Abhayagiri Talks

At the Abhayagiri ceremony honoring Ajahn Pasanno for the Chao Khun title bestowed upon him by the Crown Prince of Thailand on December 5, 2015 (https://www.abhayagiri.org/news/slideshow-of-chao-khun-ceremony), the newly-dubbed “Phra Bodhinyanavidesa” expresses his gratitude but stresses that the honor is really a gift of encouragement to continue the good works of being a Dhamma teacher and trainer of monastics. This talk was offered on January 24, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

A quarter of the way through the Winter Retreat, Ajahn Jotipālo offers encouragement to renew expectations and foster determinations made at the start of the retreat. He gives several practical ideas for enlivening one's connection to the body, including Ajahn Sucitto's instructions on standing meditation. This talk was offered on January 23, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

On Ajahn Chah Memorial Day, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects that having never met the revered founder of our tradition he can only have an impression of the man, created from the teachings left behind and the stories he has heard. He shares some of both, including reading from the published talk “Toward the Unconditioned.” This talk was offered on January 16, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Ñaniko offers the encouragement that while practice may seem to stir up defilements at the beginning of a retreat, it is merely a first step toward purifying the mind. Like any good skill, he tells us, the practice of dhamma may take “a hundred hours” of struggle to get it right, but through use of the four iddhipādas – skillful desire, energy, application of mind, and review – we can achieve spiritual success. This talk was offered on January 9, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

As the Winter Retreat begins, Ajahn Jotipālo first ponders what kind of insights one might expect to have during a retreat. He then reflects on ways to break down a seemingly restrictive practice schedule to find the freedom that lies within structure. This talk was offered on January 8, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

In a sutta from the Aṅguttara Nikāya the Buddha describes four facts one can observe about a person, which Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects can be qualities one can use in looking for a good teacher. But what to do when there is no external teacher present? The Buddha taught that we carry six excellent teachers within us at all times. This talk was offered on January 2, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Contemplating the new year, Ajahn Ñaniko reflects upon the themes of generosity, cultivating the four factors of Right Effort, and developing patient endurance. This talk was offered on December 31, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Taking inspiration from the dhamma he found in the 4,000-year-old poem The Epic of Gilgamesh, Ajahn Jotipālo contemplates both the value and the dangers of the stories we tell. This talk was offered on December 26, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Beginning by paying homage to our Thai teachers, Ajahn Ñaniko reflects upon what stirs us to go forth as monastics. He goes on to explain how the four protective meditations (death contemplation, lovingkindness, contemplating the unattractive nature of the body, and recollection of the Buddha) can provide an underlying sense of well-being on the path. This talk was offered on December 25, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Often in trying situations with difficult people we might think that turning our thoughts to loving-kindness may be the antidote to our frustration. But, as Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects, sometimes the better choice is to turn the mind to khanti – patience. Yet patience does not mean passive endurance, for patience has the power to help us penetrate the first noble truth and to affect kamma. This talk was offered on December 19, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.