This year, Abhayagiri turns 30 on June 1st. Due to the growing size of our community and some logistical considerations, the current plan is to celebrate this occasion in two separate, but related events. It happens that Vesakha Puja - the full moon of May commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and final nibbāna - is Sunday, May 31st. This is an amazing coincidence that it falls so close…
Update: The teachings and readings from the winter retreat are now available via this link: https://www.abhayagiri.org/talks/collections/1/177-winter-retreat-2026-the-foundation-of-mindfulness The monastery entered the annual three-month winter retreat on January 3, 2026. Our Abbot, Ajahn Nyaniko, will be in Thailand until early March and on solitary retreat for most of March with the exception of…
“Monks, these two bright qualities guard the world. Which two? Shame & compunction. If these two bright qualities did not guard the world, there would be no recognition of ‘mother’ here, no recognition of ‘mother’s sister,’ ‘uncle’s wife,’ ‘teacher’s wife,’ or ‘wives of those who deserve respect.’ The world would be immersed in promiscuity, like rams with goats, roosters with pigs, or dogs with jackals. But because these two bright qualities guard the world, there is recognition of ‘mother,’ ‘mother’s sister,’ ‘uncle’s wife,’ ‘teacher’s wife,’ & ‘wives of those who deserve respect.’” This refl…
This Dhamma talk was offered on January 17, 2026 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.
