Ajahn Pasanno Celebrates 60th Birthday

Ajahn Pasanno receives an offering of flowers, candles and incense from the Sangha.

Abhayagiri's senior co-abbot Ajahn Pasanno celebrated his 60th birthday on July 26, 2009. This anniversary is particularly auspicious as it marks the sixth decade and fifth 12-year cycle of Ajahn Pasanno's biological life as well as the third cycle (36 years) of his birth in the Holy Life. Ajahn Pasanno’s mother and brother travelled to Abhayagiri from Canada to be present for the celebration, and his mother stayed here for over a week.

The festivities began with a large meal offering on Saturday, July 25. That evening, Ajahn Amaro gave a short but moving talk describing his encounters with Ajahn Pasanno as a young monk in Thailand and the story of how they came to be co-abbots of Abhayagiri Monastery. This talk is available online. The next day began with a breakfast offering of cheesecake and strawberries, followed by an even more elaborate meal offering. In the evening, Ajahn Pasanno presided over the going forth of Anagārikas Sean and Scott. Ajahn Pasanno explained that conducting ordinations is a traditional way for senior monks to make merit on auspicious occasions.

Two days later, a Pah Bah (offering ceremony) in honor of Ajahn Pasanno’s birthday took place. A Thai lay supporter named Joe Kulkhajornpant organized this event to support the construction of the Monks’ Utility Building.

The birthday celebration represented an opportunity for Ajahn Pasanno and the Abhayagiri Community to reflect on and rejoice in the goodness that has come from Ajahn Pasanno’s many years of practice. The festivities were also a bit exhausting, so we are happy to report that Ajahn Pasanno is presently enjoying his two-week solo retreat in the forest.

Ajahn Pasanno explained that a monk who reaches 60 years of age typically steps back from day-to-day monastery administration to focus on his own practice and spiritual leadership of the Community. While Ajahn Pasanno is currently enmeshed in guiding the construction of the Monks’ Utility Building, he recently requested to be on solitary retreat for the three-month period of Vassa 2010. The Abhayagiri Community unanimously approved his request – a fitting birthday gift for a senior forest Ajahn.