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Last Thursday I once again had the privilege of visiting Wat Buddha Manodham in Chickamauga, GA. Over the years I have known Bhante Prasasouk, there is always the glow on his face of genuine Metta and Contentment that can’t be hidden. Not only have I been allowed to practice and take refuge on the grounds of the Wat, but I have been welcomed in to give Dana and assist in any way possible. I have seen others who sought refuge at the Wat treated with the same warmth, acceptance, and generosity.

This week the monks were preparing for an upcoming event (as well as the upcoming Laotion New Year) and I was allowed to assist in some of the construction inside the Wat, and found that Metta transcends language barriers as I was treated with kindness even though my excitement for the Dhamma can overwealm my speech at times. Bhante has always showed incredible Patience and a recognition that my Desire to practice Lord Buddha’s Dhamma and train the mind in the laylife is Sincere. He has always been extremely direct in correcting my delusion based misconceptions whenever he has caught me speaking them out loud, yet he has done so with a gentle grace and skill i have rarely encountered outside ordained Sangha.

Every one of my handful of visits so far to the Wat has been an inspiration to the practice, and i will visit whenever it is within my means to do so and Bhante or Ajahn say that i am welcome.

The fact that there are monks practicing the Buddha’s Noble 8-fold is undenyable in every encounter with Bhante Joseph Prasasouk. He has not only had time to accept Dana and listen to me pour out my emotions in times of grief when I was having difficulties. He responded with loving kindness and nurturing and was more than willing to listen without judgment, even when I was caught in restlessness and worry. This is generosity of the highest nature, and it stuck with me for years. What i continue to be grateful and amazed about, is the fact that Bhante can be so calm and strong, yet without the slightest shred of superiority in his tone, face or delivery. He never places himself in a position of power over, he is there to empower others, and there is no doubt. This is the kind of Good Friend that the Lord Buddha told Ananda was the Whole of the Holy life. A good friend supports you, not your Delusion.

Whenever I do give Dana, Bhante allows me to hit the gong myself, and the experience of taking refuge and chanting the Vandana at the Wat is a source of Viriya and Saddha (energy and faith) for the practice here. It’s always worth visiting ordained Sangha who are pracing under the protection of dhamma vinaya. The reason why is because the Virtue they have developed is impossible to miss as it shows in everything they do, say, and in their very face. It’s impossible to hide the kindness that radiates from every direction. If you catch yourself wondering what the fruit of good practice looks like, just go hang out with those who have been living Dhamma Vinaya for years. It will be a benefit to your Practice in ways you can’t imagine. It was truly refreshing to hear Bhante say that in the Laos tradition, taking care of family and our elderly was part of the practice of virtue.

On more than one occasion other laypeople have stopped by the Wat for advice while i was visiting, often on their first encounter with any Buddhist tradition. They were treated with warmth and acceptance by the monks.

Wat Buddha Manodham, in my experience is an oasis of sanity, generosity and loving kindness in the deep south.

 

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