The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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  • Silent night Samantha Severson

    Silent night

January 2, 2006

Silent night

new year greeted with silent meditation

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — It’s greeted to the cheers of thousands in New York and to a massive fireworks display in Las Vegas.

But, in a small enclave in Mankato, the new year was ushered in with near-absolute silence — followed by a pledge to introduce and foster positive habits while disavowing and tempering negative ones.

Bhante Sathi, a 31-year-old Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka, led just under two dozen people — Buddhist, Christian or neither — in a blessing and chanting ceremony Monday evening at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mankato.

The difference between this ceremony and traditional resolutions, attendees said, was all about the focus: “I want to make the whole world better, rather than just quit smoking, or whatever,” said Lee Weston, a 22-year-old who says he considers himself a Buddhist.

“This was really focused on developing compassion,” said Amy Zoet, 35. It was about recognizing “not just my own personal suffering, but others around the world who suffer.”

Sathi said typical resolutions lead to worry, while the Buddhist experience calls for more reflection.

“It’s time to think about the new year in a very positive way,” he said.

The monk, wearing a scarlet robe and an ever-present soft smile, began with several minutes of meditation.

It’s a relaxation that draws many, Buddhist or not, to prayer sessions like this one.

“My life is fast-paced,” said Adam Kieffer, a 22-year-old Minnesota State University student who has been attending meetings since August. “This gives me a chance to stop, relax, and see what’s really important.”

After the meditation, Sathi threaded white string from a wooden spool, winding around the pews so that each person grasped the same line.

First-time visitor Mike Stori, 45, said he liked how “everybody was connected.”

“It was kind of neat,” he said.

The prayer session was concluded with a chant in the archaic language of the Buddha, founder of Buddhism. Some followed along to Sathi’s rhythmic intonation while others sat silently with their eyes closed.

He said the chant invoked the three precepts of Buddhism — called the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha, or the Three Jewels — in a blessing for security in the new year.

There were a few more people at this prayer session than usual.

So, what would Sathi say to convince more people to attend?

“Nothing.”

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