Hi from John - New Zealand

[Johncat]

Thanks for accepting me as a member of BWB. I have been practising alone down here for a while and it will be nice to get inspiration and maybe some challenges and encouragement from online kalyanamitta.

I first discovered the Buddha's teachings when i was not at all looking for them - but needed them to reset my life age 27 in 1985 - when i first stumbled into Wat Suan Mokkh in southern Thailand with my cranky old bicycle.

So Ajahn Buddhadasa and Santikaro Bhikkhu became my first dhamma teachers - and i was especially grateful for Tan Buddhadasa's no nonsense practical teaching of Paticca Samupadda/ dependent origination. I can still remember him saying 'Christians have a personal God, Buddhists have impersonal God - called Dependent Origination' all in Thai of course, translated by the ever devoted and intelligent bhikkhu Santikaro.

since then i have been involved with the sangha of Ajahn Chah - where Ajahn Viradhammo has been very inspiring over the years. I've also spent months at the Penang Buddhist Meditation Centre, done a Vipassana course (Goenka) and a retreat taught in NZ by Steve and Michelle from Barre Centre for Buddhist studies (many years ago) I've also stayed in Dharamsala at the Tushita retreat centre (where i at lots of tsampa) Once we went and received teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama - and he turned up in an old Lada. The teachings were for locals - nothing like the nice sanitised lectures in English in the West - He was FIERCE! it was stinking hot under tarpaulins and they bring this nice tea over. Yum i thought - earl grey maybe? Yukkkk - it was hot salty yak butter tea - my first experience with the stuff.

i have been practising Sattipathana (all four aspects of it) for many years now and found applying the four aspects of right effort to be extremely powerful in cutting through my bad habits. that and a very good patient wife who has been gradually sanding down the rough edges of my dukkha filled soul.

i am now embarking on an investigation into the varied way that dependent origination is taught - as i see there are a couple of very different explanations going round for what i always thought was a highly practical moment to moment process that can be used along with the 8 Fold Noble Path and Satipatthana to help explain and cure our kilesas. Hours of fun.

Metta to all practitioners of the Dhamma

[Aloka]

Hi John,

Thank you for introducing yourself - and welcome to Buddhism Without Boundaries!

With metta,

Aloka

[woodscooter]

Hello John,

Welcome to Buddhism Without Boundaries!

Woodscooter.

[philg]

Thanks for accepting me as a member of BWB. I have been practising alone down here for a while and it will be nice to get inspiration and maybe some challenges and encouragement from online kalyanamitta.

i have been practising Sattipathana (all four aspects of it) for many years now and found applying the four aspects of right effort to be extremely powerful in cutting through my bad habits. that and a very good patient wife who has been gradually sanding down the rough edges of my dukkha filled soul.

Metta to all practitioners of the Dhamma

Hi John
Nice introduction. I'm a keen advocate of Sattipathana practice too. Welcome to BWB.
Phil