Meeting Ayyā Dhammadīpā in Vienna

Recently, I had a fortunate opportunity to spend a couple of days together with my teacher and friend, a Buddhist nun Ayyā Dhammadīpā, also known as Rev. 光仁 Kōnin Cardenas. Even though she usually resides in the USA, she is currently studying Buddhist art in London. We met in Vienna, where we lighted up a candle and sat in silence in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, saw interesting art in Albertina Museum, and visited the Austrian National Library as well as Schönbrunn Palace and park. We also spent some time just walking around and having conversations about life, practice, and various little things.

As we usually live very far away, every opportunity to meet in person is precious to me. And when the time comes to leave close friends from afar, sometimes I feel a bit sad. I can’t help but wonder if we will be fortunate to meet once again or no. Even when it comes to people we meet every day, one day will be the last, and it could be today. I wish we all remember this often and spend time together in meaningful and supportive ways, so that we can always say our goodbyes with smiles, whether it’s at an airport, when returning home from a family visit, or if it’s the final goodbye.

I feel grateful for meeting one more time and very much enjoyed the visit!