Longtime member Mike Warner
introduced our speaker, Phra Mick.
All our enemies are in our mind. This was the primary
message to the Pattaya City Expats Club at their Sunday, September 11
meeting at Amari’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Richard Silverberg, Master
of Ceremonies, called on Mike Warner to introduce Phra Mick Tatanapanyo
Bhikkhu. Phra Mick was born in Thailand, but moved to Australia as a boy and
is now an Australian citizen. Currently, he is living in Thailand. Mike said
that although the Club has had other Buddhist monks as speakers, he felt
that everyone would find Phra Mick to be quite different.
Phra Mick delighted members
as he related his colorful past and shared his fresh perspective on
Buddhism, all with an Aussie accent.
Phra Mick provided a lively and animated talk about his
move to Australia, his life there, and how he found his calling as a
Buddhist monk and how he came to realize all his enemies were only in his
mind. Phra Mick said that when he was 14 years old, his mother dragged him
off to Australia although he didn’t want to go. When he got there, he found
it difficult as he didn’t understand “western” kids. Thai kids were
different; much more obedient.
At this early age, he joined an “Italian” gang which led
to a not so savory life. He started as a “delivery boy.” It didn’t matter
what he was asked to deliver and he didn’t care. He said he became the
favorite of the “boss” and described some his life growing up. Some 14 years
later, he pretty much thought only of himself; he had two big houses,
several cars, and four Japanese girlfriends. Many would think he had the
great life; but in the business he was involved in, he found it hard to
really appreciate it. His houses were surrounded with security cameras. He
always carried a couple of firearms; even to the toilet. He was always
paranoid that someone was after him and that he was always being watched by
the police or others.
Members devoured the samples
of Italian cheeses and meats provided by Aroy Italy’s sales manager, Dhom
(right), assisted by Nan.
He said he had a poker face and put on a front so others
would not realize his fear. It was at this point when his mother discovered
how he was living that she suggested that he become a monk; only for a
month. When he spoke with the Abbot, he said the Abbot told him three
months. So, he approached the “boss” for permission. Although he was worried
about the reaction, he said his boss told him to “go find who you are and
don’t ever come back.”
That was 8 years ago when he was ordained. He said his
training was by Shaolin and Tibetan monks. Through their guidance, he
gradually came to learn that all his enemies, which he described as fear,
pride, anger, ego, and greed were in his mind. He said his masters guided
him and helped him overcome these fears. They taught him how one is thrown
into the next moment, rebirthing through attachments of information. This
information is derived from eye, ear, nose, tongue, touch, thought, memory
and feeling. He emphasized that all things are based on feeling and this in
essence is the meaning of life. Phra Mick said he also found he had a
special skill; the ability to relate with and help street kids because of
his own past experiences and his ability to speak the “lingo.”
After Phra Mick answered many questions, Richard
Silverberg updated everyone on upcoming events and called on Roy Albiston to
conduct the always informative and sometime humorous Open Forum where
questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand,
recommendations for restaurants and movies are made, and perhaps the telling
of a joke or two.
