Abhayagiri Talks

When beginning meditation, Ajahn Pasanno suggests clarifying our aspiration for happiness to set the tone for our practice. He further expounds upon each of the 16 steps of breath meditation and encourages us to be flexible and experiment.  This talk was given as part of the 2013 Thanksgiving Retreat. All talks from the 2013 Thanksgiving Retreat can be found at: http://www.abhayagiri.org/media/discs/APasannoRetreats/2013%20Thanksgiving%20Retreat/Index.html

On June 17, 2017, Sāmaṇeras Sampanno and Suddhiko took Bhikkhu precepts with the Chanting Acariyas Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo, and Ajahn Jotipālo.

The core of the Buddha’s teaching is suffering and the cessation of suffering. Using Phra Ajaan Dune Atulo’s formulation of the four noble truths, Ajahn Pasanno discusses the suffering that results when the mind goes outside the mind. That is, when we identify with the movement of mind, thought, moods. The antidote to this suffering is to know each phenomena as it arises in the present and to be ready to release our attachment to it. Ajahn Pasanno encourages us to experiment with knowing and letting go. What is the quality of knowing? How can I let go? This talk was given on June 11, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

After reflection on community retreat harmony and the desire to be understood, Ajahn Ñaniko relates his experience of the unexpected death of a friend in a cave in Thailand and urges heedfulness, quoting the sutta “One Excellent Day.” This talk was given as a part of the 2013 Thanksgiving Retreat.

Ajahn Karunadhammo describes two kinds of equanimity: that which comes from deep concentration, and that which is associated with difficult or painful experiences in the world. He discusses some ways to develop equanimity in response to worldly experiences. These include reflection on the five subjects: aging, sickness, death, loss, kamma. He also stresses the importance of a commitment to truth - seeing things the way they are rather than the way we would like them to be. These can give us a deep seated sense of peace, acceptance and ease of mind. This talk was given on June 9, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

In discussing ways to deal with thoughts and moods, Ajahn Pasanno encourages us to be agile and experiment to see what creates clarity and wholesome mind states. Using a story from Ajahn Chah, he tells us to take the one seat of basic alertness and awareness to care for our mind as thoughts and moods come and go. This talk was given on June 3, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

We hope you can join us at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery for the next Upasakā Day on Sunday, June 4, a day of community, Dhamma study, meditation, and renewal. Our theme for the day will be Sutta Study: Two Kinds of Thought and The Removal of Distracting Thought. Luang Por Pasanno and senior monastics of Abhayagiri have graciously offered to lead us in an exploration of how to skillfully work with thought in meditation and otherwise. The readings for the day include Majjhima Nikaya 19, the Dvedhavitakka Sutta (Two Kinds of Thought), available here: https://suttacentral.net/en/mn19 and Majjhima 20, the Vitakkasanthana Sutta (The Removal of Distracting Thoughts), available here: https://suttacentral.net/en/mn20

At the recent International Elders Conference which Ajahn Karunadhammo attended, participants discussed how to preserve the monastic training of the Ajahn Chah tradition. Ajahn Karunadhammo reflects on some key aspects of the broad training which Ajahn Chah emphasized: precepts, sense restraint, moderation in eating and sleeping, body contemplation, right view, and working with the hindrances in meditation. Ajahn Karunadhammo urges us to uphold the high standards of Ajahn Chah’s legacy: a complete training in the gradual path to liberation. This talk was given on June 2, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

When beginning meditation, Ajahn Pasanno suggests clarifying our aspiration for happiness to set the tone for our practice. He further expounds upon each of the 16 steps of breath meditation and encourages us to be flexible and experiment. This talk was given as a part of the 2013 Thanksgiving retreat.

After returning from his walk down to San Diego, Ajahn Yatiko recounts some of his experiences and reflections around dealing with aggression and negative energy he had on the trip. This reflection was offered on July 16, 2011 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. This talk was included in the 20th anniversary compilation of talks.