Questions & Answers

Have a question for Bhante Kassapa?  E-Mail him at bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com.

Question:

I have been meditating daily for more than 15 years,40 minutes daily and find no sign of nibbana closeby.There are only dhamma realisations that push me not to give up my practice. I am almost 53 years old and worries whether I will have enough time to enter the stream. I note rising and falling as trying anapanasati makes my head hangs. Bhante, I appreciate your advice.

CHEAH GUAT HONG

Answer:

Hello CHEAH GUAT HONG,

May you be well and happy.  Thank-you for your question. The dharma or dhamma realizations you have come to understand mean you are in the stream. Has your meditation practice changed you? Do you notice things in a different way? Perception is everything.  By staying in the present you can be aware of the subtle changes around you.

When you look at a glass of water sitting on a table observe the parts, as well as the sum total. In other words it makes no difference whether the glass is half full or have empty. It is a glass. It holds a quantity of water. It sits upon a table. Waiting for something to happen in your meditation is like waiting for a pot to begin boiling. It seems as though the water will never boil.
We enter our meditation for a myriad of reasons. We need to be like a scientist peering through a microscope. We are there to observe. It is when we place a judgment on the experience that experience is changed. Waiting for something to happen is not being mindful to the present. It is very possible to become attached to an idea, or a desired outcome. Attachment of course is the core of suffering.
Please try to accept the quietness and dhamma realizations that come to you. They are your teachings. Your mindfulness is the key. I acknowledge that it may be very natural for us to categorize and label or define all of our experiences as they happen. However our goal is to allow the experience the freedom to exist and then allow it to pass without an attachment, or comment. It can be as natural as the rising and falling of the breath. It is a skill than can be learned.
Yesterday is the parent of today. In the same way that today is the parent of tomorrow. The goal is to be present to today. In that way you are aware of the stream around you. I wish you success and offer my blessing to you. Thank-you for your question. I hope the answer helps. If I can be of help please feel free to call upon me.

I wish you Peace.

Bhante K.

Quesiton:

Bhante Kassapa,

My name is Mark Reynalds.  I am very interested in Buddhism and have been studying on my own for about 3 years.  Do you accept new students who are interested in becoming a monk?

Thanks,

Mark

Answer:

Hello Mark,

Thankyou for your interest.  I believe that Buddhism is right for our country.  We are in a time where peaceful co-existance and non violent actions must come to the forefront of people’s minds.  America needs more American Buddhist monks.  The need is great.  If you wish to begin the process please send me your information; age education location etc.  If you would forward that to my e-mail which is bhante_kassapa@yahoo.com, we can get started.  Your path leads you to our doors.  We would be happy to welcome you.

I wish you peace,

Bhante K.

Question:

Bhante,

I am wondering what the process is for becoming a buddhist monk.  Can your talk about this?

Thanks,

Tinh N.

Answer:

Tinh,

Whatever way you come to Buddhism, whether born into or through reading or philosophy, start off by finding a temple near you.  Develope a relationship with the abbot and the monks in the temple.  Keep in mind the monk you choose, will be the one you work with.  So choose wisely.  I welcome your interest in Buddhism and the Sangha of monks.  If I can be of help please let me know.  I hope your journey is a happy one.

Many Blessings,

Bhante K.

Question:

Where did you get your start?  Also why did you choose Theravada style?   thanks,

Alan from Oahu

Answer:

Hello Alan,

I started studying Buddhism in Florida in the mid 90′s with a small group of Theravada monks who were from Sri Lanka.  They offered to teach meditation and basic Buddhism.  I found Buddhism very rewarding and adapted to the “natural ” teaching style of the Buddha and the “cause and effect, karma and all things impermanent” teachings. I began to read book after book and became a  “Barnes and Noble Buddhist”. I sought out a temple closer to me which happened to be a Vietnamese temple and began a relationship with the abbot the late Venerable Giak Chanh. I took the precepts to become Buddhist in 1998 and began to seriously study Buddhism.  I moved into temple part time in 2003, and full time in 2004. In the fall of 2005 I became a samanero {novice monk} and began the 2-5 year study course to become a bhikkhu [high ordained monk] in the Therevada tradition.  I was high ordained in the fall of 2007 in Texas.  I chose Theravada after reading about many forms.  Chiefly the reason was the simplicity and also Theravada is the original form of Buddhism taught by the Buddha himself.  They are the monks who chant in the original Pali language.  I invite you to seek out your own path and if I can be of any help please let me know.  Many Blessings to you.

I wish you Peace,

Bhante K.