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Dhammapada: The Chapter on the Monk, Chapter Two
Today is the second monastic day of the Rains Retreat at the Phuong Khe Inner Monastery. The practice of sitting meditation is maintained through the system of mindfulness monitors walking around, using the incense board to gently touch the shoulder instead of loud striking to remind of posture. Each meditation hall is encouraged to hang a large mirror so that practitioners can observe their own sitting form, and to use the sitting cushion to test stability before the mindfulness monitor checks. When entering the meditation hall, every action—from opening the door gently, placing the slippers in the right place, reciting the gatha, to walking meditation—is part of monastic civility—a blending of breath and mindfulness, with three foundational steps:
- regulating the body—adjusting the sitting posture correctly
- regulating the breath—calming and harmonizing the breath
- regulating the mind—taking care of the mind
Dharma talks and practice activities require strictness in timing and silence—the door is locked for those who are late, with an assistant mindfulness monitor at the door. This tradition expresses reverence for the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and builds faith. The joy in practice (the joy of the Dharma) is not a burden but an enjoyment that Thay has experienced when chanting. To stand firmly in the Dharma (relying on the Dharma), the practitioner needs:
- joy in the Dharma (enjoying the Dharma)
- aspiration for the Dharma (the wish to practice)
- contemplation (reflecting on the teachings)
- dwelling in the Dharma (abiding in the practice)
Living voluntary poverty, practicing moderation in eating and drinking, using just enough without craving or accumulating, is the core virtue that helps the monastic achieve independence, freedom, and true happiness right in the present moment, and contributes to building a harmonious Sangha.