We
are fortunate to have an active Buddhist Temple and Thai community here
in Homestead. Below you will see some pictures from our local temple and
some of the local Thai festivals and events. When you visit us in Miami,
Florida, make sure
you take some time to visit our Thai temple the Wat Buddharangsi.
Blessings to all our
dear Thai Family, Friends, Teachers & Students:
May
you be blessed by the power of the triple Gems "The Buddha", The Dharma/doctrine,
The Sangha/holy order."
May you have good health, beauty, long life, happiness, success, prosperity.
May all these blessings be yours,
and may all your wishes be fulfilled.
Buddhist temples in Thailand have not
only sustained monastic communities, but have also served as
schools, village news centers, hospital dispensaries,
employment information centers, hostels and community
centers; we are blessed to have one Wat in Miami/ Homestead.
Buddhist traditions honor the essential freedom of religious
practice granted to all. Muslims, Christians, Hindus and
Sikhs have all practiced their faiths without any form of
harassment or discrimination in Thailand, so if you happen
to visit this beautiful temple in Miami, you are welcome.
Wat
Buddharangsi, 15200 S.W. 240th Street., Miami,
Florida-
Open 7 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Daily
Buddhist Devotions; Free. Meditation, 3-5 p.m; Sundays.
Morning chanting at 6 a.m.; evening chanting, 6 p.m.
Offerings and
Blessings:
Visitors
ask for blessings from the monks, who offer daily prayers,
counseling and a sprinkling with holy water to wish everyone
a happy and healthy life. They also perform marriages and
funerals.
You are welcome to offer food to the
monks, as is common practice in Thailand. (Prepared food is accepted in the
morning; nonperishable food, flowers and donations are accepted
throughout the day.)
Thai Buddhist monks chant during morning services at the Wat
Buddharangsi
For
more information about Wat, Buddha history, Wat news, Thai events, Thai temples
in the USA please visit
www.watmiami.org.
THAI
CULTURE
Thai culture greatly differs from American culture. Previous
travel in Europe or the Americas will not prepare you for all these subtle
differences. Certain cultural
differences are so important that they are noted below:
Do smile.
Often. Thais smile for all occasions: To say hello or
thank you, to apologize, to make a request, to smooth over bad feelings. And
even because they're happy.
Do learn three phrases,
is recommended: Sawat dee Khrab
Hello & Good Bye,
and khaawp khoon khrap Thnal You in Thai language.
Do show respect for the king.
This isn’t just a guideline; it’s
the law. Rise when the national anthem is played (typically at 8 a.m. and 6
p.m. in many public places, and before public events.) Never insult or joke
about the king or royal family. As you learn more about the present king,
Bhumibol Adulyadej,
you'll readily respect him; in more than a half-century on the throne,
unlike so many other rulers, he has been a powerful and positive force
toward improving the quality of life for the Thai people.
Do dress modestly.
Thais understand that Americans may show up in
shorts and tank tops in public, but would never do so themselves. Wearing
long pants, and clean, neat clothes, will gain you an extra measure of
respect.
Don't wai unless you know what you're doing.
The wai—
the slight bow with fingertips touching in front of one's face or chest is a
greeting, and a way of showing respect or thanks.
Do show respect for their religion,
for
the Buddha, and for the
monks. Don’t wear shorts or tank tops to a temple, and it's considered
improper for women to touch a monk.
Do not touch anyone on the head, a spot which is considered
sacred.
Do speak quietly and gesture softly. Loud voices, calling
attention to yourself, pointing at people or things, throwing things, and
making big hand gestures, all seem graceless to the Thai sensibility.
Thailand Cultural Festivals/ Songkran- Thailand's New
Year- a celebration of cleansing and renewal
Much love Health and Happiness Happy Songkran
Happy New
Year
เปี่ยมด้วยรัก
แข็งแรงดี
และมีแต่สุข
ในปีใหม่ที่จะมาถึงนี้นะ
Translation in Thai language
Five Mindfulness Trainings
The Five Mindfulness
Trainings were developed during the time of the Buddha to be the
foundation of practice for the entire community, including
monastic and lay members. The basis for the trainings is mindfulness.
All Sangha members and guests are requested to observe these trainings
to support our practice of mindfulness and living harmoniously together.
No smoking, no drinking and no sexual misconduct constitute part of the
Five Mindfulness Trainings to be observed at a practice center.
The Five Mindfulness Trainings protect our freedom and make life
beautiful. As guidelines for our daily lives they are the basis of
happiness for individuals, couples, families and society.
___________________________________
The First Training: Aware of the suffering caused by the
destruction of life, I vow to cultivate compassion and learn ways to
protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. I am
determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any
act of killing in the world, in my thinking and in my way of life.
The Second Training: Aware of the suffering caused by
exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I vow to
cultivate loving kindness and learn ways to work for the well-being of
people, animals, plants and minerals. I vow to practice generosity by
sharing my time, energy, and material resources with those in real need.
I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should
belong to others. I will respect the property of others, but I will
prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of
other species on earth.
The Third Training: Aware of the suffering
caused by sexual misconduct, I vow to cultivate responsibility and learn
ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples,
families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations
without love and a long-term commitment. To preserve the happiness of
myself and others, I am determined to respect my commitments and the
commitments of others. I will do everything in my power to protect
children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from
being broken by sexual misconduct.
The Fourth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by
unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I vow to
cultivate loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and
happiness to others and relieve others of suffering. Knowing that words
can create happiness or suffering, I vow to learn to speak truthfully,
with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined
not to spread news that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize
or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering
words that can cause division or discord; or words that can cause the
family or the community to break. I will make all efforts to reconcile
and resolve all conflicts, however small.
The Fifth Training: Aware of the suffering caused by
unmindful consumption, I vow to cultivate good health, both physical and
mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful
eating, drinking and consuming. I vow to ingest only items that preserve
peace, well being, and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the
collective body and consciousness of my family and society. I am
determined not to use alcohol or any other intoxicant or to ingest foods
or other items that contain toxins, such as certain TV programs,
magazines, books, films and conversations. I am aware that to damage my
body and my consciousness with these poisons is to betray my ancestors,
my parents, my society and future generations. I will work to transform
violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by
practicing a diet for myself and for society. I understand that a proper
diet is crucial for self transformation and the transformation of
society.
"
The power of the mind comes from pure, still focus- not simple from the
gesture of a hand or a sitting pose. Your power comes from the inner
being."_ Mae Chee Sansanee, Buddhist nun and founder of Sathira
Dharmmasthan Ashram_ Bangkok, Thailand
_
Sacred Bodywork Upcoming Events:
2011 Thai Massage Certification Intensive Program,
Miami Beach, Florida
Instructors: Dennis Stovall & Jairo Cardona, LMTs,
NCBTMB
bout
our Thai Buddhist temple in Miami, Florida:
Offerings and
Blessings:
