On the first of December, I had left for the hills of Chiang Mai for a small village where I was in contact with an English speaking Buddhist monk. He agreed to teach and guide me through the procedure needed to ordain as a Buddhist monk and delve deeper into Middle Way meditation.
Teaching Monk donated much of his time teaching meditation at a nearby retreat, which I was asked to join to learn the basics of Middle Way and to assist the other monks with chores to better understand the lifestyle that I would soon join. I would also study the Thai and Pali dialogue, which was needed for the ordination ceremony and to join the Sangha.
During my time at the retreat, I had time to get a feel for the area. Within the forest, there were halls for meditation and many paths where one could practice walking meditation. The energy in the area was amazing, all your senses were constantly treated with the beauty of the nature that surrounded you.
Mediation and lectures were scheduled four times a day. These lectures were about Middle Way and Thai Buddhism. They were well put together, shedding light on issues that are commonly misunderstood, historical and current practices. After the midday meditation and a lecture, I would help the monks with their chores. This was my favorite part of the day. We would talk philosophy of life, morals and humanity while planting new grass or sweeping walking paths. In the forest, there was nothing keeping us from really exploring subjects and digging deeper into their understanding. Chore time would pass quite quickly.
Once done our sweeping, planting and gathering, I would go back to my hut and start on the ceremony preparation, memorizing text and procedures as well as the 227 rules one must follow when in robe. I had a week to practice and get comfortable with all I had to know. Without having studied Thai Buddhism prior to this, it would have been much more difficult then it already was.
The week passed by quickly. Any free time was spent in my hut repeating line after line. I was quite nervous, as my ordination ceremony was the next day. That day, however, was special, too. It was preparation day. I dressed all in white and walked down to the the small river where Teaching Monk and the guests were waiting for me. The elders of the village, retreat students and other monks had all gathered and were waiting my arrival.
Once I had arrived, I was led to a chair in the middle of the attendants. One by one, they would approach, bow and cut a lock of my hair and place it on a freshly picked lotus leaf.
The Teaching Monk approached last, shaving the rest of my hair and eyebrows. I was completely shaved clean. He poured water over my head while he chanted blessings. I was given the leaf to keep as good luck.
In Thai Buddhism, hair is associated with beauty, vanity and pride. By shaving your head and eyebrows, you denounce these traits.
The next afternoon, I walked to the temple nervously. The Head Monk of Chiang Mai Province along with seven other senior monks were waiting for me to arrive.
I studied hard for this and ensured myself that everything would work out well. I sat in front of the temple in meditation, centering myself and quieting my emotions while the guests arrived.
I studied hard for this and ensured myself that everything would work out well. I sat in front of the temple in meditation, centering myself and quieting my emotions while the guests arrived.
Once everyone was there and ready, we started the ceremony. I circled the temple three times holding a lotus between my palms, while guests followed and shaded me with an umbrella. Loud, deep chanting came from inside the temple as I made my way around.
After the last round, the chanting stopped as suddenly as it had started. I entered the temple alone.
The seven monks awaited me, I offered my lotus to Buddha and approached the monks on my knees, gaving them an offering of incense, flowers and candles. I bowed three times and started reciting verse after verse of Pali and Thai.
When complete, I backed away, leaving the monks’ vicinity on my knees.
When complete, I backed away, leaving the monks’ vicinity on my knees.
I left the temple to meet the guests waiting in the temple hall. I entered the hall and knelt in front of them. I explained that I had left my family and friends to follow this path to one day achieve enlightenment. I then apologized to my guests for any wrong I had done in this or past lives and felt a profound sense of peace and relief wash over me. They gave me the robes.
I walked back to the temple and gave the robes to Head Monk. I asked to receive them with the blessing and permission, so I could be free from this cycle of existence and attain nirvana.
I took the oath to follow the 227 precepts and take refuge in the triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha). Head Monk then handed me back the robe.
I left for the hall again, this time for my alms bowl. I was addressed as a monk now. I brought the bowl to Head Monk who confirmed I had all the pieces of my robe and my alms bowl. I was led back outside the temple to re-enter. I was blocked by two senior monks. They questioned me, confirming I was able to join. One question which I found interesting was “are you a human?”
The legend behind this question was that a Naga or Thai mythical water serpent was a devout admirer of the lord Buddha and disguised himself as a human male in order to get ordained as a monk. That night, while the Naga slept, it returned to its true form, scaring the other monks. The Lord Buddha summoned the Naga and told him he could not remain as a monk for animals may not be ordained, at which the utterly disconsolate snake began to weep. The Naga was given the Five Precepts as a means to attain human existence in his next life, when he could then be a monk. Out of compassion for the sad Naga, the Lord Buddha said that from then on all candidates for the monkhood be called 'Naga' as a consolation. They are still called 'Naga' to this day.
I was allowed to pass and was re-questioned by the Head Monk. I was so nervous that I worried I would mispronounce something and displease them. But I was reassured by a smile from him. The ordination was now complete. I was now fully ordained.
As the ceremony concluded, the Monks began chanting blessings. Their voices were so in tune and sync, it felt as if I, and the temple, shook with each word. I had never felt something so powerful! It was truly incredible!
After the ceremony, the Monks and I had a quick chat. They were very happy to see a foreigner paying respect to their customs and wished me luck on my journey to enlightenment. On learning that, after disrobing, I would be returning to professional Muay Thai fighting, Head Monk asked me to inform him of my future Muay Thai fights as he would try to come support me. Wouldn’t it be great having him in my corner!
Following the ceremony, all my personal items were collected and stored for me at the temple. I was only able to keep my robes and hygienic items that maintained health.
My days as a monk were beautiful and simple.
My days in robe started at 4:30 a.m. with an hour of meditation and chanting. The monks and I would then walk barefoot to the village, accepting but not requesting food. As a monk, you cannot buy or store food. You must depend on the kindness of others.
Many of the villagers donated a cup of cooked rice or mixed vegetables, meat, soy milk, water... anything they could and, in return, a blessing and merit for themselves and their familes, both past and present. That's it. The small villages would donate so much collectively. Not large amounts from any one person, but the amount that one might throw away. If everyone who was able to give just a little, how many people would not starve daily?
Collecting alms (Bintabaht in Thai) was a real eye opener, a very humbling experience and reassurance of human kindness.
At around 7:00 a.m., we would eat a portion of our collected meal and then meditate for world peace. At 11:00 a.m., we would consume our last solid meal until the next morning. The rest of the day was devoted to meditation and chores.
Meditation and chanting was 5-7 hours of my day. I could join group meditation, which included a lecture or be left to meditate on my own wherever I pleased. I tried to divide my time between the two evenly, but the forested hills were so beautiful and serene, I would go off and find a place in the thicket and let the world slip away. As my eyelids closed, my mind would still as 1, 2 sometimes 3 hours would pass in what felt like minutes. All the time, feeling peace and well being.
I am not new to meditation. I first practiced it as a part of my martial arts training at 14, which I have continued regularly. But during my month in the forest, I was able to go deeper then ever before.
When, at times, I would feel cold/flu coming on, I would spend the day meditating and visualizing my body healing and would wake feeling great with no symptoms. It is truly incredible what the mind is capable of. I cannot think of anyone whose life could not be enriched by daily meditation practice.
Middle Way meditation is a meditation technique that focuses the mind to the center of the body. Approximately two finger widths above the abdomen is considered to be the still point. The focus can be the visualization of a sphere, mantra recitation, or a feeling, such as happiness from a fond memory.
First, relax the body and get comfortable. Then start visualizing a simple object such as a crystal ball, Sun, Moon or other, or imagine a soft voice echoing or a soft and comfortable energy radiating from the middle of abdomen. Continuously maintain a soft focus within the body. The more you remain relaxed and mindful, the more the mind will still and the feeling of comfort and peacefulness will grow.