Are you looking for a journey into the heart of spirituality? Let's explore 'Tidavata' Burmese Buddhism and its role in modern American life through the eyes of Zaw, a Burmese Buddhist residing in the US. Zaw brings us into his personal journey, demonstrating how his faith has brought a rich tapestry of tradition into his daily life. From discussing the significant role of monks and pagodas to the practice of Dharma talks, chanting, and giving, we uncover the critical elements of Zaw's tradition.
What does self-discipline mean in a busy, modern world? And how can generosity shape our lives? Zaw continues to share his experiences, providing valuable insights into the fusion of his heritage, religion, and spirituality within his American life. Join us as we explore the Theravada monastic tradition and the intriguing concept of freedom and responsibility. Zaw's story is not just a tale of faith but a reflection of the potential to cultivate qualities of lovingkindness, compassion, and generosity in the face of life's challenges. Listen in and find peace and purpose through the wisdom and practices of Tidavata Burmese Buddhism.
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Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
Zaw Maw — Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
Luke DeBoy — Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
New Episodes are released every Monday.
Please send your questions to: luke@recoverycollectivemd.com
Thanks for listening, and please subscribe/comment/review/follow/like; if you think others would benefit from the podcast episode, share with others, as COLLECTIVELY, we can find solutions to all things health and wellness.
The episodes contain content, including information provided by guests, intended for perspective, informational, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional medical, counseling, therapeutic, legal, or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified professional expert and specialist. If you have a health or mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8
Explore a mindful path with Zaw Maw's coaching—Foster balance, healing, recovery, and meditation in your life's journey through his supportive and wisdom-based guidance.
Explore a mindful path with Zaw Maw's coaching—Foster balance, healing, recovery, and meditation in your life's journey through his supportive and wisdom-based guidance.
Are you looking for a journey into the heart of spirituality? Let's explore 'Tidavata' Burmese Buddhism and its role in modern American life through the eyes of Zaw, a Burmese Buddhist residing in the US. Zaw brings us into his personal journey, demonstrating how his faith has brought a rich tapestry of tradition into his daily life. From discussing the significant role of monks and pagodas to the practice of Dharma talks, chanting, and giving, we uncover the critical elements of Zaw's tradition.
What does self-discipline mean in a busy, modern world? And how can generosity shape our lives? Zaw continues to share his experiences, providing valuable insights into the fusion of his heritage, religion, and spirituality within his American life. Join us as we explore the Theravada monastic tradition and the intriguing concept of freedom and responsibility. Zaw's story is not just a tale of faith but a reflection of the potential to cultivate qualities of lovingkindness, compassion, and generosity in the face of life's challenges. Listen in and find peace and purpose through the wisdom and practices of Tidavata Burmese Buddhism.
Visit our website!
Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
Zaw Maw — Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
Luke DeBoy — Recovery Collective — Annapolis, MD (recoverycollectivemd.com)
New Episodes are released every Monday.
Please send your questions to: luke@recoverycollectivemd.com
Thanks for listening, and please subscribe/comment/review/follow/like; if you think others would benefit from the podcast episode, share with others, as COLLECTIVELY, we can find solutions to all things health and wellness.
The episodes contain content, including information provided by guests, intended for perspective, informational, and entertainment purposes only. The content is not intended to replace or substitute for any professional medical, counseling, therapeutic, legal, or other advice. If you have specific concerns or a situation in which you require professional advice, you should consult with an appropriately trained and qualified professional expert and specialist. If you have a health or mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 or 9-8-8
Explore a mindful path with Zaw Maw's coaching—Foster balance, healing, recovery, and meditation in your life's journey through his supportive and wisdom-based guidance.
Explore a mindful path with Zaw Maw's coaching—Foster balance, healing, recovery, and meditation in your life's journey through his supportive and wisdom-based guidance.
Welcome to A Therapist of Buddhists in you, brought to you by the Recovery Collective in Annapolis, maryland. In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from the wisdom and practices that can bring a sense of peace and purpose to our lives. That's why we're delving into the world of Tidavata Burmese Buddhism and American life. Join us as we explore how this centuries-old Buddhist tradition is finding its place in the hearts and minds of people living in modern America. Whether you're seeking solace, meaning or simply a deeper understanding of cultural diversity, this episode has something valuable to offer. So if you've ever wondered how the rich tapestry of Tidavata Burmese Buddhism can enrich your daily existence, or if you're just curious about the cultural heritage of your Burmese neighbors, stay tuned. There's a wealth of insight and wisdom awaiting you in this episode brought to you by the Recovery Collective.
Speaker 2:Interesting.
Speaker 1:Tophic. You are the Tophic. I like when you're the Tophic, because I learn a lot every time.
Speaker 2:Yeah, let's talk.
Speaker 1:So, zaw, you've been a citizen or a resident of the States for how long now?
Speaker 2:I've been a resident since 2016 or 17.
Speaker 1:And we just said that. I said wait a minute, let's say this one the air. What's the difference between my ignorance here, a citizen and a permanent resident?
Speaker 2:I don't know the nitty gritty, but my thought process is that I want to maintain my Burmese citizenship and if I do become an American citizen, I have to denounce my Burmese citizenship, because there is no dual citizenship. But I think technically the only difference that I know of is that as a permanent resident you cannot vote and as a citizen you can, and as a permanent resident you have to renew it every 10 years or so.
Speaker 1:So, as a permanent resident, you can't vote, but you can fight for our country.
Speaker 2:You can still join the military.
Speaker 1:Convenient. That's our culture. Let's get into it Tidavata or Theravada Buddhism in modern life. We've been here for many years now. I think this is a really cool topic where we get to see how your. Theravada, buddhism, how it's transferred in the traditions, is transferred to your time here in America.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's an interesting topic. It will be personal, but also I want to make it as universal as possible because, yeah, there are just so many elements I do feel like I've talked about this too, about spiritual elements or universal. So things that I share in this episode I think will be useful for people too, because I just want to reflect on what do I do as a Buddhist, but specifically Tidavata, burmese Buddhists and yeah, so we'll just talk about that because that's been the good guiding principle, but also more exploring within, because Burmese culture is very infused with Buddhism, the way I grew up. So it's more like unfolding of what's already there.
Speaker 2:But there are certain things that I do on a regular basis, part of my tradition, but also, at the same time, I don't live in a Burmese community. My kids I don't think they're going to grow up to be a Buddhist, and then, yeah, I'm very heavily involved in 12 step fellowship recovery community. So it's more like things that I am bringing with me from my country and then do it in my own personal life, which is very rewarding and meaningful for me. But I do have a Burmese community that I go to at a Burmese Buddhist monastery in Silver Spring, near where we live.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't think there's probably not many of our listeners that are familiar with the Burmese culture. Can you provide some of those insights into the cultural aspects of Theravada Buddhism as practice in Burma?
Speaker 2:Yeah, my experience is personal, which is also limited, but also I haven't lived in Burma in a while, so everything is all memory from here. But yeah, Burmese Buddhist is very Buddhist monk oriented in the way of that. That. That's where we get the teaching from, and then the Sangha the Buddhist monks play a really important role, and then there are so many pagodas that we go to Buddhist monasteries or festivals and meditation, loving kindness these are all really important elements of Buddhism as well.
Speaker 1:But so much so either the episode before this or after this we'll see when I put it out was all on Sangha.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:So thank you for that.
Speaker 2:Tso You're welcome. So I don't know. Yeah, where do you want to begin?
Speaker 1:So how has that personal journey of Theravada Buddhism influenced your life in America?
Speaker 2:Yeah, things that I do on a daily basis.
Speaker 2:What I was going to say, too, is that there's also an aspect of listening to Dharma talks on a regular basis, because that's how Burmese or Buddhist festivals are there's always a talk by a Buddhist monk and then you go and listen.
Speaker 2:And I don't have that opportunity that much here, but I do have my own personal, because there are just apps for everything now, and there is Burmese Buddhist app, where there's, like I would even say, millions of Dharma talks by Buddhist monks, since from the ancient time, and that's my part of practice to listen. So I create my own Dharma talk space where I just sit and listen, which is different from my meditation, and that's also a big part of Burmese culture as well. And there's also a Buddhist chant aspect, too in Burmese tradition, burmese Buddhist tradition, which is actually practice here in the US, too, at Buddhist monasteries, where there this thing called 11 protective suttas, where all the Buddhist teachings are embedded in it and by it's an oral tradition, so people recite to because there are some suttas attached to a particular day and you recite that, and then, yeah, going to Monasteries or Bogotas and then donating money, donut generosity, things like that. So these are just sprinkles of elements that I'm just Bring stormy yeah.
Speaker 1:So we live in Maryland where some of the Monasteries and Bogotas in our area- no, bogotas, I don't think, but just the monastery.
Speaker 2:The one that I have been to consistently is the one in Silver Spring, which is just DC. In your DC, I call me la yama is the name of the monastery and, yeah, they do a really good job of maintaining the traditions, which is water festival, light festival, buddha day, meditation, retreats every summer, and then also Monkhood or Noven hood experience for younger kids. I can also send my son for an experience, the one that I experienced when I was young, and he's been there. So, yeah, really, really good community.
Speaker 1:That sounds like a tradition. Tell us about the water and light festival, for example.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so water festival is in April, light festival is in October, I believe, but water festival I don't know if it's specific to Buddhism, maybe it's more specific to Burmese culture, but it's just a hot as month of the year and then we Splash or throw water on to each other for four days straight. It's five days on a leap year, which is a bonus, and then a big part of the tradition is also.
Speaker 1:The country's biggest water fight is what you're saying, yes pretty much, yeah.
Speaker 2:And then there's also an aspect of some people Kind of going yogi. Yogi in our, or yogi in our Buddhist sense is more of like and not like doing yoga, but it's more of like Like following some vows, meditating more and then fasting, things like that. So it becomes like an opportunity for that four days to join the yogi or go to a meditation retreat. And then I think it's also the part where you donate Money or food during that festival as well. And then the light festival is in October, where I forgot how many days, but like people do the, the, the balloons and like all kinds of lights, candles, and I think the tradition is that the story is that there was a period where Buddha had to ascend to the heaven realms to deliver a teaching, because a big part of the culture is that the most that you owe is your parents and you have to pay back to your parents.
Speaker 2:So for Buddha, his mother passed away soon after he was born, and then she passed away and she was reborn as a celestial being in the heavenly realm, and then Buddha's mission was to pay back to his mother. So he went to the heavenly realm and then delivered the sermon. But then the interesting thing is that the time that is in the heaven realm is relative to the time in the human realm. So an hour here, an hour, there is like three months here, something like that. So he was there to deliver this sermon, so he was gone for a long time, although it's just a couple of hours up there, and then October is the month where he has to descend back from the heavenly realm, and then it's our way of welcoming him back with lights. So that's a tradition that I've heard of which is kind of cool.
Speaker 1:And because of that and we're in October now or a lot of your Dharma talks on that specific topic.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And then the tradition is also that the day when Buddha was born, the day when he got enlightened, the day he died, they're all exactly on the same day, which is kind of hard to believe, but it's called the Buddha day. I think it's also related to life festival, but yeah, we have those events at that monastery where there's lots of food and all kinds of fun stuff. So, but yeah, I also since you talk about like the fast pace modern life, where this is like a good antidote for me, but it's all about like slowing things down, you know. So maybe that's a universal aspect that we can extract out of Tiravada Buddhism, or just like my practice in general, which I hope will be useful for listeners too, about how important it is to like pause and take a time out, you know, and that even like I do this when I'm parenting single parenting that it's okay for me to step away for a minute, you know, especially if they're in a safe environment, but that minute can make a huge difference.
Speaker 1:It can feel like three months.
Speaker 2:It can be a three month in the human realm. Yeah, so yeah, because that's what meditation or whatever break you have.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this American culture takes distraction, short attention span. So I think that's something that I've certainly admired and seen from you, just talking about your whether it's you doing the meditation, life coaching, you're the recovery collective and or the translation medical field that you also do just taking those momentary breaks of mindfulness and meditation Huge.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I wish the American culture is better at that, instead of go, go, go, go short attention span, next, thing, next, thing, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and then chanting Buddhist chanting is also a big part of our Burmese tradition, which I've also incorporated in my own personal life too, and you know I do have some sentiments and some spiritual element attached to it. But the universal concept is pretty much the same for modern life too that if you have like a favorite music that you like, that means a lot when you take a break to be in tune with that music right, which has a lot to do with sound, which also has to do with memories too. Like music takes you back, sounds take you back. So for me, that's how I think about universally, about chanting or like. If you sing too, if you play guitar or sing, that's like a break from the modern fast pace life too, when you make time for that, you know.
Speaker 1:Talk a little bit more about the chanting, cause I know it's, I've been fortunate enough to hear it and it's beautiful and it's almost like a song and rhythmic and it's very spiritual for you. Talk a little bit more about some of the aspects that come with the chanting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for me it's all about protection and safety, because that's how these discourses chanting were taught in our culture. But for me it's also reconnecting with the elements of my own culture, because these chants were always recorded or recited by Buddhist monks, and then these chants are also delivered at a funeral or when you move into a new place, which has a lot to do with creating harmony with your environment. And the way I have heard about being explained, which I also really believe at a symbolic level, is that these chants have been passed down since from the ancient time. And then when you say this, it's like a really good resonance, pleasant sound. So when these pleasant sounds are created, the celestial being come and listen, because these are like sacred teachings and it means a lot to the celestial realm too. And then when you're surrounded by celestial beings, you're protected, and that's also the effect that I receive whenever I do a chant.
Speaker 2:Also like accountability, self-discipline too, when yeah, I guess that's true for any kind of wellness community right when you have something routine, something that you do that's good for you and you don't question you do it anyway. It's like self-esteem, self-discipline, where you're like, yeah, this is what I do. For me, that's really is helpful with those sounds, and also I do it at a particular place at a particular time with a particular preparation, like personal hygiene, brushing teeth, like really good state of mind, which is all about, yeah, that consistency, which can be universal too for people, that if you have a breakfast appointment with a particular friend every Saturday, for example, or if you go to a yoga class every Sunday, there is that consistency aspect that you do which really adds to that esteemable part of you.
Speaker 1:And it's so resonating and beautiful hearing the chance. So it's awesome as an outsider to just be a little bit of a witness to part of your spiritual practice. It's been really neat Coming over to the states with your. A lot of the Tita Vada Buddhism is monastic. Touch on that a little bit if you could.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think we did an episode on that too, right, I was being in recovery. Being sober now really helps with that. But one thing that I still do out of that experience is the fasting that whenever I'm in a difficult time or whenever I have to make a decision, something important, I do a vow for fasting, which is what was practiced in the monastic tradition, where you just eat one meal or you don't eat anything past noon. And also there are some vows too, which I do, which is to kind of like stay abstinent from any kind of entertainment, things like that. But I don't do those things. I'm not a full-time monastic person, but, yeah, there are just certain codes and ethics that are available.
Speaker 1:So you come from this cultural, religious, spiritual structured environment to the states. Was that shocking for you when you came over to the states? Because it seems to be pretty different.
Speaker 2:Yeah, my alcoholism escalated when I moved here. But yeah, very, very different. Freedom comes with responsibility. That's what I was told.
Speaker 1:Interesting. Who told you that?
Speaker 2:My philosophy teacher. Buddhist philosophy teacher.
Speaker 1:Freedom comes with responsibility.
Speaker 2:My responsibility didn't catch up.
Speaker 1:So how did? You find that yin to the yang, but the paradigm shift into American culture, and then talk a little bit about some of the other episodes. Talk about your recovery journey and how you found that blend of your heritage, your religion, your spirituality in American life.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I guess this is also another message that can be universal. That I want to share is that there is right and there is wrong, of course, but then I feel there is no wrong way of living a life, because we're always learning something. We can make mistakes, but it's adding to our experience. And this thought came to me when I was in my yoga class. I think the instructor was saying something about how to find a good posture, especially if it's like a balanced posture. For example, you know, mountain pose, or half-loaders or full-loaders pose, like how do you know that you're in the very middle balance pose and the trick is to lean right and left, so like you got to go one to one extreme, to the other extreme, so that you can find the middle.
Speaker 2:You know, and I think that that really is so symbolic to life that sometimes you got to lean more into the strictness you know, to the austerity you know, or sometimes you got to lean more into the indulgence and the freedom you know, Not intentionally sometimes, you know that's how life takes you, but then you end up finding the middle, you know. That's been my experience. So I don't know if that answers your question, but that comes to mind.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's good, that's. I love that. That'll be a sound bite for us. Are there any common misconceptions or challenges that people in America might have when approaching Theravada Buddhism?
Speaker 2:I don't know, I don't think it is very recognized here. Yeah, when people talk about Buddhism here, it has more to do with Zen Buddhism or Mahayana Buddhism you know Japanese things like that. But Theravada Buddhism is usually is attached with monastics. You know, but I don't know if that's a misconception but there is also a layman aspect of Theravada Buddhism that you can be a layman and then still practice all the elements original elements, elements adapted to a layman life.
Speaker 2:Sometimes we call you the novice Buddhists, right, and that's explaining that a little bit yeah, and there are like great literatures you know, out there about Theravada, buddhism, very old ones or new ones, and those are those can be good resources too.
Speaker 1:The concept of loving, kindness and compassion are pretty central to Theravada Buddhism. How can individuals in the US cultivate these qualities in their interactions with others, because sometimes we're cold.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for me. I have the advantage of being in 12 step recovery communities here and there is no shortage for loving kindness, you know, in those communities. But I know you know 12 step communities are everywhere. So if you are in it you know that's a great place to practice loving kindness, being of service, things like that. But even if you're not, you know, like we talked about in the other episode, that we're always in a community. You know that's always. It's a good opportunity to kind of like put ourselves in other people's shoes. That to me, is like the essence of loving kindness that I want happiness and freedom and safety for myself and as much as I do the other person that I'm hating or feeling resentful, that person wants the same thing, you know. So that that that is a good challenge or a practice for promoting loving kindness. That that person a Stranger or whoever wants the same thing that I do essentially as a human being kind of a belief system and reinforcing that, as opposed to separation and hate.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, as we're talking, I do feel the need or the urge to Recharge. I haven't been back in Burma in a while because every time I go back like it's, it's a it's, it's very physical, when I go back like in person, everything comes back, you know, and I haven't done that, so it just reminds me how Important it is.
Speaker 1:What comes? What comes back for you?
Speaker 2:the whole identity, the whole Unseen element. I don't even know how, like the smell, the weather, the humidity. People sounds like language, literature, paintings are like everything.
Speaker 1:The whole element Comes back, which is a feeling because even the the art is Is heavy, and Buddhism right. I mean it's, it's a way of life, the culture, the art. There it's a lot of. It's all in that the Tita about a Buddhism, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it wasn't like originally part of it, but like really like Bermanized it. I guess, like we have this ancient Civilization called Bakhan, where they're the, the, the site is still preserved. It's like ancient Buddhist temples and that, odd, was thriving In that era like like a where paintings like sand painting, all these like Buddhist architecture yeah, that's what I meant by like the whole element, and then it's still like carry to the modern life, like modern Burmese life To, which is great. So, yeah, are there any other things? I feel like like I really hope there are things that are To be extracted and useful.
Speaker 1:I might say this pronounces word wrong, the concept of Danna. Hmm is that, like Donna, yeah, generosity. That's a significant aspect of this form of Buddhism. Hmm how do Burmese and let's say what you or someone else in America typically express this practice of of Donna and generosity to, whether it's an individual, the broader American society?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean For a more in our culture, donna specifically or it is in Major ways contributing to the monks, like that's donation generosity if you have lots you pay a little more, if you have little, you pay only a little bit but you're not forced to Pay. You know there is no subscription, some kind of payment to the monks, but it's like a feeling of Like, when you feel moved you donate, that's a way of Thank you, you know. So that that's how I was raised. But you know there are some Buddhist recovery communities where that concept is kind of adapted to, which is kind of similar to some dues in a 12-star community dues. Nobody's like, you know, asking you, but then when you feel moved you donate as much as you can not lacking the door.
Speaker 1:Say tie the, give us a birthday.
Speaker 2:Yeah yeah, but yet generosity doesn't. It's not like Donna, it's not specific to monetary you know, because, yeah, I've seen people who are being of service through time, you know, through attention, through energy, through their talent. So it's in a way of like giving of yourself to something greater. It's how I adapted and interpreted today, donna.
Speaker 1:It's cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Well, as we wrap up saw, what do you hope our listeners take away from this episode on Theravada bosom, specifically in American life, as you blend both.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't know. Go within, find yourself, find your true self, you know. Integrity all these words come. I feel like everybody has that Right and the access and the opportunity Dude to go, because that's where true happiness is, to find who we truly are, and then, yeah, we're more at peace because that's also.
Speaker 2:I mean, I'm not that way every day, but like if I know who I am for the day, if I know my makeup, both good and bad I'm less sensitive throughout the day because I take things so personally when I'm confused about who I am right. Somebody says something, I'm like oh, that's offensive, you know, or that's so mean, but it comes from a place of like shakiness, you know. But when you have like a solid ground that you stand on, like your discipline routine, what means to you yoga? You know your own religion or your hobbies, whatever it is like, if you have like a true sense of who you are and are connected with it throughout the day, you're solid, you know. I want that to be the message. I don't know if that's Embedded in the episode at all, but that's my intention.
Speaker 1:Thank you so for giving us a little bit more insight into this journey of their beta, buddhism and American life. We hope you discovered the beauty of this ancient tradition and its relevance in our contemporary world. There were conversations and exploration of devout of Buddhism's history, cultural context and its role in daily American life. We've aimed to provide you with a deeper understanding of this rich and diverse spiritual path. We encourage you to carry the lessons learned in this episode into your own life, embracing mindfulness, compassion and the wisdom of de de vata Buddhism to enhance your well-being and understanding of the diverse cultural tapestry that makes up America today. By doing so, you're contributing to a more harmonious and interconnected world. Remember the practice of to divide a Burmese. Buddhism offers a path toward inner peace and a deeper spiritual Understanding, and it's available to all, regardless of their background or beliefs. We hope they knowledge shared in this episode empowers you to explore this profound tradition further.
Speaker 1:Or simply brings more awareness to the cultural diversity around you. Thank you for joining us on this journey of exploration, discovery, as always. We look forward to sharing more enlightening topics with you in the future. And if you want to do a little bit of Donna to all, in myself, there's a support the podcast and the episode notes, or there might even be a little heart. If you'd like to say thank you, give us a cup of coffee. More than welcome to, as always, like and comment, subscribe, pass it on. My name is Luke. This is all. Thank you all for listening. See you next time.
Speaker 2:You, you.