June 19

Yesterday evening Bhante G. gave a Dhamma talk on the Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection. This has been a major theme of mine since arriving at The Bhavana Society. It was also interesting that he talked on this subject because of his comments on Kamma.

Yesterday I posted an interview that Steve Charles conducted with me on the subject of Refuge. Well last night Bhante G. was going through all the Pali words and giving a more detailed explanation than the usual one or two word translations we usually chant. At the end of the reflection on Kamma Bhante G. said, “Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha is really an external refuge, what we really take refuge in is our Kamma.”

Wow! I had never thought about it that way before, but that is what I was trying to say in the interview with Steve. It is our actions, be they skillful or unskillful that we are taking refuge in. Thus it is very important to know what our intentions are in each moment. If our actions are skillful it is best to carry them out mindfully, knowingly, with a mind that is evaluating the consequences and knowing that the results of that action will be our responsibility. Likewise if we see a desire to do an unskillful action, know that carrying out that action will have results too.

Our stay at The Bhavana Society is drawing to a close. I feel I have benefited greatly being with Bhante G. and the entire Sangha here. I had thought at some point it would be nice to visit the Bhavana Society and had not expected to be doing it this spring. But here we are, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to study and live with Bhante G.

Happy Father’s Day to all the Hoosier Daddies and Daddies everywhere.