Another Buddha's Birthday

I attended another Buddha's Birthday celebration at a Vietnamese temple just a few minutes drive from home.  I fell asleep last night early, then woke up in the middle of the night for several hours, then overslept this morning, getting up around 10:30am.  I called a Theravada monk friend, Ven. Mangala, who is staying at the Vietnamese temple to find out what time I should get there.  He said they were starting "now" so I quickly got dressed and dashed out the door.  Luckily, when I arrived, the monastics (and there were quite a few) were still enjoying a food offering, so I sat down for a bite to eat after greeting Ven. Mangala and some other monks.

There were several Western ordained there in several traditions, including the Theravada and Vietnamese traditions.  I met one American, Bhante Suhita Dharma whose name suggests a Theravada ordination, but whose robes were Vietnamese.  In fact, he lives at the temple where the celebration was held.  Buddhism in America can be quite confusing.

Anyway, after eating a brief meal, we went outside to the spacious patio area, covered with awnings to protect us all from the sun.  There was a nice breeze blowing and a large crowd of parishoners, as well as several T.V. cameras.  After some introductory remarks, the national anthems of the U.S. and the Republic of Vietnam, the abbot passed on a message from the head of the Vietnamese sangha who is under house arrest in Vietnam.  We then observed a moment of silence for everyone under tyranny and religious oppression.

After some more speeches, all the monks and nuns went up on stage for the sutra chanting.  It was performed in Vietnamese and then the Theravada monks did it in Pali.  I was the only monk there from a Tibetan tradition, but I didn't chant.  We all stood on the stage facing the altar and then went down in front of the stage to bathe the baby Buddha.  After that we were done.

I quickly exchanged addresses with some of the Venerables I met that day, and then I headed back here.  Despite my two nights of sleep last night, I was feeling a little woozy, so I skipped lunch and headed back home for a rest.

Bhante Suhita Dharma told me that the temple is building a new monastery in the mountains and eventually some of the monks will move there.  I hope to have the chance to visit the monastery and get to know the monks more later.

One thing happened while I was there worth noting.  As I headed to the bathroom, I crossed paths with an older nun who immediately stepped out of the way and bowed quite low.  I run into that a lot with nuns since I've come here to the L.A. area.  They often insist I go through a door first and things like that. Now, my momma taught me to hold a door for a lady, so it always feels a little wierd to me, not to mention the fact that I don't feel I deserve any more respect than a nun.  However, I find it's good practice.  I watch my mind and remind myself that I really don't deserve to be put above a nun, simply because of my gender or sex.  Some of the nuns I know on campus and I have talked about it.  I keep telling them they don't have to put me first like that, but they say in Korea (for exampls), monks always go first.  I guess I'll have to get used to it.

Comments

[Damchoe Wongmo]

I've heard other Western monks mention their discomfort in this area. When they are newly ordained they don't want to sit infront of the older nuns. But it is very much in tune with the bhikshuni vows to put monks first. It doesn't bother me to respect monks, it is just a chance to generate merit.

[Rinchen Gyatso]

Ven. Wongmo,

For the monks then the danger is developing pride or the sense that monks and men in general are in fact more deserving of respect. By being mindful of that, I hope I'm generating merit, too.

Thanks for your comment!