LP Sander Khemadhammo

#18 LP Sander Khemadhammo

In this new podcast, Joost van den Heuvel Rijnders talks to LP Sander Khemadhammo (1978). Sander is a Buddhist monk and lives in the Thai temple in Afferden, Gelderland. Before he became a monk, his spiritual practice consisted of volunteering for many years in Buddhist temples in France and Belgium. 'For me it was very important to practice in a living tradition that also gave me practical tools for working on myself'. There are also challenges. 'Monitoring the vibrancy of the routine is a challenge'. The conversation continues about differences and similarities between Thai temple visitors and the sitting meditations as practiced at 30NOW.

'Dutch people who meditate and are inspired by the Buddhist path are in between the Asian lay Buddhists and monks. Visitors to the Thai temple are often much more devotional. That is also a form of meditation, but you don't see that much in the Netherlands. Nor do they practice in a course or retreat context. You learn it at ceremonies, also from your parents. It's not something technical, but you learn it in the ceremony."

Sander Khemadhamo concludes the podcast with a traditional Pali chant about the Buddha, his teachings and the community.

Further reading and ways to help:

• Information about the Temple of Sander https://www.stichting-dhammakaya.nl/nl/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BhikkhuKhemadhammo/featured
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dhammakayanl