This year's festive season was so special that I need to share on my blog. It could be considered "unique" compared to previous years as there was no feeling of "Xmas is coming to town" or any desire to watch firework, etc. In fact, I both voluntarily and accidentally isolated myself from the outside world to spend more time for self reflection
On Xmas's Eve, I was riding my scooter around Vung Tau streets to look for some garments for my temple stay after getting approval from the head of zen monastery. I was desperately searching around, wandering back and forth, fortunately, I at last found one shop on Ba Cu street owned by a very amicable lady. I went back home, parking my scooter, packing my personal stuff and kissing goodbye Mommy despite her effort to retain me home.
A moped driver brought me to Chon Khong monastery located at the side of Big mountain at 8.30 pm Xmas' Eve. The main gate had been already closed by that time so I had to call their phone number to ask someone to open the gate for me. That night, from the balcony, I gazed to the sparkling view of my hometown upon the tranquility and serenity in my heart.
The schedule at the monastery was extremely rigid. A typical day started at 3am for 2 hour meditation. Meditation of buddhism is very different from that of yoga. I could barely meditate for more than 30 minutes partly due to the painstaking lotus posture. My mind was just wandering somewhere, particularly to some person recently stepping into my world (confession time). After came the breakfast when chanting was ceremoniously carried on for 15 minutes until my hunger for food almost vanished and the food already got cold. Apart from cleaning and wiping floors, I spent the rest of the day studying buddhism philosophies (Buddhism101). The most precious time was speaking with the guru about Dhamma, problems in outside world and how to apply buddhism tenets into real life.
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