All excerpts

66 events, 494 sessions, 3638 excerpts, 202:29:12 total duration

Most common tags:
Ajahn Chah (818)  Ajahn Pasanno (382)  Suffering (299)  Relinquishment (260)  Abhayagiri (240)  Self-identity view (235)  Monastic life (224)  Mindfulness of breathing (221)  Teaching Dhamma (214)  Discernment (205) 

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Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 18: The Spirit of a Warrior and Kor Patipada – Jan. 29, 2014

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1. Reading: “The Spirit of a Warrior,” unpublished talk by Ajahn Dtun in Krooba Ajahn. Read by Anagārika J.R..


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2. Reading: “Aiming to Look After the Kor Patibat,” unpublished talk by Ajahn Baen. Read by Anagārika J.R..


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3. “In the reading there was a lot of emphasis on solitude. Here we have a lot of time for that especially right now with our Winter Retreat, but we also have a lot of responsibilities and engagement in community. How would you recommend us balancing the two or using them to help each other?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Seclusion] [Abhayagiri] [Community] [Work] [Personality] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/India] [Ajahn Chah] [Unwholesome Roots] [Discernment] [Generosity] [Culture/West] [Self-identity view]


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4. “Do you have any advice about how to hold a particularly strong “fighting spirit” teaching, like Ajahn Dtun?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Fierce/direct teaching] [Teaching Dhamma ] [Ajahn Dtun] // [Culture/Thailand] [Ardency] [Right Effort] [Restlessness and worry] [Heedfulness] [Discernment] [Goodwill]

Sutta: AN 1.49: The mind is radiant.

Quote: “If you invite visitors into your home [the mind] and they just make a mess, then you want to close the door on them before they come in. You can’t be too polite.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Similes] [Unwholesome Roots]


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5. “I got more a sense of metta from Ajahn Dtun than warrior spirit?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Dtun] [Goodwill] [Fierce/direct teaching] // [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Spiritual urgency]


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6. Story: Ajahn Dtun unexpectedly manifests goodwill towards Ajahn Ñāṇiko. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Dtun] [Ajahn Ñāṇiko] [Goodwill] // [Abbot] [Malas]


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7. “In the Luang Por Baen reading, he encouraged his monks to admonish each other, but Ajahn Chah said to put 90% of your attention on yourself and only 10% on other people. Could you describe the context of these two statements?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Baen] [Admonishment/feedback ] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West]

Quote: “If someone criticizes you, then you should raise your hands in añjāli and say ‘Sadhu!’ because you don’t have to hire them to do it for you!” — Ajahn Chah. [Respect] [Gratitude]


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8. “Isn’t there a story about when Ajahn Chah wanted to give feedback to a senior monk and he waited 20 or 30 years?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Admonishment/feedback] [Right Speech] // [Ajahn Baen] [Vinaya] [Protocols] [Cleanliness]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 19: Pure and Simple – Feb. 1, 2014

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1. Dedication of the reading to Iris Landsberg. [Lay life] [Death]


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2. Recollection: Brief biography of Upasika Kee Nanayon. Recounted by Debbie Stamp. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Lay life] [History/Thai Buddhism] // [Seclusion] [Community]


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3. Reading:Reading the Mind” from Pure and Simple, by Upasika Kee Nanayon, pp. 163-177. Read by Debbie Stamp.


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4. “What Pāli word do you think Ajahn Geoff is translating as thought formations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] [Translation] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] // [Volitional formations] [Thai]


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5. “In another Ajahn Geoff translation, I have seen him use “supposings” or “fashionings.’ Is that the same word?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Translation] [Thai] // [Conventions] [Ajahn Chah] [Liberation]


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6. “Did Upasika Kee focus on vedana more than other things or was that just in this chapter?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Feeling] // [Insight meditation]


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7. “During her lifetime did she have a lot of followers?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Community] // [Animal]


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8. “Would it be possible to give a working definition of saṅkhāra? It seems that saṅkhāra is used by different people in different ways.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volitional formations] [Aggregates] // [Conditionality] [Body/form]

Reference: Abhayagiri Chanting Book, p. 23: “All conditions are impermanent.”


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 20: Ajahn Dtun Questions and Answers – Feb. 2, 2014

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1. Ajahn Dtun’s visit and Iris Landsberg. Recollections by Beth Steff. [Ajahn Dtun] [Death] [Recollection/Death]

Quote: “In the morning, a healthy friend. In the evening, a wisp of cremation smoke.” — unnamed Chan master.


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2. Reading: Unpublished Q & A session from Ajahn Dtun’s 2013 visit to Canada. Read by Beth Steff.


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3. “I’m interested in the theme mentioned of the body and mind being separate from each other. The questioner asks ‘Don’t they have influence on one another?’ I’m curious about how to reflect on that.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Body/form] [Nature of mind] // [Ajahn Chah] [Sickness] [Knowing itself]

Story: Ajahn Chah retreats into the peace and stability of the mind to cope with a lung infection.


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 21: Kondañña Knows – Feb. 3, 2014

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1. Background information about Paul Brieter and Being Dhamma. [Paul Breiter] // [Ajahn Chah] [Translation] [Dhamma books]


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2. Reading: “Kondañña Knows” from Being Dharma by Ajahn Chah (commercial) pp. 151-168. Read by Ajahn Pasanno.


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3. “The worldly winds appear quite distinct from each other, but status and praise seem closely related. Why?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Worldly Conditions] [Blame and praise] [Fame and disrepute]


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4. “A stream-enterer is said to come back no more than seven lifetimes. Why the number seven?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Stream entry]


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5. “It’s interesting that he equates the extreme of self mortification to aversion, ill-will, and pushing away.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Middle Path] [Aversion] [Ill-will] // [Ajahn Chah] [Desire] [Ajahn Liem] [Relinquishment] [Arahant] [Idealism]


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6. “Could that “quality of knowing” be a variation on the teaching of sati-sampajañña, mindfulness and clear comprehension?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] // [Discernment]


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7. Reflection about the Buddha saying, “Māra, I see you!” Contributed by Ajahn Jotipālo. [Buddha/Biography] [Māra]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno about the definition of an arahant being “one who is far from defilements” and insight into not self. [Ajahn Chah] [Not-self] [Stream entry] [Self-identity view]

Sutta: MN 123 Acchariya-abbhūta Sutta: Wonderful and Marvelous.


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 22: Steps Along the Path – Feb. 4, 2014

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[Session] Reading: Steps Along the Path by Ajahn Thate pp. 3-12. Read by Ajahn Jotipālo.


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 23: Looking Within – Feb. 5, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “Looking Within” from Me and Mine by Ajahn Buddhadāsa pp. 69-77. Read by Ajahn Ñāṇiko.


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1. “Do you recall when Ajahn Buddhadāsa died?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] // [Translation]


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2. Ajahn Ñaniko speaks about the time Luang Por Liem spent at Suan Mokh. [Wat Suan Mokkh] [Ajahn Liem]

Recollection: The Thai translations in the Wat Pah Pong chanting book come from Ajahn Buddhadāsa. [Chanting] [Wat Pah Pong] [Thai] [Translation] [Ajahn Buddhadāsa]

Recollection: Ajahn Liem reads and comments on the monthly poem in the Ajahn Buddhadāsa calendar. [Artistic expression]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 24: Gifts He Left Behind – Feb. 6, 2014

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1. Format of Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune.


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2. Reading: Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune: Introduction. Read by Ajahn Ahiṃsako.


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3. Story: The Queen invites the best neurosurgeons to help Ajahn Chah in a special suite in Chulalongkorn Hospital. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Sickness] [Royalty] [Health care] // [Saṅgha decision making]

Story: Ajahn Dune occupies the suite after Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Dune]


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4. Reading: Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune: Biographical Sketch and pp. 105-109, 1, 3, 6-9, 11-12, 15-19, 77. Read by Ajahn Ahiṃsako.


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5. “Ajahn Pasanno, did I hear correctly the other day that you met Luang Por Dune?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Dune] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Wat Burapha] [Personality] [Teaching Dhamma]


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6. “His monastery is quite loud, isn’t it?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Dune] [Wat Burapha] [Seclusion]


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7. Reading: “It’s Easy if You are not Attached,” Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune, p. 77. Read by Ajahn Ahiṃsako. [Ajahn Dune] [Wat Burapha] // [Rains retreat]

Quote: “It’s the nature of light to be bright; it’s the nature of noise to be loud.” [Contact ] [Sense restraint] [Discernment]


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8. “I was reading that Reverend Heng Sure found that his meditation object was particularly bright and clear when he was around his teacher Master Hua. I wondered if you experienced anything like that when you paid respects to various Ajahns?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Rev. Heng Sure] [Master Hsuan Hua] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Meditation] // [Conscience and prudence] [Respect for elders]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 26: The Principle of the Present – Feb. 10, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “The Principle of the Present,” Straight from the Heart by Ajahn Mahā Boowa, pp. 129-149. Read by Ajahn Cunda.


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 27: In the Shape of a Circle – Feb. 11, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “In the Shape of a Circle,” Still, Flowing Water by Ajahn Chah p 77. Read by Ajahn Kaccāna.


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1. “With your meditation object, when you turn to contemplate it in terms of the three characteristics: anicca, dukkha and anatta, and that doesn’t come up, does that mean you need to stabilize the mind more to see the object more clearly?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation] [Disenchantment] [Characteristics of existence ] [Concentration] // [Self-identity view] [Knowledge and vision] [Relinquishment] [Dhamma]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 28: Mindfulness of Death – Feb. 12, 2014

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[Session] Reading: Mindfulness of Death by Ajahn Plien, pp. 1-20. Read by Ajahn Ṭhitapañño.


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1. “Was Ajahn Plien a disciple of Ajahn Lee’s?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Plien] [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] // [Ajahn Waen]


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2. “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, Session 29: Reflections about Wat Pah Pong – Feb. 13, 2014

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1. Information about Twigs and Branches of the Bodhinyana and the sections that Ajahn Kovilo reads. [Ajahn Chah lineage] [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma books] // [Translation] [Ajahn Jundee] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Sumedho]


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2. Reading: Reflections about Wat Pah Pong by Ajahn Toon from Twigs and Branches of the Bodhinyana. Read by Tan Kovilo.


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3. “Was there some consistency around how Ajahn Chah taught monks in a large community and how he taught monks in a small community? It sounds like when there were eleven monks he was very involved.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Monastic life] [Mentoring] // [Ageing]


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4. “Was Ajahn Jun around when you were training?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Jun] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Liem] [Ajahn Boon Choo]

Story: Ajahn Sumedho gets upset at Ajahn Chah for not admonishing lax monks. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Admonishment/feedback]


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5. Story: Ajahn Jayasaro spends a Rains Retreat with Ajahn Koon. Told by Ajahn Cunda. [Ajahn Jayasaro] [Ajahn Koon (Na Pho)] [Novices]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Personality]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 30: Ordination: Going Forth – Feb. 16, 2014

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1. Introductory comments by Ajahn Pasanno and Tan Pamutto clarify some of the terms in the reading. [Ajahn Liem] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Association with people of integrity] [Thai] [Abhayagiri] [Worldly Conditions]


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2. Reading: “Ordination: Going Forth” from The Ways of the Peaceful by Ajahn Liem pp. 23-33. Read by Tan Pamutto.


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 31: Breath Meditation Condensed – Feb. 17, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “Breath Meditation Condensed” from An Unentangled Knowing by Upasikā Kee Nanayon, pp. 29-36. Read by Tan Khemako.


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1. “I recall hearing about some aspects of the korwat at Upasika Kee’s center, do you know any of those particular details?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Protocols] // [Medicinal requisites] [Vegetarianism]


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2. “Was it a women only center or separated between men and women?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Women in Buddhism]


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3. “Do you think all those rules were written down like Ajahn Chah regulations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Protocols] [Ajahn Chah] // [Wat Pah Pong]


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4. “Did she have any well-known disciples that went on to do other things?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon]


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5. “It’s interesting with vegetarianism, some follow that and there are others that don’t?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Vegetarianism] [Buddha/Biography] [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Gunha] [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] // [Protocols]


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6. “Do you think the vegetarian choice at certain centers and monasteries relates to different temperaments or personalities?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Vegetarianism] [Personality] // [Ajahn Gunha] [Simplicity] [Killing] [Wat Pah Nanachat]

Comment by Ajahn Cunda: At Abhayagiri when people ask, we tell them we prefer vegetarian. [Abhayagiri]


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7. “My guess is they were not smoking at Upasika Kee’s, is that right?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Smoking] // [Health care]


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8. “When she is talking about the mind at normalcy, her description is having the meditation object always at least in the background, constantly in awareness, being aware of the mind-state and also doing whatever you are doing, walking, washing dishes etc. Her emphasis is on cultivating it so this is something that you would be doing twenty-four hours a day. When Ajahn Chah spoke of normalcy of the mind, did he describe it in the same way?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Mindfulness of mind] [Ajahn Chah] // [Discernment] [Happiness] [Unification]


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9. Comment: She talks about within this state of normalcy constantly contemplating the three characteristics of all phenomena occurring in awareness. To me that sounds like juggling a bunch of things! [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Conditionality]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Discernment]


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10. Comment: So the ability to hold the meditation object, go through your daily routines, keep an eye on the mind tone, and watch the stress flavor of all arising phenomenon seems like a fairly advanced practice state to arrive at and maintain twenty-four hours a day. [Continuity of mindfulness ] [Everyday life] [Mindfulness of mind] [Suffering]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: It’s a great option if you don’t want to suffer. [Cessation of Suffering] [Happiness]


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11. “She talks about making a story out of denying your defilements. Does the story of having fun denying your defilements come from that space of dwelling in that state of continuous mindfulness, or does continuous mindfulness come about from going through the suffering of forcing yourself not to enjoy anything?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Unwholesome Roots] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Conditionality] // [Discernment]

Quote: “Relinquishment isn’t so much a giving up something that we have but enjoying the non-moving to get or trying to make.” [Relinquishment] [Cessation of Suffering] [Non-identification]

Simile: Learning to drive or walk. — Ajahn Kaccāna. [Similes]


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12. “What do you mean when you say try something and note “it’s not working” or “it is working?” How do you know it’s not just another defilement sneaking in and saying “this isn’t working?”” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Effort] [Unwholesome Roots] // [Clear comprehension] [Happiness] [Habits]


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13. “Is that where when one isn’t meditating per se but where virtue would come in to inform whether we have slipped or not?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Virtue] // [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Ajahn Chah] [Conscience and prudence] [Similes] [Spiritual friendship]

Quote: “The defilements have their wisdom also.” — Ajahn Chah. [Unwholesome Roots] [Discernment] [Delusion]


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14. “She talks about virtue being the other hand of discernment in the meditation experience, and whenever discernment discerns stress, virtue is what lets go of the cause of stress, that virtue does the disbanding of it. Is virtue an unusual word to use there?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Virtue] [Discernment] [Cessation of Suffering] [Dispassion] // [Pāli] [Conscience and prudence] [Ajahn Chah]

Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 14: Many levels of sīla. [Commentaries] [Eightfold Path]


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15. “When the habit pattern of defilement is so strong, and even with the mind seeing the suffering, still the mind says, “I’m not going to give that up,” do you have any suggestions for softening that, for working with that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Habits] [Unwholesome Roots] [Clinging]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: “No, just keep suffering.” [Suffering]


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16. Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: In this talk, Upasika Kee goes through dependent origination and emphasizes catching it at sense-contact. I’ve always been taught that it’s feeling where you can break it. [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Dependent origination] [Contact] [Mindfulness of feeling]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Desire] [Mindfulness] [Investigation of states]


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17. “You were talking about the positive aspect of relinquishment, and that’s what will motivate giving up, that positive aspect of giving up and letting go. When it’s painful giving up and you give up, you can say, ‘Wait, I’m just focusing on the negative aspect of giving up, I need to switch my mind to the benefits of relinquishment?’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Relinquishment] [Suffering] [Appropriate attention] // [Self-identity view] [Clinging] [Humor] [Humility]


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18. Discussion about where there may be regret and longing linked to giving up something, although on reflection after relinquishment it can then feel like a non-event, no big deal. [Clinging] [Relinquishment] [Cessation of Suffering]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 32: Venerable Father – Feb. 18, 2014

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[Session] Readings from Venerable Father by Paul Breiter (commercial), pp. 28-36, 37-45, and 52-54. Read by Ajahn Pesalo.


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1. “What became of Venerable Araññabho?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Disrobing] [Chithurst]


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2. “Did Venerable Araññabho stay at Wat Pah Nanachat?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Wat Pah Pong]


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3. “How long did Venerable Varapañño spend in robes?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Paul Breiter] [Disrobing] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong]

Story: “I need a lawyer!”

Comment by Ajahn Pesalo: Even living for years in close proximity to Ajahn Chah isn’t enough to guarantee people will remain in robes.

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


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4. “How do monks treat intestinal worms?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Health care] [Sickness] [Killing]


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5. “Was there much coming and going between Wat Pah Pong and Wat Pah Nanachat?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Pong] [Wat Pah Nanachat]


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6. Ajahn Pasanno tells how he went to Wat Pah Nanachat to make a bowl stand but got sick with scrub typhus. An extended discussion ensues. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Monastic crafts] [Sickness] // [Rains retreat] [Joseph Kappel] [Kittisaro]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 33: From the Darkness to the Light – Feb. 19, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “From the Darkness to the Light,” unpublished talk by Ajahn Liem in Krooba Ajahn. Read by Ajahn Sudhīro.


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1. “Did you participate in massage sessions with senior monks besides Luang Por Chah?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Upatakh]


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2. “How does one incline the mind towards recollecting one’s own good actions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Virtue ] [Merit] [Aversion] [Gladdening the mind] // [Emotion] [Feeling] [Kamma] [Investigation of states] [Vajrayāna]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 34: The Skill of Release – Feb. 20, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “By Way of Introduction” and “Why Meditate?” from The Skill of Release by Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo pp. 1-3 and pp. 20-31. Read by Ajahn Suhajjo.


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1. “Can you reflect upon Ajahn Lee’s positive approach to the nutriments?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] [Nutriment] [Sutta]


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2. “Which of the three unwholesome roots is most prominent when the mind is lazy?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Energy] [Unwholesome Roots] [Sloth and torpor] // [Delusion]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 35: River and Ocean and Collected Teachings – Feb. 21, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “River and Ocean” and “Collected Teachings” from Mae Chee Kaew: Her Journey to Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment by Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano pp. 206-207 and pp. 231-242. Read by Tan Khantiko.


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1. “Is bhavataṇhā both the desire to exist and the desire to be a certain way?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Becoming] // [Self-identity view]


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2. “Is vibhavataṇhā the thought, “I am this way and I don’t want to be this way?”” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Craving not to become]


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3. “How do the kilesas relate to the concept of the shadow?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Western psychology] [Unwholesome Roots] // [Characteristics of existence] [Self-identity view] [Mae Chee Kaew]


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4. “I seem to make a virtue of laziness and don’t quite believe the teachings about doing without food and sleep. Do you have any advice for me?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sloth and torpor] [Ascetic practices] // [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities]


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5. “Could say more about seeing the unwholesomeness or shadow?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unwholesome Roots] // [Mindfulness] [Idealism] [Delusion]


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6. Comment: There can be this view that the enlightened mind doesn’t have any thoughts or defilements. It’s just perfectly clear and stable and there’s nothing going on. [Liberation] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Unwholesome Roots] [Concentration]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: Clear and stable and nothing going on are two different things.

Follow-up: “Does the enlightened mind not have any unwholesome thoughts or does it just not pick up unwholesome thoughts?” [Unskillful qualities] [Proliferation] [Clinging] [Cause of Suffering]

Story: A palmist looks at Ajahn Chah’s hands. [Ajahn Chah] [Aversion] [Personality]


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7. The character of Ajahn Chah and his relatives. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Personality] [Aversion] [Humor] // [Leadership]

Recollection: Ajahn Chah’s older brother had the same personality. [Family]


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8. Comment by Ajahn Ñāṇiko: Ajahn Chah’s brother didn’t have an inferiority complex. [Ajahn Chah] [Family] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy]


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9. A retreatant expresses appreciation for the concept of non-stickiness. [Gratitude] [Release] [Nibbāna]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Idealism] [Thai Forest Tradition] [Personality] [Mae Chee Kaew] [Language]


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10. Story: Ajahn Ñaniko meets Ajahn Mun’s nephew. Told by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Ajahn Mun] [Family]


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11. “Ajahn Chah distinguished between the peaceful mind and the mind that has appeased the kilesas. But when the kilesas are present, is it useful to be peaceful about them?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Concentration] [Unwholesome Roots] [Tranquility] // [Suffering] [Delusion]


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12. A retreatant expresses appreciation for Upasika Kee Nanayon’s exhortation to be honest with ourselves. [Unwholesome Roots] [Upasikā Kee Nanayon] [Truth] [Gratitude]

“You can lie to the entire world if you like, but you must never lie to yourself.” – Mae Chee Kaew: Her Journey to Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment by Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano, p. 235. [Mae Chee Kaew] [False speech]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Culture/West]


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13. “Can you recommend any practices to develop honesty with ourselves?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Truth] [Delusion] // [Unwholesome Roots] [Direct experience]

Quote: “You can’t take yourself too seriously. That’s really deadly.” [Humor] [Self-identity view]

Quote: “Do we have to sweep all of this?” “No, just sweep what’s in front of your broom.” [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Cleanliness]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 36: The Middleness of the Middle Way – Feb. 24, 2014

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[Session] Reading: “The Middleness of the Middle Way” from Samaṇa by Ajahn Mahā Boowa, pp. 127-134. Read by Anagārika J.R..


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1. Reading: Unpublished talk on peace by Ajahn Piak given to Wat Pah Nanachat monks going to Dtao Dum. Read by Anagārika J.R..


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 37: Paticca-Samuppada: Practical Dependent Origination – Feb. 25, 2014

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[Session] Reading: Paticcasamuppāda: Practical Dependent Origination by Ajahn Buddhadāsa, selections from pp. 22-45. Read by Debbie Stamp.


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1. “Could you describe ways to work with delighting and wanting around the pleasure of food?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Food ] [Craving] [Happiness] [Unattractiveness] [Disenchantment] // [Elements] [Mindfulness of body] [Clinging] [Impermanence] [Dependent origination]

Sutta: AN 5.208: The benefits of chewing toothwoods. [Cleanliness]


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2. “How should we relate to the Buddha’s statement that sensual pleasure is to be feared?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sensual desire] [Sense bases] [Fear] // [Culture/West] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy]

Sutta: MN 66.19: Sensual pleasure is to be feared.


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3. “Could you reflect on how Ajahn Buddhadāsa portrays mindfulness and ignorance as opposites?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Mindfulness] [Ignorance] // [Dependent origination]


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4. “Could you say more about the positive causal process that is the opposite of paticcasamuppada?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Dependent origination] [Conditionality] [Mindfulness] // [Skillful qualities] [Right Mindfulness] [Factors of Awakening]

Sutta: SN 12.23 Upanisa: Dukkha is a cause for faith. [Suffering] [Faith]

Sutta: AN 10.61 Avijjā: The Five Hindrances are a cause for ignorance. [Hindrances] [Ignorance]


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5. “When I look at neutral objects, dullness often arises. Is this suffering?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Feeling] [Contact] [Sloth and torpor] [Unskillful qualities] [Suffering] // [Craving not to become] [Delusion] [Ignorance] [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension]

Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: Lack of desire is not enlightenment. [Desire] [Liberation]


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