Hello Dhamma "friends"

[Subhatto]

My name is Maurice (Subhatto) and live in Zaanstad (Netherland), and follow the path of practice of the Thai Forest Tradition (Kammaṭṭhāna Tradition).

My first meeting with Buddhism was in September 1998 when I visit Thailand for the first time. A son of my ex-wife was also a monk at that time and we visit him, the temple was located in Prachin Buri. My first experience by visit this temple was, that I know this place and was here before already, but not in this life. I tell the abbot about this experience when we arrived, and ask also: is the old temple hall still here? The abbot just reply: welcome back and he smiles. I was confused and start to search for the old temple hall. When I found it, I remember when I enter there where allot of fleas jumping up to my legs. I saw this big beautiful Buddha statue and immediately I fall down on my knees and start to cry, cry of happiness... Find again what was left in my previous life.

After I came back to Netherland, I start to look for information about Buddhism. Someone introduced me to a Vipassanā meditation teacher. That same year my first introduction to meditation (Vipassanā) was at Christmas eve, and after that A Dhamma friend introduced me to Venerable Mettavihāri. I start practice the BuddhaDhamma in 1998, under guidance by Venerable Mettavihāri Maha Thera at Wat Buddhavihāra in Amsterdam. Venerable Mettavihāri was send by his teacher from Wat Mahāthat in Bangkok to Holland in beginnig of the 70's to teach the Dhamma to the Thai and western community. Venerable Mettavihāri follow the Mahāsi Sayādaw tradition, I stayed, lived and take care of him till he passed away in 2007, and he give me the Buddhist name Subhatto "Alive from the Dhamma" at that time. I work still as volunteer for the Thai temple Wat Buddhavihāra here in Holland, share and teach Dhamma to the western people. With all respect of my past teachers of the Mahāsi Sayādaw tradition, I could not practice very well with this meditation technique.

In those years (1998 - 2007) I get divorced, and after the divorce I met my new girlfriend, she come from Phon Phisai, Nong Kai (Isaan). In December 2004 I visit with her and her child my family in law in Phon Phisai, Nong Kai. We also married during this visit on 8th Januari out of respect for the family. This was also my first introduction and meeting of the Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Mun Bhūridatto: A family member of my girlfriend give me an wedding present, an original photo and a biography book Ajahn Mun Bhūridatto.

We have meet Luangta Mahā Boowa, and also other great disciples of Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Chah. From that day I was introduced to the Thai Forest Tradition, I follow the path of practice of the teachings of Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Chah and other great Teachers of the Thai Forest Tradition, who inspired and change my life forever.

My experience: The Dhamma protect those who practice the Dhamma.

P.S. A few years ago an close disciple of Luangta Mahā Boowa give me a handmade amulet of Ajahn Mun. After Ajahn Mun past away (10 November 1949), a disciple of Ajahn Mun made only 99 pieces of this amulet after the funural of Ajahn Mun (31 Januari 1950), and give this amulet to the closed disciples of Ajahn Mun. This amulet have hair and relics of Ajahn mun.

[Ytrog]

Remarkable story. Welcome to DhammaWheel

[dhamma_newb]

Hi Subhatto! Welcome to Dhamma Wheel. Hope you enjoy your time here. Take care.

Metta,
Don

[David N. Snyder]

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!

[Gena1480]

Hello and welcome.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings and welcome.



Metta,
Retro.

[Ricardo da Silva]

Very interesting testimony.
The Dhamma protect those who practice the Dhamma. I absolutely agree.

I'm very glad for the Mahāsi Sayādaw tradition reaching to Holland.

[cooran]

Welcome Subhatto!

with metta
Chris