Abhayagiri Anniversary event, May. 30, 2026
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, California and online
4 sessions, 16 excerpts, 42:12 total duration
Show featured excerpts (3)
Four long-time members of the Abhayagiri community reflect on the purpose and values of Abhayagiri monastery.
Original recordings available on www.abhayagiri.orgSession 1: The Peace We’ve Always Wanted
Session 2: Seeded Life
Session 3: The Infrastructure of Peace
Session 4: Parameters of the Dhamma: Honoring the Buddha in Our Daily Life
[Abhayagiri]
1. [0:05] Reflection: Returning to Abhayagiri after four years away. // [Berkeley Buddhist Monastery] [Ajahn Amaro] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Sequence of training] [Beauty]
2. [2:14] Reflection: The purpose of Abhayagiri hasn’t changed. [Four Noble Truths] // [Master Hsuan Hua] [Ajahn Ñāṇiko] [Abbot] [Tranquility] [Happiness]
3. [6:34] Reflection: These monasteries support us while we succeed and fail in finding the teachings and practices that lead to a place of well-being and peace. [Monasteries] [Meditation] [Happiness] // [Monastic life] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Gratitude]
Sutta: AN 10.48: “My very life is sustained by the gifts of others” (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 57).
4. [8:51] Reflection: The first 12 years of monastic life are an opportunity to soak in the Dhamma practice. [Sequence of training] [Learning] [Hearing the true Dhamma] // [Teaching Dhamma] [Humility] [Cleanliness] [Happiness] [Thai Forest Tradition] [Meditation/Techniques]
5. [12:28] Reflection: The balance between community and self-reliance. [Saṅgha] [Self-reliance ] // [Faith] [Ajahn Chah] [Trust ] [Monastic life] [Present moment awareness]
Quote: “One’s attitude towards practice should be: ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Meditation]
Quote: “You are the awareness. All of us are the awareness.” — Ajahn Sumedho. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Knowing itself]
Quote: “Give it 40 years.” — Ajahn Sucitto. [Ajahn Sucitto] [Determination] [Patience]
6. [18:16] Simile: Long-term Dhamma practice is like walking to New York City from California. [Long-term practice] [Patience] [Determination] [Similes] // [Middle Path] [Meditation] [Relinquishment] [Faith] [Recollection/Virtue]
Reflection: Abhayagiri is a wonderful place to practice. [Gratitude]
Simile: A good family. [Saṅgha]
7. [22:37] Reflection: These practices and teachings lead to that which we all seek. [Meditation] [Purpose/meaning] // [Three Refuges] [Monasteries] [Gratitude]
1. [0:52] Recollection: My first meeting with Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pavaro] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Birken] [Personal presence]
2. [2:29] Recollection: Friendship and consistency of training at Abhayagiri Monastery. [Ajahn Pavaro] [Birken] [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life] [Spiritual friendship]
3. [4:24] Recollection: Seeing the faith in Thailand. [Ajahn Pavaro] [Culture/Thailand] [Faith] [Respect] // [Ajahn Pasanno]
1. [0:32] Reflection: My monastic life was born at Abhayagiri. [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life]
2. [4:15] Quote: “Monasteries are made of people.” — Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monasteries ] [Monastic life] [Community] // [Desire] [Saṅghapāla] [Buddha] [Saṅgha] [Abhayagiri]
3. [6:46] Recollection: The early foundations of Abhayagiri Monastery. [Abhayagiri] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Desire] [Lodging] [Saṅgha] [Community ]
Reflection: Building foundations of community requires care and attention. [Community ] [Vinaya]
Quote: “Holding on with wisdom.” — Ajahn Jayasaro. [Ajahn Jayasaro] [Clinging] [Discernment]
[Session] On the occasion of Visākha Pūjā, Ajahn Pasanno draws upon the Buddha’s exhortation to Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī (AN 8.53) to explain how we can honor the Buddha by practicing Dhamma in accordance with Dhamma. [Buddha] [Meditation] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]
1. [20:42] Reflection from Ajahn Chah about rich people: “They may have money, but they don’t know what’s enough.” [Ajahn Chah] [Commerce/economics] [Greed] // [Wat Pah Pong] [Relinquishment] [Happiness] [Contentment]
2. [23:00] Reflection: The cause of dukkha is ever seeking fresh delight, now here, now there, even in the spiritual search (SN 56.11.5; Amaravati Chanting Book Volume 2, p. 4). [Cause of Suffering] [Spiritual search] // [Greed] [Relinquishment] [Contentment]
3. [26:43] Recollection: A monk who memorized the entire Tipiṭaka advises, “Don’t be lazy.” [Tipiṭaka] [Memory] [Energy]