We did not have to go through usual city turmoil and high level of pollution because we stayed for 11 days at the meditation center full of natural beauty, fragrance and oxygen. The Center accommodated us with attached bathrooms and toilets along with all other essentials for the bedroom. These facilities were provided free of charge (voluntary donations were welcomed, of course). Breakfast at 06:30, lunch at 11:00 and snacks with tea at 17:00 were also provided free of charge. Participants after the 10-day duration voluntarily donated some money the way they could.
Bitter Experience
We were given a set of moral principles to follow during the 10-day course duration: not killing any living being, maintaining noble silence, not speaking lies, not stealing and maintaining celibacy. But some of the participants did not bother about these moral precepts set for following at least up to the course period. Many rarely cared to save insects while walking. Some even did not deposit their cell phones and talked to their friends and relatives on phone at night. Some of the participants were seen communicating within the meditation hall through gestures. Similarly, some of the participants were also found talking freely of where to go, stay and eat after the course ends. Besides, a few boys were found stealing fruits from the nearby trees. All of us were made aware not to do any such thing on the very first day.
According to volunteers at the meditation camp, eight male youngsters escaped from the walls without completing the 10-day course.
Indicators
The growing curiosity towards and participation of youngsters in such a mind tool is a positive sign for the society. The 10-day course for beginners has been useful as part of exposure to the rationale of the Dhamma technique that allows us to further explore about the mind and the matter in the Universe. Besides, it has helped the serious participants to remain adherent to ethical human life--something highly important for the modern materially addicted people (who may be ready to commit crimes of any nature for the sake of sensual pleasures) to know themselves as the primary determinants of good and evil in the world. Acquiring more comprehensive knowledge on the Dhamma principles and techniques could hint out the possibility of expanding the size of the ethical world.
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