A question that touches the heart
When you read words like these, honestly, they just fly off the page. And if you find yourself inspired by what follows, then I can’t encourage you enough to take the time to listen to the full discussion between Ashley and Rahula, on our “Love Letters to Myanmar: The Taste of Dhamma” episode. This episode is the antidote for anyone disheartened by those yogis who have kept disengaged at this moment, from vipassana teachers in the S.N. Goenka tradition to overall spiritual bypassing to former monks who now couldn’t care less to the perverted Buddhism of the Tatmadaw. More than perhaps any episode we’ve produced this year, this is the one that truly speaks to your heart, as we are treated to practitioners like Bhikkhu Rahula, a monk from Mexico, whose lives were transformed by the spiritual teachings found in Myanmar, and who are doing everything they can to support these communities when they now need it most, while also offering lessons of Dhamma for all of us to reflect on in the process.
“The most important thing that I ever encountered in my life is a gift from Burma.”
Ashley: You were really quite fortunate to be able to devote your life to being a monastic. You know, a country like Myanmar really does support that, in comparison to say, a country like the United States. So I'd love to hear a little bit more about how the country has supported you on your path.
Bhante Rahula: Oh, everything. What else can I say? Even what I learned about the Dhamma before entering… even that came from Burma! So I mean, this question touches my heart because everything… the most important thing that I ever encountered in all my life is a gift from Burma. And I lived there, I went many times, I've been there for extended periods of time, many times. I learned from many teachers and have rejoiced on the generous support of so many people, who give just so you can cultivate. So it is really beyond words. It is priceless. The biggest treasure in my life, and something that I'm dedicated to now, and I hope I can live up to it, and do service for the Dhamma and all the generosity of all these people. May I contribute in a way that they feel proud that the Dhamma is spreading and benefiting more people! Now also in Latin America, my own mother now knows and man, we can talk! And she practices, and my sisters and many friends. So it is priceless. This is just the greatest treasure I have ever gotten in this life, and it came from precious Burma.
Ashley: Yes, I totally relate. I think having been born in Myanmar, and born into a Buddhist family, I had the opportunity to explore other religions when I was a teenager. And I was very curious. But eventually, I discovered Dhamma Patapa in Georgia and sat my first 10 day retreat and it just saved my life, really. So I feel like I owe everything to the tradition and the country of Myanmar that has kept this practice alive.
Bhante Rahula: It is really unbelievable, the effort of so many generations to keep goodness alive. So now with the current situation, we need to find ways to support the individuals, and of course the the treasure that is contained.