Chanting: Morning Chanting offered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Three Refuges]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 2
Remembering Ajahn Chah Weekend [2001], Session 23, Excerpt 1
“There are two different Pāli words that are translated as compassion in our chants: karuna (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 42) and anukampa (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 2). Do these words have different meanings in Pāli?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Compassion] [Pāli] // [Divine Abidings]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 5, Excerpt 8
“How do we recognize when we’re being taken advantage of when we’re trying to offer compassion? How do we draw a line to maintain our compassion without it impeding?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Abuse/violence] [Compassion ] // [Discernment] [Ajahn Chah] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Suttas: SN 22.86.13; MN 22.37.
Reflection: The qualities of the Buddha: wisdom, compassion, purity. [Recollection/Buddha ] [Arahant] [Pūjā]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 3: Homage to the Buddha. [Recollection/Buddha ]
Story: A person asks the same question four times. [Questions]
Kathina Q&A with the Chithurst Community [2025], Session 1, Excerpt 10
“Did the Buddha have chanting in his time? Did he create any of the chants or were they all created after his passing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting ] [Buddha/Biography] [History/Early Buddhism ] // [Tipiṭaka] [Culture/India] [Memory] [Culture/Other Theravāda traditions]
Sutta: AN 6.25: The nine qualities of the Buddha (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 4). [Recollection/Buddha]
The three cardinal suttas: SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Chanting Book](Amaravati Chanting Book Volume 2, p. 2)); SN 22.59: Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting Book); SN 35.28: Ādittapariyāya Sutta (Chanting Book). [Sutta]
Sutta: MN 2.13-17: The Four Requisites (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 53). [Requisites]
Sutta: Snp 1.8: The Buddha’s Words on Lovingkindness (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 36). [Goodwill]
Sutta: AN 4.125: “I will abide pervading one quarter...” (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 42). [Divine Abidings]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 32: Verses of Sharing and Aspiration.
Sutta: Ud 5.6.17: The Buddha praises Venerable Soṇa’s recitation.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 7, Excerpt 23
“Could you give advice on how to practice Buddhānussati? Are there any suttas useful for working with this theme?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Buddha ] [Sutta] // [Learning] [Human]
Reference: Recollection of the Buddha, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 4.
Sutta: MN 11: Cūḷasīhanāda Sutta.
Sutta: MN 74: Dīghanakha Sutta. [Views] [Great disciples] [Upatakh]
Sutta: MN 12.58: “You might think that the jujube fruit was bigger in those days...” [Buddha/Biography] [Humor]
Sutta: SN 17.5: Dung beetle on a ball of dung. [Gain and loss]
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 10, Excerpt 1
Story: A visiting monk gives extensive teachings about the meaning of each word in the recollection of Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Three Refuges] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Theravāda]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, pp. 4-8.
Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 1, Excerpt 5
Story: A Sri Lankan monk is attacked by a bull elephant. He chants “Itipi so....” The elephant stops. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Animal] [Abuse/violence] [Chanting] [Recollection/Buddha] [Three Refuges]
References: Amaravati Chanting Book Volume 2, p. 54; Amaravati Chanting Book, pp. 4-8.
Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 1, Excerpt 7
“At the San Francisco Zen Center, they chant the Heart Sutra daily: ‘No path, no knowledge, no attainment.’ Could you help me understand the paths we’re talking about here and Zen no-path?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Zen] [Eightfold Path] [Liberation] // [Unconditioned] [Relinquishment] [Buddha] [Truth] [Worldly Conditions]
Reference: The Heart of Prajna Paramita Sutra.
Reference: Vijjācaraṇa-sampanno in the Morning Chanting. [Recollection/Buddha]
Quote: “Right view is knowing that this is a broken glass.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Right View] [Impermanence]
Interreligious Retreat-Seminar on Dhamma and Non-duality [2023], Session 1, Excerpt 7
“If the Unconditioned is above distinctions of right and wrong, how do you reconcile this with the fact that we live in a moralistic society? If you are not enlightened, how do you live with the truth of the Unconditioned?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno. [Unconditioned] [Virtue] // [Conventions] [Dhamma] [Vinaya] [Buddha] [Ven. Ananda Maitreya] [Clinging] [Suffering] [Recollection/Buddha]
Reference: “Still, Flowing Water” in Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 373.
Reference: Time & Timelessness by the Amaravati Saṅgha.
Reference: T. S. Elliot, The Dry Salvages.
Vinaya: Mahāvagga 1: The story of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 4: Recollection of the Buddha: vijjācaraṇa-sampanno.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 13, Excerpt 2
“Can you reflect about the meaning of ‘essence and conventions’ in Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 5?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Conventions ] // [Buddha images] [Teaching Dhamma] [Ceremony/ritual] [Liberation]
Sutta: MN 30: Cūḷasāropama Sutta.
Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 3, Excerpt 13
“Eight Precepts illuminates the vanity within.’ Could you offer some encouragements or reflections on the beauty of the Dhamma as a remedy?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Eight Precepts] [Conceit] [Beauty] [Dhamma] // [Recollection/Dhamma] [Faith] [Learning] [Sutta]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 6: Recollection of the Dhamma.
Story: Ajahn Khao’s realization came from reflecting on rice. [Ajahn Khao] [Liberation] [Symbolism/metaphor] [Gratitude] [Bodhi Tree]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 3, Excerpt 5
“Hypothetically, a meditator through practice gains an experiential understanding of the Four Noble Truths and is established in mindfulness and equanimity. Life is good, and the glass is half full. However, there isn’t a belief in rebirth and that suffering will end in this lifetime. Why should the meditator continue of the path?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Four Noble Truths] [Happiness] [Rebirth] [Cessation of Suffering] // [Relinquishment]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 6: Opanayiko: Leading inwards/onwards. [Recollection/Dhamma] [Translation]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 6, Excerpt 11
Quote: “If you want to succeed in your practice, you have to think a lot.... You have to think all the time about Dhamma.” — Ajahn Baen. Quoted by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Ajahn Baen] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Investigation of states] [Recollection/Dhamma ] [Recollection] // [Chanting]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 6.
Developing Skill in Reflective Meditation [2019], Session 2, Excerpt 1
“My understanding is that it is not good to indulge the five senses. But is there a way to make that help with your cultivation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sense bases ] [Sense restraint] // [Appropriate attention] [Discernment] [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 6: Recollection of the Dhamma [Recollection/Dhamma]
Sutta: SN 35.23: The six senses are the all.
Sutta: SN 35.116: A perceiver of the world, a conceiver of the world.
Q&A at Sudhana Center [2023], Excerpt 8
“Please kindly explain the four pairs and the eight kinds of noble beings (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Saṅgha] [Stages of awakening] // [Saṅgha] [Pāli]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 4, Excerpt 4
“Could you explain the Saṅgha described in the chants (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7) versus lay saṅgha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Saṅgha ] [Chanting] [Lay life] // [Stages of awakening] [Monastic life]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 6, Excerpt 9
“Would you please share on the meaning of ‘practicing with integrity’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Saṅgha] [Truth ] // [Pāli]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 7, Excerpt 12
“Is there anything in the chanting book about stream enters, non-returners, arahants? How is the [old] Abhayagiri Chanting Book organized? Why does the chanting book start with evening chanting? How does chanting support my practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting ] [Stages of awakening] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Ajahn Vajirayan] [Sutta] [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism] [Faith] [Energy]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7: “The four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings.”
Story: Ajahn Mahā Boowa tries to listen to Ajahn Mun’s solitary chanting. [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 2, Excerpt 2
“Where is the path [of stream entry etc.] clearly defined?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Stages of awakening] // [Aids to Awakening] [Stream entry] [Recollection/Saṅgha] [Ajahn Chah]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7: “The four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings.”
Sutta: MN 70.20-21: Definitions of faith follower and Dhamma follower.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 25, Excerpt 1
“Is there a chant or a few lines that you can suggest to provide a smooth transitional bridge from chanting something such as Salutation to the Triple Gem (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 9) into meditating on the breath? I feel disconnected: inspired by the meaning of the chant and then suddenly I’m focusing on my breath. Did the Buddha have a few powerful verses reminding us of the power of breath meditation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting ] [Mindfulness of breathing] // [Three Refuges] [Recollection/Buddha] [Impermanence] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Pāli] [Memory] [Dhamma online]
Sutta: MN 118.15: 16 steps of mindfulness of breathing; Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 85 has both Pāli and English.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 4, Excerpt 13
“Can you speak about working with fear and loss of ego identity, fear, and death?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Fear] [Self-identity view] [Death] // [Goodwill] [Aggregates] [Impermanence] [Delusion] [Faith] [Eightfold Path] [Perfections] [Recollection]
Reference: Description of dukkha. [Suffering]
Quote: “We respond to teachings on liberation and Nibbāna with a curious sense of fear and trepidation.” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa speaking about Ajahn Mun. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Mun] [Liberation] [Nibbāna] [Family] [Clinging]
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 3, Excerpt 6
“What is the difference between ‘meditating on’ versus ‘contemplating’ or just thinking about something. Can you give some examples how one may skillfully meditate on something versus unskillfully? What does saṅkhāra mean?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation] [Recollection] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Skillful qualities] [Volitional formations] [Pāli] // [Concentration] [Progress of insight] [Self-identity view] [Aggregates]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 11: A passage to arouse urgency.
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 4, Excerpt 17
“Regarding the First Noble Truth, some say, ‘Life contains dukkha;’ others say, ‘Life is dukkha.’ What say you?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Noble Truth of Suffering] [Suffering] // [Impermanence]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 11.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 1, Excerpt 3
“What does ‘consciousness is dukkha’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 11-12) mean?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Consciousness] [Suffering] // [Aggregates] [Self-identity view] [Sense bases]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 2, Excerpt 1
Reflections by Ajahn Pasanno on MN 109: The danger in clinging to khandhas. [Clinging] [Self-identity view] [Aggregates]
Reference: Reflection on dukkha from the Morning Chanting.
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 21, Excerpt 1
“In SN 22.2, Bhikkhu Bodhi translates displeasure, but our morning chanting has grief. Are they the same?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Grief] [Translation]
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 25, Excerpt 3
Question about views on whether the cause of suffering is desire or clinging to desire. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Craving] [Clinging] [Cause of Suffering] // [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Idealism] [Suffering] [Cessation of Suffering]
Reference: Salutation to the Triple Gem: “Rūpūpādānakkhandho...”
Follow-up: “Is the greater suffering the reaction to pain?” [Pain] [Feeling] [Aversion]
Quote: “All these different teachings and expressions of teachings....We don’t have to make them mesh, but try to figure out what they are pointing to.” [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Recollection/Dhamma]
Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition [2016], Session 54, Excerpt 1
“Could you please explain about the death process…how quickly does rebirth occur?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death ] [Rebirth] // [Recollection/Death] [Delusion] [Self-identity view] [Recollection] [Impermanence] [Not-self] [Theravāda] [History/Early Buddhism] [Sutta] [Vajrayāna] [Clinging] [Culture/Thailand] [Chanting] [Goodwill] [Relinquishment] [Ceremony/ritual] [Kamma]
References: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections; Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 12: The body is impermanent... [Craving]
Simile: Fire blown by the wind (SN 44.9: Kutūhalasālā Sutta) [Similes]
Story: A former monk asks Ajahn Chah about working with dying people to give them the opportunity for wholesome rebirth. [Ajahn Chah] [Teachers] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Quote: “I practice dying.” — The Dalai Lama. [Dalai Lama]
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 1, Excerpt 3
“If there is no self in the created or the uncreated (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 13), what gets reborn? I feel myself as not my body as I am walking. I don’t know how to know that experience and let go.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Not-self] [Rebirth] [Mindfulness] [Relinquishment] // [Kamma] [Impermanence] [Non-identification]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 8, Excerpt 18
“Can you define / explain saṅkhāras—mental formations? For example, what phenomena does it include? How can one evaluate what is or is not a saṅkhāra? How does it differ from the hindi / yogic samskara? Thank you.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volitional formations ] [Hinduism] // [Pāli] [Nature of the cosmos] [Nibbāna] [Aggregates] [Abhidhamma] [Emotion] [Directed thought and evaluation]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 13: Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā.
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 6, Excerpt 5
“Can you repeat the aspect of sankharas other than mental volitional energy?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volitional formations ] // [Nibbāna] [Aggregates] [Volition]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 13
2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 4, Excerpt 10
Chanting: Closing Homage (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 16). Offered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Three Refuges]
Abhayagiri's 20th Anniversary [2016], Session 16, Excerpt 2
“By chanting the Supreme Praise of the Buddha, Dhamma and Saṅgha (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 23), we bow and ask for forgiveness and set a new intention. Although I don’t know any specific offense, is this general (just in case)? What if there are specific offenses? Is it enough to hold them in awareness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Three Refuges] [Forgiveness] // [Humility]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 7, Excerpt 9
“I have had more of a pedestrian view of the Dhamma, and for the first time I’m having trouble even referring to the Buddha as ‘the Lord’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 23). Can you review taking refuge in the Buddha? Likewise, who is Lord Sahampati in the chant of requesting a Dhamma talk (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha] [Chanting] [Respect] [Three Refuges] [Brahma gods] // [Translation] [Culture/West] [Devotional practice] [Gratitude] [Recollection/Buddha] [Discernment] [Compassion] [Virtue]
Sutta: MN 26.20: The Brahma Sahampati invites the Buddha to teach. [Buddha/Biography] [Teaching Dhamma]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 4, Excerpt 23
“In the evening chant, it refers to the Buddha and the Saṅgha as ‘my lord’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 23). What is the Pāli that is used in this expression, and could you expand on what it means? How does it compare to the Christian use of this word? Being a former Christian, use of the word lord is troubling as one who should be worshipped.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Buddha] [Saṅgha] [Pāli] [Christianity] // [Translation]
Note: The Pāli word is sāmi-kissaro. Definitions of sāmi and issaro in the Digital Pāḷi Dictionary.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 1, Excerpt 6
“I’m wondering why the chanting says, ‘for me there is no other refuge, the Buddha is my excellent refuge,’ and the same for the Dhamma and the Sangha when all three are refuges. Also, why are the Dhamma and the Sangha referred to as ‘Lord?’ Thank you.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Three Refuges]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 23. [Volitional formations] [Impermanence]
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 6, Excerpt 6
“What does it mean – the four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings – in the recollection of the Sangha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Saṅgha] [Chanting] [Stages of awakening] // [Commentaries]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 27: Recollection of the Saṅgha
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 3, Excerpt 12
Chanting: Sharing of Blessings. Offered by Ajahn Amaro. [Chanting] [Merit]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33.
Remembering Ajahn Chah Weekend [2001], Session 36, Excerpt 2
“Please clarify the meaning of ‘the Solitary Buddha is my noble Lord.’ (Abhayagiri Chanting Book, p. 27)” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Paccekabuddha] // [Three Refuges] [Buddha] [Devotional practice]
Note: Nātha is the Pāli word translated as Lord; the newer Amaravati Chanting Book translates it as ‘noble guide.’ Other translations can be found on SuttaCentral.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 5, Excerpt 16
“What is the threefold bliss (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] // [Human] [Deva] [Nibbāna]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 6, Excerpt 5
“Please speak a little about kataññu.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Gratitude ] // [Human] [Pāli] [Merit]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33: Verses of Sharing and Aspiration
Story: Ajahn Liem gives Abhayagiri a handwritten essay about gratitude. [Ajahn Liem] [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Chah] [Personality] [Generosity] [Abhayagiri] [Asking forgiveness ceremony] [Dhamma books]
Reference: English translation: Gratitude by Ajahn Chah Saṅgha, p. 9.
2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 6, Excerpt 13
Chanting: The Sharing of Blessings (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33). Offered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Merit]
Abhayagiri's 20th Anniversary [2016], Session 16, Excerpt 1
“The Verses of Sharing and Aspiration translates paccekabuddha as ‘The Solitary Buddha is my noble guide.’ What’s going on here?” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko and Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Translation] [Paccekabuddha] // [Merit] [Teaching Dhamma]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33
Chanting [2018], Session 3, Excerpt 8
“In the ‘Verses of Sharing and Aspiration’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33), what is the threefold bliss?” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko and Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] // [Health] [Nibbāna] [Deva]
Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat [2021], Session 5, Excerpt 8
“Can you please talk more about the three happinesses and what we should be careful about?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] [Heedfulness] // [Everyday life] [Deva] [Nibbāna] [Hindrances] [Virtue] [Community]
Reference: Verses of Sharing and Aspiration, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 33.
Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat [2021], Session 19, Excerpt 12
“Please speak about ‘unburdened with duties’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 37). I notice it’s not ‘unburdened by duties.’ Does this mean we should attempt to minimize our responsibilities? What does this have to do with metta?—From a chronically busy person.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Work] [Simplicity ] [Goodwill] // [Restlessness and worry]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 41: “May I abide in well-being.”
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 6, Excerpt 17
“Sometime ill-will is diffuse and all-encompasing. Attempting to do metta when the mind is experiencing this seems to aggravate rather than soothe.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ill-will ] [Goodwill ] // [Bhante Gunaratana] [Conditionality] [Self-identity view] [Investigation of states]
Sutta: Snp 1.8: The Metta Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 5, Excerpt 2
Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: AN 7.61 is similar to the beginning of the Metta Sutta (Snp 1.8, Chanting Book translation). [Contentment] [Humility]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 19, Excerpt 1
“In the chant on ‘The Buddha’s Words on Loving Kindness,’ what does the line that says ‘unburdened with duties’ mean? Does it mean that we are to not have duties, or that we do not feel burdened by them, or does it mean something else? Thank you!” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Work] [Chanting]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 37
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 2, Excerpt 2
“Could you comment on the phrase in the Metta Sutta, “Not born again into this world?”” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Rebirth] [Sutta] // [Goodwill] [Skillful qualities] [Gradual Teaching] [Not-self] [Views]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 37
Quote: “What is the mind of an Arahant like?” – “Only compassion” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Arahant] [Compassion]
Madison Insight Retreat 2023, Session 3, Excerpt 8
“The lovingkindness chant includes ‘May I abide in freedom from affliction.’ Why is affliction not included in the wish for all beings?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill] [Chanting] // [Divine Abidings] [Compassion]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 41.
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 3, Excerpt 3
“What are some practices to deal with ill-will going repetitively towards one object?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ill-will] // [Kamma] [Cause of Suffering] [Proliferation]
Sutta: AN 5.161: Removing Resentment.
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 41: Reflection on kamma.
Quote: “If there’s a solution to the problem, why create difficulty around it? And then if there’s not a solution to the problem, why create difficulty around it?” — Shantideva. [Shantideva] [Suffering]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 6, Excerpt 1
“A few years ago on the Metta Retreat, you taught a phrase that you use in your practice, ‘May I have the patience, courage, understanding, and determination to face and overcome obstacles, difficulties, and failures in life.’ Please speak on how you use this phrase in practice.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Goodwill] // [Bhante Gunaratana]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 41: Reflection on Universal Well-Being.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 8, Excerpt 2
“Can you please speak to the difference in beginning metta meditation with self as opposed to beginning with an external object or person? I often feel depleted when directing outwards.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill] // [Chanting] [Compassion] [Politics and society] [Spaciousness]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 41: “May I abide in well-being.”
Awaken to the New Year Retreat [2021], Session 4, Excerpt 3
“Did the Buddha ever say to send lovingkindness to oneself?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Goodwill] [Tipiṭaka] // [Heart/mind] [Spaciousness]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 43.
Note: Not all translations of this passage include the phrase “to all as to myself.” For examples, see the available online translations of AN 4.125 and AN 3.65.
Developing Skill in Reflective Meditation [2019], Session 1, Excerpt 8
“Can you give some suggestions on dealing with betrayal in relationships?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Relationships] [Sexual misconduct] [Trust] // [Spiritual friendship] [Faith] [Virtue] [Generosity] [Discernment] [Judgementalism] [Monastic life]
Sutta: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 46: The Highest Blessings (Maṅgala Sutta, Snp 2.4)
The Whole of the Path [2013], Session 3, Excerpt 3
“In the Pure Land tradition, there are practices that prepare one for death. Are there are specific recommendations that yourself or Ajahn Chah would give for preparation for that last moment before death?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pure Land] [Ajahn Chah] [Death] [Recollection/Death] // [Buddho mantra]
Story: Family members try to encourage a drunkard to recollect “Arahaṃ“ in his last moments. [Mantra] [Humor]
Story: Ajahn Chah’s response to Paul Breiter’s desire to teach meditation to dying people. Told by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Paul Breiter] [Meditation] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Story: Ajahn Karuṇadhammo advises Iris Landsberg to recollect “sorrowless, spotless, secure.” Told by Ajahn Kaccāna. [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Recollection]
Sutta: Snp 2.4: Maṅgala Sutta (English chanting translation).
Story: A couple asks Master Hua what kind of dog they should get. [Master Hsuan Hua] [Animal] [Rebirth]
Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition [2014], Session 28, Excerpt 2
“I’m not sure how to be with close friends or family members who out of a desire to avoid pain and find happiness engage in self-destructive behavior that also harms those around them.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Family] [Spiritual friendship] [Unskillful qualities] [Craving] [Compassion] // [Discernment]
Sutta: Maṅgala Sutta: Don’t associate with fools.
Desire or Aspiration [2015], Session 1, Excerpt 5
Discussion about the importance of spiritual friendship. Led by Ajahn Pasanno. [Spiritual friendship] [Renunciation] [Happiness]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 46: The Highest Blessings (Maṅgala Sutta, Snp 2.4).
Ajahn Pasanno reflects on his intention in coming to America. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Culture/West] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Abhayagiri]
Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition [2016], Session 35, Excerpt 3
“‘Teacher of Gods and Humans’. Can you talk about this? What Gods did the Buddha teach? What other beings did the Buddha teach?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Buddha] [Buddha] [Teaching Dhamma] [Deva] [Human] // [Realms of existence ] [Sutta] [Buddha/Biography] [Ajahn Chah]
Sutta: DN 21: Sakka’s Questions.
Sutta: Snp 2.4: Maṅgala Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
Vinaya: Khandhaka 17.3.11: The Buddha subdues an enraged elephant. [Animal]
Story: Ajahn Chah describes the beings inhabiting Wat Pah Pong. [Wat Pah Pong] [Non-human beings]
Story: The head being acquires faith, listens to teachings, and temporarily takes on the Eight Precepts. [Faith] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Eight Precepts]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2016, Session 6, Excerpt 7
“Can you talk about respect in the context of horizontal and vertical relationships in monastic life?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Respect ] [Respect for elders] [Monastic life] // [Conscience and prudence] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Culture/West] [Humility]
Sutta: Snp 2.4: Maṅgala Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
The Teaching and the Training [2018], Session 2, Excerpt 1
Question about cultivating goodwill towards a difficult coworker. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Work] [Goodwill] [Forgiveness] // [Suffering] [Right Effort] [Craving] [Relinquishment] [Kamma]
Comment: Sometimes having metta means leaving the situation. [Association with people of integrity] [Clear comprehension]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 46
Love, Attachment, and Friendship [2019], Session 3, Excerpt 9
“How does one live in harmony with others who hold different views and have different understanding about things? How does one live in harmony with oneself when facing challenges?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Communal harmony ] [Views] // [Conflict] [Right Speech] [Delusion] [Patience] [Association with people of integrity] [Naturalness]
Quote: “Let the forest teach you. If you look around in the forest, there’s big trees, there’s little trees, there’s straight trees, there’s crooked trees, there’s vines. They all live together in harmony.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Culture/Natural environment] [Similes]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 46, Maṅgala Sutta: Don’t associate with fools.
Awaken to the New Year Retreat [2021], Session 4, Excerpt 4
“What advice would you give to future abbots and teachers of Wat Pah Pong branch monasteries so that the communities maintain the most important characteristics of Ajahn Chah’s style of leadership?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Abbot] [Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Saṅgha] [Leadership ] [Ajahn Chah] // [Dhamma] [Vinaya] [Chanting] [Translation]
Sutta: DN 16.6: Dhamma-Vinaya is your leader.
Quote: “Ajahn Chah was conservative, but he wasn’t fundamentalist.” [Monastic life]
Story: The Dalai Lama asks the Abhayagiri monks to chant the Maṅgala Sutta (Snp 2.4, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 46) in Pāli. [Dalai Lama] [Pāli]
Story: Ajahn Chah was one of the first forest monks to ban smoking in the monastery. [Smoking] [Lunar observance days]
Recollection: Ajahn Chah was unique in consulting with senior monks and laypeople when making decisions. [Saṅgha decision making]
Questions and Answers about Ajahn Chah [2025], Session 1, Excerpt 4
“I get great satisfaction from learning new skills and subjects. However, I get easily immersed, finely focused, and no mindfulness. Sometimes I take refuge in this state as it helps me sweep aside what I would rather not face. Can you offer any advice? Also, are there investigations I might pursue during retreat that may be helpful? P. S. I hear that ‘accomplished in learning and craftsman’s skills’ is a higher blessing (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 47).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Learning] [Work] [Mindfulness] // [Heart/mind] [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness of body] [Tranquility]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2011, Session 5, Excerpt 14
“The way Ajahn Paññavaddho describes citta sounds like a soul. Can you discuss?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno, Kondannyo Bhikkhu and Ajahn Kaccāna. [Ajahn Paññāvaḍḍho] [Heart/mind] [Doctrine-of-self clinging] // [Language] [Unconditioned] [Buddha] [Faith] [Direct experience] [Nibbāna] [Four Noble Truths] [Similes]
Sutta: Ud 8.3: Nibbāna Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition [2016], Session 38, Excerpt 1
Comment: The translation of the Nibbāna Sutta (Ud 8.3) in The Island renders paññāyati as ‘discerned;’ the Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 49 translates it as ‘possible.’ Contributed by Ajahn Kaccāna. [Discernment] [Translation] [Chanting]
Response by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno.
Quote: “If you can’t go forward, if you can’t go backwards, if you can’t stand still, where do you go?” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Koan]
Sutta: Ud 8.1.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 46, Excerpt 7
“The connection between tathatā and suññatā—would you like to expound a bit more?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Suchness] [Emptiness ] // [Proliferation] [Relinquishment] [Pāli] [Conventions] [Aggregates] [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Characteristics of existence] [Self-identity view]
Quote: “It’s just that much.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah]
Sutta: MN 72.20: “...unfathomable like the great ocean.” [Buddha]
Sutta: Ud 8.3: “There is the unborn, the unoriginated, the uncreated, the unformed.” (Chanting Book Translation).
Reference: The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 50, Excerpt 3
“Is Nibbāna unconditioned? Can Nibbāna make a connection with you, or do you have to go to Nibbāna?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nibbāna] [Unconditioned ] [Impermanence] // [Characteristics of existence]
Sutta: Ud 8.3: Nibbāna Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
Quote: “The place where there’s no coming, no going, no standing still. What’s that?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah]
Even the Sāsana Will Pass Away [2025], Excerpt 11
“Please explain in English the Pali chant you give as a blessing at the meal and at other occasions.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Anumodanā] [Pāli] // [Translation] [Merit] [Similes] [Three Refuges]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 50
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 4, Excerpt 8
Explanation of the meal blessing chant. [Anumodanā] [Almsfood] // [Pāli] [Gratitude] [Merit]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 50
Recollections of Ajahn Chah [2010], Session 6, Excerpt 1
Anumodana chanting: “Yathā vāri-vahāpūrā...” and “Bhavatu sabba-maṅgalaṃ...” (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 50) offered by the Abhayagiri Saṅgha. [Anumodanā] [Almsfood] [Pāli] // [Gratitude] [Merit]
Recollections of Ajahn Chah [2010], Session 6, Excerpt 2
“What is the English translation of the meal time blessing? Thank you.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Anumodanā]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 50
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 4, Excerpt 12
“Could we get the words of the monks’ reflection before eating their food?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Almsfood] [Recollection]
Sutta: MN 2.14, Chanting Book translation.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 8, Excerpt 8
“How are we to reflect on the use of food as not for fun, not for pleasure, only for the maintenance and nourishment of this body when offered Paul’s spectacular cooking?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Food] [Recollection] [Meditation retreats] // [Sense restraint] [Gratitude] [Vinaya]
Sutta: MN 2.14, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 53. [Almsfood]
Quote: “That’s what the use of reflection is. It isn’t necessarily that you’re going to mandate what you’re feeling or thinking, but you’re keeping a perspective on it.”
Sutta: AN 5.208: Using toothwoods makes food taste better. [Cleanliness]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 4, Excerpt 12
“I understand that ultimately old age, sickness, and death are out of our control, but we can influence those factors by how we treat our physicality, our nature. Can you talk about a skillful relationship to the body, what is skillful to let be versus what is skillful to influence?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ageing] [Sickness] [Death] [Body/form] [Health ] [Skillful qualities] // [Medicinal requisites]
Sutta: MN 2.14, Chanting Book translation: Reflection on the Four Requisites. [Requisites]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 5, Excerpt 1
Attending to attractive objects nourishes sensual desire. (SN 46.51) Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sensual desire] [Hindrances]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: The Five Recollections
Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing [2005], Session 6, Excerpt 1
“What is upekkha – equanimity – and how does one practice it?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Equanimity] // [Kamma] [Conditionality] [Not-self] [Proliferation] [Divine Abidings] [Knowledge and vision] [Impermanence]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections
Metta Retreat [2008], Session 3, Excerpt 10
“What can we say to someone who is terminally ill? It seems the living can only offer sympathy. When I try to think of some way to comfort their mind, my words seem so out of touch and trivial.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death] [Right Speech] // [Fear] [Recollection/Death] [Compassion] [Ajahn Pasanno]
Sutta: AN 5.57: Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection Chanting Book translation.
Quote: “You can’t go with a program you’ve thought out ahead of time.”
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 1, Excerpt 1
Comment by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno: The conclusion that what is not under our control can’t be self isn’t immediately obvious. [Volition] [Not-self]
Follow-up: “How have you come to understand this over time?” [Self-identity view] [Feeling]
Follow-up: “How does the chant, ‘I am the owner of my kamma’ relate to this?” [Kamma] [Language] [Conventions]
Sutta: AN 5.57 Five Recollections (Chanting Book translation).
Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: The suttas are summaries rather than transcripts. [Sutta] [Teaching Dhamma]
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 30, Excerpt 3
“I was struck by the simile of the stone being heavy, but you won’t know it’s heavy unless you pick it up, and it’s just like suffering. You don’t have to pick it up. I’m battling a loss in my life, and I’m suffering. I didn’t pick up the stone. It was flung at me. I’m not sure how to deal....” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Similes] [Ajahn Chah] [Suffering] [Grief] [Christianity] // [Human] [Naturalness ] [Equanimity] [Self-identity view] [Goodwill] [Discernment]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections [Characteristics of existence] [Recollection/Death] [Kamma]
Quote: “Whenever you get into a fight with nature, you always lose.”
Quote: “What makes it heavy is the ‘me’ bit.”
New Year, New Life [2013], Session 2, Excerpt 1
“You said in the chanting, ‘I am the heir to my kamma.’ Gam in Thai is what we cultivate in body, speech and mind. In the Thai concept, we also have jao gam nai ren. Can Ajahn help me sort this out?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kamma] [Culture/Thailand] [Nature of the cosmos] // [Suffering] [Health care] [Birth]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections
Follow-up: “My mother is dying at age 88. She had a plane accident 20 years ago and has been completely immobile....In Thai we say, jao gam nai ren must have been chasing after her.” [Family] [Sickness] [Death]
New Year, New Life [2013], Session 2, Excerpt 2
“I know parting with loved ones is a natural course of life, but deep sadness and grief arises when I reflect on that. Could you instruct on how to work with this grief? Is there a level of understanding when there is no grief? Thank you!” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Grief ] [Naturalness] // [Recollection] [Recollection/Death] [Impermanence] [Kamma] [Goodwill]
Sutta: AN 5.57 Five Recollections (Chanting Book translation)
Suttas: SN 47.13, SN 47.14: The deaths of Sariputta and Moggallana. [Buddha/Biography] [Great disciples] [Death]
Quote: “Now I’m an orphan.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Parents] [Wat Pah Pong] [Mae Chee]
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 3, Excerpt 8
“Equanimity...your thoughts?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Equanimity ] // [Divine Abidings] [Impermanence] [Kamma] [Conditionality] [Factors of Awakening]
Sutta: AN 5.57: Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection (Chanting Book translation)
2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 1, Excerpt 1
“I volunteer in hospice and was in attendance for the passing of my parents. I notice vast differences in the way people experience their passage. What can we do, while still alive, to prepare for a peaceful and ‘wakeful’ passing? Other than ‘being present,’ is there anything that can be of benefit to others?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death] // [Recollection/Death] [Equanimity] [Impermanence] [Sickness] [Idealism] [Compassion] [Generosity]
Sutta: AN 5.57: Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection (Chanting Book translation)
Vinaya: Mahāvagga 8.26.8: Qualities of a good nurse. [Monastic life] [Health care]
Story: Ajahn Chah advises Paul Breiter about the limits of spiritual hospice work. [Ajahn Chah] [Paul Breiter] [Buddho mantra] [Fierce/direct teaching]
2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 1, Excerpt 7
“Could you suggest some inquiry questions to contemplate and investigate the wisdom practice of equanimity?” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Recollection] [Discernment] [Equanimity] // [Kamma] [Judgementalism]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55.
Abhayagiri 25th Anniversary Retreat [2021], Session 5, Excerpt 9
“The reflection on kamma (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55) uses language related to family: ‘born,’ ‘heir,’ ‘related’, ‘supported.’ What are the implications of this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kamma] [Family] [Language] // [Community] [Perception]
Abhayagiri Kaṭhina 2021, Session 1, Excerpt 1
“One of the books I have read suggests to practice the last moment of life every night. What would you suggest for practicing marananussati?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Death ] // [Purpose/meaning]
Sutta: AN 10.48 Ten Reflections (Chanting book translation)
2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 4, Excerpt 14
“How do I deal with the mind which loves someone who doesn’t love back? The mind (heart) and the brain are very hard to function normally. The thought of this suffering is overwhelming in my entire daily routines.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Relationships] [Suffering] // [Purpose/meaning] [Time management]
Sutta: AN 10.48 Ten Recollections (Chanting book translation)
Thanksgiving Retreat 2016, Session 3, Excerpt 11
“Is body scan as a meditation practice done in the Ajahn Chah tradition? Is there a sutta where the Buddha talks about it?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Body scanning ] [Ajahn Chah lineage] [Sutta] // [Unattractiveness] [Mindfulness of body ] [Elements] [Recollection/Death] [Disenchantment]
Quote: “Ajahn Chah would recommend doing anything that worked.” [Ajahn Chah] [Right Effort]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 60: Reflection on the Thirty-Two Parts.
Sutta: MN 10.4: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, mindfulness of body section.
Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 3, Excerpt 1
“It seems like the ‘Reflection on the 32 Parts’ of the body is missing several parts. Nose, muscles, sex organs, etc. Is it meant to be comprehensive? Or is it just the ugly bits?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unattractiveness ] // [Elements] [Human] [Disenchantment] [Equanimity]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 60: Reflection on the Thirty-Two Parts.
Sutta: MN 10.10: Simile of different grains. [Similes]
Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 5, Excerpt 14
Discussion about the translation, meaning, and interpretation of the “Reflection on the Off-Putting Qualities of the Requisites” chant. Led by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Requisites] [Unattractiveness] [Translation] // [Emptiness] [Culture/West] [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Elements] [Thai] [Self-identity view]
Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition [2016], Session 55, Excerpt 1
“Thank you for your talk on mindfulness today—very helpful. I’ve been practicing for a long time (and have even had a few insights that made big impressions on me) and while my sila has definitely improved, my mindfulness is a priority and I might have a tad more wisdom, my mind looks for ways to suffer. Sometimes I feel like a total failure as a Buddhist. I understand that letting go of identity view is the answer, but how? What am I missing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Long-term practice] [Suffering] [Perfectionism] [Self-identity view] // [Aggregates] [Relinquishment] [Drawbacks] [Gladdening the mind]
Sutta: SN 22.22: The Burden (Chanting Book translation)
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 1, Excerpt 4
“What is the difference between upadhi viveka and citta viveka?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Seclusion ] [Concentration] [Discernment] // [Relinquishment] [Aggregates] [Characteristics of existence]
Quote: “Upadi viveka is more transportable. You can carry it with you.”
Sutta: SN 22.22: The Burden (Chanting Book translation).
Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition [2016], Session 53, Excerpt 2
Ajahn Pasanno begins the retreat by encouraging us to return to the basics of the Noble Eightfold Path. He mentions Iris Landsberg, a long-standing lay supporter dying of lung cancer, both to set the tone for the monk’s final visit to her and to encourage us to practice while there is still time. Iris passed away February 1, 2014. [Eightfold Path] [Sickness] [Death] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Spiritual urgency] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Meditation retreats] [Family] [Health care]
Sutta: DN 16.5.27: The world will not be devoid of awakened beings as long as people are practicing the Eightfold Path. [Stages of awakening]
Story: Ajahn Pāvaro decides to practice in Bodh Gaya after receiving worrying medical news. [Ajahn Pavaro] [Visiting holy sites] [Impermanence]
Sutta: MN 131: Bhaddekaratta Sutta (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 75)
Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition [2014], Session 1
“What can help morph endurance into patience?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Patience] // [Present moment awareness] [Perfections] [Equanimity]
Sutta: Dhp 184: Patience is the supreme destroyer of defilements Chanting Book translation.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 4, Excerpt 15
“How does the practice of patience fit into the Noble Eightfold Path? How is patience the incinerator of defilements?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Patience ] [Eightfold Path] [Unwholesome Roots] // [Perfections] [Suffering] [Self-identity view] [Worldly Conditions]
Reference: Ovāda Pātimokkha: Dhp 183-185 (Chanting book translation).
Kathina Q&A with the Chithurst Community [2025], Session 1, Excerpt 13
Teaching: The Buddha’s first exclamation after his enlightenment evokes the sense of being free from saṃsāra. Contributed by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha/Biography] [Saṃsāra ] [Liberation] // [Proliferation] [Cessation] [Craving]
Sutta: Dhp 153-154 (Chanting Book translation).
Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 3, Excerpt 5
“MN 44.14 defines perception and feeling as mental formations. I thought those were just conditional arising on account of contact (MN 109.9)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Perception] [Feeling] [Volitional formations] [Conditionality] [Contact] // [Pāli]
Ajahn Buddhadasā‘s translation of the Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118; Chanting Book translation) translates cittasaṅkhāra as the mental conditioner. [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Translation] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Reference: Mindfulness with Breathing by Ajahn Buddhadāsa, p. 72.
Follow-up: “The bodily fabrication doesn’t seem to involve volition, but vitakka and vicāra do.” [Body/form] [Volition] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Aggregates]
Comment: In the Ānāpānasati Sutta, much of the practice is intentionally calming different saṅkhāras. [Tranquility] [Mindfulness of body]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness [2013], Session 24, Excerpt 5
“Can you repeat the instruction regarding breathing in using the words pīti and happiness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Rapture] [Happiness] // [Mindfulness of feeling] [Volitional formations]
Sutta: MN 118.19: The second anāpānāsati tetrad Chanting Book translation.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2010, Session 4, Excerpt 13
“Please describe any techniques or practices for gladdening the mind.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Gladdening the mind ] // [Recollection/Buddha] [Recollection/Dhamma] [Recollection/Saṅgha] [Goodwill] [Recollection/Generosity] [Recollection/Virtue]
Sutta: MN 118.20: “Gladdening the mind, I breathe in,” Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 89. [Mindfulness of breathing]
Story: In Sri Lanka, children write the skillful actions they have done in a book they keep all their life. It is read to them in times of illness or difficulty. [Culture/Sri Lanka] [Children] [Sickness] [Death]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 4, Excerpt 4
“Could you clarify ‘the body in the body?’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Mindfulness of body ] [Right Mindfulness ] // [Translation] [Pāli] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Direct experience] [Self-identity view] [Elements] [Proliferation] [Perception]
References: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 91; Right Mindfulness by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness [2015], Session 14, Excerpt 4
“Would you say more about the ardent, purifying aspect of mindfulness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness] [Ardency] // [Right Effort ] [Unskillful qualities] [Skillful qualities] [Clear comprehension]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 96: Right Mindfulness in the Noble Eightfold Path.
Thanksgiving Retreat 2016, Session 7, Excerpt 17
“Could you offer some reflections on experiencing mind as mind in the Noble Eightfold Path?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Eightfold Path] [Chanting] [Chithurst] [Amaravati] [Mindfulness of mind ] // [Noting] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Nature of mind] [Knowing itself]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 97.
Sutta: MN 10.34: Mindfulness of mind.
Follow-up: “Does this relate to Luang Por Dune’s reformulation of the Four Noble Truths where it says, ‘The mind seeing the mind?’” [Ajahn Dune] [Four Noble Truths] [Mindfulness of mind ]
Reference: Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune, p. 3.
Quote: “An inward-staying unentangled knowing.” — Upasikā Kee Nanayon. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon]
Kathina Q&A with the Chithurst Community [2025], Session 1, Excerpt 2
“How is compassion (karuṇā) is different from loving-kindness (mettā)? Is compassion similar to empathy? I am also wondering if it means you feel the pain of the person you feel compassion for.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Compassion ] [Goodwill ] [Suffering] // [Pāli]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124: Requesting a Dhamma talk.
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 7, Excerpt 6
Reading: MN 26: The Noble Search. Read by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha/Biography]
Reflections on the meaning of freedom. [Liberation] [Culture/West]
Reflections on the conditions suitable for Dhamma practice. [Culture/Natural environment] [Sense bases] [Energy]
Suttas: Ud 1.1-3: The Buddha’s reflections after awakening.
Sutta: MN 36.42: Awakening to the Four Noble Truths. [Four Noble Truths]
Sutta: SN 22.26: Benefit, drawback, and escape. [Aspects of Understanding]
Reference: Dhamma talk request, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124.
Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 2, Excerpt 1
“I’ve heard that to become a Buddha one must ask the blessing of an existing Buddha. Is this true?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Previous Buddhas] [Buddha] [Bodhisattva] // [Determination]
Story: The Brahmin Sumedha vows to become a Buddha (found in the Buddhavaṃsa and Jātaka tales).
Follow-up: “This makes it even more surprising that the Buddha doubted to fulfill his role (MN 26.19).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Buddha/Biography] [Doubt] [Brahma gods] [Teaching Dhamma] [Addiction]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124: Dhamma talk request.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 11, Excerpt 4
Comment: It seems like we stretch out ‘saha’ in the request for the Five Precepts (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 126). [Chanting] [Pāli]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
Chanting [2018], Session 2, Excerpt 3
“Is having a ½ glass of wine at the Christmas or special dinner breaking that precept? Does the precept mean not getting intoxicated or not ever drinking substance?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Intoxicants ] // [Precepts]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 129: The Five Precepts [Five Precepts]
2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 6, Excerpt 17
“Sometimes there’s no pause between the words we’re chanting. Why?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [History/Early Buddhism] [Chanting] [Pāli]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 129: Five Precepts.
Chanting [2018], Session 2, Excerpt 1
“The fourth precept used to be translated as false and harmful speech. In the new chanting book, it’s just lying. Is there a reason for this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [False speech] [Pāli] [Chanting] // [Right Speech]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 130
Sutta: MN 41: Saleyyaka Sutta
Chanting [2018], Session 1, Excerpt 13
Comment: I also get tripped up chanting the fifth precept (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 130). [Five Precepts] [Intoxicants] [Chanting] [Pāli]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Thai]
Chanting [2018], Session 2, Excerpt 5
“Can you explain the rhythm and scanning of the seventh of the Eight Precepts (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 135)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Eight Precepts] [Entertainment and adornment] [Chanting] [Pāli]
Chanting [2018], Session 2, Excerpt 4
“How important is chanting for one’s practice? Do you have any tips for how to recite/remember the Pali chants?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting ] [Memory] [Pāli] // [Monastic life] [Recollection] [Devotional practice] [Energy] [Thai Forest Tradition] [Long-term practice] [Dhamma recordings] [Posture/Walking] [Almsround] [Mindfulness]
Story: Ajahn Mun would chant for over an hour each evening before he started meditating. [Ajahn Mun] [Monastic routine]
Suttas: AN 10.60 Girimānanda Sutta; SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
Story: The evening program at Wat Fah Krahm is three hours of chanting followed by a three-hour sit. [Wat Fah Krahm] [Meditation] [Ajahn Kovilo]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 138: Rhythm of the Pāli language.
Sutta: SN 48.9: Mindfulness related to memory.