Bhante Bodhicitta | Reflections

September 1, 2026

2026-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

Sharing a meal with my Dhamma brothers and sisters. My new family.

August 20, 2026

2026-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Someone asked me a really thoughtful question after my last post about the short-term monastic ordination at Wutai Shan: “If a monk pursues enlightenment and personal liberation from suffering, what purpose does that serve for civilization as a whole? And if everyone became a monk, who would have children, build families, work, make mistakes and contribute to society?”

I started thinking about it in a completely different way.

Practicing Buddhism is a little like going to university. The university is the School of the Dhamma, and the subject being studied is liberation from suffering. There are different levels of study, and people can participate according to their interest, ability and circumstances.

Most people don’t go to university because they intend to become professors. They study because they want to learn something, develop themselves, change careers, or simply understand a subject more deeply. And some people eventually decide they want to dedicate their entire lives to that field.

That’s how I see monastic life.

A monk isn’t someone who has been told that everyone needs to become a monk. A monk is more like someone who has decided to make the study and practice of the Dhamma their life’s vocation. It’s a lifelong commitment, much like becoming a professor or dedicating yourself to a particular field of study. And just as people can eventually leave academia and pursue another career, some people also disrobe and return to lay life.

The university isn’t asking everyone to become a professor. It simply provides a place where people can study.

And Buddhism has always had this same range of participation. There are laypeople who practice meditation when they have time, people who dedicate much more of their lives to the Dhamma, people who temporarily ordain, and people who choose to make monastic life their lifelong path. There is room for all of them.

But there is another important difference with this particular university: the subject isn’t mathematics, medicine or economics. The subject is the mind itself, and ultimately liberation from suffering.

The examination isn’t how much we know about Buddhism. It’s whether greed, hatred and delusion are actually becoming weaker in our lives. Are we becoming less reactive? Less attached? More compassionate? More peaceful? Are we creating less suffering for ourselves and the people around us?

And this brings me back to the question of whether enlightenment serves civilization.

I don’t think the value of a university is measured by whether everyone becomes a professor. Likewise, I don’t think the value of the Dhamma is measured by whether everyone becomes a monk.

Some people will raise families. Some will build businesses. Some will teach, create, heal, invent and serve their communities. And some will feel called to step away from those things and dedicate their entire lives to understanding the mind and the nature of suffering.

Perhaps what society needs isn’t for everyone to choose the same path, but for human beings to have the freedom to pursue different kinds of wisdom and different kinds of service.

And if someone spends their life studying liberation and becomes less driven by greed, hatred, fear and delusion, then that transformation doesn’t necessarily remain personal. They become a person who brings less suffering into their relationships, their community and the world around them.

The School of the Dhamma doesn’t need everyone to become a monk. It simply offers the opportunity to study the most important subject of all: how to become free.

Day 73–77 — 1,706,000 Steps

2026-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

Barefoot Walking Practice Day 73–77

This week brought an unexpected improvement to my barefoot training. The long driveway leading to Putuo Shan used to be gravel and rock, so I could only walk it in sandals, but the Wutai Shan team recently repaved it with asphalt. It has completely changed the area for me.

I can now walk barefoot along the shaded sections, giving my feet relief from the sun while continuing my conditioning. The sunny sections are another challenge altogether, as the asphalt can get extremely hot, but I can control how much exposure I get and quickly move back into the shade when needed. It also gives me a safer, more open area to train without having to venture into the forest and which is a nice break from pavement but does little to toughen my soles.

My feet continue to surprise me. Despite the long hours and increasingly varied surfaces, they feel incredibly resilient, with no blisters or significant issues. The new pavement couldn’t have come at a better time as I prepare for the next stage of this training, including my planned walk from Cham Shan Temple to Wutai Shan this October which is mostly on asphalt.

Day 73: 9,000 steps • 5 km

Day 74: 21,000 steps • 15 km

Day 75: 21,000 steps • 15 km

Day 76: 30,000 steps • 21 km

Day 77: 6,000 steps • 4 km

Cumulative Total (Days 1–77)

1,706,000 steps • 1,164 km

May every step awaken the heart.

May every mile cultivate peace.

May all beings be joyful. 🙏

A Little Modesty, a Little Mindfulness

2026-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

I remember when I first went to Vietnam and visited Buddhist temples for the first time. I knew very little about Buddhist etiquette, including how to dress, behave, or address monastics. There were temples where I wasn’t allowed to enter because I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and shorts. I remember one particular time when I borrowed my mother’s scarf, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled my shorts down so they were somewhat below my knees because I really wanted to enter and experience the peacefulness of the temple. At the time, I simply thought of it as a rule I had to follow. Today, as a Buddhist monk, I understand the deeper meaning behind it.

One of the things that has surprised me at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden is how many people arrive without realizing that they are entering a Buddhist temple and monastery rather than simply a public park. I love that people want to come here, enjoy the grounds, walk, spend time with their families, and experience the peacefulness of the space. For many visitors, this may be their first encounter with a Buddhist temple, so they may simply not realize that there are customs associated with entering a sacred space.

In many Buddhist cultures, modest clothing is traditionally expected, which generally means covering the shoulders and wearing clothing that extends to at least the knees. This is an expression of modesty, respect, and mindfulness. Just as we might dress differently when entering a church, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship, our clothing can be one simple way of acknowledging that we are entering a space dedicated to spiritual practice rather than ordinary recreation.

There is also a Buddhist reason for this. The Buddha taught extensively about sensual desire, and the monastic life is a training in becoming free from attachment, greed, hatred, and delusion. Modest dress can therefore be understood as a kindness toward the monastic community because it avoids unnecessarily drawing attention toward the body and sensuality. At the same time, if a monk experiences lust, the responsibility for that mind state belongs to the monk. A monk cannot blame someone else for his own defilements. The practice is to recognize the desire and let it go, while a visitor can also practice generosity by being mindful of the environment they are entering.

Temple etiquette extends beyond clothing as well. We generally speak quietly, silence our phones, remove our shoes where required, avoid touching sacred objects unnecessarily, and are mindful of how we sit and move around the Buddha, the altar, monastics, and other practitioners. None of these customs are meant to make Buddhism complicated or intimidating. They are simply opportunities to practice mindfulness and respect through our everyday actions.

A little modesty, a little mindfulness, and a little respect can transform the way we experience a Buddhist temple. We aren’t simply visiting a beautiful place; we are entering a space dedicated to awakening.

A New Branch of the Buddhist Family Tree

2026-08-20T00:00:00+00:00

My post about the 10,000 monks in Thailand took an interesting turn, because after I posted it, I was talking with Bhante Mudita and he said, “You know this is Dhammakaya, right?” I had no idea.

Most people are familiar with the three broad traditions of Buddhism: Theravāda, Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna (aka Tibetan Buddhism). But the more I learn, the more I realize that Buddhism is less like three separate boxes and more like a huge family tree, with traditions developing out of earlier traditions, branching off, reforming and sometimes developing in very different directions.

For example, Vajrayāna developed within the broader Mahāyāna Buddhist world, retaining many Mahāyāna teachings while developing its own distinctive tantric practices. Something somewhat analogous happens within Thai Theravāda. The two major Thai monastic fraternities are the Mahā Nikāya and Dhammayuttika Nikāya, and there are many different lineages within these broader traditions.

Then there is Dhammakaya, which grew out of the Mahā Nikāya tradition but developed into a very distinctive modern Buddhist movement, with its own meditation practices, organizational structure, enormous gatherings and approach to merit-making. It has also been controversial and has had a complicated relationship with Thailand’s established Sangha and government.

I had never really appreciated just how many different schools, lineages and movements exist within Buddhism, and even within Theravāda itself. I can spend years studying the tradition I practice and still stumble across an entire Buddhist world that I knew almost nothing about.

The more traditions I encounter, the more I appreciate the importance of investigating for myself. What do they practice? What do they emphasize? What appears skillful? What do I question? What can I learn from their approach, even if ultimately it isn’t the path I choose?

For me, being a Buddhist monk isn’t about assuming that everything called Buddhism must be accepted, nor is it about dismissing traditions simply because they are unfamiliar. It’s about investigating, practicing, observing the results and continually examining what the Dhamma means in the way I choose to live this life.

Apparently, I thought I was looking at 10,000 monks receiving alms. Instead, I stumbled into a whole new branch of the Buddhist family tree that I didn’t even know existed.

Sound Meditation for the Residents

2026-08-19T00:00:00+00:00

After a good night’s rest, I got up and started my morning walk as usual, but had to cut it short because I had an hour’s drive to Station Place Long-Term Care Home, where I offered another sound meditation for the residents, about 15 people.

I love being able to bring this practice into the community, especially to people who can so easily become isolated or forgotten. Seeing how much they enjoyed the experience and how appreciative they were to have a little space for peace was really meaningful to me.

I’m grateful that I can offer something so simple and receive so much in return.

Three Steps, One Bow — Save the Date

2026-08-19T00:00:00+00:00

Last year, more than 1,000 people came together at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden for our annual Three Steps, One Bow pilgrimage — walking side by side in a spirit of peace, gratitude, and compassion. Every three steps, we pause and make one full bow: a moving meditation that cultivates humility, mindfulness, perseverance, and loving-kindness.

This year’s pilgrimage is set for Sunday, September 6, 2026, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Everyone is welcome — whether you complete the entire day or simply join for a portion of it, each step becomes an offering for peace in the world and peace within our own hearts.

Three Steps, One Bow — An Invitation to Return

2026-08-18T00:00:00+00:00

Last year, more than 1,000 people came together at Wutai Shan Buddhist Garden for our annual Three Steps, One Bow pilgrimage. It was a truly inspiring day as people of all ages walked side by side in a spirit of peace, gratitude, and compassion.

Every three steps, we pause and make one full bow. It is a moving meditation that cultivates humility, mindfulness, perseverance, and loving-kindness. Whether you complete the entire pilgrimage or simply participate for a portion of the day, each step becomes an offering for peace in the world and peace within our own hearts.

If you joined us last year, you already know how meaningful this experience can be. If you missed it, this is a wonderful opportunity to be part of one of the most beautiful annual traditions at Wutai Shan.

📅 Sunday, September 6, 2026

🕐 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Together, we dedicate our practice to:

🕊️ World Peace

🌏 National Prosperity

🌤️ Favorable Weather

💛 Kindness in All Hearts

Everyone is welcome. Whether you are Buddhist or simply curious about this ancient practice, we invite you to walk, bow, and cultivate a heart of compassion with us.

We hope to see even more people join us this year as we continue this beautiful tradition together.

10,000 Monks in Hat Yai

2026-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Yesterday, August 16, Thailand held this extraordinary gathering in Hat Yai, where around 10,000 Theravāda monks from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia gathered for a massive alms offering as part of a long-running tradition in southern Thailand. The Dhammakaya Foundation describes the larger project as the “2 Million Monks Alms Offering in 77 Provinces” initiative.

And the history is pretty remarkable. These Hat Yai events go back many years. In 2009, the International Buddhist College described approximately 10,000 monks and hundreds of thousands of laypeople participating. The 2015 event likewise involved 10,000 monks, with the donated dried food subsequently distributed not only to monks but also to soldiers, police, teachers, students and local residents, particularly in communities affected by conflict in southern Thailand.

So this isn’t really 10,000 monks getting a gigantic meal. It’s a social system of dana operating at enormous scale.

Looking at these photographs, what strikes me isn’t simply the number of monks, but the sheer number of ordinary people who came out to offer food and necessities. This is dāna on a scale that is almost difficult to comprehend.

It also brought me back to a conversation I recently had with someone asking, essentially, what a Buddhist country has ever contributed to the world or to society. Thailand is an interesting answer because Buddhism isn’t just something practiced inside temples there. It is woven into everyday life, with generations of people growing up with the practice of making merit, giving alms, and supporting the Sangha and contributing to their communities.

Day 68–72 — 1,619,000 Steps

2026-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

Day 68–72

I’ve officially passed the halfway mark of this 143-day barefoot walking practice. Day 72 of 143.

This past week was exceptionally busy at Wutai Shan, with packed public Sound Meditation sessions, full small-group sessions, a large group of short-term monastics staying for the week, and a constant stream of visitors coming through the gates. With so much happening, I simply didn’t spend as much time walking as I had hoped, and I’ve fallen behind the pace I need to maintain for my goal.

Now that I’m halfway through, it’s time to make up some ground. This week I’ll be pushing myself toward longer distances and challenging myself to set some new personal bests, although I still have a few busy days ahead at Wutai Shan.

Day 68: 16,000 steps • 10 km

Day 69: 26,000 steps • 20 km

Day 70: 4,000 steps • 3 km

Day 71: 7,000 steps • 5 km

Day 72: 14,000 steps • 10 km

Cumulative Total (Days 1–72)

1,619,000 steps • 1,104 km of 2,600 km

Halfway through the time, but not halfway through the journey. There are still 72 days ahead, and plenty of kilometres to walk.

May every step awaken the heart.

May every mile cultivate peace.

May all beings be joyful. 🙏