Abhayagiri Talks

Ajahn Jotipālo discusses an Ajahn Chah teaching on attachment to possessions, the ease with which we can all relate to the teaching, and the importance of paying attention to the reactions of the mind to our possessions. Wisdom can arise from investigating our attachment to possessions. This talk was offered on February 18, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

The day of Magha Puja is an annual celebration of the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 Arahants, at which the Buddha gave the teaching of the Ovadapatimokkha and uttered his famous teaching: ‘The avoidance of evil ways, the commitment to what’s wholly good, and the purification of one’s mind: just this is what the Buddha’s teach.’ Building off of these verses, Luang Por encourages us to support our practice and commit to what’s wholly good by nurturing our discernment and the Brahmaviharas, reminding us that all humans are naturally attuned to these mature emotions. This talk was offered on February 11, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

In this Dhamma talk given on the Wan Phra Lunar Observance night, Ajahn Pasanno connects the precepts and refuges to two qualities which are crucial in supporting mindfulness and bringing us in the direction of inner peace: the purification of virtue and straightening of views. In speaking on these qualities, Luang Por encourages us to apply our discernment, clarify our aspirations, and take responsibility for ourselves and our actions so we can establish awareness and realize peace. He also touches on the connections between these qualities and the Four Brahmaviharas of Loving-kindness, Compassion, Appreciative Joy, and Equanimity. This talk was offered on February 4, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist monastery.

Having recently experienced the passing of his mother, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo uses these circumstances to reflect on the physical processes of birth, aging, and death, along with the mental processes of becoming and creating identities. Being processes which involve suffering, Ajahn offers us perspectives into the habitual tendencies related to them, along with skillful alternatives built around contemplations of anicca, dukkha, and anattā, thereby bringing us closer to a way of living not burdened by a heavy sense of self. This talk was offered on January 28, 2017 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

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.