The Sounds of Madonna in a Burmese Monastery
When Gil Fronsdal was a monk in Burma, he was deeply moved by the experience. The following excerpt from our recent podcast conversation describes how impacted he was by his time here, and how it moves him to this day.
“The atmosphere of meditation, practice, devotion, and the presence of the Dharma in that corner of Burmese society deeply touched me and continues to inspire my practice and teaching.”
“I wasn't fully aware of the surrounding Burmese culture, you know? I mean, I did pick up on some aspects of it. For instance, there were these loudspeakers all around the monastery in Burma. Madonna songs would be played in Burmese, although I couldn't understand the lyrics. They were played so frequently. Then there were the seven-day festivals where loudspeakers blared non-stop for 24 hours a day! So that gave me a glimpse of the culture.
But what really stood out to me was the incredible generosity of the Burmese Buddhists I encountered. During my eight months at the monastery, I felt like a guest of the country. It was as if the entire culture and country were hosting and taking care of me. Whenever I needed a dentist or had a health issue, a dentist or doctor would come to see me without any discussion of payment! Anything I needed, the country was there to provide.
I remember a very poor woman offering me some food, which was probably a big deal for her. I was deeply touched by the care, attention, and generosity. The dharma was freely offered in a profound way, without any expectation of payment or donation. The atmosphere at the center, the devotion, the dedication, it was incredible.
When I first arrived, it felt like a large junior college campus in the United States. And there were times when 5,000 people were meditating there! Witnessing such dedication and devotion was one of the great experiences of my life. I recall a massive women's meditation hall where around 500 women meditated together. They sat with their spines straight, unlike the men who crossed their legs. Every morning, as I walked by the hall, I would see these noble-looking women completely still in their meditation. It was truly inspiring to witness their dedication.
The atmosphere of meditation, practice, devotion, and the presence of the dharma in that corner of Burmese society deeply touched me and continues to inspire my practice and teaching. It guides me to this day, motivating me to teach freely and without expecting anything in return, striving to let go of any expectations.”