Budh Gaya.

Some years later in December 1996, as I was leading my usual series of ten day retreats with Henry at the International Meditation Centre in Budh Gaya my lineage was revealed to me. Bhante was traveling with a group of Burmese pilgrims to the four holy places in India as I had done many years earlier when, to much mutual delight, we met.

I had missed my breakfast that morning having spent time with a student who was struggling with his retreat experience and so asked Henry to take care of the morning schedule whilst I cycled the five kilometres into town to have a coffee and cinnamon roll.

As I sat alone in this small cafe I noticed a monk standing at the gate of the Burmese Vihar. I looked and looked hardly believing my eyes until finally I had to approach. As I stepped into the daylight our eyes met and we both smiled. It was him.

"Ah Michael," he said, "there you are. I've just sent someone down to the retreat centre to bring you here."

It was a wonderful meeting for the both of us equally delighted by the other, and later when we were joined by Mar Mar Lwin the trio was complete. How wonderful. However, once again he would speak in a way that would shake me.

We sat together at the Burmese Vihara in the early ‪morning sun‬ quietly speaking in a caring and loving way when I asked, "Bhante, who was your teacher?"

In the past he had mentioned many Burmese teachers to me but never anyone in particular and so simply out of curiosity I asked the question.

He smiled and gestured to a statue of the Buddha standing behind us and answered simply, "the Buddha."

He then continued, "the Buddha taught his disciples, who then taught their disciples, who then taught their disciples and so on, until my teachers taught me and I taught you. You now continue this line as you teach your disciples. This is the way of Theravada, to maintain the purity of Dhamma by following a direct path from the Buddha."  

These words, like his message from U.Nu did not sit comfortably with me whilst at the same time I was happy that he thought so highly of me. Once again it only increased my integrity to stay true to the path and Dhamma.

It was here also on this special occasion that I was asked by Bhante to lead the very first Vipassana retreat at Bhante's new monastery in Birmingham, the Dhamma Talaka Temple. It was such an honor and privilege to be asked by this person I respected so much but I wanted to be clear.

"Ah Bhante," I said, "I no longer teach Buddhist retreats."

"No matter," he answered, I am asking you to lead the first retreat, a Dhamma retreat at my new temple when it is completed."

"Thank you," I said, "I am honoured. When will it be ready?"

"Very soon now." he finished

Seven years later the retreat began.

May all beings be happy.

(Excerpt from A journey to Awakening.)