References – SN 45.2: Half the Holy Life 
“We hear so much about being in saṅgha and with good friends such as we do on retreats sitting together, and yet in the suttas the Buddha often tells the bhikkhus to go sit in seclusion. Personally, I often prefer sitting alone than in a group. Could you say more about this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Spiritual friendship] [Meditation retreats] [Sutta] [Seclusion] // [Monastic routine] [Community]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life. [Eightfold Path]
Thanksgiving Retreat 2012, Session 4, Excerpt 2
Recollection: The friendship between disciples of Ajahn Chah and the disciples of Master Hua. Recounted by Bhikshu Heng Shun. [Spiritual friendship] [Ajahn Chah lineage] [Master Hsuan Hua] // [Abhayagiri] [Mahāyāna ] [Theravāda]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life.
Story: Master Xuanzang writes that the Abhayagiri Vihara has “Mahāyāna Theravādins.” [Master Xuanzang] [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism]
Abhayagiri’s 20th Anniversary [2016], Session 5, Excerpt 1
Reflection by Peter Mayland: I am loved by many people at Abhayagiri. [Goodwill] [Spiritual friendship] [Abhayagiri]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life.
Abhayagiri’s 20th Anniversary [2016], Session 11, Excerpt 3
“Can you talk about how to balance the Pāli Canon’s emphasis on seclusion (e.g. Snp 1.3: A Rhinoceros) and practicing for one’s own benefit with having a relationship with the world? You gave a talk called ‘It’s About More Than Just Us.’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Seclusion] [Community] [Selfishness] // [Culture/West] [Culture/India]
Teaching from Ajahn Chah: It’s like people are walking along a road, When they go off to the left, I say, “Go right, go right!” When they go off to the right, I say, “Go left, go left!” [Ajahn Chah] [Middle Path] [Jack Kornfield]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life. [Spiritual friendship]
Quote: “How do we not suffer in any circumstance?” [Cessation of Suffering]
On Newsfeeds, Kindness, and the Bodhisattva [2022], Excerpt 4
“What is the water that puts out the fire [in Thig 504-506, Sumedhā’s verses]? Is it just awareness?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Similes] [Present moment awareness] // [Sense restraint] [Precepts] [Spiritual friendship]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life.
Sutta: AN 10.51 Avijjā Sutta. [Ignorance] [Association with people of integrity] [Fourfold Assembly]
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 7, Excerpt 3
“Lately I’ve noticed a decline in my earnestness and diligence. While I feel commitment and contentment in keeping the precepts, my focus and energy for formal practice often fades. Can you please advise on how to rekindle that sense of energy and enjoyment in formal practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Energy] [Meditation] // [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Spiritual friendship] [Amaravati] [Abhayagiri] [Dhamma online]
Sutta: SN 45.2: Half of the Holy Life.
Sutta: AN 2.126: Conditions for the arising of Right View. [Right View] [Appropriate attention]
Amaravati Lay Buddhist Association Day Retreat [2025], Excerpt 2
“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.
Even the Sāsana Will Pass Away [2025], Excerpt 13
“We’ve already talked about the quote from the Buddha, “Spiritual companionship is the whole of the Holy Life (SN 45.2).” Someone asked you a question about that, and you said, “Living with other people—it’s horrible!” And then you laughed a huge Luang Por Pasanno laugh. Could you talk about the paradox that living with other people is half the Holy Life and it’s dukkha? You didn’t have to be an abbot. You could have lived a hermit’s life. Any insights into balancing that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Spiritual friendship] [Community] [Seclusion] [Suffering] // [Patience] [Compassion]