THE BHIKKU'S DAY
The monk's day begins well before dawn, perhaps as early as two or three a.m., when he starts prayer and meditation. His first act is prostration to the Tri-Ratna, that is the Three Jewels or Gems, followed by a chant of the Three Refuges, "I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Dhamma (Teachings) for refuge, I go to the Sangha (Brotherhood) for refuge.
He may then check himself against the Ten Precepts. These are "take no life (principle of ahimsa); do not take what is not given; maintain chastity; do not lie; do not drink spirits; eat moderately and not after noon; do not look on at dancing, singing, or dramatic spectacles; do not use garlands, scents, unguents, or ornaments; do not use high or broad beds; do not accept gold or silver.
If he feels drowsy at his early rising, he is likely to walk back and forth while meditating, something the Buddha apparently did as well. At dawn the bhikku lights incense, offers a candle, and again prostrates himself in honor of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.
More meditation follows, and eventually, before the sun has risen too far, he sets out to beg food, a task that needs to be completed before noon. He then returns to his abode, either his isolated hut or cave or the vihara (monastery). He has just one meal a day, and a simple one at that.
In the afternoon he may take on simple jobs, no manual labor, but such things as repairing his robes or making small religious or secular objects, such as statues of the Buddha, lamp stands, or candle holders.
Normally he sits on the ground while working, and meditating for that matter, but if he is tired from the day's efforts or about to suffer the common contemplative's problem of "too much of the monkey mind," (restless mind) he will lie down "mindfully" in the position of the Lord Buddha. This is to say, he will lie on his right side, with a supporting roll of robes, or a pillow, under the upper half of his body, his head supported in the palm of his right hand and his elbow on the ground. This is the lying posture recommended by the Buddha, and, thus balanced, it is not possible for one to go to sleep. Mindfulness, however, is maintained in the posture.
More meditation follows--the body is "lightened" by it--the monk sitting on a mat on the ground. His next activity is sweeping out his cell or hut, being careful not to harm any insect or other creature.
Next he bathes, then washes his clothes. Following this, he may take some fresh fruit juice fortified with honey. The bhikku's day concludes with meditation by the light of a candle and the chanting of Buddhist suttas in Pali, if he knows the language, otherwise in his own tongue.
He may then check himself against the Ten Precepts. These are "take no life (principle of ahimsa); do not take what is not given; maintain chastity; do not lie; do not drink spirits; eat moderately and not after noon; do not look on at dancing, singing, or dramatic spectacles; do not use garlands, scents, unguents, or ornaments; do not use high or broad beds; do not accept gold or silver.
If he feels drowsy at his early rising, he is likely to walk back and forth while meditating, something the Buddha apparently did as well. At dawn the bhikku lights incense, offers a candle, and again prostrates himself in honor of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.
More meditation follows, and eventually, before the sun has risen too far, he sets out to beg food, a task that needs to be completed before noon. He then returns to his abode, either his isolated hut or cave or the vihara (monastery). He has just one meal a day, and a simple one at that.
In the afternoon he may take on simple jobs, no manual labor, but such things as repairing his robes or making small religious or secular objects, such as statues of the Buddha, lamp stands, or candle holders.
Normally he sits on the ground while working, and meditating for that matter, but if he is tired from the day's efforts or about to suffer the common contemplative's problem of "too much of the monkey mind," (restless mind) he will lie down "mindfully" in the position of the Lord Buddha. This is to say, he will lie on his right side, with a supporting roll of robes, or a pillow, under the upper half of his body, his head supported in the palm of his right hand and his elbow on the ground. This is the lying posture recommended by the Buddha, and, thus balanced, it is not possible for one to go to sleep. Mindfulness, however, is maintained in the posture.
More meditation follows--the body is "lightened" by it--the monk sitting on a mat on the ground. His next activity is sweeping out his cell or hut, being careful not to harm any insect or other creature.
Next he bathes, then washes his clothes. Following this, he may take some fresh fruit juice fortified with honey. The bhikku's day concludes with meditation by the light of a candle and the chanting of Buddhist suttas in Pali, if he knows the language, otherwise in his own tongue.
posted by Donald L. Simons at
4:08 PM
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