During Spirit Rock’s annual teen weekend at Abhayagiri Ajahn Nyaniko shares the story of his journey to the robes and reflections on developing goodwill for oneself. This reflection was offered on August 31, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Nearly two years after a local Abhayagiri supporter lost her home in a devastating wildfire, the entire Abhayagiri community joined her on her first evening in the new home to chant, meditate, and listen a talk on Dhamma by Ajahn Pasanno. This reflection was offered on August 29, 2019.

This reflection was offered on August 24, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Pasanno reflects on the six qualities leading to happiness based on a sutta in the Anguttara Nikaya. This reflection was offered on August 17, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

We keep ourselves busy with greed, anger, dullness, worry and doubt. Sometimes even though we might have relatively innocent ways of distracting ourself, they still keep us from Dhamma. Instead of dwelling in negativity, we can, see things in terms of Dhamma, for example, contemplating the elements (heat, water, earth, wind and space). This reflection was offered on August 15, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

On Vesakha Puja commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death, Ajahn Nyaniko recounts events in the life of the Buddha. He encourages contemplation of the Buddha’s life and qualities to develop faith, reverence and wholesome aspiration. This talk was offered on May 18, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Picking up on reflections Luang Por Pasanno offered earlier in the afternoon, Ajahn Nyaniko talks on the themes of Contentment (santutthi) and Gratitude (katannukatavedi), especially as they relate to living the monastic life. This reflection was offered on July 31, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

For the observance of Āsāḷhā Pūjā, Ajahn Pasanno offers reflections on the Buddha’s fundamental teaching of the Four Noble Truths. He reminds us that they are a practical formulation with attendant responses/duties given to us by the Buddha as something to do. This talk was offered on 16 July, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Nyaniko reflects on how to work with such challenges as feeling tired and feeling like a failure. This talk was offered on July 20, 2019 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Karunadhammo reflects on the third foundation of mindfulness, mindfulness of mind, as well as the cultivation of metta (goodwill). This dhamma talk was offered on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Abhayagiri.