Daily Life Jhāna | Ajahn Sucitto
Lessons from the Kalama Sutta | Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
Lessons from the Kalama Sutta | Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
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.
Liberation through Kindness | Venerable Canda
Liberation through Loving-Kindness | Venerable Canda
Ven. Canda went forth as a Buddhist nun in Burma in 2006 and subsequently took full ordination with Ajahn Brahm. She runs the Anukampa Bhikkhuni project in England, which aims to create a monastic home for bhikkhunis. To support their vision, visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate/.
Kisa Gotami & the Buddha’s Deep Compassion towards Women | Ayya Santussika
Kisa Gotami & the Buddha’s Deep Compassion towards Women | Ayya Santussika
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.
Buddhist Cosmology | Ajahn Brahmali
Buddhist Cosmology | 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 understanding. In his essay, Ajahn Brahmali investigates the implications of these unlikely parallels.
More than Just Awareness | Ajahn Sona
The Eight Worldly Concerns | Ven. Thubten Chodron
The Eight Worldly Concerns | 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 concerns” described by the Buddha and elaborated on by her teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Three Years of Wandering | Tan Pamutto with Ajahn Sona
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.
Becoming:Why Public Speaking is More Terrifying than Worldwide Nuclear Destruction | Ajahn Amaro
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.
The Pleasure of Release | 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.
Purifying the Heart | Ajahn Candasiri
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.
Engaging the 16 Steps of Breath Meditation | Ajahn Pasanno
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.
Q & A with the Buddhist Community at Stanford | 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.
A Beautiful Truth | Ayya Anandabodhi
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.
The Complete Path of Practice | 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
Right View Comes First | 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.
Living with Luangta Maha Boowa | Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano
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.