Abhayagiri Talks

What's so wrong with that? In this talk, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects on dukkha and the nature of not getting what we want. He relates his own experiences contemplating and experiencing dukkha as a bodily experience as opposed to thinking about or using the intellect. What can be revealed about this kind of exploration is clarity around the self of self, me and mine. This talk was offered on November 10, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Ñaniko begins by reflecting on the mysterious way one gains knowledge of dhamma over time, almost without knowing it is happening. Then he shares the story of last week's difficult delivery of the new Buddha rupa from Thailand, reflecting that the successful outcome of the day was completely out of the community's control. These two reflections remind us that when we trust in the refuge of the dhamma things seem to fall into place in mysterious ways. This talk was offered on November 7, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Pondering the iconography at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, Ajahn Viradhammo reflects upon the path to the transcendent, which begins by making experience fully conscious, not seeking distraction or compensation, and observing the arising and cessation of all phenomena. This talk was offered on November 3, 2015 at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.

On the occasion of Abhayagiri Kathina 2015, Ajahn Viradhammo rejoices in the news that Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro have been invited to receive the title of Chao Khun and explains the meaning and value of mudita (sympathetic joy). He goes on to reflect on the transformative quality of mudita and uses several similes to describe the Buddha's path. This talk was offered on November 1, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Pasanno leads the Abhayagiri Community in accepting the 2015 Kathina offering and explains the origins of the Kathina ceremony at the time of the Buddha and how Ajahn Chah used this ceremony to promote harmony within and between the lay and monastic communities. Recorded on November 1, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Visiting for Kathina from the new Temple Forest Monastery in New Hampshire, Ajahn Jayanto reflects on the power of practicing and training as a community, lay and monastic alike. We support each other in the noble effort of going against the grain of the personal and societal habits of pursuing desires, in order to arrive at a deeper awareness of where true peace abides. This talk was offered on October 31, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Pavarana Day is the final day of the 3–month Vassa retreat period. To celebrate the completion of this period of intensive community practice and vinaya study, Ajahn Chah would invite each junior monk to give a short Dhamma reflection, and this tradition continues to this day. On October 27, 2015, Ajahn Pasanno drew names from the Dhamma hall bell and asked the chosen community member to speak. 0:00 Ajahn Pasanno – Introduction; 3:29 Tan Kaccāna – Repatriated Anthropology; 22:00 Tan Thanāvaro – A Fortunate Time; 31:26 Anagārika Armand – Walking the Walk; 46:04 – Beth Steff – A Dhamma Life (Pārāyanavagga Sn 5); 1:05:23 Debbie Stamp – Space and Ease; 1:18:42 Tan Kasappo – Just Pay Attention to the Body; 1:24:32 Tan Gambhīro – Practicing Like the Krooba Ajahns; 1:26:16 Tan Khantiko – What is Reliable? 1:31:09 Sāmaṇera Kondañño – Pitcher, Cup, or Vase? (Bahiya Sutta Ud 1.10).

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects on nature of perception and the distortions of perception (saññāvipallāsa). Our norm is to operate under unhelpful, conditioned patterns for sense gratification, for propping up the sense of self, for a bit of temporary happiness, but never quite feeling satisfied. This reflections covers a number of dhammas including food, negativity, the elements, the three characteristics and the delusion of stability, control and self-identity. This talk was offered on October 24, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

After a sometimes stressful day in which the monastery received delivery of its beautiful sandstone Buddha rupa for the new meditation hall, Ajahn Jotipālo reflects on the benefits of sila – the intention to live in a moral way – when living and working in community. He uses as an example the work of monks coming together to sew a robe from cloth to be donated at the upcoming Kathina, and offers the encouragement of an Ajahn Chah teaching: When we have the intention to be peaceful but things that are contrary come up in the mind, this is where wisdom can arise. This talk was offered on October 20, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Essential to the Dhamma are three aspects: the study of the doctrine (pariyatti), the practice of the knowledge acquired (patipati), and the absorption and realization of the truth (pativedha). Ajahn Ñaniko reflects on the levels of the path one can achieve – from having a mindful cup of tea to complete liberation, and then teaches how contemplation of the four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – offers us a chance to bring our practice to a higher level. This talk was offered on October 17, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.