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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 49

Vesak day celebration at MABA in 2025. One-day retreat on 26th Oct 2024.

Chinese medicine and acupuncture moxibustion You began practicing martial arts and qigong at
treatment from him. After learning about my a very young age. How has your martial training
background over lunch, he recommended that I go to influenced your approach to meditation, discipline,
The Buddhist Triple Wisdom Hall (三慧講堂) in Penang and mindfulness?
to study under Ven. Zhu Mo (竺摩長老), who later
agreed to ordain me. I began learning martial arts and qigong from my
grandfather when I was five years old. Later, around
Can you share a memory or experience from 1986, I also trained in Taijiquan at Georgetown Chin
your early training in Thailand that had a lasting Woo Wushu Athletic of Penang. Chinese martial arts
impact on your spiritual path? emphasize concentration and unifying body and mind.
We are required to remain alert and responsive while
There are three types of enlightenment: namely in motion. You must stay focused and act with precision
Arahant, Pacceka Buddha and Sammā Sambuddha. in every moment. That’s why we use bodily movement
People often view the Pacceka Buddha negatively as a way to develop mindfulness and concentration. The
because they do not preach. However, we must core of qigong is about sending oxygen efficiently to all
understand that certain stages of practice require cells, especially the brain. When the brain lacks energy,
solitude. We need to focus and practice diligently, by we become more vulnerable to the five hindrances.
ourselves, to work towards inner realization, because Even experienced meditators encounter sleepiness and
cultivating wholesome habits is very challenging. slothfulness, which turn down the mind during stillness
meditation. Greed, anger, and doubt not only obstruct
My preceptor (Phrakhru Chonlakhetpipat of Wat meditation, but also interfere with daily life.
Chonlachaloemkhet Sungaikolok Narathiwa 96120
Thailand) who ordained me in Thailand knew that I I teach meditation slightly differently because of my
wanted to travel and continue learning, so he wrote me background and experience in Chinese martial arts.
a recommendation letter and sent me to his Dharma I incorporate exercises such as the five abdominal
friend, my meditation teacher Ajahn Chiaranadhamo. breathing methods (五式吐納) to help circulate oxygen
This teacher was very strict in his practice and had throughout the body. The most important thing in
sharp mindfulness. From him, I learnt about the Four meditation is not to let the body fall into an oxygen-
Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna), especially deprived state. So, it’s not just about static sitting, but
mindfulness of the body. These are engineered skills also practicing mindfulness while moving. In fact, I see
rather than theoretical concepts. It took me over 20 many similarities between Chinese martial arts and
years to practice and refine, before I felt ready to teach Indian yoga.
it publicly, only about 7-8 years ago. I am very grateful
that I have learnt about this skill of mindfulness of the What challenges did you face while planting
body. (Ven. Ji Ru recently taught this technique at Hoeh Dharma seeds in the US?
Beng temple in March 2025)