V roce 2015, kdy Nepál postihlo ničivé zemětřesení, se naše aktivita v oblasti zajišťování zdravotní péče významně rozrostla. Nadační fond NALA pomohl ve spolupráci s vládou České republiky humanitární pomoc vysláním několika leteckých speciálů a týmu zdravotníků, který v Nepálu působil několik týdnů. Ve spolupráci s programem MEDEVAC českého ministerstva vnitra jsme se postarali o poskytnutí první pomoci přímo v postižené oblasti a následné možnosti řešení chirurgických zákroků přímo v ČR.
V roce 2015, kdy Nepál postihlo ničivé zemětřesení, se naše aktivita v oblasti zajišťování zdravotní péče významně rozrostla. Nadační fond NALA pomohl ve spolupráci s vládou České republiky humanitární pomoc vysláním několika leteckých speciálů a týmu zdravotníků, který v Nepálu působil několik týdnů. Ve spolupráci s programem MEDEVAC českého ministerstva vnitra jsme se postarali o poskytnutí první pomoci přímo v postižené oblasti a následné možnosti řešení chirurgických zákroků přímo v ČR.
V roce 2015, kdy Nepál postihlo ničivé zemětřesení, se naše aktivita v oblasti zajišťování zdravotní péče významně rozrostla. Nadační fond NALA pomohl ve spolupráci s vládou České republiky humanitární pomoc vysláním několika leteckých speciálů a týmu zdravotníků, který v Nepálu působil několik týdnů. Ve spolupráci s programem MEDEVAC českého ministerstva vnitra jsme se postarali o poskytnutí první pomoci přímo v postižené oblasti a následné možnosti řešení chirurgických zákroků přímo v ČR.
-YARNEY-
SUPPORTING MONKS ON RETREAT DURING MONSOON
at DAGPO Shedrup Ling
Sponsoring food for monks meditating for the welfare of all beings is an informal practice of generosity and care, maintained from the time of the Buddha to the present day. So now is the opportunity for lay people to collect merit by supporting the Sangha and practicing monks during the rainy season.
History of YARNEY (summer rain retreat)
The origin of YARNEY (Yar Ney Tib, Varsha or Varshika in Sanskrit, Vassa in Pali); is one of the most important events of the time of the living Buddha Shakyamuni. When the Buddha first turned around the Dharma (first transmitted the teachings - the Four Noble Truths) and founded the Sangha (community of practicing Buddhists), his followers spent most of their time wandering on foot throughout northern India, from village to village, offering the Buddha's teachings, meditating, accepting alms, and sleeping under tree branches. However, when the rainy season came, not only did it make it difficult for the pilgrims to make their way, but many bugs and other living creatures such as earthworms, snails, frogs and the like also came to the surface. During these journeys it was inevitable that some of them would die under the feet of the pilgrims. Therefore, the Buddha included this "summer rain retreat" among the formal practices.
Because the lay people of the Buddha's time understood the importance of monks meditating for the good of all beings, they brought food to the monks during the retreat and gave them new clothes after the retreat was over. So that the monks would not have to sit in the rain during meditation, the lay people offered them refuge in their homes and sometimes in wealthy estates. People knew that seeing a monk in robes meditating or eating food brought to him could inspire a sense of faith and devotion in their minds, as well as appreciating the kindness of the Buddha and the Sangha as they imparted the precious teachings.
One lay follower of the Buddha's teachings, Anathapindika, however, wished for the monks to have their own space where they would not be disturbed and could engage in formal practice as the Buddha recommended. And so he began to build a complex of buildings for these occasions. Despite the fact that the monks did not stay there all year round, it is said that this is how the first monasteries began to be established.
This withdrawal into seclusion was recommended by the Buddha not only to the Minchas but also to all lay people, and he laid great stress on harmonious coexistence. Families were to spend time together, strengthen interpersonal relationships, practice compassion, help each other, and avoid quarrels and other disagreements.
The present - how Yarney in Dagpo Shedrup Ling Monastery is going
This tradition is still followed today, and this period is also very important for the monastic sangha to devote more time to study and formal practice, not only to deepen their understanding of the teachings, but also to preserve and spread the monastic traditions taught by the Buddha.
On the first day, two piles of incense sticks are placed in the gompa. One with longer sticks is for "Ge Long" (monks who have taken the full 253 vows have full ordination), and the pile of shorter sticks is for "Ge Tsul" (novice monks who have only 36 or 58 vows). Before the retreat begins, there is an official count of all the Ge Long and Ge Tsul who enter the retreat.
After this ceremony, the monks make prostrations before the leading monks and commit to keeping the Yar Ney vows for 45 days. (Special exceptions are granted for illness or important work)
Each day, during this retreat, the sangha practices three meditation sessions and eats only a formal midday meal according to the regimen described in the Vinaya scriptures. They are careful to follow the guidelines for monastic life established by the Buddha and to remember the great kindness of the Buddha. Because many beings die during this period, they make these practices and wishes just for them to be reborn quickly. They also make wishes for people who unknowingly trample or run over many animals during their travels, which can affect their karma and future birth. The monks try to remove this impact with their wishes.
In addition to more intensive formal practices, more time is also devoted to the study of the Dharma (Buddha's teachings).
This schedule could be exhausting even for monks if it were this intense for a whole year. Only 45 days, half the usual length of a retreat for experienced monks, is sustainable even for novices in the monastic school.
How can I be helpful?
Even today, there is an opportunity for the lay community to practice generosity and work with the mind, to deepen the connection with the sangha, to plant good seeds in the mind, and to gain merit by bringing offerings to practicing monks. Even though we don't currently have the opportunity to bring donations in person and see their gratitude directly, we can take advantage of 21st century technology and send a financial donation through a bank account.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Just that you have an idea of how much it costs), here are the financial requirements for one day for 115 monks observing the retreat.
1. Breakfast Rs 5,000 = 36 EUR
2. Small lunch Rs 20,000 = 142 EUR
3. Evening milk Rs 5,000 = 36 EUR
4. All-day meal Rs 30,000 = 214 EUR
5. Contribution for butter lamps (burned during the ceremony as an offering to the Buddhas)
Your donation will be sent in full to Dagpo Shedrup Ling Monastery School.
you can donate here
sources of information to write the text:
- Oral and written transmissions from Karma Tsultrim Sangpo and Karma Kunkhen Rai, monks from Dagpo Shedrup Ling Monastery - thank you for your willingness to share information with us even in their busy schedules.