Illuminated Wisdom: Buddhist Calligraphy & Verse
Combining art, writing, and meditation, Ajahn Dhammadharo uses calligraphy to bring words from the Suttas and his teachers to new life.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jan 19, 2023 | Art & Photography
Combining art, writing, and meditation, Ajahn Dhammadharo uses calligraphy to bring words from the Suttas and his teachers to new life.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Aug 22, 2022 | Teachings, Ven. Authors - Bhante Dhammika
Relying on the early texts, Ven. Dhammika describes the Buddha’s daily life twenty-five hundred years ago. From detailing how he ate to whom he taught, the picture that emerges helps ground and deepen faith.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 19, 2022 | Teachings, Ven. Authors - Luang Por Baen
Luang Por Baen, a leading figure in the Thai Forest Tradition, was known for his stirring and direct teachings. These two talks allow readers a glimpse into profound wisdom based on a life of practice.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | May 8, 2022 | Art & Photography, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Thitadhammo
Ranging from the fantastic to the natural, twenty-five years of Ajahn Thitadhammo’s drawings reveal the hidden abundance of a life of renunciation.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jan 25, 2022 | Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Nisabho Bhikkhu
The founding of Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage in the challenging landscape of Brisbane Australia, reveals the miraculous nature of faith and the Buddha’s teaching.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jan 1, 2022 | Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Nisabho Bhikkhu
Gus Hales’ battles in the Falklands and elsewhere left him with severe PTSD. After finding peace with the Sangha at Amaravati monastery, he helped spread the Dhamma as a prison chaplain and participating in reconciliation efforts with the IRA.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Nov 29, 2021 | Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Nisabho Bhikkhu
After escaping the violence-ridden neighborhood where he grew up by joining the British Army, Billy’s experience of war left him in the throws of PTSD and addiction. His healing at Amaravati monastery speaks to the power of the Buddhist path and Sangha that helps carry it forward.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Oct 10, 2021 | Podcasts
Ordained for over forty years, Ajahn Sucitto trained under Ven. Ajahn Sumedho in the lineage of the Thai forest master, Ven. Ajahn Chah. He was part of the group that established Cittaviveka, Chithurst Forest Monastery, in England.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 15, 2021 | Podcasts
The Kalama Sutta is most famous for its encouragement not to place total trust in traditions and texts, but it also encourages you not to place total trust in your sense of reason and preferences. So where can you place your trust? This talk focuses on the dilemma posed by the sutta’s recommendations, and the way in proposes out of the dilemma. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 4, 2021 | Podcasts
Ven. Canda went forth as a Buddhist nun in Burma in 2006 and subsequently took full ordination with Ajahn Brahm. She founded the Anukampa Bhikkhuni project in England, which aims to create a monastic home for bhikkhunis. To support their vision, visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate/. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Aug 11, 2021 | Podcasts
Ayya Santussika, in residence at Karuna Buddhist Vihara (Compassion Monastery), spent five years as an anagarika (eight-precept nun), then ordained as a samaneri (ten-precept nun) in 2010 and as a bhikkhuni (311 rules) in 2012 at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jul 5, 2021 | Podcasts
From ideas of cosmic cycles to descriptions of the solar system, the model of the universe put forward in the suttas corresponds to a surprising degree with modern understanding. In his essay, Ajahn Brahmali investigates the implications of these unlikely parallels. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jul 5, 2021 | Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Brahmali
From ideas of cosmic cycles of expansion and contraction to descriptions of the solar system, the model of the universe put forward in the suttas corresponds to a surprising degree with modern understandings. In his essay, Ajahn Brahmali investigates the implications of these unlikely parallels.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | May 3, 2021 | Podcasts
Ajahn Sona is a first-wave Western Theravada ordained monk and the Abbot of Birken Forest Buddhist Monastery (‘Birken’). More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | May 2, 2021 | Uncategorized
“Psychastic! The Charming Adventures of an Atheo-psychiatrist Father and his Buddho-monastic Son” is a series of cartoons written by Ajahn Kovilo for his cartoon-loving but not-so-fully-Buddhist father.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 12, 2021 | Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ven. Thubten Chodron
Ven. Thubten Chodron, abbess of Sravasti Abbey, reflects on the blessings she’s seen in her over forty years as a monastic, both for herself and the world.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 12, 2021 | Podcasts, Ven. Authors - Ven. Thubten Chodron
Ven. Thubten Chodron, abbess of Sravasti Abbey in Newport, WA, went forth over forty years ago. Here she reflects on the eight “worldly winds” described by the Buddha and elaborated on by her teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Mar 14, 2021 | Podcasts
In 2015, after seven years in various monasteries, ‘Tahn’ Pamutto began a period of ascetic wandering practice and came to the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Over the next three years, he often dwelt in the forest and ate almsfood placed in his bowl, living up to some of the most rigorous forest monk practices. He traveled constantly by foot, seeking new ways to develop his practice and delighting in the community and support he found along the way. He is currently looking to found a community in Massachusetts (https://www.upavana.org/). More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Mar 2, 2021 | Art & Photography, Classic, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Sucitto
Styled after medieval illuminated manuscripts, Ajahn Sucitto’s illustrations frame the Buddha’s foundational teaching with the sensitivity and wisdom of one who has given their life to the path it expounds.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Mar 2, 2021 | Podcasts
Ordained for over forty years, Ajahn Amaro trained under Ven. Ajahn Sumedho in the lineage of the Thai forest master, Ven. Ajahn Chah. He helped found Abhayagiri Monastery in California and is the current abbot of Amaravati Monastery in the UK. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Feb 20, 2021 | Sīmā - Art & Photography, Sīmā - Teachings
Featuring the sayings of various elders, these concise reminders of the Dhamma invite us back to the path.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Feb 20, 2021 | Podcasts, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Sucitto
Ordained for over forty years, Ajahn Sucitto trained under Ven. Ajahn Sumedho in the lineage of the Thai forest master, Ven. Ajahn Chah. He was part of the group that established Cittaviveka, Chithurst Forest Monastery, in England. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Feb 19, 2021 | Teachings, Ven. Authors - Bhante Joe, Ven. Authors - Nisabho Bhikkhu
By the time of his passing in 2020, Ven. Ñāṇadīpa was widely known for having spent over forty years wandering Sri Lanka. The second installment of his teachings provides insight into the higher levels of meditation and represents one of his final gifts.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Feb 17, 2021 | Sīmā - Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Kaccāna
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Feb 12, 2021 | Podcasts
Ordained for nearly forty years, Ajahn Candasiri is the most senior sīladhārā nun of the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest Lineage. After helping found Chithurst and Amaravati monasteries in England, she moved to Milntuim Hermitage in Scotland where she now resides. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jan 28, 2021 | Podcasts
A monk of over forty years, Ajahn Pasanno is the most senior ordained disciple of Ajahn Chah in the United States. He helped found Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, California, where he currently resides. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jan 27, 2021 | Teachings, Ven. Authors - Bhante Joe, Ven. Authors - Nisabho Bhikkhu
By the time of his passing in 2020, Ven. Ñāṇadīpa was widely known for having spent over forty years wandering Sri Lanka. These teachings, on everything from dealing with elephants to interpreting the Buddhist scriptures, represent one of his final gifts.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Dec 23, 2020 | Podcasts, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Jayasaro
Ajahn Jayasaro, a senior monk in the Thai Forest Tradition and a disciple of Ajahn Chah, speaks with the Buddhist Community at Stanford (BCAS) about his work in Thailand’s schools, finding an appropriate teacher, how to approach conflict, and other aspects of the practice. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Dec 22, 2020 | Classic, Teachings, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Jayasaro
Ajahn Jayasaro, a senior monk of the Thai Forest Tradition, offers advice of special relevance during a year of crisis, from speaking skillfully with family while quarantined to dealing the death of loved ones.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Nov 25, 2020 | Podcasts
Ayya Anandabodhi, the senior teacher at Aloka Vihara Monastery, speaks about understanding the First Noble Truth as attachment to the five aggregates of clinging. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 27, 2020 | Podcasts, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Anan Akiñcano
Renowned Thai Forest meditation master and disciple of the late Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Anan Akiñcano is known for his ability to teach the Dhamma on many levels, from the mundane to the super-mundane. This talk, translated by long-time disciple Ajahn Kalyano, gives a sweeping summary of the entire path of Buddhist practice, from the early stages of meditation to refined states of concentration and insight. An accompanying article can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org. More teachings from Ajahn Anan may be found at his monastery’s website, https://www.watmarpjan.org/en
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 27, 2020 | Teachings, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Anan Akiñcano
Thai Forest master and disciple of the late Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Anan Akiñcano is known for his focus on mindfulness of the body and loving-kindenss. This collection of brief teachings stresses both and describes aspects of practice as found in the Thai Forest Tradition.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 8, 2020 | Podcasts, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
Ajahn Ṭhānissaro reviews the Four Noble Truths as the categorical teaching of the Buddha—true and always beneficial. He describes the duties that enable us to fully understand and comprehend them and how the three characteristics—Dukkha, Anicca, Anatta—are used in support of these duties and this understanding. An accompanying article can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Sep 8, 2020 | Classic, Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
Ajahn Ṭhānissaro describes how tradition’s substitution of the three perceptions of anicca, dukkha, and anatta for the Four Noble Truths as the Buddha’s primary teaching has affected the practice of Buddhists ever since.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Aug 1, 2020 | Sīmā - Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Jotipālo
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Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Aug 1, 2020 | Sīmā - Classic, Sīmā - Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Kovilo
Ajahn Kovilo draws on his own experience memorizing the Dhammapada to describe a system of memorization techniques, both ancient and modern, that one can use to internalize even the longest of texts.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jul 1, 2020 | Classic, Teachings, Ven. Authors - Khenmo Drolma
Khenmo Drolma reflects on how the teachings of her lineage’s founder, Jigten Sumgön (1143– 1217), allowed her to move past the death of her brother and feel compassion even for his killer. Her instructions provide a detailed guide to loving-kindness meditation for all practitioners.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 8, 2020 | Poetry, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Abhinando
In these six poems, Ajahn Abhinando uses judicious imagery and agile turns of phrase to describe an uncompromising path of practice.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 7, 2020 | Classic, Poetry, Ven. Authors - Other
Few have told the story of the Buddha’s life as well as Grevel Lindop in his poem, “Touching the Earth”. Ajahn Jayasāro’s reading of an excerpt from the epic infuses the story of the Bodhisatta’s birth with faith come from a life of practice.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 6, 2020 | Ven. Authors - Ajahn Abhinando
In the original German versions of his poems, Ajahn Abhinando uses judicious imagery and agile turns of phrase to describe an uncompromising path of practice.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 6, 2020 | Classic, Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano
Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano reflects on his training under Luangta Maha Boowa, one of the most respected teachers of twentieth-century Thailand.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Jun 5, 2020 | Classic, Teachings, Ven. Authors - Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi
In elaborating on three basic themes the Buddha exhorted his monastics to regularly recollect, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi describes a path towards humility and grace accessible to all practitioners.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 9, 2020 | Sīmā - Essays & Interviews, Ven. Authors - Ajahn Nyaniko
Ajahn Ñāṇiko, co-abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery, writes about how recollecting kindness and the spaciousness of nature can help us move gracefully through the current pandemic.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 4, 2020 | Podcasts
Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano reflects on his training under Luangta Maha Boowa, one of the most respected teachers of the twentieth-century Thailand. An accompanying article can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 4, 2020 | Podcasts
Few have told the story of the Buddha’s life as well as Grevel Lindop in his poem, “Touching the Earth”. Ajahn Jayasāro’s reading of an excerpt from the epic infuses the story of the Bodhisatta’s birth with faith come from of a life of practice. A PDF of the full poem can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 4, 2020 | Podcasts
Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi speaks on the three themes the Buddha said should be reflected upon by “one who has gone forth” in Sutta 101 of the Anguttara Nikāya. A relevant teaching for all practitioners, this talk was given at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California, in 2007. An accompanying article may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.
Read MorePosted by The Fourth Messenger | Apr 3, 2020 | Sīmā - Art & Photography, Sīmā - Essays & Interviews, Sīmā - Poetry, Sīmā - Teachings