

All of us at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage celebrated Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni’s 60th birthday with ‘An Auspicious Weekend’ of Paritta Chanting on Saturday night, 27th October, Offering of Robe Material Ceremony and the Metta Birthday Celebrations on Sunday, 28th October 2012.

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni on her 60th birthday celebration at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Zor.

The setting up squad and Billy, the assistant superintendent on Friday, 26th October. Photo by Ming.

We appreciated the help from all our volunteers, from the members of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage Incorporated; to our team of parking inspectors, decoration specialists, lighting engineers, catering masters, photographers and the garbage manager. Without every single one of your efforts, there would be no celebrations.

The parking inspectors at work on Sunday, 28th October 2012. Photo by Zor.

Catering masters prepared the drink table on Sunday, 28th October 2012.  Photo by Ming.

We would like to offer our heartfelt thank you to all of you who participated in the ‘An auspicious weekend in October’. Your attendance made the celebrations a more complete event. We especially would like to extend our appreciation to Ayya Vayama’s cousin, Karina, and Karina’s mother and Ayya Vayama’s Aunty Shirley who flew from Sydney for the birthday celebration. Your presence delighted Ayya Vayama and all of us at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. We also would like to mention our special guest, Dr Ping Wang, Ayya Vayama’s Chinese medicine doctor who delayed her holiday to attend the birthday celebration. 

The final preparation on Sunday morning, 28th October 2012 at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Photo by Ming.

Most of all, with our gratitude and respect to AYYA VAYAMA BHIKKHUNI for being here, for giving us the opportunity to come together to celebrate your SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY. May you have well being and peace, may you attain your goal, Nibbana in this very life.

HAPPY SIXTIETH BITHDAY, AYYA VAYAMA BHIKKHUNI!

Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni, Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni, Aunty Shirley and cousin Karina at the 60th Birthday Celebration at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage on 28th October 2012. Photo by Ming.

SPIRITUAL WARRIORS

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Buddham Dhammam Sangham Namasami.

Good evening everyone. I am Bhikkhuni Seri, a resident nun from Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. My teacher is Ajahn Vayama. I entered the monastic training as anagarikaa in 2002, and ordained as a Ten Precept nun in July 2004. I received my full ordaination as a bhikkhuni in October 2009.

Tonight, I would like to explore the concept of Spiritual Warrior. When we hear the word Warrior, we think of a fighter, a brave combatant, a person experienced or distinguished in fighting in an armed force, tribe etc.

The concept of Spiritual Warrior resonates with me. To me, Spiritual Warriors are trained and distinguished fighters on the spiritual path. They are not fighting on the killing field to harm. I associate spiritual warriors with qualities such as courage, determination, harmlessness, patience, truthfulness, integrity, renunciation, energy, lovingkindness, compassion and peace. Spiritual Warriors practise for liberation and freedom.

 As a Buddhist Bhikkhuni, a nun, I consider the Buddha as an ideal role model of a distinguished spiritual warrior who attained liberation and freedom. The Buddha also taught and trained His disciples, leading them to liberation and freedom.

The Buddha was born into the Sakyan clan, the Khattiya, the warrior caste in India, more than 2500 years ago. The Buddha was not just from the warrior caste, he was a prince, who had power and good fortune. But the Buddha renounced his fortune to seek wisdom, liberation and freedom. 

The Pabbajjha Sutta- The Going Forth Sutta in the Sutta Nipata, describes the encounter between the Buddha-to-be, the ascetic Gautama, and King Bimbisara, the King of Magadha in India. King Bimbisara saw the Buddha-to-be going for his alms and was impressed by his behaviour and conduct. King Bimbisara found out where the Buddha-to-be lived and went to see him.

King Bimbisara said to the Buddha-to-be:
‘You have the good looks of a man
Of high-born warrior-noble stock,
One fit to grace a first-rate army,
To lead the troops of elephants.
I offer you a fortune: take it.
Your birth I ask you also: tell it.’

The Buddha replied:
“’There is a prosperous country, sire,
And vigorous, right up against
 The foothills of Himalaya,
Inhabited by Kosalans
Whose race is named after the Sun,
Whose lineage is Sakyan.
But I have not gone forth to seek sense pleasures.
I have gone out to strive, seeing danger in them,
And seeing safe refuge from them in renouncing.
That is my heart’s desire.’

The Buddha was clear and resolute in his quest for liberation.  King Bimbisara tempted him with great wealth and fortune and the power of being the head of his armed forces. The Buddha was Immovable. He found refuge in renunciation, and determined to practise for liberation. He was a leader on the Spiritual Warrior path.

I love the Jataka story describing the battle between the Buddha-to-be, the ascetic Gautama, before he attained nibbana, and Mara-the tempter, the obstructor.  Mara came with his large force to make a great effort and displayed much power against the Buddha-to-be, who was meditating and contemplating quietly by himself. The Buddha-to-be had no one there to protect him. The only thing he could do was to use his practise, to shield himself and as weapon of attack. 

Mara asked the Buddha-to-be to get up from his seat. The Buddha-to-be said to Mara: “I have the right to this seat. I have been practising the Ten Paramis for many life times”. For your information, the Ten Paramis are: generosity, morality, renounciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, resolution, lovingkindness and equanimity. The Buddha continued, “Even though I have no living being here with me, let this great and solid earth be my witness.” Then the Buddha-to-be, pulling his right hand from underneath the fold of his robe, stretched it out towards the earth saying, “Are you my witness?” The great earth resounded with a hundred, a thousand or a hundred thousand echoes as though to overwhelm the forces of Mara, and saying , “I was your witness.”

All of us are sitting here, inspired by the Buddha, aspiring to be Spiritual Warriors like the Buddha, aspiring to practise and train on the Spiritual Warrior path for freedom and liberation.

But, how do we train and practise as spiritual warriors? As a Buddhist, the spiritual warrior’s path is the Eightfold Path:
1.Right Understanding ( Samma-ditthi )
2. Right Thought ( Samma-sankappa )
3.Right speech ( Samma-vaca )
4.Right bodily action ( Samma-kammanta )
5. Right livelihood ( Samma-ajiva )
6.Right effort ( Samma-vayama )
7.Right mindfulness ( Samma-sati )                  
8. Right Concentration ( Samma-samadhi )

Tonight, the fact that we are here, seizing the opportunity to meditate, we are already planting the seeds, we are taking this step to be Spiritual Warriors. We are indeed following in the footsteps of the Buddha.

Practice as Spiritual Warriors does not mean a spectacular display of fireworks or thunder and cheers. The practice of Spiritual Warriors is like strands that we weave into the fabric of day-to-day living, whole heartedly and patiently with love and care. The practice is like collecting water into the bucket of liberation, drop by drop and moment by moment.

When we arrived and entered into this hall, we bowed down to the Buddha. We’ve already entered into the Spiritual Warriors’ path. Do not take this act of bowing lightly. Bowing shows and trains our humility. Bowing shows our respect and our gratitude to the Buddha, the teacher who showed us the path. We bow three times, first to the Buddha, then to the Dhamma, the teaching of the Buddha and then to the Sangha, the Community of those Enlightened by practising the path. Traditionally, when we bow, when we show our respect and gratitude, we bow whole heartedly, with our head touching the ground, both our hands and elbows are also touching the ground.

I remember hearing a story from my teacher. She told the story of a nun who could not see the point of bowing and used bowing as yoga exercise. The nun gradually saw and worked with the resistance in her own heart. Eventually, with greater understanding and connection with the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, she appreciated the beautiful  gesture of bowing.

When we come to a Buddhist centre, we are looking for something that can lead us to peace, to freedom, to liberation. We aspire to be a spiritual warrior. We need to use the opportunity, any opportunity, to be awake, to look at the resistance and openness in our heart. Bowing seems to be a small gesture. When we bow, we are fully aware and mindful where we put our hands, our head and the movement of our body. We can use a small action and gesture to practise and to learn about ourselves, our mind and our heart.

I have an experience to share with you. This will show you that I was not a born nun, that I had difficulties like some of you with bowing and sitting cross legged on the floor.

I went to my first weekend retreat in 1998/1999 in Safety Bay with Ajahn Vayama. I was not used to sitting on the floor for a long time. So I stretched my legs and, not knowingly pointed my feet to Ajahn Vayama and the shrine, to relieve my pains and aches. Ajahn Vayama said to me: “The lady in red t-shirt, please do not point your feet to the teacher and the shrine out of respect to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha!”

I was really angry with Ajahn Vayama for that comment. In my mind, I was saying, “Who is she to ask me not to point my feet! Doesn’t she know that my legs are sore!” Even though I was angry, I continued to stay on the retreat because I had taken time off work and had paid for the retreat! But, during the retreat, my mind was full of resistance.  In the retreat, Ajahn Vayama conducted a walking meditation in a circle, and all of us were asked to walk according to the beats of her wooden fish, to practise concentration with a bit of fun! Because my mind was full of resistance, and being rebellious, I purposely walked slowly when Ajahn hit the wooden fish fast. And I purposely walked faster when Ajahn’s beats were slow. This created lots of annoyance among the other retreatants. One of the retreatants who was a music teacher told me later that she thought this lady had some serious problem!  Even her year 1 students in her class can walk according to the beat! She did not realise that I was doing it purposely because I was rebellious and full of resistance towards the teacher!

I must admit at that time, I did not have the mindfulness to be aware of my resistance. I just acted out my unskilfulness! This seemingly harmless act of rebellion affected others on the retreat and caused them irritation and agitation! This particular incident must have left an impression in my mind that sparked the urge to walk the Spiritual Warrior path.

 As Spiritual Warriors we need to be aware and honest with our feelings, actions and reactions in our life. We need to be awake and alert to our situation, to be fully present with whatever is in front of us and not to run away from life. We can learn and practise with whatever situation we are in for greater understanding of ourselves, for peace and ease, for liberation.

I would like to share with you one of the powerful moments that I experienced recently. I was at Bendat Cancer Centre in Subiaco. I was standing outside the toilet waiting for someone. Then, out the corner of my eye, I saw a lady with her hand on a drip, who was weak and frail walking pass. I caught myself instinctively turning my head away. I turned my head away because I could not bear the pain and suffering that I was looking at. Most of all, I recognised this fear, fear of suffering in me. The fear that it could be me.  I was shocked by my reaction. When I was aware of my fear, I made an effort, a gigantic effort, to turn around and to look one more time. This time, I stood there watching this lady, another fellow being on the path called life, samsara. My heart melted and softened. I stood there sending good wishes and metta to her, “May you be free from suffering, may you be at peace and at ease.”

It was a powerful moment for me as I was shocked to see the fear of suffering and pain in my heart and surprised to see I turned away to avoid the pain and suffering. I was also grateful for the training and practice that I have undertaken. The training gave me the awareness, the willingness, courage and compassion to turn towards the pain and suffering. It allowed me at that moment to open my heart to the sufferings and pain of the person in front of me, and to open my heart to my own pain and suffering.

This experience reminded me of the Buddha’s three considerations or the three-fold pride as mentioned in Anguttara Nikaya- The Numerical Discourse:
 “When an untaught ordinary man, who is subject to ageing, not safe from ageing, sees another who is aged, he is shocked, humiliated and disgusted : for he forgets that he himself is no exception. But I too am subject to ageing, not safe from ageing, and so it cannot befit me to be shocked, humiliated and disgusted on seeing another who is aged.”

“When an untaught ordinary man, who is subject to sickness, not safe from sickness, sees another who is sick, he is shocked, humiliated and disgusted; for he forgets that he himself is no exception. But I too am subject to sickness, not safe from sickness, and so it cannot befit me to be shocked, humiliated and disgusted on seeing another who is sick.”

“When an untaught ordinary man, who is subject to death, not safe from death, sees another who is dead, he is shocked, humiliated and disgusted, for he forgets that he himself is no exception. But I too am subject to death, not safe from death, and so it cannot befit me to be shocked, humiliated and disgusted on seeing another who is dead.”

These were the considerations or contemplations of the Buddha. Most of us only want to see beauty, love, health, happiness and success. We want everything to be nice and sweet, everything to be alright. Because this means we are alright too.  We do not want to see, to know, old age, sickness and death. The pain and suffering is always in them but not us, not me. Old age, sickness and death are always out there, not in here. The Dhamma, the teaching of the Buddha, gives the spiritual warriors the tools, the strength to awaken to life as it is. The Dhamma and the practice also gives us the skill to be at peace and at ease and to love and be compassionate to ourselves and beings around us.

When we say we aspire to be spiritual warriors following the footsteps of the Buddha and His disciples who attained freedom and liberation, we need to commit ourselves to the training and practice of the Eightfold path. Not just one aspect of the path, but the whole package of morality (sila), meditation (samadhi) and wisdom (panna).  It is like training for the Olympics, we need to be committed and we need to put in the work. Some of you may have heard of Sally Pearson who won a gold medal in the 100m hurdles representing Australia at the London Olympics this year. Sally Pearson at the age of 13, was inspired by Cathy Freeman in 2000 Sydney Olympics. Sally Pearson saw Cathy Freeman win the gold medal in the 400m race. If Sally Pearson had just dreamt to be a gold medallist herself and did not put in the work, she would not be standing on the Podium at the London Olympics. This is the same for the practice of the spiritual warrior. 

 Practising and training as a spiritual warrior, we are training and practising for our happiness and well being here and now, in our daily life not just at the Olympics. It is a marathon, not a sprint. We are practising and training as a spiritual warrior, for our own well being and peace and eventually this leads us to freedom and liberation. We can all be the Olympic gold medallists in spiritual warriorship, because there is not just one winner and it is not a competition. We can all walk on this Spiritual Warrior path together, help each other, encourage and inspire each other along the path.

I am going to share with you some female role models of Spiritual Warriors during the time of Buddha. Being a Bhikkhuni, a nun myself, I am interested in investigating the female spiritual warriors. These female spiritual warriors were born in India, 2500 years ago, where the society was strongly class and caste orientated and had fixed ideas and expectations of the roles of female. They were expected to be daughters, wives, mothers, grandmothers, or even servants, slaves and prostitutes. These female spiritual warriors had the courage, determination and confidence to break through the social constraints and limitations to seek spiritual liberation and freedom themselves. Some of them were not only the seekers, they achieved their goals, they attained Nibbana. To me, they are very inspiring. This is not the end of the story. The Buddha, in his radical gesture of compassion and wisdom, offered the female spiritual warriors recognition equivalent to the male spiritual warriors, the full admission to the sangha, as bhikkhunis. Because of these spiritual warriors, I have the great opportunity to follow in their footsteps to be ordained as Bhikkhuni myself.

 I am going to begin with Venerable Bhikkhuni Sona. Venerable Bhikkhuni Sona, ordained late in life after bringing up ten children. After she entered the sangha, Venerable Bhikkhuni Sona practised earnestly. She was recognised by the Buddha as foremost in effort among the bhikkhunis.  She would even pass entire nights in sitting and walking meditation, taking minimal rest. So as to avoid calling attention to herself she practised walking meditation during the night, in the darkness of the lower hall. She guided her steps by grabbing hold of the pillars, thereby ensuring that she would not stumble or bump into unseen objects. In this way her energy quickly gathered momentum and she attained liberation and freedom.

I was inspired by Venerable Bhikkhuni Sona’s determination and effort to practise for Nibbana. It reminded me that practice on the Spiritual Warrior path requires persistent effort.

I am going to share with you one of my favourite poems, by Venerable Bhikkhuni Citta, who came from a well-to-do family. Venerable Bhikkhuni Citta described her enlightenment experience on top of Vulture Peak in her old age:

Though I am thin, sick,
And lean on a stick,
I have climbed up Vulture Peak.

Robe thrown down,
Bowl I turned over,
Leaned on a rock,
Then great darkness opened.

This is extracted from “The first Buddhist Women” by Susan Murcott.

I love this simple poem. Vulture Peak was the Buddha’s favourite retreat in Rajgir and the place where the Buddha gave many of his discourses. It is steep and hard to climb. You can sit here, close your eyes and see Venerable Bhikkhuni Citta climbing up the Vulture Peak full of faith and determination to practise. Venerable Bhikkhuni Citta would have been climbing up there many times.  This time, Venerable Bhikkhuni Citta’s breakthrough came with a simple and insignificant incident in her old age- leaning on a rock. “ Then great darkness opened” – she attained liberation, Nibbana.

The breakthrough, the transcendental moment on the spiritual path is often the culmination of many small and unspectacular efforts. It requires courage and awareness to be awaked. It requires commitment, patience and persistent effort and training.

I would like to share with you one of my unspectacular moments of training.

A few months ago I found a tear in my robe. I only have one robe. I needed to sew and put a patch on the robe so that I could wear it again. I am no expert in the use of the sewing machine so I decided to sew by hand. I estimated it would take me 2 to 3 hours. So I told Ajahn Vayama casually that I was going to do sewing in the afternoon and I would listen to the dhamma talks at the same time while I was sewing. I thought I would be bored sewing for 2 to 3 hours. I also did not want to waste my time by sitting there ONLY doing the sewing. I thought I was being efficient as most people were in their lives. But Ajahn Vayama turned around and said to me that as a monastic and training on the path, it would be better for me to train to do only one thing at a time. This gives a practitioner the opportunity to train to be fully present and to be whole hearted in what they are doing and what is in front of them. I tried to argue and justify my reasoning in my usual rebellious way and then walked away to do my work.

I must say, I did stop and contemplate the advice by Ajahn Vayama. I realised that I was following my usual conditioned habitual patterns to aim for the most efficient, the fastest, but not the practice, not to go against the stream. I changed my mind. I sat and sewed for three hours and paid full attention to sewing only. I used the opportunity to make a statement and to send a message to my mind and my heart of my commitment to practise for liberation and freedom. Ajahn Vayama never asked me afterwards what I did. But,I knew in my heart, I have chosen the spiritual warrior path. I have planted a strong imprint to practise for liberation and freedom.

I am going to finish the sharing of the Dhamma tonight, with a poem from “The Poems of Early Buddhist Nuns” by Venerable Bhikkhuni Sundari. To me, this is a significant poem.

Venerable Bhikkhuni Sundari’s father Sujata ordained as a monk after the death of his only son. Sundari was the only child left in the family. Her mother told Sundari that she could inherit all the wealth of the family. Even though Sundari was young, beautiful and with great inheritance and fortune, she chose renunciation and joined the sangha to seek spiritual freedom.

I am going to share with you the last part of the poem when Arahat Bhikkhuni Sundari  went to pay respect to the Buddha after she attained liberation following the teaching and instruction of the Buddha. This is a significant poem because the Buddha recognised and confirmed the achievement of a female spiritual warrior, Arahat Bhikkhuni Sundari in the poem.

I am your disciple Sundari
And I have come from Kasi to pay homage.
Buddha, teacher,
I am your daughter,
Your true child,
Born of your mouth.
My mind is free of clinging.
My task is done.

The Buddha replied:
Then welcome, welcome to you,
Great woman,
The tamed come this way
To pay homage to their teacher’s feet.
Free of desire and its chains,
Your mind is free of clinging.
Your task is done.

I share this teaching with you. May the spiritual warrior path bring us happiness and peace. May the sharing of this teaching help us all on the path of practice for liberation and freedom.

I would like especially  to dedicate the merit of sharing of the teaching tonight with a distinguished female spiritual warrior of our time, my teacher, Ajahn Vayama for her 60^th birthday next weekend, for her well being and peace , and may she  attain her goal, liberation and freedom, Nibbana in this very life!

We emerged from our Rains Retreat 2012 on 1st October. We are very grateful to our supporters who offered us  the requisites during the Rains Retreat. May we share the merits of our practice with you for the attainment of Nibbana.

The Smiling Buddha and the ‘Trailing Lotus’ together with a dove and a parrot at the Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage in September 2012

I am going to share with you the beautiful Spring at the Hermitage. I am looking and seeing Spring from the perception of the beautiful. It is not the whole truth and the complete picture of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Life in Samsara is dukkha ( suffering ), anicca ( impermenance ) and anatta ( not-self ). Soon, Summer will be here, and there will be hot and dry, a different set of perceptions. But, we still can enjoy the beautiful Spring in front of us.

Western Australia’s wild flower ‘White Mignonette’ among the ‘Trailing Lotus’ at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

Following is an inspiring poem by Arahat Bhikkhuni Patacara from the Therigatha-Poems of Early Buddhist Nuns.

Ploughing the field with their ploughs,
Sowing seeds upon the ground,
Maintaining their wives and children,
Young men acquire wealth.

Then why, when I am pure in virtue,
Practising the Master’s Teaching,
Have I not attained Nibbana -
For I am not lazy, nor puffed up?

Having washed my feet,
I reflected upon the waters,
When I saw the foot water flow
From the high ground down the slope,
My mind became concentrated
Like an excellent thoroughbred steed.

Having taken a lamp, I entered my cell,
I inspected the bed and sat down on the couch.
Then, having taken a needle,
I pulled down the wick.
The liberation of the mind
Was like the quenching of the lamp.
( Thig. 112-16 )

Bodhi tree and spring flowers outside the sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage in September 2012

If  you are reading this post right now, I invite you to close your eyes and spend a few minutes sending good wishes and metta to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni for her 60th birthday on 28th October 2012. May she be well, happy, at peace and at ease. May she attain Nibbana in this very life.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!