A large temple in Myanmar can be described as the peak of incense, tourists from all over the world to admire, the temple not only allows tourists to take pictures at will, the temple abbot is even more enlightened, even allowing tourists to observe nearly a thousand monks practicing and eating. The scene was spectacular. This naturally raises questions: such temples are also too "Internet celebrities". It goes against the Buddhist tradition of propagating the Dharma. It is too inappropriate for a monk to practice in this way. However, the people around them praised and saluted: this is their truest practice, and this is the great virtue of promoting the Dharma.
Everything is in the opinion, but regardless of the praise and criticism, the feat of the temple has undoubtedly attracted tourists from all over the world to stop, attracted monks from all over Myanmar to practice here, and made more people interested and understanding of Buddhism and practice.
What kind of temple would have such a big charm? Why be so enlightened? What kind of practice will attract tourists from all over the world to take pictures? Does this approach really go against the teachings of Buddhism?
Next, let's be one of the tourists to experience the spectacular practice of this "Feast of a Thousand Monks". In this way, he tells the world about the great virtue of propagating the Dharma.
The temple we are in is called Mahogend Anggargan Monastery, which was founded only 50 years ago. However, it is known as the only holy place of practice in the hearts of all Burmese monks, and tens of thousands of monks prefer to leave the century-old monasteries where they originally practiced and come from all over the world to study for a long time, so as to improve, becoming the "crossroads of practice" in the hearts of all monks.
Myanmar's century-old temples are lined with Buddhist temples and countless temples, but this temple that has only been around for 50 years stands out.
"You can not go to other temples, but Mahagen Deang Angahang Monastery is a must."
"Take a picture and they spread to the circle of friends all over the world." It has become the belief of tourists around the world.
"Come and take a picture, feel free to take a picture." The abbot of the temple smiled, only because of the vision of propagating the Dharma in his heart.
Some people praise, some people doubt.
Only because here is a practice that infects everyone: the feast of a thousand monks.
A large row of monks, a red robe, mighty, unable to see their heads at a glance, they were neatly arranged, hanging their heads, barefoot, holding black bowls in their hands, without a word. The little monks next to them wore white monks' robes, and even though they were still young, they were still neatly arranged.
This red and white are divided into two columns. The surrounding masses of people had already been inside the three layers, and the outer three layers surrounded them with water.
This stark contrast is wonderful and even more spectacular.
Noisy crowds around.
"Wow, that's spectacular."
"Take a picture." Some people worship and have already bowed down on the ground.
Someone pulled out a mobile phone and kept a record of the card wipe.
However, the monks were silent, always bowing their heads, and their expressions were firm, as if they were not disturbed by the noise of the outside world.
This also indicates that their practice has begun.
Burma follows the southern Buddhist system of begging for food, holding a bowl in one hand and thanking sentient beings with the other, only begging for food and not begging for money, so as to cut off the arrogance and desire in their hearts, thus generating equality and gratitude.
This became one of the most important practices of their day. This method has been circulating for more than 2,500 years.
Immediately, the monks, dragging bowls and barefoot, headed for the temple canteen. The monks found their seats, meditated on their feet, and sat on their seats. Wait for the instructions to eat. It was their last meal of the day.
"If you don't eat after noon, you only eat two meals a day." The rules have long been incorporated into the heart. This is also their practice.
Tourists took their mobile phones and watched outside the window to take pictures, witnessing the shocking scene of thousands of monks eating at the same time. This has also become a fasting practice promoted by the temple.
Thousands of people eat, presumably it must be extremely noisy, and the rice bowl is jingling. And that's what surprised everyone.
At this point, the monks' minds are focused on eating itself.
Every bite you chew, every drag, becomes a practice. Not only do we respect the fasting itself, but we are also grateful for the grace of food.
Make offerings to the people and be thankful for the gifts of the people.
Thousands of people could not hear any communication, not even the sound of bowls colliding. Even the sound of a needle falling to the ground became a noise.
Eating and not speaking is the most basic rule of monks. The solemn view inside the canteen makes the tourists marvel: this is the real state of practice.
It was not until the end of the meal that the monks had a little bit of ease, communicated with each other, faced the tourists, and smiled and gave instructions.
No money, no merit. I took a photo with pleasure to tell the way to propagate the Dharma.
The scene of thousands of monks eating at the same time is so spectacular that only here can you see it.
This is their spiritual life.
For such a practice, some people salute, the monks eat, and a series of hands-ups are not a kind of practice, so that more people can be interested in the Dharma. The practice of the temple allows tourists to stop and take pictures at will, only hoping to bring the Dharma to the world in this way, and it is not a kind of propagation of the Dharma.
Some people say that Buddhism should not be too mystified and secretive, but should go deep among the people and let people understand that practice is like this. In this way, we inspire the Buddha-nature of all sentient beings.
However, there are naturally questions about the worship, the temple is a pure place, and the monks should have meditated on the practice of the Buddha, not for tourists to take photos. Such a big publicity is now in front of the eyes of the masses, which is really a great disrespect to the Buddha, contrary to the Buddhist tradition of propagating the Dharma, and like turning the practice into a kind of performance. Turning the temple itself into a "place for Internet celebrities to punch cards" has really changed the original intention.
It's all a matter of opinion. However, this did not prevent people from going to see the practice of these monks.
Readers, what do you think? Let's discuss.
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