Buddhism and Pain

Question:
Hi, I've asked this of Buddhist before but the asnwer is a little beyond me. I'm in constant physical pain, I've studied the 4 noble truths and realize life is suffering and I've come across the idea of patient endurance. How can I apply that in practical terms to my situation? Thanks for answering, anything you say can be helpful, Marc


Answer:
Dear Marc,
It may be the last thing you want to do, but try focusing on the pain itself. Examine it, observe it as it changes in intensity, become the pain if you will. This practice has helped me tremendously in the past with eye opening results. I do not know of any specific practices directed towards pain. Most teachers would probably say something similar..."just be with it, watch it" . Pain can be used as a good platform for meditation practice but requires a great deal of endurance and patience with sometimes very rewarding results.

There are actually many Buddhist teachers that suffer from chronic pain. Darlene Cohen is one of them. I personally haven't read much of her website, but it has a lot of articles about it. The Website is here: http://www.darlenecohen.net/welcome/way.html

Living with pain, not with suffering - Bhikkhu Bodhi also writes this out of personal experience, you might check it out. Website here - http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=6,4168,0,0,1,0

"Instead of running away from pain, try embracing it. Be the pain."
- Palzang

I hope this helps Marc, do not hesitate to ask any further questions. I wish you well in your practice.

Yours in Dhamma
JC Ball
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Tibetan Buddhist Retreats California

Question from Art of California, USA regarding retreats in the CA area.

Question: Hello there,
I hope you are doing well. I took a 3 month leave off of work due to overwork, burn-out and depression. I have been trying to find a spiritual path for some years now, but due to lack of time, have never had a chance to fully focus on it. Now that I have the time, I really want to take advantage of it, and I have a high interest in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism from an experienced teacher. I want to be full immersed in it, so I am looking for a week-long to multi-week type retreat, where I am staying at the facilities overnight and am under the guidance of an experienced teacher hopefully with knowledge of the original teachings. I live near San Francisco, CA, but I am willing to travel within the US, as long as the price is not too high.

Due you have any suggestions for where to go?
I tried the only Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in the US (which is in Seattle, WA) however, the head Lama there is currently oversees so I need an alternative.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your help in advance!
Kind regards,
Art

Answer: Dear Art,

I do not personally hold a great deal of knowledge regarding Tibetan (Vajrayana) Monasticism or retreats in the US - California. However after relaying your question to a number of my Dharma friends I have come up with a number options you may consider. I hold no responsibility as to the 'quality' of the teacher or the establishments. On that note...

You are in luck as there is a retreat that starts tomorrow (13th) from November 13-22 with Geshe Tashi Tsering at the Vajrapani institute. Further details can be found on their website http://www.vajrapani.org/Site/courses_group_retreats.htm . Address and phone number below.

Vajrapani Institute
P.O. Box 2130
Boulder Creek, CA 95006
(831) 338-6654
http://www.vajrapani.org

Kadampa Buddhist Temple
Address: 3324 17th Street San Francisco CA 94110
Tradition: Vajrayana, New Kadampa Tradition Tibetan
Phone: (415) 503-1187
EMail: epc@kadampas.org

Tendai Jiko-ji Temple
Address: 504 Fayne Lane Redondo Beach CA 90277
Tradition: Mahayana, Vajrayana, Tendai
EMail: jion@tendai-lotus.org
Spiritual Director: Rev. Jion Prosser

White Conch Monastery & Dharma Center
Address: 33 Estrella Drive Santa Rosa CA 95403
Tradition: Vajrayana, Tibetan, Gelugpa
Phone: (707) 571-0321
EMail: cainfo@white-conch.org
Website: http://www.white-conch.org
Spiritual Director: Domo Geshe Rinpoche

I hope this helps, feel free to contact me again if you need any further help. Also check out the world Buddhist directory on Buddhanet here - World Buddhist Directory

Yours in Dharma
JC Ball
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Ordaining as a Buddhist Monk

Question:
I have been a Buddhist for around 5 years and follow the four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path. I feel metta for others (even those I would otherwise have problems with). I believe the most important learning is that the mind is the 6th sense and I am in control of the way i act and react. I meditate daily.
I am a Friend of the Western Buddhist Organisation and would like to be ordained as a Buddhist. However, I am losing my memory at 65 (an ex university graduate!) and recently visited a neurologist who advised that my brain was losing it's power due to constricted blood flow. It is now pointless studying for an academic qualification as I'll forget all!
I do have metta for all and feel that my Buddhist spiritualism would be acknowledged and of benefit to others if I could be ordained. Can you help.
With Metta, Chris

Answer:

Dear Chris,

The aspiration to ordain is considered a highly noble one and I encourage this way of life to any Buddhist interested in a renunciates life who is able to live by the 8 precepts of a Samanera or novice Buddhist Monk. The fact that you are an academic who is losing your memory at the age of 65 may just be good Dhamma and therefore another opportunity for you to practice 'Asuba Bhavana' which is the transient nature of the body you currently inhabit. Maybe your just now starting to worry about 'getting old'? If it helps, I started losing my memory at about the age of 21!

As one who was once considering ordination myself I will try my best to point you in the right direction. As you are currently living in the UK, I would highly recommend visiting Amaravati Monastery in Hertfordshire which plays host to a large vibrant community of Buddhist Monks, Nuns and lay people of all ages from around the world. You should spend some time there as a lay person where you will be given the opportunity to follow the schedule and practice alongside the Sangha. This will certainly help you decide whether this way of life is suitable for you or not.

If you wish to stay you must send them a letter in writing with the proposed dates. I believe your first stay is limited to one week (they do make exceptions) the address and contact details are below:

Amaravati Buddhist Monastery
St. Margarets Lane
Great Gaddesden
Hemel Hempstead
Hertfordshire
HP1 3BZ
England

http://www.amaravati.org
Retreat Centre: retreats AT amaravati DOT org
Guest Monk: guestmonk AT amaravati DOT org
Guest Nun: guestnun AT amaravati DOT org

Please replace the 'DOT' with '.' and 'AT' with '@'.

I wish you the best in your vocation, please do not hesitate to ask any further questions.

Yours in Dhamma
JC Ball

http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/buddhist-monk.html
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