Rugged Interdependency - Amaravati Buddhist Monastery

Golden Highways Revisited: 1998of this tradition and method of training to the USA. People are more and moreaware that it has been lacking and yet it can’t be introduced into the Americanpsyche overnight. Joseph bemoans the lack of interest and support there has beenfor monasticism in the US Buddhist scene, but for 95% of the people this is becausethey have scarcely cognized the existence of it. So I applauded Joseph’s commentsbut added that, “It takes a long time for such principles to really percolate throughsociety – the 30 years that Buddhism has been in the US public eye is a very shorttime historically.”The gathering ends with an enthusiastic taking of the Refuges and Precepts –only the monastic junkies remain – and we’re down to about 12 by now. So it wasa radiant and heartful time, luxuriating in the divine presence of the Ajahns, but itwas also telling how – even in the face of repeated exhortations on the uncertaintyof life and the priority of Dhamma practice, from the voices of those who boom thesound of the Dhamma across the valleys – that so many ignored the exortations tostay and even left earlier than planned. “People are busy, Ajahn...”“I know, but is the Dhamma something that you tack on to your life or somethingthat your life is surrendered to? It seems so reasonable: family, work,schedules, driving long distances… but when is King Yāma going to call?”We had long talk with Joseph, his lady Katherine and the good John Massey.A brief tea break and then the Monastery Development Circle met at 7:00 p.m.Taraniya, Perrin, Dorothea, Dona, Sandra, Jaya, Katherine 1, John, Mark Hart,Buzz, Joseph and Katherine 2. A rich meeting, which I was very glad to be at, andout of which came a few clear notes:— Firstly, there is considerable energy withinthis circle for helping a Monastery to be founded here; secondly – Jack havingcatalyzed the process, there was no inclination toward, even an explicit avoidanceof, an even remotely on-campus Monastery at IMS (the hermit in the folly isnot a desired option); notably there were no IMS folks there (excluding Taraniya)and little interest had been generally shown by the IMS community in the monasticteachers; thirdly – people were happy with the idea of annual visits of a fewweeks/months and saw that the main aspect of the venture was unifying themselvesin vision and energy first, then perhaps creating an invitation, should it seemappropriate. Joseph offered to go to England and invite Luang Por to come, teacha retreat and leave someone in 2000; fourthly – Abhayagiri offered to help supportthe effort with occasional monks here and there but it was made clear that we arenot going to assume responsibility for the project.It was also made clear that 1) it should all be worked in small increments (e.g.“you don’t have to decide on a location now”); 2) the money will appear when it’sneeded, if the energy is right; 3) the purpose of the venture is to end suffering, notto create it.We were all done by 8:45 – finally the words ran out.These are great, good-hearted people, wise and skillful, and it felt an honor tobe sitting amongst them. Jack had catalyzed this discussion, with his suggestionthat we found a Monastery near IMS, but no one was going to let blind enthusiasmand wishful thinking rule the day. It was impressive to hear and feel how everyone33