Ajahn Pasanno discusses various aspects of the noble eightfold path and the importance of applying, living, and experiencing the path factors as the means to stream entry. The training involves all the path factors working together. This talk was offered on January 27, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

With the opening of the retreat schedule – and the on-going sickness of the community – Ajahn Jotipālo offers us a set of ever-practical tools for reflection derived from the Suttas. In reflecting on these tools, he gives us ways to use the ever-changing human condition skillfully, whether it means putting forth more energy, caring for others, or preparing for the inevitability of death, so that we may always have the opportunity to realize liberation. This talk includes a reading of the Gelañña Sutta, and was offered on January 21, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Having opened up the winter-retreat schedule, Ajahn Pasanno reminds us to use our time – our life – skillfully, by continually investigating the characteristics of anicca, dukkha, and anattā instead of leaving them in the realm of books, Dhamma-talks, or negativity. In doing so, we can cut-off the tendency to complacency and give ourselves a great opportunity to let go of all conditioned things (whether they’re unpleasant or not) so we can truly realize an ever-present peace. This talk was offered on January 20, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Using the Abhayagiri building project as a metaphor for practice, Ajahn Jotipālo asks, what is our building project, and are we putting our efforts where most needed? The seven factors of enlightenment provide a road map for our practice. This talk was offered on January 14, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

With current events revolving around birth, aging, sickness, and death, Luang Por reminds us to use these sorts of things as teachers. As we chase distraction, push things away, struggle to attain peace of mind, or just get caught in habits of carelessness, we can easily forget to reflect on birth, aging, sickness, death, and the truth that “all that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me.” Sometimes we even forget that we have a body and a breath. Luang Por thus urges us to be willing to make these things conscious and cultivate a sense of “Lucid Calm” so we may avoid falling into the traps of clinging and dullness of mind. This talk was offered on January 12, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Ajahn Karunadhammo reflects on meditation practice, and its relationship to sati and samādhi. He describes “letting the breath find you” and using the sense bases to relax, broaden and deepen overall awareness. This talk was offered on January 7, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

With the community gathering for the New Year, Ajahn Pasanno reflects on spiritual friendship (“the whole of the holy life”) and qualities known as “Harbingers of the Eightfold Path”: “Bhikkhus, this is the forerunner and precursor of the rising of the sun: the dawn. So too, bhikkhus, for a bhikkhu [these are] the forerunners and precursors for the arising of the Noble Eightfold Path: spiritual friendship, accomplishment in virtue, accomplishment in desire, accomplishment in self, accomplishment in view, accomplishment in diligence, and accomplishment in careful attention.” This talk was offered on December 31, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

_As the monastic community prepares to enter the winter retreat, Ajahn Jotipalo reflects on the Buddha’s teaching on sensuality given to the householder Potaliya. (_Majjhima Nikāya 54). This talk was offered on December 24, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Back from a short visit from the east coast caring for his mom, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo reflects on the effects of old age on the body and mind, the importance of letting go, and it’s parallel to tying up lose ends and simplifying as the year comes to an end here at the monastery. This talk was offered on December 22, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.