The Practice of Prayer byThich Nhat Hanh - The Mindfulness Bell

Renewing Buddhism
by Sister Annabel Laity
SisterTue Nghiem and I visited Thailand in March, the
hottest month of the year there. Apart from enjoying a
wonderful selection of tropical fruits and mango with sticky
rice, we led retreats and gave Dharma talks.
The young people were those most interested in the
teachings of Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It iswonderful for us
from theWest to be in a country whose roots are Buddhist
and to learn from that tradition. On the other hand, traditional
Buddhism can be molded in forms which are no
longer suitable. Buddhism, like everything else, needs
constant renewal: building on the old but giving it new,
appropriate forms. We were very happy to see the commitment
to renewing Buddhism in some monks. They were
willing to sing Dharma songs with us and participate in a
meditation guided by a Thai artist. Whenever either of the
sisters gave teachings, they listened most attentively.
Westayed with Thai nuns, who are called mae chi
(reverend mothers). These nuns are not allowed by the
government to receive the ten novice precepts or the
bhikshuni precepts. Instead, they practice the eight precepts
which include celibacy, not eating after noon, and not
having luxury items.Officially however, they are seen as
laypeople. There is a movement to have the novice-precept
ordination for women made legal, and it is supported by
many young people,especially young men. Somemaechi
organize themselves in communities and do social work
especially with prostitutes, those who have been raped, and
single mothers.
Parts of Thailand have become devastated by deforestation
and overcultivation. Monks, nuns, and committed lay
practitioners are trying toreforest these barren lands. We
visited one center being created by city architects to renew
the old Thai traditions. They have many baby plants and
trees prepared to make green, fresh, and cool again a place
which feels like a desert.
The laypeople are devoted to serving the monks and, in
some cases, the nuns. They rise early in the morning to cook
and offer food to monks, who make the almsround before
six o'clock. The laypeople, as in any culture where Western
habits are starting to take root, are subject to much stress
and need a practice they can incorporate into their daily
lives. Those who work in the field of social action often
suffer from burnout. We know that the teachings of Master
Thich Nhat Hanh are a wonderful remedy for them. So we
hope you will all support a renewal of Buddhism in Thailand
and that in afew years, we shall see real shramanerika
(novice nuns) practicing in all parts of Thailand. The time
seems ripe.
Sister Annabel Laity, True Virtue, is a Dharma teacher and
the Head of Practice at Plum Village.
Excerpt from interview in TheBangkok Post
BP: In Thailand, we believe that the bhikshuni lineage is
long broken. How, then, were you ordained?
Sr. A: The bhikshuni lineage was never broken. The
daughter of King Asoka was ordained a bhikshuni in India
and then established the lineage in Sri Lanka. In the 5th
century, 12 bhikshunis from Sri Lanka went to China and
established the bhikshuni order there. Some nuns from
Vietnam were ordained in China very soon after, and took
the lineage back to Vietnam. I was ordained in Vietnam,
into the same bhikshuni that dates back to Buddha's times.
China, Vietnam, Korea, and Taiwan still observe the
bhikshuni tradition.... If society realizes the valueof
bhikshuni,they will make an effort to bring them back one
way or the other. There are also old feelings that women are
obstacles to monks' spiritual liberation. But if monks are
strong, then women are no problem for them. Like anger,
sexual desire comes from the seeds within you. Sexual
desire comes from monks, not from women. To make the
bhikshuni possible, it is necessary for society to realize first
that women are equally capable of meditation and teaching
Dharma.... Lay women need bhikshuni because women need
women role models. They did in Buddha's time.... Why not
in Thailand?
BP: How do you feel being relegated to a lower status than
monks while here in Thailand?
Sr. A: Buddha teaches us to be aware of how society works.
In Asia, women are in second place. While here, I'm happy
to conform, to prostrate to the monks. It is only an outer
form. If we don't conform, people will be shocked and they
won't come to listen and learn from Dharma talks. If monks
want meto bow, I can accept that. The people bowing and
bowed to are the same in nature. Both are empty. While
bowing, I meditate: I'm empty and you're empty too. Empty
means being made up of everything else but not you.
Butif they say women cannot meditate or be Dharma
teachers, that I cannot accept. Monks here respect me as a
Dharma teacher, and I'm happy with that....
BP: What have you learned from Buddhism in Thailand?
Sr. A: The monks' simplicity of life and their freedom. This
learning is very important, especially for Buddhists in the
West. We have no Buddhist roots, and then have to take the
bestfrom each school to build our own Western Buddhism.
We must take what is most applicable to our situations
while remaining true to the spirit of simplicity. Buddhism
adapts to the countries it goes to.... The important thing is
to keep the essence, which is what we need so much in
Western society.
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