Dying Buddha, 3rd or 4th C stone sculpture from Pakistan
Not-Self
From Anatta-lakkhana Sutta:
”Form [...feeling...perception...fabrications...consciousness], monks, is not-self. If form [...] were self, this form [...] would not lend itself to dis-ease, and it would be possible (to say) with regard to form [...], ‘Let my form [...] be thus. Let my form [...] not be thus.’”
Seated Buddha
Seated Buddha, 19th C gilded wood from Japan
Wat Nevada Dhammaram
A simple sign welcomes visitors to this quiet, rustic monastery in the desert.
Wat Dhammabucha
The Luang Pu Mun Sala is one of two primary meditation halls at Wat Dhammabucha in San Antonio, Texas. Luang Pu Mun, a monk widely considered to have been fully enlightened, was the founder of the Thai Forest Tradition.
Marananussati
Pavata dipa tullyaya
Sayu santati yakkhayam
Parupamaya sampassam
Bhavaye maranassatim
Observing insightfully others’ lives come to an end and seeing it akin to a flame kept in a windy spot, meditate on death.
Seated Young Arhat
Seated Young Arhat, 13th or 14th C stone from China
Wat Dhammabucha (San Antonio, TX)
Wat Dhammabucha is a warm and welcoming Dhammayut monastery with monks’ and nuns’ quarters, as well as extra kutis available for potential use by lay visitors receiving permission from the abbot to stay overnight.
Metta Forest Monastery (San Diego County)
The welcome sign at the entrance to Wat Metta—the Dhammayut monastery that is home to Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Standing Arhat
Standing Arhat, 19th C porcelain from China
Salla Sutta
Yathapi kumbhakarassa
Kata mattika bhajana
Sabbe bhedana pariyanto
Evam maccana jivitam
Just as clay pots must one day inevitably break, the lives of all beings will certainly end.
Emaciated Buddha
Emaciated Buddha, 3rd or 4th C stone sculpture from Pakistan
Tam Bao Temple (Baton Rouge)
This pristine Vietnamese Buddhist temple sits on a few acres of beautiful, treed property in an easily accessible part of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Wat Tampa (Tampa, FL)
The main image in the main hall at Wat Tampa. This large and beautiful, riverfront property hosts weekly food fairs on Sundays. It has served on several occasions as an excellent spot for midweek meditation retreats during my winter visits to the area.
Wat Pa Sarasota (Englewood, FL)
This very simple Dhammayut monastery sits on about nine acres of pine and palmetto forest in southern Sarasota County. Being my hometown, this temple serves as one of my very favorite places to go for retreat. With permission from the resident monk, Ajahn Thiep, it is possible for sincere practitioners to stay overnight for short-term retreats in the forest. Elevated sleeping platforms and designated walking meditation paths dot the property.
Amitabha Stupa (Sedona, AZ)
The grounds of the stupa property provide an excellent support for contemplative practice amidst a stunning, albeit oft-visited, environment.
Wat Alaska (Anchorage, AK)
This small Dhammayut monastery holds special significance to me, as it was during a turning-point in my life that I came to know this place. The monks there altered the course of my life.
Chua Linh Phong (Sarasota, FL)
This small Vietnamese monastery has served me as a quiet and wonderful place for occasional meditation retreats during winter visits to the area. The resident monk (and the community that supports him) are kind and generous.
Wat Buddhamahamunee (Arlington, TX)
This small monastery is located close to I-10 and affords a quiet space in which to practice when in the area.
Wat Buddhametta (Tucson, AZ)
This wonderful and welcoming monastery in the desert offers a beautiful, quiet space for contemplative practice. The monks—particularly the abbot, Ajahn Sarayut—are kind and encouraging. A couple of friendly dogs wander around the temple. My dear friend Anagarika Dhammapala is usually on-hand to welcome and educate first-time, English-speaking visitors to the temple.
