The Highest Dhamma
June 24th, 2008
Recently, from the 24th of June to the 26th the Most Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw grace Pagoda Phat Hue with his presence. Amongst the many Venerables who seemed to appear out of the wood work with robes of all colors, traditions and accents from around the globe the Venerable Sayadaw stood out as a worthy teacher of all.
The Sayadaw gave two public speeches and answered many questions from the retreatants. His talks were on some of the highest Dhamma that the Buddha preached and Abhidhamma held within the Vissudhimagga (the choice teaching guide of the Venerable Sayadaw). Though his talks were difficult to understand,
because of the depth of his wisdom in Buddhist practices and difficult to translate because of his vast knowledge and ability to list many specific quotations, texts, list of mental concomitants etc., it was a eye opening experience. It was apparent many of the attendees had no previous knowledge that the Buddhist practices could be so deep and profound.
During his short visit he was able to give advice to many of the practitioners on their personal practice. This is an opportunity to which even the practitioners of Pa Auk center in Mawlamyine Myanmar do not even have the privilege. The Venerable Sayadaw has been on retreat in Sri Lanka previous to his visit to Pagoda Phat Hue. He has been there for over a year for reasons undeclared. The Saydaw is a very respected personality in his home land of Myanmar and it is imaginable that if he was to return may incur some pressure from the local governments and army officials to take responsibility for recent uprisings of the Burmese monastic Sangha.
After His visit to our temple the Sayadaw will continue his teaching journey around the world. Three months in the USA at the Insight Meditation Center of Barre Ma., then to Malaysia, Singapore and most importantly as the Sayadaw left our Temple Our Venerable Abbott asked three time for th Sayadaw to return to Pagoda Phat Hue for three months in 2009. The Sayadaw accepted this invitation. We hope His next visit will be even more of an awakening experience