The Ashoka Buddha Vihara, Rajghat

Rijum Chakma, New Delhi, is a student of Japanese JLP4 program, attends Swiss School of Languages, South Ext and Mosai, Barakhamba Road. She is sponsored by Ms Regienji from The Netherlands. There is a splendid monastery called Wat Pa Bodhgaya in present day Bihar, where one day a Chakma volunteer and a Dutch pilgrim crossed each other's path. The girl arranged a bed & a frugal meal for the visiting lady - a simple, dhammic act, to share and offer awed two hearts and they continue to remain connected till date. One is Rijum and second is Regien. My name is Rajendu and here's something I will present on behalf of Rijum. Thanks in advance for reading!

Three years ago, I set foot in New Delhi from Bodhgaya. From that time and until last month, there has always been a resident monk at the Asoka Buddha Vihara at Rajghat. Unfortunately, it is blank nowadays. Sans a monk, it remains a hollow experience to visit the temple. The picture appears even bleaker because this is the 'Vassa session' for the followers of the Buddhasasana. A monk will refrain from touring or visiting far-away places for three months and remain preoccupied - practicing perfection of the Vinaya rules and reflecting on the patimokkha and spreading purity, sanctity and holiness all over the shrine room in the process. Disdainfully, sans a monk or any auspicious rituals, our temple is a dull residue. It stands like an oak in winter ridden of its leaves. If you go to visit, the void is so big that it almost infects you.

I've lived 3 years of my life within the environs of a strict Thai monastery. The past experiences and background perhaps has a bearing over my mind that leads me to a closer affinity with temples and monasteries wherever I travel in India. I am more receptive to the changes in our temple therefore. It is not a good feeling to find a solitary temple in the middle of the capital city of India. I would consider that we are poorer today than yesterday without a bhikkhu. We like to believe that we live as a community; however, to me, this is a simple 'collection of people' standing under a roofless sky. This is an unfortunate fate. It is truly a matter of regret. Can we not take a quick step to lift the current situation? Do we really need to endure such a unfortunate fate? We must start to raise efforts and create a rescue plan.

We have a choice today. If all of us desire, the collective merits & skills could be easily redeemed towards atemple and a monk. We mix and assist one another so much, directly and indirectly, during the process, every one of us is constantly gaining good merits finally whose collective dose should be powerful enough to produce an very very positive karma, for example, a temple and a monk.....

By November, Buddhist monasteries all over the face of the globe will see a flurry of activities as the Vassa comes to a draw. At this moment of time, a true follower of the Buddhasasana with a begging bowl, walking stick and cibaras is practicing more suttas, dwells deep inside the pages of the holy Dhammapada to cultivate deeper dhamma because there will be a grand occasion to mark the end of the Vassa where the Sangha shall be presenting its dhamma skills to the larger lay community. In turn, the lay people will congregate and come prepared with the best gift and dana for the monks. Cibaras will be donated graciously for the monks. Kathina Cibara Dana is a landmark occasion held annually and the occasion is not so far from now.

November is upon us. How are we preparing as a Buddhist community in New Delhi? The future does not look promising the way things presently are. In retrospect, when the existing resident monk vacated his residency from the temple, our Chakma Buddhist Society failed to make an effective announcement regarding the unfortunate development. There may be many of us who did not get any information & specific information until belatedly. We needed a clarion call incisive enough to pierce the distance and reach everbody of our 250-odd strong community based in New Delhi. A weak voice reflects a weak and meek and defeated Society; a strong voice reflects a strong and progressive and robust Society.

At the moment an idea appeals to me. That I could try saving some money for a Mahabodhi train-ticket to Bodhgaya to join the grand celebrations. It will be a pleasant weather, a welcome and joyous air and open opportunity to service fellow Buddhist pilgrims, offer my prayers and perform many other forms of dhamma.

May all beings find bliss including me :-)