Abhayagiri Talks

Ajahn Jotipalo gives advice on the two week solitary retreat in which community members will partake during the Vassa. Topics include: dealing with silence, loneliness, boredom; physical activity, duration of meditation sessions, schedule of the day. This talk was offered on August 7, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Sumedho shares recollections of Ajahn Chah, early days as a monk, meeting Master Xuan Hua, and essential Truths reflected in Buddhism as compared to the ideals with which we approach the world. This talk was given on July 20th 2017 at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Debbie Stamp explains the Buddha’s story of the acrobat and his assistant (SN 47.19) and urges us to be present with what is coming up in the moment and rely on the anchor points of sīla, samādhi, and pañña. She illustrates these principles with the story of how she came to live at Abhayagiri Monastery 15 years ago. This talk was given as a part of the 2012 Thanksgiving retreat.

At the birthday celebration for Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Sumedho reflects on key aspects of the four noble truths, and the first three fetters: self view, cultural conditioning and doubt. He encourages us to investigate these and take refuge in poised attention - a patient alertness which is natural, impersonal, peaceful, here and now. Nibbana is not high. One can realize empty consciousness. Through relinquishment and relaxed attention which sees the way it is, there is contentment. This talk was offered by Luang Por Sumedho on July 23, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Siripanno describes the Thai Forest custom of visiting elder monks at the beginning of the Vassa to pay respects and ask for forgiveness. He speaks on the subject of kamma. Negative, harmful actions cannot be deleted, but their effect can be softened or neutralized by wholesome actions. Using the Buddha’s simile, just as a spoonful of salt in a glass of water gives a potent salty taste, a spoonful of salt in a lake has little or no effect. As we increase wholesome actions, the effect of dukkha lessens. The path is a way to shift our relationship to dukkha and work with our kamma. Keywords: kamma, dukkha, kusala, wholesome This talk was offered on July 30, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Sumedho discusses mindfulness, consciousness within the body, the process of identification, and the process of being connected to everything around us.  Keywords: mindfulness, consciousness, identification, unconditioned This talk was offered on July 22, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Luang Por Sumedho met with Kittisāro, Ṭhānissarā and others before the meal to share some reflections. This was recorded on July 19, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.