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Thay has often said to his students, “To bow or not to bow is not the question. The important thing is to be mindful.” When we greet someone with a bow, we have the chance to be present with that person and with the nature of awake-ness, of Buddhahood, within us and within the other person. We do not bow just to be polite or diplomatic, but to recognize the miracle of being alive.
The practice of Touching the Earth is to return to the Earth, to our roots, to our ancestors, and to recognize that we are not alone but connected to a whole stream of spiritual and blood ancestors. We are their continuation and with them, will continue into the future generations. We touch the earth to let go of the idea that we are separate and to remind us that we are the Earth and part of Life.
When we touch the Earth we become small, with the humility and simplicity of a young child. When we touch the Earth we become great, like an ancient tree sending her roots deep into the earth, drinking from the source of all waters. When we touch the Earth, we breathe in all the strength and stability of the Earth, and breathe out our suffering- our feelings of anger, hatred, fear, inadequacy and grief.
Our hands join to form a lotus bud and we gently lower
ourselves to the ground so that all four limbs and our forehead are resting
comfortably on the floor. While we are Touching the Earth we turn our
palms face up, showing our openness to the three jewels, the Buddha, the
Dharma, and the Sangha. After one or two times practicing Touching the
Earth (Three Touchings or Five Touchings), we can already release a lot
of our suffering and feeling of alienation and reconcile with our ancestors,
parents, children, or friends
On the day that we are traveling to another hamlet, a bell is invited 15 minutes before the departure time. Please start heading towards the parking lot so we will not be late and keep the others waiting. Allow ourselves enough time for preparation so we will not have to rush. We should walk mindfully and enter a car that has an empty seat. Sit up straight and follow your breathing. We might like to observe the surrounding countryside. Let us refrain from being carried away by conversations.
When it is time to return to our own hamlet, let us find the car in which we came and seat ourselves. Let us not remain outside and keep others waiting. Let us be aware of the program and any changes that might affect the transportation home, so we will not be left behind.
If we have our own car, let us try to remain with the group and not to see it as an opportunity for us to travel separately and on our own time. Let us try not to remain behind in the hamlet, when others from our hamlet have returned.
Let us refrain from traveling into town as much as
we can. Our time spent here at the village is very precious. There are
many nurturing elements of peace and happiness here, such as the beautiful
trees and forest, the birds, our brothers or sisters who have come from
all walks of life to practice like us. The collective energy of the Sangha
is the most precious thing. Let us spend our time devoted to the practice
and not to let this opportunity slip by. We only go into town when we
really need to do so. When we are in town, we do not lose ourselves and
our practice. Let us be mindful and take care of our six senses.
Village des Pruniers - Làng Mai - Green Mountain Center - Deer Park Monastery - Lộc Uyển
Email: PVlistening@plumvillage.org - Meyrac Loubès Bernac 47120 France