I wasn't originally going to celebrate Magha Puja — the day tradition holds that 1,250 arahants spontaneously gathered at Veruvana Temple, Rajgarh city — this year. I'm not very big on 'holidays,' but I was definitely in for a pleasant surprise this time around.
I originally went to Wat Buddhanusorn on Sunday [February 12] just to visit my teacher, Ajahn Prasert, but I ended up celebrating Magha Puja there as well. It was a nice day; the sun was out, there were a lot of nice people there, and they even had traditional Thai music and dancing along with the ceremony. I was also happy to see my friend, Phra Mike, who'd recently been in Thailand, as well as few others who I had the pleasure of spending the year-end retreat with. And as if that wasn't nice enough, I was invited to go to Abhayagiri the next day with Ayya Tathaaloka.
So, yesterday [February 13], we drove to Abhayagiri and celebrated Magha Puja there too. It was the first time I'd seen Ajahn Amaro in person. For me, it was like seeing a celebrity, and it was such a joy to hear one of his talks in person. My meditation was also unbelievably focused; I came as close as I've ever come to one-pointedness of mind. I think one of the reasons for this was my extraordinary level of inspiration. Not only did I get the meet one of my favourite Dhamma teachers, but I also had the good fortune to meditate in the presence of relics from Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Sao.
Instead of my normal anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) meditation, I began by mentally repeat 'buddho' over and over again. Since I knew that this was one of Ajahn Mun's methods of meditation, I felt it appropriate to give it a try. I'll admit that I've never had much success with this particular method because my mind often wanders away from the meditation object quite easily; however, last night I was able to keep my awareness right there. Nothing could distract me. If any thoughts or feelings arose, I'd simply dismiss them with my ever-watchful mindfulness, which is usually never-watchful.
This continued until almost everything else faded away. There was only the awareness of 'buddho' and the sensation of whatever it was that was consciously repeating it. If I'd been allowed to continue this undisturbed, I'm positive that I would've achieved complete one-pointedness of mind. But, as my luck often has it, a person nearby had to sneeze. It was pretty loud since the room was quite small, and I was aware of my surrounding just enough to become startled by it. Even so, I still felt very happy because I now knew that such concentration was possible.
I felt so at home there, and I'm glad that I got the chance to go. The whole night felt very auspicious to me. I wish that Abhayagiri wasn't so far away, because regular visits aren't in any way convenient. I'll tell you the truth, I've never really cared too much about 'relics' or the superficial practices of Buddhism such as pujas, but I now understand how powerful they can be—if just for the added inspiration and psychological enhancement of the experience alone.
It was a truly amazing and spiritually inspiring experience. You simply can't help but want to practice when you're around such dedicated members of the Sangha. Once again, my appreciation for the Buddha's monastic community has blossomed, and I'm deeply appreciative of the important place it holds.
These are the verses (gatha) that the Buddha is said to have spoken to the 1,250 arahants who gathered on this occasion:
Ovaada-paa.timokkha Gaathaa
Khantii parama.m tapo tiitikkhaa
Nibbaana.m parama.m vadanti buddhaa,
Na hi pabbajito paruupaghaatii
Sama.no hoti para.m vihe.thayanto
Patient forbearance is the foremost austerity.
Liberation is foremost: that's what the Buddhas say.
He is no monk who injures another;
nor a contemplative, he who mistreats another.
Sabba-paapassa akara.na.m,
Kusalassuupasampadaa,
Sacitta-pariyodapana.m:
Eta.m buddhaana-saasana.m.
The non-doing of any evil,
The performance of what's skillful,
The cleansing of one's own mind:
This is the Buddhas' teaching.
Anuupavaado anuupaghaato
Paa.timokkhe ca sa.mvaro
Mattaññutaa ca bhattasmi.m
Pantañca sayan'aasana.m.
Adhicitte ca aayogo:
Eta.m buddhaana-saasananti.
Not disparaging, not injuring,
Restraint in line with the monastic code,
Moderation in food,
Dwelling in seclusion,
Commitment to the heightened mind:
This is the Buddhas' teaching.
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