All excerpts
84 events, 579 sessions, 4492 excerpts, 250:19:24 total duration
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Ajahn Chah
(1005)
Ajahn Pasanno
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Suffering
(393)
Relinquishment
(337)
Abhayagiri
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Self-identity view
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Monastic life
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Mindfulness of breathing
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Discernment
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Teaching Dhamma
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[Session] Readings: AN 7.48.10: Saññā Sutta; SN 35.82: Loka; Ud 4.1: Meghiya; AN 1.136: Uppādā Sutta; SN 15.20: Mount Vepulla. Read by Ajahn Pasanno. [Impermanence]
1. Quote: “Whatever speech doesn’t take into account the reality of impermanence is not the speech of wise person.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Right Speech] [Discernment] [Impermanence]
2. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno: The sign of spiritual maturity is the inclination to disenchantment and relinquishment. [Meditation/Results] [Disenchantment] [Relinquishment] [Impermanence] // [Ajahn Chah]
3. When asked why there are thieves in Thailand, Ajahn Chah replies, “The Buddha didn’t tell them to do that. They do that themselves.” [Ajahn Chah] [Culture/Thailand] [Buddhist identity] [Stealing]
4. The perception of impermanence should be cultivated for the removal of the conceit “I am.” Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno. [Conceit] [Impermanence] // [Self-identity view] [Relinquishment] [Nibbāna] [Cessation of Suffering]
Quote: “Being right doesn’t lead one to freedom from suffering. Oftentimes it just makes you a pain in the butt.” [Views]
Sutta: Ud 4.1.21: Meghiya Sutta.
Sutta: AN 10.60.11: “This is peaceful, this is sublime …”
5. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno: If you see the steadfastness and orderliness of the Dhamma, of the truth, it can free the heart. [Lawfulness] [Naturalness] [Liberation] [Impermanence] // [Pāli]
6. Quote: “No cracks, no Buddhism.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Stupas/monuments] [Impermanence] // [Recollection/Dhamma]
7. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno: Absorbing the truth, “Even the Sāsana will pass away,” doesn’t lead to a sense of dismay; it leads to wonder and the motivation, “How can I help others?” [Truth] [Spiritual urgency] [Compassion] [Suffering] [Impermanence] [Characteristics of existence]
Recollection: Ajahn Chah saw so clearly and was incredibly compassionate. [Ajahn Chah] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Quote: “What is the mind of an arahant like?” – “Only compassion.” — Ajahn Mahā Boowa. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Mun]
Quote: “Anicca, dukkha, and anatta are tools we rely on for transforming the heart.”
8. “I am’ and ego are very deeply embedded in our consciousness. You mentioned that observing impermanence could help. Are there any other practical steps we can take every day to dismantle ego and ‘I am?’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Impermanence] // [Suffering] [Relinquishment] [Not-self]
Sutta: Ud 3.10: “For however one conceives it, it is always other than that.”
9. “If nothing is permanent, does that apply to the mind?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nature of mind] [Impermanence] // [Knowing itself] [Liberation]
Sutta: SN 12.61: You’d be better off taking the body as self.
10. “Is liberation impermanent?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Liberation ] [Impermanence] // [Nibbāna]
11. “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]
12. “You mentioned that Ajahn Mahā Boowa has been a bit coarse with his disciples. Has your voice always been soft and kind and loving?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Compassion]
Quote: “Well, I hope I’ve gotten better. … The early years of being the abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, I was pretty insufferable.” [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Abbot]
13. “Could you talk about what to do with disenchantment? You may feel that you’re being lazy by not engaging with the world. …” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Disenchantment] [Seclusion] // [Spiritual friendship] [Amaravati] [Abhayagiri] [Dhamma online]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life.
14. “I am interested to hear more about the qualities of wholeheartedness. You mentioned that the English language does not have a word that captures it. There’s something that can go from non-attachment/dispassion to apathy, which is not helpful in the world.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Language] [Relinquishment] [Dispassion] [Sloth and torpor] [Impermanence] // [Disenchantment] [Skillful qualities] [Pāli] [Conditionality] [Abhidhamma]
Suttas: Suttas: AN 6.10, AN 10.2: The cascade of well being.
1. “What are the options for practicing with getting older, getting weaker, physically and mentally less resilient?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ageing ] // [Relinquishment] [Death] [Not-self]
Discussion of the natural environment at Chithurst and Amaravati. Led by Ajahn Cittapālā and Ajahn Pasanno. [Culture/Natural environment] [Chithurst] [Amaravati] [Weather]
2. “How to find a good balance between personal individual practice and helping the community? How have you practiced with this yourself, having had the role of abbot for such a long time?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation] [Service] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Abbot] // [Seclusion ] [Restlessness and worry] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Idealism] [Becoming] [Craving not to become] [Monastic routine]
Quote: “You really have to learn how to step back from your own mind and give attention to that sense of solid connection with the Dhamma practice.” [Dhamma]
Quote: “If we don’t really develop a sense of giving and sharing and lovingkindness and compassion, any amount of meditation that you do never really comes to much fruition.” [Generosity] [Goodwill]
3. “People often say that Amaravati is like an institution. What is a perspective on this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Amaravati ] [Saṅgha] [Monastery organizational structure] // [Ajahn Pasanno]
Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Ahiṃsako and Ajahn Karuṇiko: The benefits and drawbacks of large monasteries. [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Teaching Dhamma] [Christian monastics] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Spiritual traditions]
Quote: “You don’t have to worry, Dad. Buddhism in Thailand isn’t organized.” — Ajahn Siripañño. [Ajahn Siripañño] [Culture/Thailand]
4. “If you had to choose one monastery in Thailand that you can always go back to, where you had the best moments or experiences, what would it be?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] // [Dtao Dum ] [Culture/Natural environment]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno has the intuition that his time in Thailand had come to an end. [Culture/Thailand] [Monastic life]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno’s decision to help with Abhayagiri. [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Amaro] [Saṅghapāla] [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo]
5. “It sounds like you’re quite a community builder in various places. … When I first came here (to Chithurst), I was struck by the way the community works amazingly well. Have you seen any examples of communities of laypeople living together based on monastic principles?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Ahiṃsako, Sister Ñāṇasirī and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Community ] [Saṅgha] [Lay life] // [Precepts] [Vinaya] [Portland Friends of the Dhamma] [Amaravati] [Gaia House] [Culture/Thailand] [Upāsikā Kee Nanayon] [Culture/West]
6. “How do you find it best to differentiate between true insights and insight defilements?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Cittapālā. [Insight meditation ] [Defilements of insight] // [Tranquility] [Relinquishment] [Simplicity]
Quote: “A really true insight—you don’t get anything from.” — Ajahn Pasanno.
7. “Can you offer any reflections about people’s tendency to measure samādhi, concentration, and jhāna and their doubt and discontent about how much is enough to develop insight?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Calming meditation] [Concentration] [Jhāna] [Insight meditation] // [Craving] [Relinquishment] [Etymology] [Translation] [Right Mindfulness] [Right Effort]
Quote: “Samādhi is a holiday for the heart.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho]
Simile: Samādhi is like a chicken in a bamboo coop. [Similes] [Spaciousness] [Mindfulness]
Sutta: MN 44.12: The bases of samādhi.
Simile: Unification of mind is like a bowl of fruit. [Unification]
8. “Is that [developing samādhi; refer to the previous question] possible to do in a 24-hour period? I find it difficult to continuously do what you said, especially when I’m asleep.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Concentration] [Continuity of mindfulness] // [Long-term practice]
9. Comment by Tan Candasaro: At Wat Pah Nanachat a monk asked you, “What advice would you have for young monastics on the path?” You replied, “Peaks and valleys, ups and downs.” [Monastic life] [Long-term practice]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
10. “Do you think the knowing of the peace of samādhi is always something which will be remembered? It gives a kind of confidence.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Concentration] [Tranquility] [Faith] // [Purpose/meaning]
11. “Insights give a lot of confidence in the practice, a lot of trust. So when insights come, is it important to nourish them?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Insight meditation] [Faith] // [Bases of Success] [Desire] [Discernment] [Craving] [Self-identity view] [The New Yorker] [Calvin and Hobbes]
1. “After more than 50 years, is the practice getting easier?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Long-term practice ] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Mindfulness] [Happiness]
2. “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.” — Upāsikā Kee Nanayon. [Upāsikā Kee Nanayon]
3. “Could you speak about the practice of being mindful of craving and allowing it to pass?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unskillful qualities] [Mindfulness] [Craving] [Cessation] // [Hindrances] [Relinquishment] [Recollection/Dhamma] [Faith] [Memory]
Quote: “If we don’t understand the obstacle, we can’t be free from it.” [Discernment] [Liberation]
Quote: “You’ve got to be really careful because the mind is a liar and a cheat.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Nature of mind] [Heedfulness]
4. “What practice would you recommend if you are too serious with your thinking?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Delusion] // [Hindrances] [Heedfulness] [Heedlessness] [Cessation of Suffering]
5. “It seems like I’m using physical tension to block out emotion. When I try to put my attention on it, the mind goes blank or starts thinking about work. I don’t know what I’m avoiding. Any suggestions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pain] [Emotion ] // [Mindfulness of body] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Concentration] [Translation] [Spaciousness] [Body scanning]
6. “How did you learn Pāli syntax?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Learning]
7. “The Second Noble Truth, samudaya—do you know it as arising of suffering or origin of suffering or does it matter?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Cause of Suffering ] // [Craving]
Sutta: SN 56.11.5: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Chanting book translation): “ever seeking fresh delight.”
8. “The Buddha had a quality of fearlessness. How can we understand fearlessness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha] [Fear ] // [Non-identification] [Not-self] [Self-identity view] [Suffering]
Quote: “The core of fearlessness is not having a self, an I, a me, a mine that it’s trying to protect.”
9. “Could you say something about the name-and-form step in Dependent Origination?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aggregates ] [Dependent origination] // [Heart/mind] [Body/form] [Self-identity view] [Human] [Realms of existence]
Sutta: MN 43.9: Conjoined not disjoined.
10. “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]
11. “Luang Por Sumedho describes sati-sampajañña as intuitive awareness. But contemplating the four aspects of sampajañña (purpose, suitability, etc.) engages the logical, thinking mind. If these arise intuitively, it’s wonderful, but to cultivate them, I think a lot.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Clear comprehension ] [Intuition] [Directed thought and evaluation] // [Mindfulness] [Translation] [Bhante Sujato] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro]
12. “When someone opens up about issues or something difficult they are dealing with, when should one just listen and when should one say something that might help?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Listening ] [Right Speech] [Compassion] // [Spiritual friendship] [Trust] [Virtue] [Goodwill] [Admonishment/feedback] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Abbot] [Ajahn Chah]
13. “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 Pāṭimokkha: Dhp 183-185 (Chanting book translation).
14. “Sometimes we hear that with practice, some qualities change, but other qualities don’t change very much over a long time of practice. When I read certain biographies [of Buddhist teachers], it seems like certain rough qualities can remain even though the mind is pure. How to know the difference in oneself and others?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Long-term practice] [Personality ] [Teachers] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Unskillful qualities] // [Suffering] [Unwholesome Roots] [Relinquishment] [Hindrances]
Ajahn Pasanno describes the personality of great teachers he has met. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Thate] [Ajahn Dune] [Ajahn Chah]
Reflection: The arahant disciples of the Buddha were able to free their minds, but they all had different personalities. [Arahant] [Buddha] [Great disciples ]
Sutta: SN 14.15 Caṅkama Sutta: Monks with different personalities gather around the great disciples.
Note: Ajahn Pasanno mentions the similarly-themed Cūḷagosiṅga Sutta (MN 31) by name, but describes the content of the Caṅkama Sutta.
15. “Is it ever acceptable to put a life out of suffering, for example when it’s dying and suffering slowly?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Euthanasia ] [Killing ] [Death] [Pain] [Animal] // [Compassion] [Unattractiveness]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno and others look after a Brahma bull that was attacked by a tiger until it dies. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Health care] [Dtao Dum]
1. “What does letting go feel like?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Relinquishment] // [Clinging] [Happiness]
2. “Is renunciation like surrender?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Renunciation] [Relinquishment]
Quote: “You let go a little, you get a little peace. You let go a lot, and you get a lot peace. Let go completely, and you get complete peace.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Tranquility]
3. “Can renunciation be practiced in three aspects: material, speech and mind?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Renunciation] [Relinquishment] // [Right Speech]
4. “Luang Por Chah’s teaching, “Not go forward, not go backward, not stand still;” is this like empty?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Emptiness] // [Relinquishment]
1. “What is the difference between concentration and mindfulness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Concentration] [Mindfulness] // [Continuity of mindfulness] [Ajahn Chah] [Unification ] [Translation] [Equanimity] [Etymology] [Spaciousness]
Teaching from Ajahn Sumedho: The point that includes versus the point that excludes. [Ajahn Sumedho]
2. “I feel like the point you’re making about an exclusive versus an inclusive unification or one-pointedness is in line with the way I’ve been practicing Zazen. … [Mindfulness and concentration both feel like they have the quality of open awareness that is inclusive. … Is concentration a more developed kind of mindfulness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unification] [Zen] [Mindfulness] [Concentration] [Spaciousness]
3. “If you live long enough and you start to have Alzheimer’s or dementia, if you’re well-practiced throughout your whole life, you’ll still be grounded in something, right?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ageing] [Sickness] [Memory ] [Long-term practice] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Chah]
Story: Despite having dementia, Venerable Mahāghosānanda attends a meeting of Buddhist leaders at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Abhayagiri monks look after him and delight in his presence. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Preah Mahāghosānanda] [Spirit Rock] [Upatakh] [Abhayagiri] [Personal presence] [Dalai Lama]
Reflection: When Ajahn Chah was sick, his cognitive functions deteriorated, but his citta was unwavering. [Heart/mind] [Nature of mind] [Translation] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro]
Quote: “You don’t have to worry about Ajahn Chah. His mind is bright and pure.” — Ajahn Phut. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Phut] [Dependent origination] [Chanting] [Wat Pah Nanachat]
Reference: Vipassanā-bhūmī, Amaravati Chanting Book Volume 2, p. 67.
Reflection by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo: The mind is another sense base. It’s not who you are. [Sense bases] [Not-self]
4. “How do you deal with the fear of renunciation and sacrifice that you do on the path of practice? Giving things up that are familiar and comfortable, or even that you know are uncomfortable, but there’s still that dukkha around it. Or after you’ve given up, the mind can proliferate on these subjects a lot. What has your experience been like?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Cunda. [Renunciation] [Fear] [Suffering] [Proliferation] // [Self-identity view] [Cessation of Suffering] [Relinquishment] [Discernment] [Happiness] [Monastic life]
Quote: “Everything I’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.” — David Foster Wallace. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Clinging]
Story: Just sweep the leaves in front of your broom. Told by Ajahn Cunda. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Present moment awareness] [Similes]
Story: A young child struggles to give Ajahn Sumedho a candy on almsround. Told by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Generosity] [Almsround] [Ajahn Sumedho]
1. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: Returning to Abhayagiri after four years away. [Abhayagiri] // [Berkeley Buddhist Monastery] [Ajahn Amaro] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Sequence of training] [Beauty]
2. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: The purpose of Abhayagiri hasn’t changed. [Four Noble Truths] [Abhayagiri] // [Master Hsuan Hua] [Ajahn Ñāṇiko] [Abbot] [Tranquility] [Happiness]
3. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: 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] [Abhayagiri] // [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. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: The first 12 years of monastic life are an opportunity to soak in the Dhamma practice. [Sequence of training] [Learning] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Abhayagiri] // [Teaching Dhamma] [Humility] [Cleanliness] [Happiness] [Thai Forest Tradition] [Meditation/Techniques]
5. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: The balance between community and self-reliance. [Saṅgha] [Self-reliance ] [Abhayagiri] // [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. Simile: Long-term Dhamma practice is like walking to New York City from California. — Ajahn Pesalo. [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. Reflection by Ajahn Pesalo: These practices and teachings lead to that which we all seek. [Meditation] [Purpose/meaning] [Abhayagiri] // [Three Refuges] [Monasteries] [Gratitude]
1. Recollection: My first meeting with Ajahn Pasanno. Recounted by Ajahn Pavaro. [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Birken] [Personal presence]
2. Recollection: Friendship and consistency of training at Abhayagiri Monastery. Recounted by Ajahn Pavaro. [Birken] [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life] [Spiritual friendship]
3. Recollection: Seeing the faith in Thailand. Recounted by Ajahn Pavaro. [Culture/Thailand] [Faith] [Respect] // [Ajahn Pasanno]
1. Reflection by Ajahn Ahiṃsako: My monastic life was born at Abhayagiri. [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life]
2. Quote: “Monasteries are made of people.” — Ajahn Pasanno. Quoted by Ajahn Ahiṃsako. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monasteries ] [Monastic life] [Community] // [Desire] [Saṅghapāla] [Buddha] [Saṅgha] [Abhayagiri]
3. Recollection: The early foundations of Abhayagiri Monastery. Recounted by Ajahn Ahiṃsako. [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. Reflection from Ajahn Chah about rich people: “They may have money, but they don’t know what’s enough.” Related by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Commerce/economics] [Greed] // [Wat Pah Pong] [Relinquishment] [Happiness] [Contentment]
2. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno: 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. Recollection: A monk who memorized the entire Tipiṭaka advises, “Don’t be lazy.” Recounted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Tipiṭaka] [Memory] [Energy]
1. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno: Building community is the hard part of creating a monastery. [Monasteries] [Saṅgha] [Community] // [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Amaro] [Gratitude]
1. Reflection by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo: Establishing a place of refuge for the Buddhist teachings and practice to take a firm root in America through the monastic tradition. [History/Western Buddhist monasticism] [Abhayagiri] // [Ajahn Amaro]
2. Recollection: Seeking refuge – what’s next? Recounted by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Three Refuges] [Impermanence] // [Sensual desire] [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Psychic powers] [Views] [Western Ajahn Chah lineage]
Story: 13-year old Glenn DeMaria participates in parapsychology research. [Science]
3. Recollection: Deciding where to ordain. Recounted by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Ordination] [Abhayagiri] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Amaro] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Postulants]
4. Quote: “I would die happy if I could just get on and stay on the Eight Precepts.” — Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Happiness] [Eight Precepts] [Abhayagiri] // [Death] [Three Refuges]
1. Reflection by Debbie Stamp: Hearing Dhamma teachings for the first time. [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Debbie Stamp] // [Abhayagiri] [Travel] [Ajahn Buddhadāsa]
2. Story: My first guest booking at Amaravati. Told by Debbie Stamp. [Amaravati] [Debbie Stamp] // [Rains retreat]
3. Recollection: The beginnings of Saṅghapāla Foundation. Recounted by Debbie Stamp and Ajahn Amaro. [Saṅghapāla] [Debbie Stamp] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Almsfood] [Intoxicants]
Recollection: The first meditation retreat at The City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. [Meditation retreats] [City of Ten Thousand Buddhas]
4. Recollection: Hesitation after Master Hua’s gift of land. Recounted by Debbie Stamp. [Abhayagiri] [Debbie Stamp] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Gratitude]
Recollection: Thai donors sponsor the food on Debbie Stamp’s first retreat. [Generosity]
5. Reflections by Debbie Stamp on gratitude: “I have no regrets.” [Gratitude] [Debbie Stamp] // [Patience] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Amaro] [Abhayagiri] [Parents]
6. Reflection by Debbie Stamp: The baton is passed on: Ajahn Ñāṇiko ordains his first bhikkhu. [Ajahn Ñāṇiko] [Ordination] [Debbie Stamp] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Abhayagiri]
1. Story: Father Damian is sent to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to ask if the land could be given to their monastery instead. Told by Father Damian. [Father Damian] [City of Ten Thousand Buddhas] [Holy Transfiguration Monastery] // [Father Boniface]
2. Reflections by Father Damian on Abhayagiri and Holy Transfiguration Monastery as neighbors on the same mountain. [Abhayagiri] [Holy Transfiguration Monastery] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Spiritual traditions] [Christianity ] [Debbie Stamp]
Story: Father Boniface discourages the Abhayagiri monks from coming to the hill. [Father Boniface] [Father Damian] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ajahn Amaro]
Recollection: Abhayagiri monks visit Holy Transfiguration Monastery every Christmas.
1. Story: Ajahn Amaro explained my koan. Told by Sakula. [Ajahn Amaro] [Koan] // [Zen] [Emptiness]
2. Story: Frequent visits to Abhayagiri; becoming Ajahn Pasanno’s student. Told by Sakula. [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Ajahn Amaro]
3. Story: Explaining Buddhist practice to my Catholic mother. Told by Sakula. [Christianity ] [Parents] // [Killing] [Virtue]
Quote: “You make a much better Christian as a Buddhist than you ever did as a Catholic.”
4. Recollection: Learning to be honest and humble. Recounted by Sakula. [Truth] [Humility] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Conceit]
5. Story: Beginning a sitting group in Portland, Oregon. Told by Sakula. [Meditation groups] [Portland Friends of the Dhamma] // [Ajahn Amaro]
Quote: “If you take care of the Dhamma, the Dhamma will take care of you. When you need help, someone will show up.” — Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Dhamma] [Community]
6. Story: The development of Portland Friends of the Dhamma. Told by Sakula. [Portland Friends of the Dhamma] // [CALM Group] [Ajahn Sudanto] [Pacific Hermitage]
7. Reflection by Sakula: Not taking my anxiety seriously. [Restlessness and worry] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Generosity] [Humor] [Lay life]
8. Recollection: The history and significance of the Community of Abhayagiri Lay Ministers. Recounted by Sakula. [CALM Group] [Lay teachers] // [Abhayagiri] [Portland Friends of the Dhamma]
1. Story: Coming to Abhayagiri on its second anniversary. Told by Ajahn Sudanto. [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Sudanto] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Amaro] [Portland Friends of the Dhamma]
2. Story: Ajahn Sudanto gains confidence when he sees the abbot Ajahn Pasanno meditating on a busy day. Told by Ajahn Sudanto. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Lunar observance days] [Faith] [Ajahn Sudanto ] // [Travel]
3. Recollection: My early years at Wat Pah Nanachat. Recounted by Ajahn Sudanto. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Sudanto]
Quote: “Luang Por [Pasanno] was our rock.” [Faith] [Disrobing]
4. Recollection: “I wasn’t in on the secret [that Ajahn Pasanno would move to America].” Recounted by Ajahn Sudanto. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Sudanto] // [Ajahn Amaro] [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Damrong] [Ajahn Yatiko] [Wat Pah Nanachat]
5. Recollection: Returning to America to care for my parents. Recounted by Ajahn Sudanto. [Parents] [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Sudanto]
6. Reflection by Ajahn Sudanto: Returning to help at Abhayagiri out of gratitude. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Abhayagiri] [Gratitude] [Ajahn Sudanto] // [Tudong]
Quote: “It’s the perfect monastery in the Dhammic sense.... But it’s maybe easier to say that not living here.”
Reflection: The baton has been passed: Ajahn Ñāṇiko’s first ordination as preceptor. [Ajahn Ñāṇiko] [Ordination]
7. Recollection: Abhayagiri’s buildings are beautiful and well-maintained. Recounted by Ajahn Sudanto. [Lodging] [Cleanliness] // [Building projects]
1. Reflection by Ajahn Amaro on Abhayagiri’s history: “Sometimes dreams come true.” [Abhayagiri]
2. Recollection: Jack Kornfield invited Ajahn Sumedho to teach in the Bay Area in 1980. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Jack Kornfield ] [Ajahn Sumedho] // [Spirit Rock] [Christianity]
3. Recollection: Ajahn Sumedho meets Master Hsuan Hua in the Bay Area in 1980. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Master Hsuan Hua ] [James Baraz]
Quote: “I never thought I would meet another monk like Luang Por Chah. And I just did.” — Ajahn Sumedho. [Ajahn Chah]
4. Story: Ajahn Sumedho invites Ajahn Amaro to lead the first temporary vihara in San Francisco. Told by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ajahn Amaro] [Pre-Abhayagiri vihāras] // [Amaravati]
Story: Master Hua invites ten of Ajahn Sumedho’s monks to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas to participate in a 1989 ordination. [Master Hsuan Hua] [Elders' Council] [City of Ten Thousand Buddhas] [Vinaya] [Mahāyāna] [Theravāda] [Ordination]
Quote: “It was the dream of my life to bring the Northern and Southern Traditions together. And I didn’t think I could do it until I met Sumedho.” — Master Hsuan Hua.
5. Story: The first temporary vihara in 1990. Told by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Amaro] [Pre-Abhayagiri vihāras] // [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ajahn Sundarā]
Recollection: “The Joys of Monastic Life” conference. [Lay life] [Jack Kornfield] [Spirit Rock]
6. Recollection: After drafting an article called “Coming of Age,” Ajahn Amaro reflects that the self-view invested in the idea of being abbot of the California monastery is completely backward. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Amaro ] [Abbot] [Conceit] [Becoming] // [Saṅghapāla] [Pre-Abhayagiri vihāras] [Cause of Suffering] [Disrobing] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Abhayagiri]
Quote: “Being the abbot of a monastery and you’re only 34!” — Ajahn Amaro’s mother. [Parents] [Blame and praise]
Quote: “If our heart is attuned to Dhamma, it’s not about becoming any thing.” [Dhamma] [Beauty]
7. Recollection: It was always wonderful working with the Saṅghapāla people. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Saṅghapāla] [Ajahn Amaro]
8. Recollection: A number of spooky miracles. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro.
Story: Master Hua offers Ajahn Sumedho 120 acres of land from his deathbed. [Master Hsuan Hua] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Amaro] [Ajahn Vīradhammo] [Psychic powers]
Recollection: The property next door: “You can either buy it or forget it.” [Saṅghapāla] [Commerce/economics]
Recollection: Abhayagiri opens on June 1, 1996. [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo]
9. Recollection: Great goodwill, energy, and extraordinary commitment in building Abhayagiri Monastery. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Abhayagiri] [Building projects] [Generosity] // [Thai Forest Tradition]
Reflections on collaborative leadership. [Leadership] [Ajahn Amaro] [Communal harmony]
10. Recollection: Learning to collaborate with the Abhayagiri land and climate. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Abhayagiri] [Culture/Natural environment ] // [Building projects]
11. Recollection: Collaborating with the local culture and laws. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Abhayagiri] [Culture/West] [Community] // [Ajahn Amaro]
12. Recollection: The role of the co-abbots took shape as we went along. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Abhayagiri] [Abbot] // [Respect] [Leadership] [Saṅgha]
Quote: “There needs to be receptivity and the willingness to be surprised by your companions in the Holy Life.”
13. Recollection: Another surprise from Luang Por Sumedho: “I’d like you to come to Amaravati and take over as abbot.” Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ajahn Amaro] [Amaravati ] [Abbot] // [Abhayagiri] [Travel] [Retirement] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Saṅgha decision making]
Reflection: All things are impermanent patterns of experience. [Not-self] [Impermanence]
14. Reflection by Ajahn Amaro: “Do you miss Abhayagiri?” [Ajahn Amaro] [Abhayagiri] [Grief] // [Present moment awareness] [Impermanence] [Cause of Suffering] [Relinquishment]
Quote: “Nothing can really be owned, and there is no person there to own it.” [Not-self] [Conventions ] [Ageing]
15. Recollection: Ajahn Amaro loses the ability to read due to a temporary ischemic attack. Recounted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Amaro] [Sickness] [Impermanence] // [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Ageing ] [Health care] [Not-self] [Relinquishment] [Liberation]
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