The Highest Blessings

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi visits Abhayagiri

The Sangha

April 22, 2007

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi with Aj. Pasanno, Aj. Amaro & the Abhayagiri monastics

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On April 9, Ajahn Amaro, Ajahn Sudanto, Tan Karunadhammo, and Tan Nyaniko traveled to Sacramento to take part in the 2007 Western Buddhist Monastic Conference. They were very pleased to see that Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi was in attendance as well. A short time into the conference, Bhikkhu Bodhi asked Ajahn Amaro if he might be able to return with the bhikkhus and visit Abhayagiri for a few days. Needless to say, a resounding and enthusiastic “yes” followed his question and the Abhayagiri community was blessed with his presence from April 13–18.

Bhikkhu Bodhi was ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk (bhikkhu) in Sri Lanka in May of 1973, and then studied under the guidance of Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, a highly regarded and accomplished elder of the Amarapura Nikaya . Before this time, Bhikkhu Bodhi was a samanera (novice) monk for five years and now has been a fully ordained bhikkhu for the last thirty-four years. From 1972 to 1977 and then again from 1982 until 2002, Bhikkhu Bodhi resided in Sri Lanka. In 2002, He returned to the United States and has spent most of his time living at Bodhi Monastery, a Chinese Mahayana Monastery located in Lafayette, New Jersey; since February of 2007 he has resided at Chuang Yen Monastery in upstate New York. [For further information on Bhikkhu Bodhi see an interview conducted by Venerable Kantasilo is available on the "Urban Dharma" website.]

Bhikkhu Bodhi is most renowned for his heroic translation work of the Pali Canon and his generous leadership of the Buddhist Publication Society (B.P.S.). His most significant translations include the Samyutta Nikaya, the Majjhima Nikaya, and parts of the Digha and Anguttara Nikaya. He is also the author of several other books and, for many years, edited the B.P.S. newsletter as well as contributing many of its articles. Bhikkhu Bodhi is currently engaged in translating the complete Anguttara Nikaya which he hopes to finish within a couple of years.

Bhante Bodhi has a very soft and humbling presence which left many feeling at ease and inspired throughout his stay. Page 2 of 3

Attending all of our morning and evening pujas and sittings, he became a very calming and steadfast presence in the monastery. Members of the Abhayagiri community were often inspired every day, walking into the Dhamma Hall and seeing Bhikkhu Bodhi, Ajahn Pasanno, and Ajahn Amaro sitting side by side.

During Bhikkhu Bodhi’s stay at Abhayagiri, he spent much of his time with the Sangha members and led eloquent and memorable Dhamma discussions on a daily basis. Unfortunately, due to the spontaneous nature of these discussions none of these talks were recorded. One such discussion examined the meaning and significance of the Maha-Mangala Sutta (The Discourse on The Highest Blessings). The commentary and discussion which lasted nearly two hours, came in response to a question posed by Ajahn Sudanto concerning how people living in America and the West can develop a deeper sustained practice of the Buddha’s teachings and stronger communities which help to nurture and support that practice.

On Wan Phra, the weekly Buddhist observance day, Bhikkhu Bodhi walked on almsround through Ukiah with Ajahn Pasanno and Tan Karunadhammo. That same evening, he practiced with the rest of the Sangha and further elucidated Dhamma from his vast knowledge of the Suttas, speaking about Sammasambuddhas and the intricacies of the Vinaya. The community was roused and enthusiastic to have him stay up with us practicing into the night.

Bhante Bodhi was given a tour around Abhayagiri’s facilities and was impressed by all of the recent work the community had done. While in attendance at Abhayagiri, Bhikkhu Bodhi stayed in our new guest quarter, the Barnes Room.

On April 18, Bhikkhu Bodhi departed Abhayagiri to visit CTTB and was scheduled to leave from there for New York on April 21. Before departing, Ajahn Pasanno presented him with a beautiful Abhayagiri-style Buddha-rupa (sculpture) and expressed wishes for our continuing friendship. A few minutes later Bhikkhu Bodhi surprised the community by suggesting that he might extend his stay in California by one day and return to Abhayagiri for the bhikkhu and samanera ordinations taking place on April