Abhayagiri Talks

Ajahn Liem leads the visiting Thai elders and the Abhayagiri Sangha in chanting parittas (auspicious blessing chants) for the new Reception Hall. The recording begins with Ajahn Jundee calling the devas. This chanting was recorded on July 11, 2015 at Abhayagiri Monastery. Download File

To develop a sense of stability in the midst of family life, Ajahn Liem urges a young couple to develop honesty, restraint, patience, and sacrifice. This meal blessing was given at the home of Abhayagiri lay supporters in Sonoma County on July 9, 2015 and was translated by Ajahn Thāniyo. Download File

Ajahn Jundee describes how Ajahn Chah taught local villagers using similes from nature rather than scholastic terminology and emphasizes that all true knowledge originates from knowing the body and mind. This talk was offered on July 8, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery and was translated by Ajahn Thāniyo. Download File

In response to a teatime question about dealing with social anxiety and fear of failure, Ajahn Liem urges us to remain at the point of balance in regards to praise and blame, contemplating our experience in terms of nature rather than self-view. This talk was offered on July 7, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery and was translated by Ajahn Pasanno. Download File

With senior Thai Ajahns and lay guests arriving for a visit to Abhayagiri in two days, Ajahn Jotipālo reads and gives commentaries on several passages from the manual Korwat: Monastic Etiquette at Wat Pah Nanchat by Ajahn Chandako. This talk was offered on July 4, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

The Upasika Day ends with a contemplative reading of the Anattalakkhana Sutta (SN 22:59, p. 52 in the Abhayagiri Chanting Book) and the sharing of merit chant. This contemplative reading occurred on the June 27, 2015 Upasika Day at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

After the Upāsikā Day focusing on the Buddha's teachings on anattā, “not-self,” Ajahn Pasanno offers a reflection on the true simplicity of this often misunderstood concept. He uses sutta stories, contemporary anecdotes, and practical metaphors to give us an insight into this essential teaching unique to Buddhism. This talk was offered on June 27, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

Anatta (not-self) is a central but often misunderstood theme of the Buddha's teaching. Ajahn Pasanno reads and explains two suttas on this topic: the Maha-Rahululovada Sutta (MN 62) and AN 4.178. Questions: (27:26) What are the commentaries? (31:20) What is consciousness? (33:46) How should we relate to not-self? (38:46) When you watch your defilements and they don't go away, what do you do? (40:59) Why go through all the trouble to teach us not to have a self and then refuse to tell us there is no self? (44:29) Is renting a good metaphor for not-self? (53:47) How do we face our fear regarding cessation of self-identity? This reading and discussion occurred on the June 27, 2015 Upasika Day at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

Rather than expounding a metaphysical doctrine of not-self, the Buddha demonstrates the selfless nature of the five aggregates on the grounds that they are not subject to complete volitional control. Ajahn Pasanno illustrates this with readings from the Culasaccaka Sutta (MN 35), the Nakulapita Sutta (SN 22.1), and the Culasihananda Sutta (MN 11). This reading and discussion occurred on the June 27, 2015 Upasika Day at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

In honor of Ajahn Chah's birthday celebration, Ajahn Pasanno shares some recollections of his teacher. Focusing on Ajahn Chah's straightforward day-to-day approach to learning and training, the stories revolve around nibbidā. Usually translated as disenchantment with worldly things, nibbidā is a positive mental quality that Ajahn Chah likened to eating spicy food that burns going down but is deeply satisfying to eat. This talk was offered on June 20, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File