My twin sisters wanted to devoted a day as a lady monk as a way to dedicate that day to think of our father. It's been ten years since he passed away. Couple rules as a lady monk you cannot touch them, one meal a day, meditate most of the day, do some cleaning around the temple.
(A request from a friend to write more so this is going to be off topic, so skip to recap for a low down of Wat Suddhavasa)
We started the meditation with four monks. Don't understand what they're saying but into it you feel centered. You should allowed your mind to wonder and allowed it to come back again. Your eyes are closed, your hands together in a praying positions, you're sitting on the floor. I'm not flexible so I just lean against a sofa. Somewhere you started to reflect...
"I miss you, papa"
It's nice to be at a Temple it's serene, monks are pleasant and I get to practice my Thai. My sisters and mom look beautiful. After the prayer, a monk gave a little speech... had to call mom on this one it didn't really stick hahaha. He(monk) said, and I'm paraphrasing, people give back to monks and temple, to buddhism and they often wonder of all the donation and giving why is it I'm still stuck in a rut. I thought that by giving I will get something in return... perhaps find peace and money would start rolling in?
Monk said, it's not enough to just give and expect something in return. There are three things that you should considered: one, your actions. Are your actions withing the realm of buddhism? There are five principles: don't steal, don't cheat, ... dang I don't know the other three. It's been a long time since I'd gone to Buddha school. Two, your donations does not necessary going to show return in this life. Perhaps you are suffering through Karma. In that you are repaying for your past sin. Third, you should have good intention in your action. This is similar to Wayne Dryer teaching, "The power of Intention" I don't remembered the details but in my world I do good with the intention to make others happy. I tried not to hurt other people. Perhaps there are some goodness that comes from buddha teaching that I'm practicing on a day-to-day basis. But it's hard. So again, it comes back to intention. If you mean well, hopefully the other party sees that and if the result happened to be bad. Well, hopefully she/he understands.
Then we pray again this time we "Quad Nam", this is a tradition way to focus on your wishes and making wishes. You'd place your index finger in this golden cup and while the monks are saying their prayers you slowly pour "prayer" water from this little golden vase over your finger, your family can join in and if it's too crowded you can receive that goodness for touching the person who's fingers are being blessed from the "prayer" water. All the while you are saying your wishes.
Then we go outside and, "Thum Boud" basically each person gets a bowl of rice and we spoon a little of rice for each monk. Naturally you don't want to run out because then the few last monks wont get any rice. So you'll need to know how many monks are coming and portion it properly. You should take off your shoes while doing so and avoid wearing black to temple. White and tan color and consider earthy and grounded so wear them color. Then we passed entrees to the monks and they spoon a little of each in their "bowl" if they don't want it they'll just touch the plate and you hand it off to the next guy who happened to be in front of another monk and he'll hand it to the monk in front of him. Only guys allowed to do this. It's actually kinda fun. I like handing stuff so what! LOL After monks get their food they move to their room.
Finally, we go outside and enjoy a home cooking Thai food. Each person bring food to the Temple and after the prayer it's buffet time. And with Thai food you can expect spicy stuff. Love mom's cooking.
Usually it's not something you'll find in Thai restaurant. There weren't a lot of people attending since it's in Riverside but plenty of food. I had my mom's spicy fried string beans (not haricot vert, the chinese kind) with pork shoulders so you get a little fat. Very spicy, very tasty! Then I had pan fried minced pork with basil and chilis. And of course, top my jasmine rice with Thai curry, yellow I think. There were coconut milk, button mushroom, young bamboo shoots. Yuummm! Yes, I went back for second. The plastic plate they were handing out were small, yeah that's it hahaha. Nothing fancy about dessert, just cuts of watermelon. Thai desserts are awesome. It's beautifully decorated and usually has coconut milk with plum sugar and sticky rice. And they're in "petit fours" size. You can find them in Thai Town Holloywood area. If you love sweets and coconut you'll love Thai dessert. And if I decided to ask you out, remember to ask me to take you there. It's so much fun
Recap:
It's serene and peaceful
Nice to sit and pray with monks
Food is great, since it's Thai mom's cooking read more