History
A Short History of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
A view of Redwood Valley from the monastery
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How We Came To Be
Abhayagiri Monastery is the first monastery in the United States to be established by followers of Ajahn Chah, a respected Buddhist master of the ancient Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism.
The origin of the monastery can be traced to visits to Northern California in the early 1980s by Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Chah's senior Western disciple. Over the next ten years, Ajahn Sumedho developed a devoted following of students. In 1988 they formed the Sanghapala Foundation with the mission of creating a branch monastery of Ajahn Chah's lineage. In 1990 Ajahn Amaro accompanied Ajahn Sumedho to California and thereafter became the central teacher for the California students.
Efforts to establish the California monastery moved slowly until 1995. As Ven. Master Hsüan Hua, abbot of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, located in Ukiah, California, approached his death, he instructed his disciples to deed over to Ajahn Chah's disciples 120 acres of forest in Redwood Valley, fifteen miles north of the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. On several occasions Master Hua had made a point of stating that it had been the dream of his life to bring the northern and southern traditions of Buddhism back together again. His offering was one of openhearted, ecumenical friendship. It enabled the communities to be physically close and to relate in an atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony.
In choosing a name for the monastery it seemed appropriate to reflect on the kindness of this offering and the spirit in which it was intended. It also felt important to use a name in the Pali language to confirm the sense of allegiance to the Theravada tradition. The name that was finally settled upon, "Abhayagiri," means "Fearless Mountain." The original Abhayagiri Monastery was in ancient Sri Lanka at Anurādhapura. That monastery was most notable for welcoming practitioners and teachers from many different Buddhist traditions. They lived there amicably alongside one another, distinct in their particular practices but not separate as communities. During the fourth century Abhayagiri housed 5,000 monks.
Purpose
Abhayagiri Monastery is a center Page 2 of 3
of teaching and practice for people in monastic or lay life. Its heart is a community of monks (bhikkhus), novices (samaneras), and postulants (anagarikas) pursuing a life of meditative reflection. Frequently monastics from other branches of this global community come and stay for periods of time. Those wishing to join the sangha initially make a commitment as an anagarika for one year, during which time they can train in the monastic life and consider a longer commitment. After another year as a samanera, those who decide to continue with the training may be accepted into the sangha. Shorter, temporary ordinations as an anagarika are also possible.
The sangha lives according to the Vinaya, a code of monastic discipline established by the Buddha. In accordance with this discipline, the monastics are alms-mendicants, living lives of celibacy and frugality. Above all, this training is a means of living reflectively and is a guide to keeping one's needs to a minimum: a set of robes, an almsbowl, one meal a day, medicine when ill, and a sheltered place for meditation and rest.
The Vinaya creates a firm bond between the sangha and the general public. One reason for this is that without the daily offering of almsfood, and the long-term support of ordinary people, the sangha cannot survive. Obviously the necessary support will only be forthcoming if the sangha provides an example that is worthy of support. This relationship creates a framework within which generosity, compassion, and mutual encouragement can grow.
Dependence upon others encourages monastics to live in faith and be content with a humble standard of living. For those who support the sangha, this opportunity to give provides occasions for generosity and a joyful and direct participation in the spiritual life. In return the sangha offers people spiritual guidance by verbal teachings and by its living presence. Ven. Ajahn Pasanno and Ven. Ajahn Amaro guide the monastery as co-abbots.
Coming to Visit
Although Abhayagiri Monastery is not a retreat or meditation center, people are welcome to visit or to arrange a stay as guests and share the Page 3 of 3
lifestyle of the monastic community for a time. The community's meditation and work provides visitors with living examples of the Buddhist path.
Guests can stay up to a week—longer stays are possible with the agreement of the community. Such visits can give lay practitioners the opportunity to deepen their understanding of Buddhism and of themselves in an environment that encourages peaceful reflection.
For further information about visiting please see Open Invitation.
