My Experience
by Venerable Sanghabodhi
Before I came in contact with Goenkaji and pure Dhamma, I suffered from immeasurable dukkha (misery), swimming helplessly in the ocean of sa½sāra (rounds of suffering). I had much sadness and depression because I had lost my wife and four youngest children, who were killed like animals by the Communists in Cambodia. Over one million of my countrymen were killed, including many friends and relatives. I had lost my country as well.
I tried many ways to get rid of this suffering: by serving others, by volunteer social activities, by donations, staying in Buddhist temples learning Dhamma, reading the Tipiµaka (Buddhist scriptures), serving monks, etc. All these helped me only at the superficial level.
In 1980, I took my first course with Goenkaji in California, due to the help of an American sāmaºera (novice monk) named P. Santa. I will never forget this sāmaºera for the rest of my life. I will always share my merits with him for guiding me to this wonderful path, which is the best way to come out of misery.
In mid-1980 I took two courses. I then came to Dhammagiri in 1981 and stayed for two months, also going on a pilgrimage with Goenkaji for fifteen days.
In May 1982, on the full moon day of Vesākha, I ordained as a sāmanera under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and later became a bhikkhu (monk).
Up to now I have taken forty-two courses, including three long courses. With the permission of Goenkaji, and with the help of other Cambodians, I translated the Vipassana instructions and discourses from English into Cambodian. This work has not only helped me to gain a deeper understanding of Dhamma, so that I can practise Vipassana more seriously and properly, but it has also helped hundreds of Cambodians in Europe, America, Canada and Thailand to come out of misery and gain peace and harmony.
In general, a big change has come in my life. I personally feel relieved from dukkha. I feel peaceful, harmonious and, I feel, I am becoming gradually liberated. When I experience dukkha, I try to accept it, and thus free myself from it. I am very fortunate and happy to have found this pure Dhamma, which has helped me so much. Through this practice, I have gained much more mental and physical health than I could have expected. My capacity to work has increased considerably. My mind is more balanced and I can face easily the vicissitudes of life.
The relationships with my family and relatives has become very good. I enjoy helping others without expecting anything in return. I am happier than if I had become ruler of the world.
I want to express my very deep gratitude to Goenkaji, who helped me to rid myself of dukkha. And the best way to pay back this debt of gratitude to Goenkaji is to get this Dhamma seed planted in Cambodia, when my country becomes independent and peaceful.
The Ven. Sanghabodhi conducts Vipassana courses using Goenkaji's instruction and discourse tapes.