Hello from The Netherlands

[Ytrog]

I'm Ytrog (A.K.A. Hans) and I'm trying to practice the dhamma. I'm not completely new at this , but I've had problems keeping myself motivated at times. I've been practicing on-and-off for about 4 years (though thankfully mostly on). Where I live there is absolutely no sangha, so I had to do everything alone and with the help of books and the internet. the latter not only texts, but also dhamma-talks on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/BuddhistSocietyWA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://www.youtube.com/user/dhammatube" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for who's interested).
I decided some time ago that It's near impossible to practice properly without support from some form of community, because it is difficult for me to keep my spirit up, and thus I had to find one.
Of course support is meant to be both ways

I want to go on a retreat btw and I'm thinking of doing that in the UK. Cittaviveka and Amaravati are currently on my shortlist. Has anyone has been there? If yes, what are your experiences?

For people who find my nickname strange: It's the name of a D&D character of mine and I use it a lot online.

With metta

[bodom]

Welcome Hans!

[Rui Sousa]

Welcome Hans.

I am in a similar situation, there no theravada center nearby so I resort to on-line resources. I wish you a great success in your path.

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Hans,

Welcome to Dhamma Wheel!



I am another who through circumstances of geography and family find myself devoid of direct contact with the Sangha. Hopefully you'll find Dhamma Wheel as beneficial as I have.

Metta,
Retro.

[Ben]

Hi Hans and welcome to Dhamma Wheel!
kind regards

Ben

[wouter_doorn]

hallo hans!

Welkom op het Theravada forum, leuk een andere Nederlander hier te zien. Trouwens, er zijn toch best wat meditatie/studie groepen in Nederland?

Groetjes,

Wouter

[Ytrog]

Thanks for those kind replies

Trouwens, er zijn toch best wat meditatie/studie groepen in Nederland?

There are, though almost none near Arnhem. http://boeddhisme.nl/meditatiegroepen/p ... rland.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Reductor]

Welcome Ytrog, welcome.

I'm very certain you are in good company here, as many of us are far from a flesh and blood sangha.

As for the two places on your short list, I do believe the Manapa is currently at one, but has recently spent a lot of time at both. (http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.ph ... lit=Manapa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Perhaps you can PM him?

[Ytrog]

I'll do that, thanks

[Khemadhammo Bhikkhu]

Hello Hans,

Welcome to the forum! I am also from the Netherlands. Ordained as a monk in Thailand though.

Groeten in de Dhamma,

Khemadhammo Bhikkhu (Phra Sander).

[Ytrog]

How was it to ordain? It seems to me like a brave thing to do. How did your family and friends react?

I also seems difficult to me to arrange to leave all the things behind, both practically (do you give everything you have away or something?) and mentally.

[Khemadhammo Bhikkhu]

How was it to ordain? It seems to me like a brave thing to do. How did your family and friends react?

I also seems difficult to me to arrange to leave all the things behind, both practically (do you give everything you have away or something?) and mentally.

I slowly grew into it. I was a volunteer at the wats in Europe first during my university years, then later stayed at the wat here in Thailand as a attendant to the monks. Then later on I decided to become a monk. My parents had a hard time in the beginning, but they are okay with it now. My mother also grew more interested in the Dhamma as a result.

I am glad to hear from you, Ytrog. I don't often hear much from the Netherlands, our "kikkerlandje". It seems that the Dutch are mostly interested in Tibetan and Vietnamese Buddhism, though there are number of Theravādin initiatives around.

Good luck in finding a good place to practice!

In de Dhamma,

Khemadhammo Bhikkhu.

[Ytrog]

It's true that most Dutch Buddhists are either following Tibetan or one of the other Mahayana traditions. I believe most Theravādins here are Thai immigrants or descendants of them.

[Khemadhammo Bhikkhu]

Ytrog, from what place close to Arnhem are you? I used to study in Nijmegen before I ordained.

Khemadhammo Bhikkhu.

[Ytrog]

Zevenaar

What did you study?