Ajahn Pasanno (Abbot)
Ajahn Pasanno took ordination in Thailand in 1974 with Venerable Phra Khru Ñāṇasirivatana as preceptor. During his first year as a monk he was taken by his teacher to meet Ajahn Chah, with whom he asked to be allowed to stay and train. One of the early residents of Wat Pah Nanachat, Ajahn Pasanno became its abbot in his ninth year. During his incumbency, Wat Pah Nanachat developed considerably, both in physical size and reputation. Spending 24 years living in Thailand, Ajahn Pasanno became a well-known and highly respected monk and Dhamma teacher. He moved to California on New Year's Eve of 1997 to share the abbotship of Abhayagiri with Ajahn Amaro. In 2010 Ajahn Amaro accepted an invitation to serve as abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England. Ajahn Pasanno is now the sole abbot of Abhayagiri.
Ajahn Pasanno took ordination in Thailand in 1974 with Venerable Phra Khru Ñāṇasirivatana as preceptor. During his first year as a monk he was taken by his teacher to meet Ajahn Chah, with whom he asked to be allowed to stay and train. One of the early residents of Wat Pah Nanachat, Ajahn Pasanno became its abbot in his ninth year. During his incumbency, Wat Pah Nanachat developed considerably, both in physical size and reputation. Spending 24 years living in Thailand, Ajahn Pasanno became a well-known and highly respected monk and Dhamma teacher. He moved to California on New Year's Eve of 1997 to share the abbotship of Abhayagiri with Ajahn Amaro. In 2010 Ajahn Amaro accepted an invitation to serve as abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England. Ajahn Pasanno is now the sole abbot of Abhayagiri.
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Ajahn Yatiko
Ajahn Yatiko was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1968. He had a strong interest in religion from childhood and after a few years at university decided he needed to find a spiritual teacher, as opposed to an academic one. He was on his way to Tibet for ordination, but the plane stopped off en route through Bangkok. While having lunch in a Bangkok restaurant, a few Thai laymen sat down to join him and recommended he go to Wat Pah Nanachat, in Ubon. Owing to their high praise of Ajahn Chah, he decided to investigate. Shortly thereafter, Ajahn Sumedho was visiting and Ajahn Yatiko was inspired to pursue monastic training at Wat Pah Nanachat. After training there as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, Ajahn Yatiko took Bhikkhu ordination in 1992. He spent 17 years training in several Forest Monasteries in Thailand before coming to live with the Abhayagiri Saṅgha in January, 2008.
Ajahn Yatiko was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1968. He had a strong interest in religion from childhood and after a few years at university decided he needed to find a spiritual teacher, as opposed to an academic one. He was on his way to Tibet for ordination, but the plane stopped off en route through Bangkok. While having lunch in a Bangkok restaurant, a few Thai laymen sat down to join him and recommended he go to Wat Pah Nanachat, in Ubon. Owing to their high praise of Ajahn Chah, he decided to investigate. Shortly thereafter, Ajahn Sumedho was visiting and Ajahn Yatiko was inspired to pursue monastic training at Wat Pah Nanachat. After training there as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, Ajahn Yatiko took Bhikkhu ordination in 1992. He spent 17 years training in several Forest Monasteries in Thailand before coming to live with the Abhayagiri Saṅgha in January, 2008.
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Ajahn Karuṇadhammo
Ajahn Karuṇadhammo was born in North Carolina in 1955. He was trained as a nurse and moved to Seattle in his early twenties where he came in contact with the Theravada tradition. In 1992 he helped out with a monastic visit to the Bay Area and spent two months serving a winter retreat at Amarāvati. Ajahn Karuṇadhammo made the decision to ordain while visiting Thailand in 1995. He asked if he could be part of the prospective California monastery (the then unnamed Abhayagiri) and was was part of the original group arriving at Abhayagiri on June 1, 1996. After training for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, he took full Bhikkhu ordination in May, 1998 with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
Ajahn Karuṇadhammo was born in North Carolina in 1955. He was trained as a nurse and moved to Seattle in his early twenties where he came in contact with the Theravada tradition. In 1992 he helped out with a monastic visit to the Bay Area and spent two months serving a winter retreat at Amarāvati. Ajahn Karuṇadhammo made the decision to ordain while visiting Thailand in 1995. He asked if he could be part of the prospective California monastery (the then unnamed Abhayagiri) and was was part of the original group arriving at Abhayagiri on June 1, 1996. After training for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, he took full Bhikkhu ordination in May, 1998 with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
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Ajahn Saññamo
Ajahn Saññamo was born in 1976 in Vancouver, Canada. After high school he participated in an exchange program to Thailand where he encountered the teachings of the Buddha. A year after the exchange program ended he returned to Asia with the intention to learn more about the practice and teachings in the various Buddhist traditions. He traveled to Wat Pah Nanachat and subsequently ordained there in 1998. Since his ordination he has lived in various Ajahn Chah branch monasteries. After being given permission to join the Abhayagiri community, Ajahn Saññamo arrived in April, 2011.
Ajahn Saññamo was born in 1976 in Vancouver, Canada. After high school he participated in an exchange program to Thailand where he encountered the teachings of the Buddha. A year after the exchange program ended he returned to Asia with the intention to learn more about the practice and teachings in the various Buddhist traditions. He traveled to Wat Pah Nanachat and subsequently ordained there in 1998. Since his ordination he has lived in various Ajahn Chah branch monasteries. After being given permission to join the Abhayagiri community, Ajahn Saññamo arrived in April, 2011.
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Ajahn Jotipālo
Ajahn Jotipālo was born in 1965, in Indiana. He received a B.A. from Wabash College and worked for six years in technical sales. He became interested in Theravada Buddhism after sitting several Goenka retreats. While on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, he met Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Punnadhammo. After leaving IMS, he spent three months with Ajahn Punnadhammo at the Arrow River Forest Hermitage in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Ajahn Jotipālo came to live at Abhayagiri in 1998, and subsequently spent two years training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera. He ordained as a Bhikkhu with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor on Ajahn Chah's birthday, June 17, 2000. Since that time, Ajahn Jotipālo has lived at Abhayagiri, but also stayed in Thailand for a year, spent several years at Arrow River Forest Hermitage, lived at Vimutti Monastery in New Zealand for a couple of years and traveled to several other monasteries. He has returned to Abhayagiri again for the vassa of 2012, af
Ajahn Jotipālo was born in 1965, in Indiana. He received a B.A. from Wabash College and worked for six years in technical sales. He became interested in Theravada Buddhism after sitting several Goenka retreats. While on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, he met Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Punnadhammo. After leaving IMS, he spent three months with Ajahn Punnadhammo at the Arrow River Forest Hermitage in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Ajahn Jotipālo came to live at Abhayagiri in 1998, and subsequently spent two years training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera. He ordained as a Bhikkhu with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor on Ajahn Chah's birthday, June 17, 2000. Since that time, Ajahn Jotipālo has lived at Abhayagiri, but also stayed in Thailand for a year, spent several years at Arrow River Forest Hermitage, lived at Vimutti Monastery in New Zealand for a couple of years and traveled to several other monasteries. He has returned to Abhayagiri again for the vassa of 2012, af
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Ajahn Ñāniko
Ajahn Ñāniko hails from Northern California. At age 20 he read "A Still Forest Pool" by Ajahn Chah and decided that he would like to take Bhikkhu ordination. Ajahn Ñāniko began training at Abhayagiri in 2001. After training for a year as an Anāgārika and a year as a Sāmaṇera, he received Bhikkhu ordination on July 13, 2003. He spent his third year training in Thailand and returned to live under the guidance of Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro until after his fifth year. Ajahn Ñāniko returned to Thailand for the next four years, spending most of his time at Wat Pah Poo Jom Gom, a remote monastery in Ubon Ratchathani province, overlooking the Mekong River and Laos.
Ajahn Ñāniko hails from Northern California. At age 20 he read "A Still Forest Pool" by Ajahn Chah and decided that he would like to take Bhikkhu ordination. Ajahn Ñāniko began training at Abhayagiri in 2001. After training for a year as an Anāgārika and a year as a Sāmaṇera, he received Bhikkhu ordination on July 13, 2003. He spent his third year training in Thailand and returned to live under the guidance of Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro until after his fifth year. Ajahn Ñāniko returned to Thailand for the next four years, spending most of his time at Wat Pah Poo Jom Gom, a remote monastery in Ubon Ratchathani province, overlooking the Mekong River and Laos.
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Tan Ṭhitābho
Tan Ṭhitābho was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1985. While attending the University of Arizona and working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts, he began reading about Buddhism and practicing meditation. At that time a strong interest to ordain arose in him, and after discovering the western branch monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition, he came to visit Abhayagiri in August of 2004. Tan Ṭhitābho continued to stay on at the monastery and after training for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, he received the higher ordination becoming a fully ordained Bhikkhu on April 22, 2007. Tan Ṭhitābho spent one year training in Thailand from 2009-2010 and then 6 months at the Pacific Hermitage. He now resides at Abhayagiri.
Tan Ṭhitābho was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1985. While attending the University of Arizona and working on a Bachelor of Fine Arts, he began reading about Buddhism and practicing meditation. At that time a strong interest to ordain arose in him, and after discovering the western branch monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition, he came to visit Abhayagiri in August of 2004. Tan Ṭhitābho continued to stay on at the monastery and after training for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, he received the higher ordination becoming a fully ordained Bhikkhu on April 22, 2007. Tan Ṭhitābho spent one year training in Thailand from 2009-2010 and then 6 months at the Pacific Hermitage. He now resides at Abhayagiri.
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Tan Cunda
Tan Cunda was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, and moved to California in 1996. After graduating from college, working and living abroad, he began practicing Buddhist meditation. Seeking a quieter, uncomplicated and peaceful life, he began living at Abhayagiri in late 2005. Tan Cunda trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera before ordaining as a Bhikkhu on May 22nd, 2008 with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
Tan Cunda was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, and moved to California in 1996. After graduating from college, working and living abroad, he began practicing Buddhist meditation. Seeking a quieter, uncomplicated and peaceful life, he began living at Abhayagiri in late 2005. Tan Cunda trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera before ordaining as a Bhikkhu on May 22nd, 2008 with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
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Tan Kaccāna
Tan Kaccāna was born in 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio. While he was in high school, his parents introduced him to the practice of meditation as taught by Śri Ecknath Easwaran. After graduating from Harvey Mudd College, he moved to Berkeley to pursue graduate study in physics. In Berkeley, he continued daily meditation practice, went on retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and participated in the Abhayagiri Upāsaka program. Realizing that monastic practice might be of great benefit to himself and others, Tan Kaccāna came to Abhayagiri a month after completing his PhD. After two years in training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, Tan Kaccāna received the higher ordination and became a Bhikkhu on October 26, 2008, with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
Tan Kaccāna was born in 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio. While he was in high school, his parents introduced him to the practice of meditation as taught by Śri Ecknath Easwaran. After graduating from Harvey Mudd College, he moved to Berkeley to pursue graduate study in physics. In Berkeley, he continued daily meditation practice, went on retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and participated in the Abhayagiri Upāsaka program. Realizing that monastic practice might be of great benefit to himself and others, Tan Kaccāna came to Abhayagiri a month after completing his PhD. After two years in training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, Tan Kaccāna received the higher ordination and became a Bhikkhu on October 26, 2008, with Ajahn Pasanno as his preceptor.
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Tan Ṭhitapañño
Tan Ṭhitapañño was born in 1983 in Washington, DC and spent much of his childhood in the surrounding suburbs. While in college he developed an interest in spirituality and began to meditate daily and attend retreats. After graduating, he decided to pursue his spiritual aspirations by becoming a lay resident at the Bhāvanā Society Forest Monastery and Meditation Center in West Virginia. After living at the Bhāvanā Society for a little more than a year, Tan Ṭhitapañño decided to explore his interest in monastic life by visiting different monasteries. Upon arriving at Abhayagiri he felt he had found the right place and subsequently trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera. Ajahn Pasanno and the Abhayagiri Saṅgha gave Tan Ṭhitapañño Bhikkhu ordination on June 13, 2009.
Tan Ṭhitapañño was born in 1983 in Washington, DC and spent much of his childhood in the surrounding suburbs. While in college he developed an interest in spirituality and began to meditate daily and attend retreats. After graduating, he decided to pursue his spiritual aspirations by becoming a lay resident at the Bhāvanā Society Forest Monastery and Meditation Center in West Virginia. After living at the Bhāvanā Society for a little more than a year, Tan Ṭhitapañño decided to explore his interest in monastic life by visiting different monasteries. Upon arriving at Abhayagiri he felt he had found the right place and subsequently trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera. Ajahn Pasanno and the Abhayagiri Saṅgha gave Tan Ṭhitapañño Bhikkhu ordination on June 13, 2009.
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Tan Suddhāso
Tan Suddhāso began practicing Zen meditation in early 2004, during his first year of university education. He left university after his second year to experience household life as a lay practitioner. During that time his spiritual aspirations continued to grow, leading him to begin a two-year residency at a Zen monastery in April 2007. A deep love of monastic discipline and an affinity for Theravāda doctrines and techniques led him to Abhayagiri in April 2009. He spent two years training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, and became a fully ordained Bhikkhu on August 13, 2011.
Tan Suddhāso began practicing Zen meditation in early 2004, during his first year of university education. He left university after his second year to experience household life as a lay practitioner. During that time his spiritual aspirations continued to grow, leading him to begin a two-year residency at a Zen monastery in April 2007. A deep love of monastic discipline and an affinity for Theravāda doctrines and techniques led him to Abhayagiri in April 2009. He spent two years training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, and became a fully ordained Bhikkhu on August 13, 2011.
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Tan Khemako
Tan Khemako was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1959 into a large Catholic family and received his primary education from priests and nuns at the local Church-run school. His long-standing interest in the core questions of philosophy and religion led him to begin lay Buddhist practice in 1997. As his practice and faith in the Dhamma increased, his interest and involvement in lay life waned. Tan Khemako trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, ordaining as a Bhikkhu on June 2, 2012 with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor.
Tan Khemako was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1959 into a large Catholic family and received his primary education from priests and nuns at the local Church-run school. His long-standing interest in the core questions of philosophy and religion led him to begin lay Buddhist practice in 1997. As his practice and faith in the Dhamma increased, his interest and involvement in lay life waned. Tan Khemako trained for two years as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera, ordaining as a Bhikkhu on June 2, 2012 with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor.
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Tan Pesalo
Tan Pesalo was born in 1978 in Tokyo and grew up in South Pasadena, California. While studying theater at UCLA, he found a book about Buddhism on a friend’s shelf and immediately resonated with the teachings. Upon graduating, Tan Pesalo accepted an invitation to travel in Thailand. After enjoying a ten-day meditation retreat, he spent time at monasteries in Thailand and Southern California. Before coming to Abhayagiri, Tan Pesalo lived in Berkeley and served as the director of an after-school program. After training for a year as an Anāgārika and almost a year as a Sāmaṇera, Tan Pesalo was ordained as a Bhikkhu on June 2, 2012 with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor.
Tan Pesalo was born in 1978 in Tokyo and grew up in South Pasadena, California. While studying theater at UCLA, he found a book about Buddhism on a friend’s shelf and immediately resonated with the teachings. Upon graduating, Tan Pesalo accepted an invitation to travel in Thailand. After enjoying a ten-day meditation retreat, he spent time at monasteries in Thailand and Southern California. Before coming to Abhayagiri, Tan Pesalo lived in Berkeley and served as the director of an after-school program. After training for a year as an Anāgārika and almost a year as a Sāmaṇera, Tan Pesalo was ordained as a Bhikkhu on June 2, 2012 with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor.
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Sāmaṇera Sudhīro
Sāmaṇera Sudhīro was born in Seattle in 1987. Having an interest in the workings of the mind led him to study psychology at Oregon State University. During this time, he was introduced to Buddhism through a philosophy course comparing the lives and teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. A growing fascination with the Buddha's teachings led Sāmaṇera Sudhīro to begin Buddhist study and practice. Shortly after graduating, he visited Abhayagiri and was deeply moved by the teachings and the community. He came to Abhayagiri in early 2011 and after training as an Anāgārika for a year, he went forth as a Sāmaṇera on June 18, 2012.
Sāmaṇera Sudhīro was born in Seattle in 1987. Having an interest in the workings of the mind led him to study psychology at Oregon State University. During this time, he was introduced to Buddhism through a philosophy course comparing the lives and teachings of Jesus and the Buddha. A growing fascination with the Buddha's teachings led Sāmaṇera Sudhīro to begin Buddhist study and practice. Shortly after graduating, he visited Abhayagiri and was deeply moved by the teachings and the community. He came to Abhayagiri in early 2011 and after training as an Anāgārika for a year, he went forth as a Sāmaṇera on June 18, 2012.
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Anāgārika Josh
Born in 1987, Anāgārika Josh was raised in Burbank, California. After reading his first book on Buddhism, given to him by his mother, he left his home area of Southern California to live and work at a Buddhist meditation retreat center in the Colorado Rockies. After a few semesters of college, Josh realized that the type of education he wanted would better come from living and working in a contemplative and meditative community. After about 4 years in such communities as well as sitting retreats in various Buddhist centers, a monk recommended he visit Abhayagiri. Josh served the 2012 winter retreat at Abhayagiri and shortly after went forth as an Anāgārika on April 28, 2012.
Born in 1987, Anāgārika Josh was raised in Burbank, California. After reading his first book on Buddhism, given to him by his mother, he left his home area of Southern California to live and work at a Buddhist meditation retreat center in the Colorado Rockies. After a few semesters of college, Josh realized that the type of education he wanted would better come from living and working in a contemplative and meditative community. After about 4 years in such communities as well as sitting retreats in various Buddhist centers, a monk recommended he visit Abhayagiri. Josh served the 2012 winter retreat at Abhayagiri and shortly after went forth as an Anāgārika on April 28, 2012.
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Anāgārika Evan
Anāgārika Evan was born in Southern California in 1986. Although he did not have an affinity for religion, he stumbled upon the Buddha's teachings in high-school and they resonated deeply for him. It was not until attending college in San Jose, California that he became interested in comparative religion and meditation. With his interest in Buddhism rekindled and questions about life still unanswered, he decided to explore an alternative to the home life he was living. This led him to the teachings of the disciples of Ajahn Chah and to Abhayagiri. He went forth as an Anāgārika on April 28, 2012.
Anāgārika Evan was born in Southern California in 1986. Although he did not have an affinity for religion, he stumbled upon the Buddha's teachings in high-school and they resonated deeply for him. It was not until attending college in San Jose, California that he became interested in comparative religion and meditation. With his interest in Buddhism rekindled and questions about life still unanswered, he decided to explore an alternative to the home life he was living. This led him to the teachings of the disciples of Ajahn Chah and to Abhayagiri. He went forth as an Anāgārika on April 28, 2012.
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Debbie Stamp
While traveling in Nepal, Tibet and Thailand in 1987, inspired primarily by the devotion witnessed in the Tibetan people, Debbie took her first retreat in Thailand, hoping to learn a little about Buddhism. Passing through England on her return to the USA, she visited Amaravati and spent almost a full year between Amaravati and Chithurst, gaining a bit more understanding of this path. Involved with the Sanghapala Foundation since its inception, she moved to the monastery in 1998, initially living on the neighbors' property which was, in turn, offered to the monastery in 2002.
While traveling in Nepal, Tibet and Thailand in 1987, inspired primarily by the devotion witnessed in the Tibetan people, Debbie took her first retreat in Thailand, hoping to learn a little about Buddhism. Passing through England on her return to the USA, she visited Amaravati and spent almost a full year between Amaravati and Chithurst, gaining a bit more understanding of this path. Involved with the Sanghapala Foundation since its inception, she moved to the monastery in 1998, initially living on the neighbors' property which was, in turn, offered to the monastery in 2002.
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