For a number of expatriates in Thailand, the significant amount of meditation teachers and centers across the kingdom can be a big draw. However, language can be a stumbling block for many of them who are seeking to learn more.
While it’s fairly easy to access the basics in English, more in-depth, and personal, explanations on topics relating to Theravada-style Vipassana meditation can be hard to come by. This is where a community of English-speaking beginner, and more experienced meditators, can be of a great help for foreigners developing their practice in Thailand.
It all ends with a ‘little bang’
Last year, a community aimed specifically at aiding English-speakers on the meditative path formed in Bangkok. Established in June 2007, the ‘Little Bangkok Sangha’, or 'Little Bang' for short, is headed by 38-year-old English monk Phra Cittasamvaro, who has been ordained for 12 years in the Thai Theravada tradition.
The group tries to meet at least once a month and features English-language meditation discourses and dhamma talks, provided by various Buddhist monks, in addition to holding other types of discussions. The group also aims to promote various English-language dhamma events in Bangkok, mainly through its significant web presence.
According to Phra Cittasamvaro, although Bangkok is a large hub for Western travelers visiting Southeast Asia, support in English in the realms of dhamma and meditation has been hard to come by.
“Many expats living here already know a lot about dhamma and meditation. Many more are curious to learn more, but very few Thai monks can explain dhamma in English,” he says.
After unsuccessful attempts at urging large Thai Buddhist organizations to provide dhamma information in English, the community was formed to plug the gap.
“For several years some of us tried to push the bigger organizations into providing more [dhamma information in English], but to no avail. If something is worth doing, in the end you must do it yourself,” he says.
The group’s title, ‘Little Bang’, is a play on the scientific theory of the planet beginning with a ‘big bang’; the founder hopes that through humble meditation, enlightenment can be attained and suffering can end with a ‘little bang’.
Phra Cittasamvaro says groups average around 50 participants for most talks, with a balanced mix of foreigners and Thais.
Intriguing interests
In addition to dhamma talks, the group also holds discussions on a number of other topics, ranging from religious-themed documentary films, to the psychological benefits of prolonged Buddhist meditation. The group’s last movie viewing and discussion, held in March, featured the documentary film Marjoe, and 25 people attended the event, which featured a rather lively discussion.
The group’s discussions prove to be stimulating not only due to the nature of the topics discussed, but also due to the broad-minded participants.
“Westerners know a lot about Buddhism. They are not all beginners. Much of the understanding is cross-lineage, including modern authors such as Eckhart Tolle and Ken Wilber. Westerners tend to have a much wider background and broader understanding than Theravada Buddhism alone,” says Phra Cittasamvaro.
One Westerner with a ‘broad-minded’ background is Dr William
Yaryan, a key member of the group and a retired environmental history professor from the US. A recently lapsed Catholic Christian,
Yaryan has been meditating on and off for 20 years in the Camaldolese order of (Catholic) hermits, and both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Upon arriving in the kingdom last August, he immediately set out to find English information on Buddhism and local Buddhist activities.
The talks are not limited to Buddhists, and often attract those from other faiths and interests, notably psychologists. Phra Cittasamvaro holds a degree in Buddhist Psychology from a Buddhist university, where he is currently undertaking an MA in Buddhist Studies.
“Although our goal is not to attract large numbers, a wide range of people come along. There’s no membership and no badge – either you find it interesting and are drawn to it, or you get bored and don’t come back. We have Christians, yoga practitioners, retirees, and psychologists in attendance. Several of us are qualified psychologists,” he says.
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Sangha: A Buddhist community
For those unfamiliar with the word sangha, it comes from the Pali language and roughly translates as ‘community’.
“But in a wider sense it means a group of like-minded people. It’s important to associate with good friends who are on the path too – in Buddhism we call this kalyanamitta,” says Phra Cittasamvaro.
And although a sangha is not necessarily required to practice Buddhism, for many reasons it can be very beneficial.
“It’s fine to be a hermit, or just meditate in your room. In reality, however, it is hard to keep focused if people around you don't hold similar interests. And besides, meeting up is enjoyable. Meditation is difficult – it’s not easy to maintain a regular practice and a continuous effort at taming the mind. You need to keep putting forth the effort to attend meetings or talks with like-minded persons, to make a strong commitment to yourself. When I first ordained, I would attend the dhamma talks of the Abbot even though I couldn’t understand a word [since it was in Thai]. The support and encouragement of a sangha is most precious,” he says.
Phra Cittasamvaro also stresses the importance of the ‘group effort’ that goes into the meetings.
“The monks tend to get noticed most easily, but there are many people who have contributed in innumerable ways – it’s a group effort of like-minded people. There are always lots of decisions to make, both big and small, so the key members are always instrumental in that role. Dr Holly Dugan [another key member] has been looking after the donations so that we are transparent regarding money matters. And Audwin Yap, another doctorate, has done a lot of the graphics work for our advertising, and has excellent attention to detail,” he says.
Compared to Christian gatherings, broadly speaking, Buddhist gatherings are less emotive and not primed towards devotion.
“In Theravada, dhamma talks tend to be focused on wisdom and understanding, although Thai Buddhism can be rather emotive also, with all the chanting, rituals, and so forth. At our events we concentrate more on learning and wisdom than on ceremony and ritual,” says Phra Cittasamvaro.
Upcoming event
The group’s next event is scheduled for May 8. Featured speakers will be Steve and Rosemary Weissman from the Vipassana meditation center at Wat Kow Tham, Koh Pha-ngan. The couple has been leading and teaching retreats full-time at the center for over 20 years. Check the Little Bang website for the latest information regarding times and venues.
Photos courtesy of Little Bang Sangha.
-James Vernon can be contacted at jamesjvernon[at]yahoo[dot]com.
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