Food for the heart.
Ancient Buddhist alms-round turning heads in Rundle Mall this Friday.
Friday 17th of August-10.30am
The sight of a Buddhist monastics collecting food in the early morning, a 2600 year old tradition, is a common throughout South-East Asia. In Adelaide, where census data shows Buddhism is on the rise, this practice of giving food to wandering monks still attracts some strange looks from passers by, especially in consumer-driven Rundle Mall.
This Friday 17th of August a procession of monks and nuns from several of Adelaide’s Buddhist temples will be participating in an alms-round or ‘Pindapat’ through the city. This ancient tradition aims to silently spread peace and generosity through the streets of Adelaide. Buddhists believe that ”to give” opens the heart and is directly opposed to the worldly way “to get.”
The monks and nuns walk silently and mindfully with their alms bowls accepting food to sustain them for the day. They will not accept money, nor be proselytising. For those who give, however little, the alms round is the chance to savour the blessings of generosity. For monastics, the Buddha’s exhortation to make themselves worthy of the people’s gifts inspires them to develop their virtue and inner peace to the highest level.
The Buddha asked his monks and nuns to create a mutually supportive arrangement whereby the lay-people offer food for the stomaches of the monastics and in return the monastics offer food for the heart. Theravadan Buddhist monks and nuns live simply, on the donations of their community. In return they offer mindfulness meditation, counselling and pass on the Buddha’s teachings, free of charge.
Organised by Adelaide-born nun, Santacari Bhikkhuni and joined by monks from Cambodian and Sri Lankan temples, this will be the fifth such event held this year. ‘Each month more and more excited supporters participate in the alms-round. Even in the rain everyone is smiling’. Venerable Santacari says. ‘It’s such a wonderful opportunity for the people of Adelaide to experience for themselves how generosity uplifts the heart.’ Buddhist Society of SA spokesperson Michelle Koen says ’The monks & nuns have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of support offered. Many supporters have been asking us to when we will next be on alms-round.’
Anyone is welcome to join the procession, which departs Adelaide railway station at 10.30am via King William St, Rundle Mall, Pultney Street and North Terrace culminating in a shared meal. Following the meal there will be an opportunity to talk with the monks and nuns and ask questions about meditation and Buddhism.
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For more information contact Venerable Santacari on 0401 080 953
email: secretary@nullbuddhistsocietysa.org.au
www.buddhistsocietysa.org.au