Living A Simple Life | Original Buddhist Documentary

With the current state of the world, finding peace can often seem like a distant dream. Amidst divisive social issues, economic crisis, political corruption, pandemic disease, environmental degradation, and so much more on a global scale, it can be very easy to get consumed by this darkness. It can be easy to feel lost or hopeless. It can make us wonder, is finding genuine peace even possible anymore? Housed within sacred monastic walls, a Buddhist monk mindfully begins to shave his head. This ritual, which has been passed down since the Buddha's time thousands of years ago, must be done every two weeks. In this solitary space, the monk performs this ancient ritual to the sound of silence. Before the break of dawn in the early hours of the morning, the monk wakes and prepares himself to go on his daily morning alms round. He dons his sacred orange robes with care before embarking on his daily alms round journey through the local village. Cleaning is essential to a monk's training. Not only does this activity maintain the beauty and order of the monastery, it purifies the mind as well. As he conducts his chores with mindfulness, a calm sweeps over him. His mind settles into the rhythmic motions and slips into a state of stillness. With his mind already tuned from his morning cleaning, he prepares for his morning meditation practice. Adjusting himself, he settles into a deeper state of comfort in both body and mind. There is no force, no pressure, simply a soft awareness rooting him in the beauty of the present moment. He carries this stillness of mind with him into his next activity, studying the Dhamma. The Dhamma is the teachings of the Buddha, and studying these sacred texts is a fundamental part of monastic training. The conceptual knowledge gained from the scriptures serve as a map for his practice. With the proper balance of theory and application, the Dhamma comes to life. Another way of practicing the Dhamma is through the act of walking meditation, which can be very supportive of a sitting practice. Walking meditation helps the practitioner grasp how meditation is not just sitting with your eyes closed. Whether the eyes are closed or open, whether the monk is moving or stationary, he trains himself to carry this stillness with him throughout his entire day. In addition to cleaning the common areas within the temple, it is equally as important for monks to clean their own living quarters. Cleaning community spaces is a good way to give back to others. However, cleaning one's own space is a gift to oneself. By maintaining the cleanliness and order of his living space, the monk can sleep better and feel more at ease while alone. It is supportive of his meditation, of his health, and of his overall well-being. While this habit of daily maintenance seems simple, the positive effects are deep and profound. One of the simple joys of the monk life is the ability to fully enjoy nature. Feeling different textures underfoot, feeling the soft touch of the wind against his skin, and the sound it makes as it dances through rustling leaves. The melody of various birds singing adds to the natural symphony. He breathes in the beauty of the moment as he proceeds to feed the fish found in this serene little pond. A simple act of generosity, but one that he takes the time to appreciate. Drinking in the moment, he stays anchored in a profound feeling of peace and contentment. As the day comes to a close, he prepares to further purify his mind during the act of evening chanting and meditation. From a perspective of productivity, it may not seem that the monk accomplished much given this daily routine. But looking beneath the surface, one can discover the depth of what is really happening. Each day, the monk puts his energy and effort into overcoming the real enemy, the darkness in his own mind. Each day, he diligently and mindfully follows his 227 precepts, practices meditation, and cultivates more wisdom. Each moment purifying his mind of anger, greed, and delusion. Although some may not be able to live a life of such seclusion, the monastic approach can be an inspiration for those seeking a new mode of being. By focusing our energy inwards and incorporating mindfulness and meditation into our lives, we can discover a treasure that cannot be found in the outside world. Inner peace.