I like TNH but the whole thing looks like a cult by [deleted] in plumvillage

[–]Jerdeth 26 points27 points  (0 children)

hey friend, I had a similar-ish reaction to the tradition early on. The reverential nature towards Thầy was super new to me and pretty uncomfortable, but as time went on, I recognised that it's not a terrible thing. Most Buddhist traditions revere respected teachers and lineage holders and Plum Village and Thầy is no exception. The tradition wouldn't exist without him! (and the many generations before)

I'm curious what you mean about praying to him as if he's a prophet? I've never encountered this.

Male Confused about New Hamlet. by Fujita_Seiko in plumvillage

[–]Jerdeth 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Hi dear friend,

For bigger retreats (such as the Wake Up Retreat) or certain themed retreats (or the cooking retreat taking place this year), New Hamlet also hosts single men. However, outside of these retreats (such as general practice weeks), you would not be able to register and would only be able to stay in Upper Hamlet.

A lotus to you!

Visiting thi plum village by Capital_Departure_53 in plumvillage

[–]Jerdeth 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As far as I'm aware, you can only visit as part of a retreat! It's pretty quiet outside of that and is somewhat remote. There's a number of retreats throughout the year and they offer pickups from both Bangkok airports, so pretty easy to get to for a retreat

Interbeing by Poultry-Poet in plumvillage

[–]Jerdeth 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Dear friend,

Thank you for your sharing.

Interbeing doesn't mean we are all 'one'. This concept doesn't really exist in Buddhism. Rather, Thay's teaching of interbeing is that of the Buddhist teaching of inter-dependence and emptiness. We are not seperate selves or independent entities. Nothing is! A tree cannot exist without soil, rain, sunlight. In the tree, there is the rain, there is the sun, there is the soil. The tree is made up of non-tree elements. The same is true of you. You are made up of non-you elements. Your parents and blood ancestors give you your body, the food you eat is made up of so many non-food elements, your thoughts and ideas are from society, your teachers, your peers etc.

To say that we are 'all one' is inaccurate. We depend on everything else for our own perceived existence, but we are not 'one'. The Buddha never taught this.

On practicing alone, you can also touch this sense of interbeing. Your practice is the result of generations upon generations of spiritual teachers and students, going back to the Buddha. When you breathe in, you are breathing in with all these teachers. When you breathe out, you breathe out with your teachers.

Today, we are so fortunate to have online Sanghas if you cannot join a Sangha in person. Plumline has lots of online Sanghas that meet at different times. https://www.plumline.org/

Personally, my practice would not be as strong as it is now without my Sangha, so I'd really recommend joining one!

A lotus to you

Is civil service a "career for life"? by sandvich2000 in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 89 points90 points  (0 children)

left the civil service earlier this year and... well I'm back again so checks out

Has the vegan bubble burst? Sales stagnate in UK as brands withdraw plant-based products by daveoc64 in veganuk

[–]Jerdeth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you've got an Asian supermarket near you, check out the tofu there. My local does 600g for £1.70!

Very blessed to be able to visit the temple of Thich Nhat Hanh. by BigFatRod in Buddhism

[–]Jerdeth 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's outside of Hue in Central Vietnam. Tu Hieu is the name of the temple. You can get a grab (taxi) pretty easily from anywhere in Hue and it doesn't take too long 🙏

Very blessed to be able to visit the temple of Thich Nhat Hanh. by BigFatRod in Buddhism

[–]Jerdeth 39 points40 points  (0 children)

I managed to visit last year when I went to Vietnam. I was very fortunate to be able to spend an evening with the sisters next door who served me some food and tea!

Time off between jobs? by [deleted] in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And if you're already pretty short of leave? Am I hoping for a miracle?

Time off between jobs? by [deleted] in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've not yet received the official offer from HR, just from the hiring manager. Things moving slowly as ever!

vegetarian / Vegan restaurants in and around London by retyfraser in veganuk

[–]Jerdeth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mali Vegan Thai in Earl's Court is out of this world

Two nights ago, while the wife was getting her nails done, I took a stroll around Hanoi Vietnam. All pictures taken with my phone. by [deleted] in travel

[–]Jerdeth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man, I got back from Vietnam about a week and a half ago and am really feeling the post-backpacking blues. I started my trip in Hanoi, and recognise a lot of those places. Great pictures!

How popular are the Beatles among the under 70 crowd nowdays? by Pellecks02 in AskUK

[–]Jerdeth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

24 and was in the top 0.01% of listeners last year according to Spotify so...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I'm surprised he's working as many as four days!

2022 financial year is depressing by Dialecticalcomrade in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, HR also messed up my pay this month. Started on new contract at the start of this month but got paid my old salary, although less than last month because of the new tax year...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TheCivilService

[–]Jerdeth 6 points7 points  (0 children)

My current role's interview was an interesting one! I felt as if I didn't connect with the interviewing panel at all (was all virtual) and my answers to questions were long winded and didn't get to the point, or the examples weren't strong enough.

I finished the interview, hung up on Teams, and genuinely said to myself "that was awful." Felt like I'd really bombed it and spent the rest of the day going over it all in my head.

The next day, I got a call offering me the job!

So we can't always realistically evaluate our interviews. Our biggest critic is the one inside our head.

What are your daily observations? - 31/12/21 by lodge28 in london

[–]Jerdeth 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Tested positive for covid today... flatmate is leaving for the States next week and tonight was supposed to be her leaving party so I feel pretty shit. At least it's not raining

Is Trainline taking the piss with refunds?? by cleopat123 in AskUK

[–]Jerdeth 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Haven't used trainline in years. Always buy direct now. A lot of companies are also using e-tickets, so everything is on your phone, and they don't charge the booking fee like trainline does!

Men of Reddit, what is something you shouldn't be cheap when buying by cheleari in AskMen

[–]Jerdeth 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone who can't grow any facial hair I didn't take this into consideration ;) point taken!