Buddhist encounters in Portugal

[Cittasanto]

I only had a brief encounter With Ajahn Jayasaro, and he is a very good Monk for a first Encounter!



He is senior to Ajahn Vajiro the soon to be senior Monastic at the Portuguese monastery by about 30seconds at most (at a guess) they were ordained at the same time.

Last Tuesday, the 8th of May, Ajahn Jayasaro visited Portugal to support the initiative of setting up the monastery.

At the Portuguese Buddhist Union he gave a meditation workshop that started at 14:30 and ended at about 19:00, at 19:30 another session was planned, ending at 21:30. I was there at 19:30, and left at 22:00.

While I was there the Ajahn gave a very interesting Dhamma talk, and mentioned how enthusiastic his Thai supporters are about this new monastery. I believe more than 50 people were there during this second session. And a small delay occurred because the room had to be rearranged to assure everyone had a place to sit.

It was a very happy event for me. For the first time I was in the presence of an ordained monk. His calmness, clear speech and friendliness cause a deep impact in me.

I hope the number of people present at the event is a good indication of the support the monks will have in Portugal. I will support them in any way I can.

Metta

[mikenz66]

Hi Rui Sousa,

Sounds great. Thank you for sharing.


Mike

[Modus.Ponens]

Sadly I wasn't there. But it's really, really good to know there are many people enthusiastic of this project, and the Theravada in general.

[Cittasanto]

Spoke with my friend this morningand he says things are going quite smoothly!
Ajahn Vajiro & Venerable Subadho are learning portugees & not having too much of a culture shock

[Modus.Ponens]

Excelent! I haven't visit the monks yet because I'm in Madeira Island and they are in Lisbon. I'll visit them as soon as possible.

[Cittasanto]

Don't worry I warned them you may come, and to pretend to be out that day

[Modus.Ponens]