-- At Santi Forest Retreat

Hear it from William, a polytechnic student and his friends, who spent their 3 weeks holidays in a secluded forest monastery deep in the palm plantation of Malaysia to practice the precious Dhamma.

By William Koh, (SPBS)

My friends and I got to be ordained on the third

day of the retreat. During the short-term monkhood, we would go out of the monastery to the market and houses of devotees for alms-round. The devotees would sometimes go down on their knees to offer us food. It is indeed very touching as they do not owe us anything and it also gives me the motivation to strengthen my practice. The devotees believe by offering food to the Sangha, they will gain benefit as the offering provides the Sangha with enough energy to practise the Dhamma and support their holy lives. I am not sure if I am really worthy of their offering and respect.

It's man's own mind,

Not his enemy or foe,

That lures him to evil ways -- Buddha Gotama

During these ten days of retreat, I felt that my mind was messy and weak. I would go back to my old habits many times as I was unable to fight against my defilements. One early morning, I failed to reach the main shrine for chanting at about 4 am due to my laziness. Actually, I woke up at 3 plus, but I allowed myself to continue sleeping. In fact, I woke up a few times but I still failed to wake up at 4. As a result, I missed the chanting and got there just in time for group meditation. From there, I know that it is very important to discipline the mind in order to free myself from my defilements. Having the right mindfulness allows me to detect the state of mind I am in (whether it is negative, positive or neutral), and gives me the determination to stop my negative actions which are caused by my negative thoughts. Right mindfulness helps to get things done smoothly as I am aware of what is happening and what I am doing. As the saying goes "No work, no pay" I believed that it is necessary to practise meditation and cultivate mindfulness in every moment as long as one is able to, in order to build up a strong right mindfulness.

The true dhamma was to be found

Not in old customs or texts,

But in the well-trained

Heart and mind -- Acariya Mun Bhuridatta Maha Thero

By Parami Tan (NYPBS)

It was my very first visit to Santi Monastery. For me, I didn't take up short term ordination, so it was more like a forest meditation retreat. This trip left quite a deep impression on me although it was only a short 7-day period.

We were separated into male and female quarters and we could also further choose to stay all alone in a "kutty"(small hut). Having chosen to stay in a kutty allows further isolation from others. However, this also depends on individuals as well. We were to observe 8 precepts for laypeople and be dressed in white.

The retreat at Santi Monastery was not really similar to other meditation retreats, which I had been to. It was more a place where you could get to experience monastic life which includes duties such as repairing roads, sweeping the monastery and washing dishes after meal. There would definitely be something for you to do if you were willing to engage in one. Our so-called "free time" besides morning and evening chanting and meditation, was spent fruitfully on these chores. However, we did emphasize a lot on meditation and being mindful of the present moment.

Nearly every day after the morning meditation and chanting, the monks would prepare themselves for their alms round in the nearby village or even to other places which were further away. In the past, when there was no one to fetch the monks, they would start off early as 4 am barefooted, to receive alms in the nearby village. The nearest village would be about a few kilometres away and by the time they were back at their monastery, it would be just right to have their lunch. However, presently, devotees drive the monks around so they can afford to set off later at around 7.30 am or 8 am, depending on the places they intend to go for alms round. It was a touching and pleasant sight that inspires one to further tread along the Middle Way.