My experience at the Buddhist temple

[Droopy]

I had to drive about 15 miles to get to the temple, but it was the closest one to me and it turned out to be well worth the drive. The directions said the temple was the first house on the left right after a Methodist church, and it turned out to be a four bedroom bi-level out in a suburb. Kind of unconventional for a temple I thought. There were no cars out in the parking lot and I thought this was kind of odd because on their website it says that they hold services every night from 7-8 pm. It turned out that they usually have people over on Thursdays and Sundays only, but they didn't tell me that when I spoke to them on the phone. I was greeted warmly anyway. The man that answered the door was Asian and wore an orange shirt that left his right shoulder and arm exposed, a matching pair of orange pants, and a lighter shade of orange belt. We talked for a little while, although it was difficult to understand him as his English wasn't so good. But we managed OK. I told him of my interest in Buddhism and how I was basically ignorant of the religion beyond a few books that I had read. He asked me if I had ever tried meditation and I told that I had, but not with much success. We were then joined by another monk who was also Asian and dressed the same way. I was asked to sit on the floor and they sat in a position that looked pretty painful to me and began chanting.

They sat sitting on their heals and bowing occasionally while they chanted for about 15 minutes. They said this was to focus the mind. Their chanting had a calming effect on me even though I couldn't understand the language that they were chanting in. When they finished they said it was time for meditation and asked me to join them. I told them I couldn't get into the lotus or even the half lotus position and they said that was alright, that I could sit Indian style. They told me to cup my left hand in my right and to touch the tips of my thumbs together and rest my hands palms up on my legs. We then meditated for 15 minutes. I don't think I got very far down the path to enlightenment in that 15 minutes. Most of my time was spent concentrating on sitting still rather than watching my breath. When we finished one of my legs was numb and there was a dull pain in my left arm. I'm hoping things will get better.

After meditation the second monk, who's English was a little better sat and talked to me for about a half hour. It was mostly him talking and me listening. Amazingly he touched on one of the things that drew me to Buddhism. When he was talking of mindfulness he mentioned that many people are hung up on the past and they can't get beyond the memories and the associated emotions. When they are actually supposed to have their minds on the task at hand, they are dwelling on things that are gone and beyond their control. He also talked of the right way to conduct one's life. He said that many people are seeking happiness in all the wrong places. They drink or do drugs or have sexual affairs. Buddhism's aim is to acquire happiness without any selfish desires. Little did he know that I recently quit drinking, partly due to some medication that I have to take and partly because it was getting out of hand.

The first monk then went into another room and brought me out some booklets and a couple of CDs for my computer. They are an introduction to Buddhism, chanting, and introduction to meditation. With that it was time for me to go. I asked them if it was OK to bring food by when I come on their regular days and if there were any restrictions. They said that was fine just don't bring beef. They are totally reliant on the community to meet their needs.

On the drive home I couldn't stop smiling. I think I've just made a couple of new friends. Something my life has been seriously lacking. I wish I would have done this years ago when I first became interested in the religion.