Discovering Buddhism

Year 9 and 10 Religious Studies students enjoyed a fascinating visit to the Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in Hemel Hemstead last week.

Established in the early 1980s, the monastery is inspired by the Thai Forest Tradition and the teachings of the late Ajahn Chah, a Thai monk and renowned Dhamma teacher, who encouraged Ajahn Sumedho to settle in England and found monasteries in this country. The purpose of Amaravati Monastery is to provide a place of practice for monastics in the Forest Tradition, whose shared intention is the realization of Nibbana, freedom from all mental suffering. It is also open to guests and visitors who wish to stay in a place where there is the opportunity to develop mindfulness, explore spiritual teachings, and to contribute to the life of the community.

The report below comes from Elizabeth F in Year 9:

“I thought that the trip to the Buddhist monastery in Hemel Hempstead was very interesting and it gave us all a huge insight into the life of Buddhist monks and nuns. We were shown around the monastery by a monk called Ahimsako and a novice monk called Pasādo. When we arrived we were shown into the main building and then we walked around the fields and saw the stupa (a mound-like structure containing relics that is used as a place of meditation). Then we went into the woods and looked at the Kuti huts that the monks and nuns spend time in to meditate.

After walking around the woods we went into the field and were shown about how to meditate whilst walking. It was interesting to learn about how the Buddhists meditate in different ways. Then we went into the main building again and watched the food ceremony. The monks said a chant of blessing to give thanks for the food. The people who volunteered to feed the monks then had to offer the monks the food before they ate it.

After lunch, we went outside by the fountain and had the opportunity to ask some questions and then we went into the temple where we saw a glass pane with the Buddha on it. Finally we went into the temple area and meditated for five minutes which was really relaxing.

I really enjoyed the visit and finding out more about the life of the Monks and Nuns at the monastery. It was lovely that the monks were grateful not only for the food and tea we gave them but also the ‘gift of attention’. Everyone we met was really welcoming and friendly.”