Buddhist & Thai Ceremonies and Celebrations

Photo Galleries for events at Wat Sacramento are available online

Monks Daily Activities at the Wat

Meditation and Studies

The monks of Wat Sacramento endeavor to focus their lives on realizing and understanding the Dhamma. Meditation and Dhamma studies are central in their efforts to achieve success as Buddhist. Their effort and behavior encourage our own efforts in meditation and Dhamma studies.

Clean and Maintain the Temple grounds

Not only does proper care and maintenance of the temple allow for proper effort in understanding the Dhamma, it also provides guests with a more comfortable place and leaves them more inclined to participate in realizing the Dhamma for themselves and to support the temple.

Receive Alms and Eat Daily Meal

Monks do not store away their favorite foods or go out and buy foods they like to satisfy desire or taste. Food is considered a requisite - something only needed for survival on the path to awakening. Eating once each day simplifies life and helps to progress toward the goal. Providing food to the monks is our opportunity to support their effort. We can meditate on offering our support without attachment to rewards.

Participate in Activities and Projects

Even with extensive support from the lay community, there are always activities and projects to attend to. Whether newly learned or carried over from their lives before ordination, monks often have useful skills and abilities for performing tasks, from woodworking, to computer projects, that are beneficial to temple visitors and help to expand the teachings.

Meet with Community and Laity

While the lay community goes about our busy, day-to-day lives, we should reflect of the effort of monks and, when the opportunity arises, be prepared to listen. Be mindful of those moments and keep the discussion on a skillful path. This strengthens and enhances our own skill and allows the monks to guide and support us on this path.

Chanting and Meditation

While meditation is the key, knowing the teachings and discoveries of the Buddha are the map. For hundreds of years the Buddha's words were not written - only repeated and maintained in the minds and voices of the Noble ones he first guided along the path. Frequently repeating those words solidify the community of monks and extend understanding and guidance into the future. Meditation, with the eight-fold path thus firmly established, brings the goal into being.

Individual Meditaion and Activities

Sometimes, monks are out of sight, withdrawing for individual practice and effort. The solitary life, in the forest at the foot of a tree, or in an empty building, or even in a small kuti at the back of the temple grounds attending to this difficult mind, is an opportunity to practice. This complements the time in a larger group or community and can be very beneficial and fruitful time. Those times when the monks retreat from the outside activities are an opportunity we should respect.

Opportunity

This human existence, rare and valuable, yet easily wasted, is a golden opportunity that we must be careful to make the most of. We cannot just believe and hope to put the gold of this life in the bank. We must take action, through right effort, to realize the fruit of the path. Our own peace can be realized with care and skill.