Abhayagiri Talks

On this evening, Venerable Kaccāna shares with us his observation on four specific qualities shared amongst those who have attained great success along the path, applicable to our own progression, for both motivation to keep going as well as strategy to avoid being caught. The qualities of disenchantment, gratitude, continually beginning anew, and consciously using obstacles as opportunities. This talk was offered on December 7, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

At the beginning of last month, three new candidates – Chong Bon taking on the Sāmaṇera training [precepts beginning at 10:15], Gary and Ryan taking the Anāgārika training [precepts beginning at 45:21] – made the request to join the Abhayagiri monastic community to further their spiritual training, and were accepted. Throughout the ceremony Ajahn Pasanno, their preceptor, gives various reflections on the act of going forth and its meaning and prerequisites, as well as the purpose and benefit of living according to the precepts and the monastic form. Wisely, he reminds them that “training takes time,” and to look to their teachers, our elders, as their role models. All three candidates resume their chanting and take dependence together, at [01:06:00]. Chong Bon receives his new name at [01:15:53]. This talk was offered on November 7, 2016at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Is Buddhism just a path of practice? Is meditation just for relaxing and relieving stress? What place do beliefs, or views, have in Buddhism? Reflecting on the meaning of “Mundane” Right View and “Transcendent” Right View, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo answers these questions and gives us ways to use views beyond just believing in them. As part of the path to complete liberation from suffering, views can be used as reflective tools that guide us towards seeing the true nature of the conditioned world. This talk was offered on December 3, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Drawing a connection between the settling of the mind and the winter season, Luang Por gives us an important reminder: to allow the mind the settle into a happy state of mind, we musn’t let the mind follow unwholesome habits which lead us in the opposite direction. Instead, we should “get a feeling” for the wholesome (kusala) and unwholesome (akusala), so that we can build the necessary foundation for a wholesome sense of peace and happiness; this is a happiness which is “born of seclusion” from unwholesome states. This talk was offered on November 29, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Making connections between painting, speaking on Dhamma, and cultivating the path of Dhamma itself, Ajahn Jotipālo offers us a perspective on the skill of contemplation. Contemplation is a process that often involves having questions, but becomes stressful upon expecting or forcing an answer. Instead of having questions and forcing answers, we can be open to them. By doing so, we’re nurturing patience and trust in both ourselves and the ways of nature while we move towards a deeper understanding of the way things are. This talk was offered on November 26, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

To the sound of falling rain, Ajahn reflects upon the subtle presence of poetry in the Pali Canon, perhaps most prevalent in the Dhammapada. He plays for us three verses: “The Wise Man [18:28]” “Thousands [27:03]” and “Happiness [35:41].” First chanted in Pali, in the lyrical style of Anadajoti Bhikkhu, and then read aloud by Ajahn, in English, these Dhammpada verses are able to offer some fresh and inspiring perspectives on our path of practice. This talk was offered on November 22, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. “Dhammapada Chanted in Pali” by Anandajoti Bhikkhu Published 2011 Usage Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0