Ajahn Pasanno   → Books by Ajahn Pasanno→ Tag [Ajahn Pasanno]
2585 excerpts, 169:31:08 total duration


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Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 7 – Nov. 29, 2013

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1. “Would you mind sharing some of the difficulties you have had in your practice and how you resolved them?” [Ajahn Pasanno]


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2. “Can you talk about karma? Is reaping negative karma from my past actions from the same situation? For example, if I steal, I get stolen from...? If I get a situation that I’ve never done, is it from past life actions?” [Kamma ] [Rebirth] // [Conditionality]

Sutta: AN 3.100.


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3. “As the Buddha referred to his past lives in measurements of eons and eons, is there any information he offered about the locality of his lives? Were they on planet Earth?” [Psychic powers] [Rebirth]


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4. “How is being ‘the one who knows’ as it is suggested, related to anatta?” [Knowing itself] [Not-self]


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5. “I’ve been reflecting on the buildup of 30 water bottles outside the hall...Can you speak about how we find security in such objects please?” [Clinging]


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6. “Is the following correct? -The 3 Characteristics can be seen as verbs? The end of Dukkha occurs when the 3 Characteristics are fully understood...? Dukkha in the outside world continues but one who realized the Truth is not ‘dukkha-ed’ because anatta is understood?” [Characteristics of existence] [Cessation of Suffering] [Not-self]


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7. “Today, and several times on retreat, I’ve found myself in a heavy mood and feeling torn between equanimity with the experience and using intention to shift my mental state...Any thoughts are much appreciated.” [Equanimity] [Gladdening the mind]


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8. “Also, related to this is-how does volition fit with anatta?” [Volition] [Not-self]


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9. “Is there consciousness (awareness, knowing) in the experience of nibbana or is there a complete cessation of all six senses, as some traditions say. (Particularly in relation to the experience of stream-entry, which is sometimes described as a cessation.)” [Nibbāna ] [Sense bases] [Stream entry] [Cessation] // [Liberation] [Ajahn Chah] [Sutta] [Thai Forest Tradition]

Sutta: SN 22.59.11 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta: knowledge of liberation (Chanting Book translation).


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10. “Mudita, gladness, joy, can be felt by listening to Dhamma, chanting, an uplifting shrine...I heard that mudita can be a moment or a way of enlightenment. Could you comment please.” [Empathetic joy] [Gladdening the mind] [Liberation] // [Divine Abidings]


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11. “How do you atone for past unskillful behavior that you know you have done? Will this lower the negative karma you reap?” [Kamma]


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12. “My mind went to the elements today and how the sense feel them...but can all senses feel all elements? On death, air and fire are gone but water and earth remain. Is this correct? Are these skillful reflections?” [Elements] [Sense bases] [Death]


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13. “Would you kindly review the four ways to respond to questions?” [Questions]

Reference: Skill in Questions by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro.


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14. “How can we awaken the sense metta within the heart and would you help me understand the beautiful image of the heat being a vessel filled with loving kindness that you bring people into rather than sending it out.” [Goodwill] [Heart/mind]


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15. “Can you please talk a little bit about merit. How do you make it?” [Merit]


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16. “Does [merit] have to be intentional?” [Merit] [Volition]


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17. “Is there a difference in doing a good deed for a monastic versus a lay-person in regards to generating merit? Can only humans create merit? What about devas and animals?” [Kamma] [Merit] [Realms of existence]


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18. “When meditating, I’ve begun to ask myself: ‘What is the cause of suffering?’ A couple of sense desires arise, namely, the lack of intimacy and lack of a healthy relationship with a partner. Do I need to let these (seemingly normal) desires go to get down the path?” [Cause of Suffering] [Relationships] [Sensual desire] [Eightfold Path]


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19. “One practice is to cultivate joy, happiness...But if these are ‘defilements of insight,’ I feel empty. Any comment.” [Gladdening the mind] [Happiness] [Insight meditation]


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20. “Can you talk about path and fruit in regards to the stages of awakening? What are they? How are they different?” [Stages of awakening ] // [Insight meditation] [Relinquishment] [Fetters] [Stream entry] [Self-identity view] [Aggregates] [Attachment to precepts and practices] [Doubt] [Once return] [Sensual desire] [Ill-will] [Non-return] [Arahant]


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21. “Could you please talk a bit more about the 3 types of liberation (signless, desireless, not self?). Is it a liberation in the sense of being free from suffering?” [Release] [Cessation of Suffering]


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22. “May I ask what was done with the ashes/bones of the monk cremated in Thailand?” [History/Thai Buddhism]


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23. “Would you be willing to tell as a little about the first steps that led you out of Northern Manitoba towards becoming an abbot in Thailand?” [Ajahn Pasanno]


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24. “Thank you for your talk today. Could you please expand further on how to maintain/practice tranquility in everyday life, especially as we ‘pick up’ many of the things in our lives.” [Everyday life] [Tranquility] [Continuity of mindfulness] // [Right View] [Characteristics of existence] [Ajahn Chah] [Virtue] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Mindfulness of body]


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25. “Could you please tell us the translation of Luang Por and also if its appropriate for laity to address you by this term?” [Monastic titles] // [Ageing] [Respect for elders]


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26. “One of the questions last night talked about the breath becoming rapid when not controlled. I’m confused. Am I right that we are not supposed to control our breath. Anapanasati is not like pranayama or a breathing exercise. Please clarify.” [Mindfulness of breathing]


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27. “Seems like the more I ‘see clearly,’ the more depressed (bordering on suicidal at times) I feel rather than freedom...Any practice suggestions?” [Depression] [Suicide]


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28. “After 20 plus years of having a daily practice and Dharma being first priority, I just up and stopped meditating one day about two years ago...Can you talk about this ‘rolling up the mat’ [phenomenon]? Why it happens, how and when, etc?” [Meditation] [Long-term practice ] // [Idealism] [Purpose/meaning] [Right Effort] [Spiritual friendship]


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29. “Why would consciousness not be considered self?” [Consciousness] [Not-self]


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30. “What is the ‘10,000 fold universal world system mentioned in The Discourse on Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma’” [Realms of existence]


Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 8 – Nov. 30, 2013

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1. “Just curious- is there any explanation of how bones turn to crystal?” [Relics]


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2. “At what point did your practice change from serving yourself (to end your own suffering) to selfless service?” [Long-term practice] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Cessation of Suffering] [Generosity ]

Sutta: MN 128.12: “Why don’t I set aside what I want to do and do what’s of benefit to the others?”


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4. “Would you talk about (describe) how to relax into ‘whole-body breathing?’ What does that mean?” [Mindfulness of breathing ] [Mindfulness of body] // [Concentration] [Unification] [Investigation of states] [Tranquility]


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5. “How much did the Buddha encourage his disciples to become enlightened to ‘get off the wheel’ versus experiencing freedom from suffering in this lifetime?” [Cessation of Suffering ] [Rebirth]


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6. “What do you see as the future for women ordaining in Theravada Buddhism?” [Women's monastic forms] [Theravāda]


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7. “In the chant ‘10 Subject for Frequent Recollection,’ what does ‘one who had gone forth’ mean? Anyone on the path or only monastics?” [Recollection] [Monastic life]


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8. “Can we talk at breakfast please?” [Right Speech] [Meditation retreats]


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9. “How can one work with feeling the element of water in sitting or walking meditation?” [Elements] [Posture/Sitting] [Posture/Walking]


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10. “In the ‘Supreme Praise of the Dhamma [and] the Sangha’ why are the Dhamma and Sangha referred to as ‘My Lord and guide?’” [Three Refuges] [Chanting]


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11. “I had a hard time getting up this morning...Any advice on getting up?” [Devotion to wakefulness]


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12. “You mentioned that Ajahn Chah stated that samadhi should be accompanied by alertness. Does this mean that Jhana should not be a ‘zoned out’ state?” [Ajahn Chah] [Right Concentration] [Clear comprehension] [Jhāna]


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13. “Also, What are the 4 aspects of bhavana that you mentioned?” [Meditation]


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14. “I’ve been experiencing a similar type of irritation as Debbie mentioned in her talk. I feel I’m present as it arise and think I’m letting it go only to find its turned into a big clump or irritation. I’m still unclear as to how to work with this. Please advise.” [Aversion]


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15. “‘There is no-self in the created or the un-created’...Does this statement conceal an asymmetry? Surely we investigate the created to separate from it – But can we investigate the uncreated? And if so, is it not to identify with it?” [Not-self] [Unconditioned] [Self-identity view]


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16. “Do you miss Ajahn Amaro?” [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Amaro]


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17. “Thank you for your inspiring teachings...Question: I seem to recollect that the Buddha cautioned against unwholesome thoughts in a way that seemed to raise their results as similar to their unwholesome causes. Is this so?” [Proliferation] [Kamma] [Unskillful qualities]


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18. “No room for the second question.”


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19. “Does the 5th precept include coffee or prescription drugs as drugs to avoid? Does the precept mean never drink alcohol or don’t abuse alcohol for a lay person? Does Right Livelihood mean one cannot work in a place that serves and/or sells alcohol, coffees, or drugs? Or, does it mean don’t work where alcohol and drugs are made?” [Intoxicants] [Medicinal requisites] [Right Livelihood] // [Precepts] [Commerce/economics] [Virtue]


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20. “Today is the 23rd anniversary of my grandmother’s passing. I am particularly thinking of her today and dedicating loving kindness. Is this a meritorious act or is this fantasy?” [Death] [Family] [Merit] [Goodwill]


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21. “Please explain the difference between aggregates and faculties.” [Aggregates] [Faculties]


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22. “What is the difference between ignorance and delusion?” [Ignorance] [Delusion]


New Year, New Life, Session 1 – Dec. 16, 2013

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1. “I see what you’re saying about the hindrances, but it seems like that’s everything I called my life....So you’re saying keep on working at it and it [the mind] gets used to focusing?” [Hindrances] [Proliferation] [Meditation] // [Mindfulness] [Goodwill] [Recollection/Virtue] [Recollection/Generosity] [Gladdening the mind]


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2. “What do you think about the idea of secular Buddhism? Earlier you spoke about bhāvanā versus meditation, that meditation is not a useful translation [of bhāvanā]. Do you think secular Buddhism is useful or not?” [Secular Buddhism] [Meditation] // [Human] [Suffering] [Cultural context] [Buddhist identity] [Culture/West] [Education]

Quote: “Anything is useful if it’s picking up the actual teachings of the Buddha and applying [them] in a skillful way.” [Eightfold Path] [Skillful qualities]


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3. Comment: You spent time with Ajahn Buddhadāsa. Some people call his teachings secular because he didn’t really focus on the supernatural, pretty much similar to Ajahn Chah. This way of thinking [phrase in Thai]. Some people consider that secular. [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Secular Buddhism] [Supernatural] [Ajahn Chah]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: “I doubt that Ajahn Buddhadāsa did.”


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4. “Could you talk about contemplation in meditation? You mentioned earlier about using methods; my understanding is that they help one to calm the mind. How does one get into the state of contemplation without disturbing that calm state of mind?” [Recollection] [Calming meditation] [Insight meditation] [Characteristics of existence] // [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Cessation of Suffering] [Desire] [Bases of Success]


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5. “You said you have to adjust and think about contemplating. But how can you do that in your working time?” [Right Effort] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Discernment] [Everyday life] // [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] [Happiness] [Recollection]

Quote: “In daily life, in contact with the world, do you still breathe?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]

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Follow-up: “In Bangkok, there is lots of news that makes people crazy and divisive. When you see this news, you feel upset and angry.” [News ] [Conflict] [Aversion] [Right Speech] [Politics and society] [Proliferation]

Quote: “I don’t care. Not in the sense that I don’t think it’s serious or that it’s not a problem. But I don’t care in the sense that I don’t want to be getting involved in whatever side people are working themselves up about, because the problem is much deeper than that. We have to pay attention to the deeper problem, both in the human condition and politically.” [Human]


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6. “I find I do need some pleasures even though they don’t last, things like fine arts and being in nature. I’m curious, how did you manage as a monk in your early years at Ajahn Chah’s monastery where there’s almost no pleasure....How did you manage to keep going over the years until the present?” [Sensual desire] [Artistic expression] [Culture/Natural environment] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monastic life] [Ajahn Chah] [Food] [Entertainment and adornment] [Monastic life/Motivation] // [Cessation of Suffering] [Happiness ] [Simplicity ] [Association with people of integrity] [Empathetic joy] [Human] [Hindrances] [Jhāna] [Virtue] [Discernment]

Quote: “One of the extraordinary perks of being a monk is that everyone tries to be good around you.”

Sutta: MN 36.32: “Why am I afraid of that happiness?” [Buddha/Biography] [Ascetic practices] [Suffering] [Skillful qualities] [Eightfold Path]

Quote: “As a monk, I can look back on forty years of living in a way where I don’t have to feel remorseful or regret anything.”


New Year, New Life, Session 2 – Dec. 16, 2013

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1. “I was struck by the simile of the stone being heavy, but you won’t know it’s heavy unless you pick it up, and it’s just like suffering. You don’t have to pick it up. I’m battling a loss in my life, and I’m suffering. I didn’t pick up the stone. It was flung at me. I’m not sure how to deal....” [Similes] [Ajahn Chah] [Suffering] [Grief] [Christianity] // [Human] [Naturalness ] [Equanimity] [Self-identity view] [Goodwill] [Discernment]

Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections [Characteristics of existence] [Recollection/Death] [Kamma]

Quote: “Whenever you get into a fight with nature, you always lose.”

Quote: “What makes it heavy is the ‘me’ bit.”


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2. “You said in the chanting, ‘I am the heir to my kamma.’ Gam in Thai is what we cultivate in body, speech and mind. In the Thai concept, we also have jao gam nai ren. Can Ajahn help me sort this out?” [Kamma] [Culture/Thailand] [Nature of the cosmos] // [Suffering] [Health care] [Birth]

Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections

Follow-up: “My mother is dying at age 88. She had a plane accident 20 years ago and has been completely immobile....In Thai we say, jao gam nai ren must have been chasing after her.” [Family] [Sickness] [Death]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 1 – Jan. 6, 2014

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[Session] Ajahn Pasanno begins the retreat by encouraging us to return to the basics of the Noble Eightfold Path. He mentions Iris Landsberg, a long-standing lay supporter dying of lung cancer, both to set the tone for the monk’s final visit to her and to encourage us to practice while there is still time. Iris passed away February 1, 2014. [Eightfold Path] [Sickness] [Death] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Spiritual urgency] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Meditation retreats] [Family] [Health care]

Sutta: DN 16.5.27: The world will not be devoid of awakened beings as long as people are practicing the Eightfold Path. [Stages of awakening]

Story: Ajahn Pāvaro decides to practice in Bodh Gaya after receiving worrying medical news. [Ajahn Pavaro] [Visiting holy sites] [Impermanence]

Sutta: MN 131: Bhaddekaratta Sutta (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 75)


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 2 – Jan. 7, 2014

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2. Recollection: This talk was given to a group of Western monks led by Ajahn Khantipālo paying respects to Ajahn Chah in Bangkok. Recounted by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Khantipālo] [Ajahn Chah] // [Ajahn Sumedho] [Translation] [Hearing the true Dhamma]


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4. “Was this talk given on a formal occasion?” [Teaching Dhamma] [Ajahn Chah] // [Thai sects]


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5. “What did Ajahn Chah mean by ‘Nowadays there are only sterile remains of the Dhamma.’” [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma] // [Culture/Thailand] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Liberation]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 5 – Jan. 12, 2014

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1. “Does anyone know the Thai word that Ajahn Ṭhānissaro translates as “preoccupations?”” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Thai] [Translation] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro]


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2. “Was there much contact between the sphere of Wat Pah Pong and the sphere of Wat Asokaram (Ajahn Lee’s monastery)?” [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Asokaram] [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] // [Ajahn Anan] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Thai sects] [Conflict]


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3. “Why was the Dhammayut/Mahanikai split so strong?” [Thai sects] [Conflict] // [Ajahn Chah]


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4. “Why did conflict between the sects break out on almsround?” [Thai sects] [Conflict] [Almsround] // [Culture/Thailand]


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5. “Before Ajahn Chah, were there any Mahanikai teachers worthy of respect?” [Ajahn Chah] [Thai sects] // [Ajahn Kinaree] [Ajahn Tongrat] [Ajahn Mun]


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6. “Where did Ajahn Tongrat and Ajahn Kinaree live?” [Ajahn Tongrat] [Ajahn Kinaree] // [Ajahn Mun]


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7. “Did the Dhammayut/Mahanikai differences matter to serious practice monks?” [Thai sects] [Monastic life] // [Pāṭimokkha] [Saṅgha] [Ajahn Baen] [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 9 – Jan. 18, 2014

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3. “What does paṭipadā mean?” [Eightfold Path] // [Continuity of mindfulness] [Ajahn Chah] [Investigation of states]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 10 – Jan. 19, 2014

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1. “What degree of pīti and sukha is necessary to establish the first jhāna?” [Rapture] [Happiness] [Jhāna] // [Hindrances] [Unification] [Directed thought and evaluation]


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2. “Do the underlying tendencies still exist in first jhāna?” [Unwholesome Roots] [Jhāna] // [Concentration]


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3. “When Ajahn Mahā Boowa says that the peaceful mind is the gathering place for the defilements, are these the underlying tendencies?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Concentration] [Unwholesome Roots] // [Knowledge and vision] [Relinquishment] [Delusion] [Stages of awakening]


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4. “What are the three kinds of seclusion? What is upadhiviveka?” [Seclusion] // [Clinging] [Self-identity view] [Aggregates] [Becoming]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 11 – Jan. 20, 2014

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1. “Ajahn Chah took Ajahn Mahā Amon and Ajahn Sumedho to visit Luang Ta Mahā Boowa and Ajahn Kaew. What happened?” [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Mahā Amorn] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ajahn Khao] // [Teaching Dhamma] [Simplicity]

Story: Ajahn Chah turned on a tape recorder, but the only part of the conversation that was recorded was when Ajahn Kaew farted. [Technology] [Psychic powers]

Note: A partially similar story appears in Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 189.


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2. “Do you have any advice for working with pain?” [Pain] // [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Investigation of states] [Meditation/Techniques] [Direct experience]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 12 – Jan. 21, 2014

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1. “Where was this Dhamma talk given?” [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Mahā Amorn] [Dhamma books] [Study monks]


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2. “Luang Ta Mahā Boowa often says, “You kill the kilesas” whereas Ajahn Chah in this talk [”Unshakeable Peace”] speaks of the path doing battle with the kilesas. Is this just the translation?” [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Chah] [Unwholesome Roots ] [Eightfold Path] [Teaching Dhamma]

Recollection: When Ajahn Chah would use personal pronouns, he often used we as opposed to you. [Language] [Naturalness]


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3. “Is this talk a response to the vipassanā movement in Thailand?” [Calming meditation] [Insight meditation] [Culture/Thailand] [Mahasi Sayadaw] // [Study monks] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Jhāna] [Formless attainments] [Psychic powers]


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4. “Is the samatha versus vipassanā debate still active in Thailand?” [Calming meditation] [Insight meditation] [Culture/Thailand] [Views] // [Ajahn Chah]

Sutta: AN 6.46 Cunda Sutta: Study monks versus meditation monks. [Study monks]


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5. “When is it useful to determine to stick with a single practice, even when it doesn’t seem to work, instead of exploring other options?” [Meditation/General advice] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Pain] // [Suffering] [Right Effort] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Mindfulness of mind] [Discernment] [Direct experience] [Self-identity view]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 13 – Jan. 22, 2014

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1. “Why is sañña often translated as perception?” [Perception] [Translation] // [Thai] [Recollection] [Aggregates]

Sutta: MN 43.5 Mahāvedalla Sutta: Conjoined not disjoined.


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2. “Have you heard of sañña and saṅkhara being translated as short-term and long-term memory?” [Perception] [Volitional formations] [Translation]


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3. “Do we have a copy of Khandhavimutti and Samangidhamma in Thai?” [Ajahn Mun] [Thai] [Artistic expression]

Note: Ajahn Ṭhānissaro has published an edition of Khandhavimutti and Samangidhamma which includes the poem in Thai, but it does not appear to be available online.


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4. “What does “the longing for the good is the cause of the trouble” mean?” [Ajahn Mun] [Craving] [Skillful qualities] [Right Effort] // [Eightfold Path] [Aggregates] [Liberation] [Self-identity view] [Virtue] [Relinquishment] [Jhāna] [Ignorance] [Cause of Suffering]

Story: Sixth Patriarch Sutra: “No mirror, no dust.”

Recollection: Ajahn Chah taught you could grasp at either samut (the conventional) or vimut (the transcendent). [Ajahn Chah] [Conventions] [Unconditioned] [Clinging] [Discernment]


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5. Comment: This reminds me of the phrase “possessing goodness.” [Self-identity view] [Virtue]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: “The relinquishment doesn’t negate the need for cultivation of goodness.” [Conceit] [Right Effort] [Relinquishment]


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6. “Is this similar to the Buddha’s teaching to let go of the path?” [Eightfold Path] [Relinquishment] // [Ajahn Chah] [Non-identification] [Right Effort] [Ajahn Mun] [Thai]

Sutta: SN 1.1 Oghataraṇa: Crossing the Flood.


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7. Recollection: Ajahn Pasanno describes Ajahn Mun’s skillful use of language. [Ajahn Mun ] [Thai] [Language] [Artistic expression] [Teaching Dhamma]

Reference: Venerable Ācariya Mun Bhūridatta Thera: A Spiritual Biography by Ajahn Mahā Boowa [Fierce/direct teaching]

Reference: Regarding the photo in Abhayagiri’s Dhamma Hall: “This is the most warm and fuzzy picture of Ajahn Mun.”
Photograph of Ajahn Mun


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 14 – Jan. 25, 2014

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2. Ajahn Pasanno describes the title “Luang Ta.” [Monastic titles] [Older monks] // [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Thai]


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3. “When Luang Ta Mahā Boowa says he’s looking for a sign or vision, what does he mean by that?” [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Nimitta] [Deva] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West] [Dreams] [Determination]

Story: Ajahn Tiradhammo asks Ajahn Chah what event convinced him that he was on the path to liberation. [Ajahn Tiradhammo] [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma books] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Liberation]


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4. “Did any of the Western monks go to Ajahn Chah to ask about their dreams?” [Ajahn Chah] [Dreams] // [Ajahn Pasanno]


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5. “Was the biography compiled from what Luang Ta wrote or stories from his students?” [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Dhamma books]

Story: Ajahn Mahā Boowa types Dhamma books and writes letters to practitioners. [Technology] [Teaching Dhamma]


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6. “Do you have any information about what the Level 3 Pāli includes?” [Education] [Pāli] [History/Thai Buddhism] // [Ajahn Chah] [Commentaries]

Story: P.A. Payutto passes the ninth level Pāli studies as a novice. [P. A. Payutto] [Learning] [Novices] [Ordination] [Royalty]


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7. “What do monks do with [Pāli study levels]?” [Education] [Pāli] [Culture/Thailand] [Study monks ] // [P. A. Payutto]

Story: Tan Chao Khun Prayoon Dhammacitto, the head of the Buddhist University in Bangkok, visits Wat Pah Nanachat. [Chao Khun Prayoon] [Learning] [Thai sects] [Wat Pah Nanachat]

Story: Ajahn Mahā Adisak, a ninth-degree Pāli scholar, spends a year at Amaravati. [Ajahn Mahā Adisak] [Amaravati] [Ajahn Sumedho]

Story: He found it difficult to translate Ajahn Amaro’s teachings to Westerners into Thai. [Ajahn Amaro] [Culture/West] [Translation] [Dhamma books]


Our Roots in the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 15 – Jan. 26, 2014

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1. “Was Ajahn Chah talking about samādhi or stream entry when he spoke about “not going backwards”?” [Concentration] [Stream entry] [Ajahn Chah]


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2. “Did Ajahn Chah tend to emphasize certain Dhammas for Westerners and for Thais?” [Teaching Dhamma] [Culture/West ] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Chah]


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3. “Was Ajahn Ñāṇadhammo’s experience of being pushed unusual for Western monks?” [Ajahn Ñāṇadhammo] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Culture/West] [Ardency] [Ajahn Chah] [Suffering]

Jack Kornfield’s recollections of Ajahn Chah at Insight Meditation Society. Recounted by Ajahn Jotipālo. [Jack Kornfield] [Insight Meditation Society] [Meditation retreats]


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4. “Before Ajahn Chah had his stroke how many branch monasteries were there at that time?” [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Ajahn Chah]


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5. “Was Ajahn Chah involved in training the abbots of those monasteries?” [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Abbot] [Mentoring] [Ajahn Chah] // [Wat Tam Saeng Pet] [Wat Pah Nanachat]


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6. “Was the tradition of a monk going to another monastery in their third rains happening in Ajahn Chah’s time?” [Sequence of training] [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Ajahn Chah]


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7. “Did Ajahn Chah ever have to use any especially powerful methods of pushing people away when the time came for them to go somewhere else?” [Fierce/direct teaching] [Ajahn Chah] // [Respect]

Story: The unpopular branch monastery. [Wat Pah Supattaram] [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Building projects] [Abbot] [Fasting]


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