Gratitude

So thankful the class arrived safely in Bangkok, and even more thankful that the students have been extraordinary in their graciousness, curiosity, courtesy, and inquiry about their new space. And I’m so thankful to be helming this program with my friend and colleague, Dr. Bob Spires, whose warmth, good humor, and thoughtfulness have infused the group. Bangwa! (That’s for now an inside joke.)

In the meantime, Sara Rock has been a gem, helping with logistics. And I think we’re all impressed with the level of curiosity and insight our colleague Matt Dewald has demonstrated, as he crafts an essay for the UR Alumni Magazine. In short, we have a great group.

But the gratitude doesn’t stop there. I am so thankful my friend and mentor Hartanto Gunawan, who has gone way beyond the call of duty in being such a gracious host to our group in Bangkok. Mr. Hartanto,  whom I refer affectionately to as Ajarn, which means “teacher,” is a former Buddhist monk who now leads and directs a community learning center for at-risk youth. The center is housed inside Bangkok’s famous Wat Arun, which means “the Temple of Dawn,” After completing his two years of monastic training in the Thai Forest Traditional, Mr. Hartanto spent two years as a monk in residence at Wat Arun, after which he felt a higher calling to devote his life to serving at-risk youth. He cast aside his monastic robes, networked with his business savvy, and got some start up funding about 14 years ago to begin his project: to have a school using the principles of Buddhism to help children from poverty achieve an education, graduate, and enter a middle-class life.

I first met Mr. Hartanto about four years ago, when I was thinking about places for a year-long sabbatical in Southeast Asia. When I first met Ajarn, I felt an instant connection. His deep baritone voice and calm gaze were comforting. At the time I was looking for more guidance in instruction in Buddhist philosophy and meditation, and it was clear he was an expert at both. Over time, we began a series of conversations, which soon led to a friendship. I invited and hosted Ajarn at the University of Richmond in October 2017. We had a blast. I treated him to yummy meals in Richmond’s Cary Town, and got to introduce him to Dean Merritt, Chaplain Kocher, and other colleagues at UR. Ajarn gave a campus lecture that was well-attended, and he deeply moved the UR Zen Buddhist club as their guest. That in turn inspired a UR student to intern at Ajarn’s community center in Bangkok in the Summer of 2018.

Mr. Hartanto welcomed us at Bangkok’s Suvarnibumi Airport upon our arrival this week. Our flight was delayed by more than one hour, and we finally emerged from customs & immigration around 1:30 in the morning. Ajarn was there was open arms and a smile upon his face. For the whole week he has been our gracious host, volunteering to drive our group of students around Bangkok to wherever we need, helping us move our heavy luggage from the airport to the our hotel, taking us sightseeing at the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Asiatique, and giving us an in-depth guided meditation session on the Buddhist tradition of insight meditation.

Through Ajarn’s example, I think many if not all of us in our group have come to see the power of lovingkindness–a key element of Buddhist philosophy. Mr. Hartanto has put his full presence into each moment of his generosity for us. But it has not been an insincere generosity. It has been one borne of a warm heart and deep desire to connect with our group. Such a great guy!

If things go well, I hope to invite Ajarn to Richmond, VA when he next visits the United States. I am growing more discussions and activities about mindfulness online and in RVA, and he would be a most welcome teacher.