By Ayya Seri Bhikkhuni

We emerged from our Rains Retreat 2012 on 1st October. We are very grateful to our supporters who offered us  the requisites during the Rains Retreat. May we share the merits of our practice with you for the attainment of Nibbana.

The Smiling Buddha and the ‘Trailing Lotus’ together with a dove and a parrot at the Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage in September 2012

I am going to share with you the beautiful Spring at the Hermitage. I am looking and seeing Spring from the perception of the beautiful. It is not the whole truth and the complete picture of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage. Life in Samsara is dukkha ( suffering ), anicca ( impermenance ) and anatta ( not-self ). Soon, Summer will be here, and there will be hot and dry, a different set of perceptions. But, we still can enjoy the beautiful Spring in front of us.

Western Australia’s wild flower ‘White Mignonette’ among the ‘Trailing Lotus’ at Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage.

Following is an inspiring poem by Arahat Bhikkhuni Patacara from the Therigatha-Poems of Early Buddhist Nuns.

Ploughing the field with their ploughs,
Sowing seeds upon the ground,
Maintaining their wives and children,
Young men acquire wealth.

Then why, when I am pure in virtue,
Practising the Master’s Teaching,
Have I not attained Nibbana –
For I am not lazy, nor puffed up?

Having washed my feet,
I reflected upon the waters,
When I saw the foot water flow
From the high ground down the slope,
My mind became concentrated
Like an excellent thoroughbred steed.

Having taken a lamp, I entered my cell,
I inspected the bed and sat down on the couch.
Then, having taken a needle,
I pulled down the wick.
The liberation of the mind
Was like the quenching of the lamp.
( Thig. 112-16 )

Bodhi tree and spring flowers outside the sala of Patacara Bhikkhuni Hermitage in September 2012

If  you are reading this post right now, I invite you to close your eyes and spend a few minutes sending good wishes and metta to Ayya Vayama Bhikkhuni for her 60th birthday on 28th October 2012. May she be well, happy, at peace and at ease. May she attain Nibbana in this very life.

Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!