November 2010 - National Museum Volunteers

And he will be
doing it in a very
systematic way in
his daily life. At
each action and
activity, he will
observe how it
will make him feel
internally. (Is my
mind filled with
brightness, guilt,
anxiety…?) Externally,
the Buddhist
will ask himself
if his actions
help his community,
family and society.
He then explained how a community
will thrive on trust and that seven
checkpoints could be used for personal
practice.
1) Knowing the methods and conditions
for things to happen.
2) Knowing the goal, the consequences.
3) Knowing yourself.
4) Awareness of your strong weak
points. Knowing the right amount,
the optimum amount.
5) Know the individual.
6) The mind is like a wild animal
that you have to tame.
7) Understanding of communities
and of how they work.
We then broke for a short interval
and returned for a meditation session
where it was explained that two
qualities should be prominent in
meditation: alertness and relaxation.
Finally the session finished with
questions and answers from those
gathered. Subjects broached included;
punja, childrearing, shame
and guilt, attainability of enlightenment,
conditionings, dukha and the
relationship between happiness and
pain.
As we emerged from the centre for
a final group photo it was obvious
that everyone had, in some way,
learned from and enjoyed the whole
experience.
Although the return bus journey was
lengthy, all 27 members returned to
Bangkok feeling that the day’s activity
was a special occasion, and emphasised
the special opportunities
that are available when living in
Thailand.
(The notes from Phra Jayasaro’s actual
Dhamma talk have been abbreviated.
If anyone would like to read
the full version please contact either
Kathryn or Sonia)
. November 2010 . Newsletter National Museum Volunteers . 13