The Smile of MuditaSo much of monastic life is the practice of mudita - empathetic joy. Perhaps that’s not the first thing you think of when you imagine monastic life. You might think of morality, discipline, meditation, or seclusion. And all of those things are aspects of the Path of a Buddhist monastic. Yet, as a monastic, every day I have the wonderful opportunity to encourage folks to practice Buddhism. I see and hear from folks who are practicing, and I can see how the Dhamma is bringing light into their lives. I find so much joy in that. It keeps me going. Whether making a donation, listening to a Dhamma talk online, reading a book about the Dhamma, or meditating on retreat or in your home, you are engaging in beneficial, wholesome activity. Recollecting that fact always brings me a smile. And the smile of mudita is also beneficial, wholesome activity that supports other aspects of the Path. The smile of mudita can also be a part of your life. Perhaps it already is. Perhaps you’re already feeling it, that quality of joy sparked by knowing that the monastic sangha is practicing diligently, sparked by knowing that the entire community is practicing to manifest the Noble Eightfold Path right here, in their own lives. It’s not the kind of thing you’re likely to hear about in the top news stories of the day, but it’s happening all the time. You can connect with it online, and you can connect with it in person. So you too have access to mudita anytime. All you have to do is to think of others who are practicing the Dhamma. And when you are practicing the Dhamma, whether you are finding it challenging or comforting, you can also reflect on our mudita for you. This is one way we encourage each other, a way to feel uplifted and strengthened by practicing in community. Practicing mudita we experience a Path of joy, not just a Path to joy, resonating with the goodness that is already here. Smiling with you each step of the Way,
Ayya Dhammadīpā
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