The Silent Paradise

I found this “Silent Paradise” the Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery, standing among the hills of the Darling Range, near the rural village like town of Serpentine, Western Australia. This is a silent paradise where once visited will be visiting again.

As soon as you enter the gates of the monastery, all the hogwash in your mind will turn into a silent peacefulness that one cannot be described by words.
Venerable Ajhan Brahmawamso is the abbot of the Bodhinyana monastry and the spiritual director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia. Ajhan Brahm’s kindness and selfless dedication in serving others inspired me. I am very grateful to him for helping me and my husband overcome various stressful situations showing us the correct way to think openly. I started listening to his Friday night talks. Each talk gave me inspiration and at least one small tip to overcome difficult situations.

The monastery has separate monk’s huts which do not have any modern facility at all and yet, very happy monks who are satisfied with the frugal living.

This silent paradise has six huts for lay people who want to experience the peacefulness of the monastery. I was fortunate enough to get a chance of staying in one of these huts. Separated from the outside world, I was able to feel the peace and tranquillity of the environment surrounded by trees and wildlife. Kangaroos and Kookaburras were my constant visitors.

It was wonderful to realise that one meal eaten mindfully will not make you feel hungry for a long time. It was enough for a whole day. I sat on the bench outside my hut sipping my tea and feeling the untainted atmosphere. It was training for me to be in the present moment feeling the surrounding atmosphere. Everything is forgotten and you are by yourself feeling the present moment. Everything is impermanent, so was my happiness. My stay ended and I was back in the real world.

Ajhan Brahm is building a new retreat centre for people to come and stay on retreats. I saw Ajhan Brahmali coming from the building site covered with cement. He is overseeing the building site. I felt the selfless dedication of him and all the other monks in the monastery. The retreat centre is almost finished and will be opened on the 10th of April.

We are looking forward Ajhan Brahm, to come on retreats as much as possible after the opening of the retreat centre.

©2009 Mahesha Iddagoda

Wrong address

I thought to give you a different post today for a break. My uncle sent me this funny story Just have fun reading it.  

   

A man checked into a hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife.
However, he accidentally typed a wrong e-mail address, and without realizing his error, he sent the email.   

 

                                                           
                                                                         
Meanwhile… .Somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned from her husband’s funeral.                                                  
The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting condolence messages from relatives and friends.                                              
After reading the first message, she fainted.

                         
The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:                    
                                                                   
To: My Loving Wife                                                      
                                                                     
Subject: I’ve Reached                                                    
                                                                     
Date: 20 July                                                        
                                                                     
I know you’re surprised to hear from me. They have computers here, and we are allowed to send e-mails to loved ones.                                                                            
I’ve just reached and have been checked in. I see that everything  has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow.