Thai culture
Includes tags: Culture/Thailand, Thai, History/Thai Buddhism
1. “How did Ajahn Chah relate to the lay community around him and tailor the Dharma to their own circumstances?” Answered by Ajahn Sumedho and Ṭhānissarā. [Lay life ] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Ajahn Chah] [Teaching Dhamma]
Story: Thai villagers tell Ajahn Sumedho that they never understood Buddhism until they met Luang Por Chah. Told by Ajahn Sumedho. [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Monastic life] [Generosity] [Meditation] [Community] [Family] [Mindfulness]
Quote: “He didn’t respond to the external cues but went to the heart and grabbed you in that way.” — Ṭhānissarā. [Conventions] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Not-self]
1. “Why was Ajahn Chah not allowed to ordain monks and ostracized?” Answered by Ajahn Sumedho. [Ordination] [Ajahn Chah] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Chao Khun] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Saṅgha]
3. Question related to age and ordination (audio unclear). Answered by Ajahn Sumedho. [Ordination] [Older monks] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Meditation] [Mae Chee] [Relationships] [Liberation] [Culture/West]
Story: A doctor ordains later in life. Told by Ajahn Amaro. [Health care]
3. “Could you please explain about the death process? … How quickly does rebirth occur?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death ] [Rebirth] // [Recollection/Death] [Delusion] [Self-identity view] [Recollection] [Impermanence] [Not-self] [Theravāda] [History/Early Buddhism] [Sutta] [Vajrayāna] [Clinging] [Culture/Thailand] [Chanting] [Goodwill] [Relinquishment] [Ceremony/ritual] [Kamma]
References: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55: Five Recollections; Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 12: The body is impermanent. ... [Craving]
Simile: Fire blown by the wind (SN 44.9: Kutūhalasālā Sutta) [Similes]
Story: A former monk asks Ajahn Chah about working with dying people to give them the opportunity for wholesome rebirth. [Ajahn Chah] [Teachers] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Quote: “I practice dying.” — The Dalai Lama. [Dalai Lama]
7. “What is loving kindness? What is the body and mind’s experience when I feel metta for myself and others?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill] // [Idealism] [Culture/West] [Right Intention] [Aversion] [Thai] [Happiness] [Translation] [Bhante Gunaratana] [Tranquility] [Spaciousness]
Quote: “The base of loving-kindness is dwelling in non-aversion.”
2. “What happens when someone carefully builds the fire, but it turns into a forest fire–uncontrollable–and the person experiences mania, delusions, and paranoia? What is the spiritual treatment?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mental illness] [Delusion] // [Precepts] [Association with people of integrity] [Generosity] [Becoming] [Medicinal requisites] [Thai] [Work]
Quote: “One of the first spiritual treatments is to get them to stop meditating.” [Meditation]
Recollection: Ajahn Pasanno learned by experience that meditation is not a panacea. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Wat Pah Nanachat]
1. “One of my lay insight meditation teachers said, ‘The Western lay practitioner is an experiment in Buddhism.’ What do you think? To me it seems our lay teachers are also an experiment.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Culture/West] [Lay life] [Lay teachers] // [Monastic life] [Abhayagiri] [Sīladharā] [Culture/Thailand]
Quote: “Because the monastic presence is so strong in Asia, oftentimes people overlook the strength of the tradition of lay practice and lay teachers.” [Cultural context]
Story: The Buddha tells Māra he will found the fourfold assembly (Ud 6.1). [Buddha/Biography] [Māra] [Fourfold Assembly] [Stages of awakening] [Learning]
3. “I am hoping to go to the Udon/KhonKaen area in Thailand. Are there temples and teachers there you would recommend for lay practice? Who was the teacher you mentioned who has students stay on themselves as metta objects for so long?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Other Thai forest monasteries] [Lay life] [Goodwill] // [Ajahn Mahā Chatchai] [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [History/Thai Buddhism]
10. “Would you share some of your personal journey, including the time before you became a monk, and why you became a monk, and how the holy life can help people grow and change?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monastic life/Motivation] [Monastic life] [Long-term practice ] // [Culture/West] [Travel] [Culture/Thailand]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno begins meditation with a month-long Mahasi Sayadaw retreat. [Meditation retreats] [Mahasi Sayadaw] [Devotion to wakefulness] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno’s first visit to Wat Pah Pong. [Ordination] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong]
Quote: “If you want to stay here, you have to stay at least five years.” — Ajahn Chah. [Sequence of training]
Reflection: “Five years is five years. I’ll go back and give myself to Ajahn Chah.” — Ajahn Pasanno [Relinquishment] [Mentoring]
Quote: “There’s no such thing as the ideal monastic or the ideal practitioner.” [Idealism] [Lay life] [Faith] [Disrobing] [Suffering] [Energy] [Patience]
16. “I had an experience yesterday in which I may have seen a group of beings above us, particularly above you. ... I don’t think I’m crazy, but I’m very interested in what the Dhamma says about otherworldly/non-material beings.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Deva] [Goodwill] [Compassion] [Mental illness] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Culture/Thailand] [Realms of existence] [Culture/Natural environment]
Recollection: Spirits at Wat Pah Nanachat would request Ajahn Pasanno to dedicate merit. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Funerals] [Ghost] [Merit]
Quote: “They always had to use an intermediary because I was thick, thick, thick.” [Psychic powers]
Story: Ajahn Plien declares Casa Serena free of ghosts. [Ajahn Plien] [Abhayagiri] [Culture/Thailand] [Rebirth]
14. “What are the primary distinctions between Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Theravāda] [Mahāyāna] [Vajrayāna] [Spiritual traditions ] // [Dalai Lama] [Chanting] [Pāli] [History/Mahāyāna Buddhism] [Bodhisattva] [Ceremony/ritual] [History/Thai Buddhism]
1. “You talked about having lost a great deal of institutional knowledge in the Forest Tradition through not having monasteries. Do you think Ajahn Chah wanted to have the knowledge from Ajahn Mun passed down? Is that why he had lots of monasteries?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Thai Forest Tradition] [Tudong] [Ajahn Mun] [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Ajahn Chah] [Learning] // [Culture/Thailand] [Commerce/economics] [Environment] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Politics and society]
Quote: “Nowadays there aren’t any tudong monks left. There’s only taludong (through the forest) monks.” — Ajahn Chah. [Culture/Thailand]
2. “When you and other Western seekers went to Thailand [and returned to teach], are the teachings of lay and monastic disciples of Ajahn Chah the same or different? How can we as laypeople relate to the teachings and tradition of the monastic establishment?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Teaching Dhamma] [Ajahn Chah lineage] [Lay teachers] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Ajahn Chah] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Military] [History/Western Buddhist monasticism] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Virtue] [Right View]
Story: Abhayagiri’s bell is an American bomb casing. [Abhayagiri]
Diligent lay meditators attend Wat Pah Pong’s all-night vigil on the lunar observance days. Recollection by Ajahn Pasanno. [Lay life] [Ardency] [Wat Pah Pong] [Devotion to wakefulness] [Lunar observance days]
1. Question about how Ajahn Chah taught to deal with people externally. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Community] [Ajahn Chah] // [Ajahn Mun] [Virtue] [Doubt] [Monastic life] [Views]
Story: A ghost tries to align the visitors sleeping in his hall. [Culture/Thailand] [Lodging] [Ghost] [Communal harmony]
Quote: “You have to have an anchor in your own practice.” [Similes]
8. “How does one contemplate the Eight Worldly Dhammas?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Worldly Conditions ] [Recollection] // [Craving] [Arahant] [Pain] [Naturalness]
Quote: “Even if someone calls you a dog, all you’ve got to do is look to see if you have a tail.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Harsh speech] [Blame and praise] [Culture/Thailand]
1. Comment: Dear Ajahn, You and your crew have been and continue to be so generous with us. This abundant generosity is such an incredible teaching. It seems as though it’s the stuff that may save the planet. [Generosity ]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Teaching Dhamma] [Culture/Thailand] [Children]
Reference: Vessantara Jātaka [Jātaka Tales] [Culture/Thailand]
16. “In a discourse to the young Sigāla (DN 31.10), the Buddha advises against singing, dancing, and attending fairs. But fairs are fun, and song and dance can inspire. Please comment.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Entertainment and adornment] // [Intoxicants] [Restlessness and worry] [Culture/Thailand]
Story: Two or three villagers were killed at local fairs while Ajahn Pasanno was abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Killing]
Story: Master Hua discourages Rev. Heng Sure from giving away his instruments. [Rev. Heng Sure] [Artistic expression] [Vinaya] [Master Hsuan Hua] [Teaching Dhamma]
Story: Old habits arise during a recording session. [Habits] [Self-identity view]
11. “What is the value of generosity if someone is getting rich unlawfully and then gives part of it to charity?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Generosity ] [Crime] // [Kamma] [Culture/Thailand] [Hearing the true Dhamma]
Story: Ajahn Chah advises the owner of a string of nightclubs to change occupations. [Ajahn Chah] [Intoxicants] [Right Livelihood] [Precepts]
2. “What is the function of a layperson who accompanies a monk on tudong?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Lay life] [Tudong] // [Sequence of training] [Abhayagiri] [Eight Precepts] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Chah]
Quote: “People who ordain quickly disrobe quickly.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ordination] [Disrobing]
Story: Founding of Pacific Hermitage. [Pacific Hermitage] [Almsround] [Almsfood]
4. “Can the practice be used in a punitive or punishing way?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Guilt/shame/inadequacy] // [Culture/West] [Habits] [Clear comprehension] [Craving not to become]
Quote: “Having a human mind ... It’s amazing how perverse it can be sometimes.” [Human] [Unwholesome Roots]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno can’t translate guilt into Thai. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Translation] [Culture/Thailand] [Suffering]
Quote: “All you need to do is create a cage of mindfulness around [unskillful habits].” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Sense restraint] [Mindfulness] [Unskillful qualities] [Similes]
Follow-up: “What about letting the tiger go instead of keeping it in a cage?”
Follow-up: “What about the case when one feels one is the tiger trapped in a metaphorical cage. How to escape?” [Liberation] [Perception] [Self-identity view] [Spiritual friendship]
13. “To what extent is spreading the teachings part of the tudong tradition?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Teaching Dhamma] [Tudong] // [Culture/Thailand]
Vinaya: Mahāvagga 1.23: Venerable Assaji’s demeanor inspires Sariputta. [Great disciples] [Perception of a samaṇa]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno goes tudong and is asked for lottery numbers. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Culture/Thailand]
3. “Would you kindly comment on the cultivation and use in one’s Dhamma practice of one’s creative gifts, such as music, art, dance, writing, and so on?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Artistic expression ] // [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities] [Self-identity view] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Mun] [Blame and praise]
Story: Master Hua disapproves of Rev. Heng Sure giving his instruments away. [Master Hsuan Hua] [Rev. Heng Sure] [Teaching Dhamma]
16. “Would you please explain the concept of a Bodhisattva, a largely Mahāyāna teaching in the Theravāda tradition?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Bodhisattva] [Mahāyāna] [Theravāda ] // [Buddha/Biography] [Perfections] [History/Early Buddhism] [Culture/Thailand]
Story: Somdet Toh waits for a dog sleeping on his robe to wake up. [Somdet Toh] [Amulets] [Robes] [Animal]
20. “Can you offer some inspiration to the group as to observing the Eight Precepts on the Uposatha Days? I’ve been observing every quarter moon, and it would be comforting to know that I’m part of a larger group. Please reflect on the value of restraint outside the retreat environment.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Eight Precepts] [Lunar observance days ] [Sense restraint] [Everyday life] // [Culture/Thailand] [Wat Pah Pong] [Wat Pah Nanachat]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno’s first Uposatha Day at Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Lay life]
Sutta: AN 8.41: “Suppose the lay people spent a day and a night living like the arahants.” [Arahant]
7. Comment: While sitting in the dining hall, the image of a square cushion dropping away from my solar plexus occured. That brought the insight that I was neither inferior nor superior to others, as ego asserts, but we’re all equal. [Insight meditation] [Conceit]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Cause of Suffering] [Suffering] [Relinquishment]
Quote: “Friends and relatives in old age, sickness and death.” — a common way to begin a Dhamma talk in Thailand. [Birth] [Ageing] [Death] [Culture/Thailand]
8. “In order to avoid any unpleasant feelings, I tend to be among the first ones in the food line. I don’t really feel good about it, but I can’t help it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation retreats] [Food] [Pain] // [Fear]
Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 39-40: Sāriputta goes against his desires regarding almsfood. [Great disciples] [Almsfood] [Renunciation]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno and vegetarian food at Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Chah] [Vegetarianism ] [Culture/Thailand] [Judgementalism]
18. “Several years ago, I remember reading your little book The Last Breath about your experience supporting a Thai Buddhist at the death chamber [in San Quentin Prison]. I was very impressed how someone who as facing the last hours of his life still had sati and clear consciousness, practiced generosity, requested food for the monks, and was humble and kind. Would you mind telling us about Jay’s mindfulness again?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Dhamma books] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Prisons] [Death] [Mindfulness] [Generosity]
Story: Jay offers Ajahn Pasanno a meal in prison and makes sure that his family and the guards have an opportunity to hear Dhamma. [Happiness] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Questions]
Story: Jay pays his last respects to Ajahn Pasanno. [Respect] [Equanimity] [Thai]
20. “Can you please tell us about dreams? Do they reveal our defilements? Do you have any interesting dream stories?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Dreams] [Unwholesome Roots] [Ajahn Pasanno] // [Culture/Thailand]
Story: Two Western monks ask Ajahn Chah at what point he became confident that he would have a major realization. Ajahn Chah describes three dreams in response. [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma books] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Culture/West]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 111-113.
20. “Are there monasteries in this tradition in Thailand for women? Are women accepted at Wat Nong Pah Pong?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Thai Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Women's monastic forms] [Wat Pah Pong] // [Ajahn Chah] [Parents] [Culture/Thailand]
2. “Is there anything in the chanting book about stream enters, non-returners, arahants? How is the [old] Abhayagiri Chanting Book organized? Why does the chanting book start with evening chanting? How does chanting support my practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Chanting] [Stages of awakening] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Ajahn Vajirayan] [Sutta] [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism] [Faith] [Energy]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 7: “The four pairs, the eight kinds of noble beings.”
Story: Ajahn Mahā Boowa tries to listen to Ajahn Mun’s solitary chanting. [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa]
10. “Is it really possible and/or realistic to keep people in your heart but not in your life?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Goodwill ] [Seclusion] // [Thai]
2. “Could you please tell us about some of your responsibilities as an abbot of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery? Is being an abbot of one of Ajahn Chah’s monasteries unique compared to other monasteries?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Abbot ] [Abhayagiri] [Ajahn Chah monasteries] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Culture/West] [Culture/Thailand] [Seclusion] [Mentoring]
Quote: “The garbage can at the top of the line.” — Ajahn Chah’s description of an abbot. [Ajahn Chah]
4. “Would you speak about the four mundane and the four supermundane jhānas as well as sāmadhi?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Jhāna] [Concentration] // [Hindrances] [Relinquishment] [Stages of awakening] [Translation] [Thai]
9. “You instructed us to meditate on the breath with mindfulness and continuity. You also recommended wise reflection. How does one weave and connect both together?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness] [Recollection]
Sutta: MN 10.3: The description of Right Mindfulness. [Right Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension]
Reflection: Ātāpi as an aspect of Right Mindfulness is the application of effort for the burning up of defilements. [Ardency ] [Right Effort] [Unwholesome Roots] [Thai]
Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 431: “Clear comprehension is another word for wisdom.” [Discernment]
Quote: “That function in nature that draws knowledge and attention of the sense contact into the heart.” — P. A. Payutto’s description of mindfulness. [P. A. Payutto] [Contact]
15. “Please explain what gave rise to the 28 Buddhas Protection Discourse (Amaravati Chanting Book Volume 2, p. 54). Is this a sutta? It didn’t start with ‘Thus have I heard.’ Did Buddha ever mention or acknowledge the existence of other Buddhas?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Yatiko. [Protective chants] [Sutta] [Previous Buddhas] // [Metteyya Bodhisatva] [Culture/Thailand] [Ghost] [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism] [Children] [Fear]
Sutta: DN 14: Descriptions of six previous Buddhas.
Sutta: DN 26.25: The future Buddha Metteyya.
Sutta: DN 32: The Āṭānāṭiya Protection.
Suttas: SN 12:4-10 mention six previous Buddhas who understood Dependent Origination.
10. “Would you discuss Buddhist rites and rituals regarding death and dying? What are the rites surrounding the death and cremation of an arahant?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ceremony/ritual] [Death ] [Funerals] [Arahant] // [Cultural context] [Recollection/Virtue] [Three Refuges] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Culture/Thailand]
Recollections of Ajahn Chah’s funeral. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Relics] [Ajahn Chah Stupa]
Follow-up: “Did you see Ajahn Chah’s relics?” [Amulets]
14. “The first time I was confronted with an English roundabout, I drove in the wrong way. I may still be going the wrong way, as I have murder in my heart. I want to eradicate an infestation of insects from my trees so they can bear fruit. Any suggestions for an approach that would keep me on track, at least an attempt at the Five Precepts?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Agriculture] [Killing ] [Animal] [Five Precepts] // [Virtue] [Culture/Thailand] [Environment]
Recollection: Dealing with termites at Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Lodging]
4. “Could you elaborate on the difference between nutriment [AN 10.61] and the causal relationships in Dependent Origination?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nutriment] [Dependent origination] [Conditionality] // [Commentaries] [Pāli] [Thai]
5. “What is your take on satisfaction, being in tune, and stagnation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Contentment ] [Energy] [Ardency ] // [Skillful qualities] [Discernment] [Buddha/Biography] [Spiritual search] [Right Effort]
Sutta: AN 2.5: Effort and non-contentment with wholesome states.
Story: The Thai government made it illegal for monks to teach contentment. [History/Thai Buddhism] [Monastic life] [Teaching Dhamma]
Comment about the simile of the lute. [Middle Path] [Similes]
Sutta: AN 6.55: Soṇa Sutta
1. “Could you tell us how you became a monk?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ordination] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monastic life/Motivation] // [Culture/Thailand] [Meditation]
Quote: “I stumbled into it.” [Monastic life]
8. “I appreciate your emphasis on clarity, stability, and spaciousness. How does concentration relate to these?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Clear comprehension] [Unification] [Spaciousness] [Concentration ] // [Pāli] [Thai] [Etymology] [Tranquility] [Happiness] [Rapture] [Conditionality]
Suttas: AN 10.3: Virtuous Behavior; AN 6.10 Mahānāma [Virtue]
Quote: “The way my mind worked before was, ‘Boy, when I get my concentration together, I’m going to be happy ...’” [Ajahn Pasanno]
Quote: “The happy mind is easily concentrated.” [Hindrances] [Relinquishment] [Knowledge and vision]
9. “I’ve been sitting on this question for the past few days. It has to do with dispassion, shedding, simplifying and being easily satisfied on the one end of the spectrum and being engaged and active in the world, even taking an unpopular stand, on the other end. How can one practice shedding internally but still be responsive and engaged regarding the suffering from environmental and social issues? It seems that would complicate things, but that is where my heart is drawn.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Dispassion] [Simplicity] [Contentment] [Politics and society ] [Environment] // [Suffering]
Quote: “When there is displassion and shedding, a clarity arises in the mind, when can then more easily be applied to something that is useful or beneficial without complicating things.” [Clear comprehension] [Compassion]
Quote: “Do you think there’s any hope for saving all the forests in Thailand?”—“I don’t think there’s hope that it’s going to make a huge impact right now. I’m just planting the seeds for the future, and maybe something will change. It’s not an option not to do it.” — Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Culture/Thailand]
2. “What is the funeral protocol for monks? What about non-monastics in the West?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Funerals ] [Monastic life] [Lay life] // [Ceremony/ritual] [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West] [Chithurst]
Recollection: Details of Ajahn Chah’s funeral. [Ajahn Chah] [Lodging] [Food]
Recollection: The complicated cremation of Venerable Master Hua. [Master Hsuan Hua]
5. “What did Ajahn Chah mean by ‘Nowadays there are only sterile remains of the Dhamma.’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma] // [Culture/Thailand] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Liberation]
2. “Was there much contact between the sphere of Wat Pah Pong and the sphere of Wat Asokaram (Ajahn Lee’s monastery)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Asokaram] [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] // [Ajahn Anan] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Thai sects] [Conflict]
4. “Why did conflict between the sects break out on almsround?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Thai sects] [Conflict] [Almsround] // [Culture/Thailand]
1. “Why is sañña often translated as perception?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Perception] [Translation] // [Thai] [Recollection] [Aggregates]
Sutta: MN 43.5 Mahāvedalla Sutta: Conjoined not disjoined.
6. “Is this similar to the Buddha’s teaching to let go of the path?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Eightfold Path] [Relinquishment] // [Ajahn Chah] [Non-identification] [Right Effort] [Ajahn Mun] [Thai]
Sutta: SN 1.1 Oghataraṇa: Crossing the Flood.
3. “When Luang Ta Mahā Boowa says he’s looking for a sign or vision, what does he mean by that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Nimitta] [Deva] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West] [Dreams] [Determination]
Story: Ajahn Tiradhammo asks Ajahn Chah what event convinced him that he was on the path to liberation. [Ajahn Tiradhammo] [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma books] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Liberation]
1. “All the Thai Forest Masters give very clear presentations of how they were attaining/finding peace of mind. Is there much written about how Bangkok was reacting when these Masters were saying “attainment is possible?” How were the Thai Masters answering?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Thai Forest Tradition] [Progress of insight] [Types of monks] [Liberation] // [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] [Royalty]
2. “There are photos of Luang Ta Mahā Boowa looking very fierce and also photos of him looking very joyful, laughing, and the same with Ajahn Chah, a bit more stern I’d say. Do you think the same could be said of Ajahn Mun, not that there are photos but there could have been?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Chah] [Happiness] [Ajahn Mun] [Technology] // [Culture/Thailand]
Quote: “Those farangs, they really like teeth.” — Ajahn Chah. [Culture/West]
3. “What about Luang Por Dune, he looks so mellow; was he ever animated?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Dune] [Personality] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Culture/Thailand] [Humor]
Reference: Gifts He Left Behind by Ajahn Dune.
3. “In the reading there was a lot of emphasis on solitude. Here we have a lot of time for that especially right now with our Winter Retreat, but we also have a lot of responsibilities and engagement in community. How would you recommend us balancing the two or using them to help each other?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Seclusion] [Abhayagiri] [Community] [Work] [Personality] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/India] [Ajahn Chah] [Unwholesome Roots] [Discernment] [Generosity] [Culture/West] [Self-identity view]
4. “Do you have any advice about how to hold a particularly strong “fighting spirit” teaching, like Ajahn Dtun?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Fierce/direct teaching] [Teaching Dhamma ] [Ajahn Dtun] // [Culture/Thailand] [Ardency] [Right Effort] [Restlessness and worry] [Heedfulness] [Discernment] [Goodwill]
Sutta: AN 1.49: The mind is radiant.
Quote: “If you invite visitors into your home [the mind] and they just make a mess, then you want to close the door on them before they come in. You can’t be too polite.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Similes] [Unwholesome Roots]
7. “In the Luang Por Baen reading, he encouraged his monks to admonish each other, but Ajahn Chah said to put 90% of your attention on yourself and only 10% on other people. Could you describe the context of these two statements?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Baen] [Admonishment/feedback ] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West]
Quote: “If someone criticizes you, then you should raise your hands in añjāli and say ‘Sadhu!’ because you don’t have to hire them to do it for you!” — Ajahn Chah. [Respect] [Gratitude]
4. “What Pāli word do you think Ajahn Geoff is translating as thought formations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] [Translation] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] // [Volitional formations] [Thai]
7. “Does Ajahn Liem attend morning and evening pūjā?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Liem] [Pūjā] // [Culture/Thailand] [Wat Pah Pong]
Story: Ajahn Liem silently walks around and looks at the monks during morning pūjā. Told by Ajahn Ñāṇiko.
Follow-up: “Did Ajahn Chah go to morning and evening pūjā?” [Ajahn Chah]
Follow-up: “In the early years of Wat Ban Tad, was it always practice on your own?” [Wat Pah Ban Tat] [Thai sects] [Ajahn Tongrat] [Ajahn Baen]
Story: Too many monks skip pūjā to massage Ajahn Liem. Told by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Upatakh]
Recollections: Bhante Gunaratana comes to morning pūjā early. Recounted by Ajahn Jotipālo and Beth Steff. [Bhante Gunaratana]
6. “Did Ajahn Piak and Ajahn Anan leave Wat Pah Pong together to found Wat Fah Krahm?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Piak] [Ajahn Anan] [Wat Pah Pong] [Wat Fah Krahm] // [Ajahn Dtun] [History/Thai Buddhism] [Sequence of training]
14. “If you don’t think you will reach Nibbāna in this life, did Ajahn Chah advise a place to aspire for rebirth in?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Anan] [Pure Land] [Ajahn Dtun] [Death] [Nibbāna] [Rebirth] [Buddha] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Merit] [Fierce/direct teaching]
Sutta: AN 3.136 Uppādā Sutta: “Whether Tathāgatās appear in the world or not ...” [Characteristics of existence]
2. “Would you be willing to talk about the difference between mindfulness, bare knowing, and the one who knows?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness ] [Direct experience] [Knowing itself] // [Buddha] [Clear comprehension] [Thai] [Discernment] [Ardency] [Seclusion] [Cessation of Suffering]
Sutta: MN 10: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta
7. “Did Ajahn Chah speak about paramī?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Perfections] // [Culture/Thailand]
6. “Why did older men ordain as pakows and follow Ajahn Chah on tudong?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Older monks] [Postulants] [Ajahn Chah] [Tudong] // [Culture/Thailand] [Food] [Almsfood]
5. Comment: In the Thai Forest tradition there are some fierce teachers. In other Buddhist traditions the “don’t question the guru” mentality seems to get way out of hand, but in Thailand that doesn’t seem to happen so often. [Thai Forest Tradition] [Fierce/direct teaching] [Mentoring] [Ajahn Jia]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno: Well, they just leave. [Ajahn Chah] [Respect] [Culture/Thailand]
Comments by Ajahn Pesalo and Ajahn Pasanno about Ajahn Jia. [Faith] [Liberation] [Personality]
Comments by Ajahn Jotipālo and Ajahn Pasanno about avoiding both blind faith and badmouthing others. [Malicious speech] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Kamma] [Ajahn Wanchai]
2. “Did I understand correctly, that this talk was originally given in Lao?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Language] // [Ajahn Chah] [Thai] [Admonishment/feedback]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno translates the talk “Two Faces of Reality” for the book Bodhinyana. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Translation]
Story: Chao Khun Nor eats the same meal every day. [Chao Khun Nor] [Food] [Seclusion] [Pūjā]
4. “Was your eight years living with novices like how it was described in this reading [‘Toilets on the Path’]?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Novices] // [Thai]
Story: Ajahn Preecha comes to Wat Pah Pong at the age of 11 or 12. [Ajahn Preecha] [Postulants] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong]
2. “There were a number of different alms routes out of Wat Pah Pong. How was it decided who went on each one and how was the food distributed for the meal?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Pong] [Almsround] [Almsfood] [Saṅgha decision making] // [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Ajahn Liem]
Discussion of almsfood distribution at different monasteries. Led by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Pesalo. [Ajahn Tongrat] [Wat Pah Ban Tat]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno helped pass out food at Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Pasanno]
Story: Ajahn Tongrat exposes a monk concealing fish in his ball of sticky rice. [Food] [Admonishment/feedback]
Comments by Ajahn Pesalo and Ajahn Pasanno about food distribution at Wat Baan Tat. [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support]
Quote: “It’s incredibly tiresome how organized we [Westerners] have to be. ... Organic spontaneity—that’s how things work in Thailand.” [Culture/West] [Culture/Thailand]
7. “Do you try to pass most of the houses in the village?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Pong] [Almsround] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/West]
11. “What language was ‘The Ballad of the Liberation from the Khandas’ written in?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Dhamma books] [Ajahn Mun] [Language] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Thai]
15. “A list of ten misconceptions about Buddhism in Tricycle magazine included ‘All Buddhists meditate.’ It said that historically this wasn’t true. Is this accurate?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation] [History] [Culture/West] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Monastic life] [Lay life] [Devotional practice] [History/Thai Buddhism]
2. “So both Ajahn Mahā Boowa and Ajahn Chah were students of Ajahn Mun? Did they have similar experiences?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Ajahn Chah] [Teaching Dhamma] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Thai sects] [History/Thai Buddhism]
3. “Are there modern monasteries associated with Ajahn Sao, Ajahn Mun, and Ajahn Mahā Boowa?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Sao] [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Monasteries] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Ajahn Chah]
2. “Ajahn Lee’s biography contrasts the lives of city and forest monks. Is the lifestyle here (Abhayagiri) similar to the dhutaṅga monks?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] [Forest versus city monks] [Abhayagiri] [Ascetic practices] // [Vinaya] [Saṅgha] [Culture/Thailand] [Learning] [Merit] [Nibbāna]
3. “What are the connotations of “dhutaṅga monk?” Is it a slur?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Forest versus city monks] [Ascetic practices] // [Tudong] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Pasanno]
14. “May I ask for your secret? [Why is Abhayagiri monastic training so often successful?]” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sequence of training] [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life] // [Theravāda] [Simplicity] [Vinaya] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Chah] [Middle Path] [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [History/Western Buddhist monasticism] [Right Effort] [Compassion]
16. “How do we take refuge in awareness (Buddho) in daily life?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha ] [Recollection/Buddha] [Knowing itself] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Everyday life] // [Precepts] [Mindfulness] [Discernment] [Recollection] [Clear comprehension] [Right Effort] [Seclusion] [Nature of mind] [Proliferation] [Culture/Thailand]
Sutta: MN 10: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta
Note: In the answer to this question, Ajahn Pasanno equates awareness with mindfulness.
Quote: “The literal meaning of Buddho is ‘the one who knows,’ but it’s also being the one who knows, where you have the opportunity for us to be that knowing.”
22. “Ajahn Mun’s biography describes a constant fierce vigilance, watching the mind. But meeting you guys, you’re so peaceful and calm. How does this work in terms of practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mun] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Right Effort] [Tranquility] // [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Culture/Thailand] [Dhamma books] [Teaching Dhamma]
Quote: “Any great teacher is not monochromatic.” [Buddha] [Arahant]
Sutta: AN 4.243: “But Ānanda, when has Anuruddha ever concerned himself with disciplinary issues in the midst of the Saṅgha?” [Great disciples] [Personality]
2. “Why is the intellect not included in the five cords of sensual pleasure?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sense bases] [Sensual desire] [Right Mindfulness] // [Culture/West] [History] [Culture/Thailand] [Craving]
Sutta: SN 47.6-7.
Follow-up: “Are the pīti and sukha of samādhi considered mano (intellect) states?” [Rapture] [Happiness] [Concentration] [Aversion]
1. “What was the context in which this reflection was given by Ajahn Chah?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] // [Leadership] [Culture/Thailand] [History/Thai Buddhism]
Recollection: When Ajahn Pasanno first became abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat, he gave monthly teachings at the World Fellowship of Buddhists. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Abbot] [Teaching Dhamma]
4. “What is considered pilgrimage in the modern world? Going by train or bus?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Technology] [Travel] [Visiting holy sites] // [History/Thai Buddhism] [Ajahn Jayasaro] [Generosity] [Pace of life]
13. “After the initial impulse and intention to go tudong, once it’s going to happen, is there an upwelling of uncertainty?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Doubt] [Tudong] // [Renunciation] [Impermanence] [Clinging] [Learning] [Ajahn Chah]
Story: Chao Khun Nor stayed in his kuti and ate the same thing every day. [Chao Khun Nor] [History/Thai Buddhism]
1. “What are the commentaries? How do they know stuff that isn’t in the suttas?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Commentaries ] [Sutta] [History/Early Buddhism] // [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism] [Culture/Thailand] [Direct experience]
3. “A lot of my life has been based on guilt, punishment, achievement, feeling driven, and perfectionism. Recently I experienced the reverse of this. Perfectionism is mixed up with wholesome desire. Could you respond?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Guilt/shame/inadequacy] [Judgementalism] [Perfectionism] [Desire] [Contentment] // [Discernment] [Self-identity view] [Human]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno can’t translate the question ‘How do I work with guilt?’ into Thai. [Ajahn Paññānanda] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Language] [Culture/West] [Culture/Thailand] [Suffering]
1. Comment: Secular Buddhism is a new Buddhist identity. [Secular Buddhism] [Buddhist identity]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Abhayagiri] [Monastic life] [Culture/West] [Culture/Thailand]
8. “Is one of the benefits of being a monastic having to live up to people’s expectations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Monastic life] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Robes] [Buddhist identity] // [Conventions] [Christianity] [Idealism] [Culture/West] [Culture/Thailand]
12. Story about not killing a rattlesnake. [Killing] [Culture/West] [Animal] [Buddhist identity]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Culture/Thailand]
7. “Can you tell us your story of when you decided to become a monk?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monastic life/Motivation] // [Learning] [Travel] [Culture/Thailand] [Meditation] [Mahasi Sayadaw] [Temporary ordination] [Ajahn Chah]
Quote: “If you want to stay here, you have to stay at least five years.” — Ajahn Chah. [Wat Pah Pong] [Sequence of training] [Determination]
6. “Do any of you who reside at the monastery vote in local or national elections? I also wonder if you get involved in public discussions on local policies as they pertain to or potentially affect the monastery?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Politics and society ] // [Culture/Thailand] [Culture/Sri Lanka]
Story: Abhayagiri engages with local people and the Forestry Department to block a timber harvest. [Abhayagiri] [Environment]
2. “How could you accomplish studying Buddhism in Thailand with Luang Por Chah? How did Luang Por Chah teach you as a you were a foreigner new monk? How did you cope with the language issue?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Ajahn Chah ] [Teaching Dhamma] [Monastic life] [Language] // [Culture/Thailand] [Patience] [Wat Pah Pong] [Novices]
Quote: “It’s just like teaching buffaloes.” — Ajahn Chah. [Western Ajahn Chah lineage] [Similes]
Quote: “Dhamma is not about the words, about the concepts, about the ideas. It’s about the experience.” — Ajahn Chah. [Dhamma ] [Direct experience ]
5. “Could you talk about women’s ordination (nuns) during the Buddha’s time and in modern times?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Women's monastic forms] [History/Early Buddhism] // [Buddha/Biography] [Bhikkhunī] [History/Sri Lankan Buddhism] [Culture/Thailand]
6. “Could you talk about the role memory plays in perception?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Memory] [Perception ] // [Thai]
11. “Please demonstrate how to bow. Are there any cultural differences?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Bowing ] [Cultural context] // [Ajahn Chah] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Chah monasteries] [Tranquility] [Continuity of mindfulness]
Story: Ajahn Chah corrects a candidate’s bowing posture at his ordination ceremony. [Ordination]
11. “I am so grateful for the peace I am developing here and in my life. It feels like a refuge. Is it the fourth refuge?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Tranquility] [Gratitude] [Three Refuges] // [Buddha images]
Quote: “That farang Buddha is really like a farang. He’s really tense and stressed.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Culture/West ] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Thai] [Restlessness and worry] [Humor]
4. “I was wondering if the merit we have done for meditation practice can be dedicated to the people (dead or alive) we pray for? How do we know it? Also, I have heard that the merit from practicing meditation will accumulate and stay with ones who have practiced that, which also carries over throughout the life or the subsequent incarnations. Can you clarify this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Merit] [Prayer] [Rebirth] // [Theravāda] [Mahāyāna] [Vajrayāna] [Science] [Faith] [Selfishness]
Stories told by Ajahn Paññānanda about dedication of merit. [Ajahn Paññānanda] [Culture/Thailand] [Superstition] [Death]
8. “What chants would you recommend as suitable to use for patients who may be in hospice or close to death? Can Buddhist monks give last rites?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Death] [Chanting] [Ceremony/ritual] // [Goodwill] [Three Refuges] [Protective chants] [Culture/Thailand] [Buddho mantra] [Recollection/Saṅgha]
Story: Ajahn Chah requests an army truck to pick up Por Puang’s body. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Contentment] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Recollection/Death]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 662.
19. “Who are the most senior monks in the Theravāda/Thai Forest Tradition? Can you speak about the lineage? Are there Thai teachers of your seniority who come to the West?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Theravāda] [Thai Forest Tradition]
Quote: “Sometimes people assume that the Thai Theravāda Forest Tradition is one thing. – No.” [Culture/Thailand]
1. “During the development of Abhayagiri over the years, has there been a shift in how strictly some practices, activities are followed?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Debbie Stamp. [Amaravati] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Ascetic practices] [Culture/West] [Divine Abidings] [Abhayagiri] // [Ajahn Chah] [Devotion to wakefulness] [Work] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Admonishment/feedback] [Protocols] [Ajahn Amaro] [Guilt/shame/inadequacy]
Story: Can we ask for soymilk? [Food] [Simplicity]
Recollection: The effects of the gap in seniority between Ajahn Amaro and (then) Tan Karuṇadhammo. [Ajahn Karuṇadhammo] [Sequence of training]
Recollection: Ajahn Pasanno is lighter and softer now. Recounted by Debbie Stamp. [Personal presence]
Recollection: The gung-ho early days of Chithurst and Amaravati. Recounted by Debbie Stamp. [Chithurst] [Disrobing]
Recollection: The beginning of sharing circles. Recounted by Debbie Stamp. [Sharing circles] [Culture/Thailand]
1. Question about the idea of punishment in the Vinaya. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Vinaya] [Disciplinary transactions] // [Thai] [Translation] [Kamma]
2. “Did Ajahn Chah emphasize generosity and service more for Westerners than for Thais?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Generosity] [Service] [Culture/West] // [Culture/Thailand]
2. “Can you restate Luang Por Dune’s rendering of the Four Noble Truths?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Dune] [Four Noble Truths] // [Thai]
3. “What does the phrase “beyond good and evil” mean in reference to the mind of an arahant?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Arahant] [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities] // [Thai]
Quote: “Above cause, beyond effect. Above good, beyond evil. Above merit, beyond demerit.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Conditionality] [Merit]