As my time in Qimei draws to a close, I need to spend a little time sorting out my things. I’ve been here for 2 1/2 years, so it all builds up! When I say “builds up”, I mean I have one drawer, a couple of tiny shelves, and enough trash to fill one small bin. I started a couple of hours ago, and now it’s done. It’s good to be a monk!
What strikes me when I do this is how many things I never needed and didn’t use. In this modest collection of things, unused items include:
several pairs of socks
a few t-shirts
a set of robes
some batteries, cables, and other assorted electronic/tech stuff
business cards!
a couple of bits of medicinal stuff (lip balm, band-aids …)
a few bits of paper, documents, etc.
some unread books (what? I wrote them, I don’t have to read them as well!)
Not to say that there aren’t material things that I like. I have my attachments! Some birthday cards from family; a scrap of rag cloth woven by the villagers for the Sangha in my second rains retreat; and my beloved Code keyboard.
Only one thing I’m torn about, though. Years ago, when enjoying the true American ambience of Palm Springs with my friend Alex, I bemoaned the unnecessarily complex and unreliable state of coffee makers. I sketched out a design for a super-simple, robust coffee maker. It was very basic, but I’d never seen one like it. Well, a few years later, someone gave me one! Almost exactly what I’d thought of. Darn, I missed the patent! And it’s just as good as I imagined. So, do I take it with me, or leave it here in case I return? Here, why don’t you help me out?
Take coffee maker on travels—you never know when you’ll need it.
A local monk made a distinction that has really stuck with me. That is the difference between “study monks” and “meditation monks”, as laypeople our attitudes can be adjusted according to the “type of monk”. That is, I think we can be more liberal with scholastically-oriented monks than monks devoted to meditation. What I’m trying to say is, let the monk have his goddamn coffee! lol, especially if a keyboard and coffee maker is chosen over socks (understandable choices).
I am going through the same process right now. It’s amazing what an anagarika can acquire in a year.
I’ve got rid of a lot, but my leaving gift… a minipresso. It’s my dream coffee gadget.
Dear Ajhan Su-java (eugine?). I voted that you keep it. Coffee has spiritual origins among Chritian monks and it was said to allow them to meditate. I can see it keeping you coding and collapsing the wave function of impending universes!!
It is admirable to have so few possessions, and coffee seems pretty harmless to me…I say you do what you feel is right - I trust your judgement, Bhante.
Only thing in your list that caught my eye was business cards! (with exclamation point!). I am assuming these are business cards for other people, Bhante? If they are for you, I feel like I really need to see what your business cards say. Inquiring minds want to know!
I voted leave it, but that’s because I very much appreciate coffee that I don’t brew myself. So much that I’m not sure what state my coffee kit is in right now (do I still have cofee somewhere in the garage)?
Now, that’s my view, so it means nothing of course.
But thanks for the interesting story and may I suggest you do whatever is good for you, for others or both you and others :D.
Or opt for tea—all you need is hot water. 
