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Monastics
Waking up early is difficult, but it brings much joy because the fresh air, the moon and stars, and the fragrance of the earth and sky make the soul light and free. In Upper Hamlet, in the morning, walking to the meditation hall, there is the sound of rustling trees and grass, the cool, pure water, and the leisurely footsteps on the path to the meditation hall are a precious medicine, even more so than resting under a warm blanket. Entering the meditation hall, sitting with a straight back, practicing mindful breathing and concentration, each moment, each breath can become an opportunity for healing, bringing peace and transformation to body and mind.
When a member of the Sangha is ill, there must be a place for rest that is warm enough, with a fireplace, a separate kitchen to cook porridge and rice, and space for sitting and walking meditation; Phap Mai Temple (in France) or a residence at Blue Cliff can both provide this if there is the intention. This includes:
- taking care of nutrition (brown rice, vitamins E, B, D, protein)
- creating a compassionate environment, not enforcing strict routines
- maintaining communication and shared responsibility so that no one has to leave the Sangha because of illness.
The Sangha is a single body, each person is like a cell that needs to receive wholesome energy and remove internal toxins (sadness, anger, jealousy). To maintain harmony, we need to:
- practice mindfulness, concentration, and insight in communication
- openly share when there are “knots” or suffering
- humbly recognize each other’s strengths, like the five fingers on a hand
- maintain brotherhood and sisterhood through sincere ways of addressing each other, not allowing titles to create distance.