About me

I was born and brought up in a Bangladeshi Buddhist household in the UK and had early exposure to Buddhist civilian life. I spent 7 years in finance and accounting and continue to have strong ties with Bangladeshi Buddhist community both in the UK and Bangladesh. My family discovered the Dhammakaya temple in Woking, Surrey in 2008 and have been supporters ever since.

Why I chose monklife

At first, I chose to become a monk to follow in the footsteps of my father who ordained in London 2025. I was able to get an idea of the monklife experience from his account and was intrigued. On further reflection however, as I was approaching my thirties and having experienced some of the difficulties of early adult life, e.g. relationships and work, I felt I needed to explore a new perspective on life. Moreover, I was keen to develop an understanding of how Buddhism could play an effective part as a personal philosophical framework that I could use going forward to face life’s challenges.

Daily Monklife

One aspect of the monklife experience I found the most challenging but simultaneously the most rewarding was giving up some of the daily luxuries that we perhaps take for granted. Namely, giving up a comfortable bed for a tent, our mobile phones, our normal clothes and other possessions not needed for the program - at first this took some adjustment but I quickly realized the feeling of liberation from some unhealthy attachments. Managing with less and only the essentials helped me attain peace throughout the program. That said we lived comfortably thanks to the excellent facilities.

I loved learning to eat meals like a monk. Monks eat with concentration and elegance to show respect to the food and it’s preparers and to practice mindfulness. Eating in silence, taking care not to waste or spill food, taking the exact amount of food required, and finally wiping down the bowl diligently inspired us to think about the act of having a meal. This meant we enjoyed the food mindfully, ate with purpose and lived in the moment.

Outstanding points of the Programme

I was amazed by the depth of knowledge sharing during the monklife experience especially concerning the teachings of the Buddha (The Dhamma) – it almost felt like a bitesize university degree on Buddhism since the delivery of information was so digestible thanks to the skill and competence of the teaching monks. I was able to absorb key insights into Buddhist teaching and could easily see how useful Buddhism can be in 21st Century life. Learning about meditation and it’s benefits was a standout aspect to the experience and I now feel very well-equipped and motivated to practice it daily.

A Robe of honour

Putting on the robes gave me a sense of appreciation for the Sangha (monks) because I felt part of the two and a half thousand year history of ordaining which comes with a responsibility to behave with the dignity expected from a Buddhist monk. What originally felt like a set of strict rules now feels like a duty to serve the Buddhist community as well as to give thanks for the support given by the amazing Lay people. I felt very indebted to those who looked after the monks and felt privileged to give something back in the form of blessings and stewardship.

Returning home

I have noticed clear and present changes in my daily life thanks to the newly acquired arsenal of skills, techniques and learning from the monklife experience. My daily meditation practice has helped me to quiet the loud inner voice, to become aware of my thoughts and emotions, to regulate and control my response and reaction to the immediate situation – confirmed by observations of my immediate family and friends. Having seen the benefits of the two week spiritual session, I am now keen to repeat my monklife experience for a longer period of time perhaps in Thailand. I cannot wait to deepen my connection and appreciation with monklife. I want to deeply thank all those involved in this well organised positive experience.

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