An Incomparable Field of Merit for the World

Anuttaram puññakkhettam lokassa

Increasingly over the past thirty years in America, information about Buddhist teachings has become more accessible to the public. There has been a veritable explosion of books on the subject. Buddhism has even taken on a bit of a chic air as Hollywood celebrities and popular musicians have gone public with their profession of adherence to Buddhist teachings. While this information is much welcomed by those interested in learning more about Buddhism, it often leads them quickly into confusion and frustration if they attempt to sort out the many different views and emphases of the various schools and sects.

By and large, the Mahayana has enjoyed the lion's share of the exposure of their teachings in this country thus far, particularly with the increase in public interest in the Tibetan people's plight and the magnanimous, philanthropic presence of the Dalai Lama. While information about the teachings and practices of the Theravada have not been absent, those interested still often find their curiosity about this subject never fully satisfied with the offerings generally available today. Even when suitable materials are found on the subject, those who read them with an eye to developing their practice of meditation are rightly admonished by the materials themselves to seek out the guidance of a competent meditation teacher, one fully instructed in the Dhamma and Vipassana Bhavana. For the vast majority of Americans, finding such a teacher trained in the practices of the Theravada remains a seemingly unattainable dream. Happily, several centers for instruction in Vippassana have been founded in this country in recent years: S. N. Goenka has now founded several meditation centers throughout the country, the closest being in Dallas; the Bhavana Society's center in West Virginia also comes to mind as another major center for learning about Theravadan meditation practices.read more

Like many people in this country I developed an interest in Buddhism as a young adult after much spiritual searching, having found the religious remnants of America's materialistic culture unable to provide the kind of spiritual nourishment I needed to conduct a full and healthy life. When I first began to make plans to move to Austin in the Spring of 1999, one of my initial concerns was to find out what sort of resources were present in the area for learning more about and beginning to practice Buddhism. An Internet search left me pleasantly surprised at the number of options available: Tibetan, Zen, Pure Land, and Theravadin. My own investigation in Buddhism over the years had led me to the conclusion that the Theravadan tradition to be the one I would pursue in practice if afforded the opportunity. I was therefore very pleased to discover the Theravada Dhamma Society's Sitagu Vihara . After years of reading about Buddhism and attempting to practice meditation on my own I finally had access to the members of the Sangha . I have been attending meditation sessions at the Vihara every Sunday evening since May 2000.

The project that is underway at the Sitagu Vihara under the leadership of the Venerable Ashin Nyanissara is such a very important one: construction of a stupa, monastery, Dhamma Hall, and meditation cottages for retreatants represent the Sitagu Vihara’s dedication to instruction about the Dhamma. There is a real thirst for genuine, competent instruction about the Dhamma all around us. The presence of the monks at the Vihara provides people in Austin with the opportunity to learn about the Dhamma and more importantly to begin practicing it. It is a great honor that the meditators at the Vihara have been able to receive meditation instructions directly from Sayadaw Nyanissara, one of Burma's foremost preachers of the Dhamma, during his stay at the Vihara for the duration of the Rains Residence this year. I myself have found his teachings on Vippassana Bhavana most helpful and encouraging in my own practice.

The presence of the Sangha is vital to true Buddhist practice. The Bhikkus duly ordained into the Sangha participate in a direct lineage from the Buddha himself, which has preserved the Buddha's teachings throughout the centuries even up to this present time. It is the Sangha which has maintained and purified this teaching over the ages, protecting it from accretions and defending it from defilement. The monks at the Sitagu Vihara represent for those interested in pursuing Buddhist practice here in Austin an invaluable point of contact with this rich spiritual tradition.

I am glad that I can participate in my own small way in the growth that is underway at Sitagu Vihara. Though it is now in its humble beginnings, may the Vihara, with right effort, continue to grow and become a place of refuge for those who are seeking the path to Nibbana. May the Dhamma in its pristine purity prevail and find root on these shores.

May the sorrowful be without sorrow.

May those in fear be without fear.

May the grieving be without grief.

So too may all beings be.

Burleigh Custis
Austin, Texas

by Burleigh Custis