Preliminary Instructions For the Body

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo – January 5, 2016

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo begins the retreat by encouraging the residents with instructions on contemplating the body. This reflection was offered on January 5, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.

Walking Meditation

Ajahn Ñanadhammo – Read by Ajahn Jotipālo – January 6, 2016

Readings:

• “Walking Meditation” booklet by Ajahn Ñanadhammo

Purpose

Ajahn Paññavaddho – Read by Tan Jīvako – January 10, 2016

Readings:

• “Purpose” pp. 133-145 in Uncommon Wisdom, Life and Teachings of Ajahn Paññavaddho by Ajahn Dick Silaratano

Questions:

• [24:40] Has anyone had personal experiences of Ajahn Paññavaddho?

Awe; Strengthening Mindfulness

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Tan Kaccāna – January 12, 2016

Readings:

• “Awe” pp. 50-53 in Meditations, Vol.6 by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
• “Strengthening Mindfulness” online talk by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro on January 4, 2012

Where There's a Will, There's a Way; Bright Kamma

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Tan Suhajjo – January 14, 2016

Readings:

• “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” pp. 12-19 in “Kamma and the End of Kamma” by Ajahn Sucitto
• “Bright Kamma” pp. 26-31 in “Kamma and the End of Kamma” by Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [26:44] Discussion about the difference between sati and sampajañña.

The Beauty of Sila

Ajahn Jayasaro – Read by Tan Gambhīro – January 18, 2016

Readings:

• “The Beauty of Sila” pp. 57-68 in The Forest Path by Ajahn Jayasaro

Questions:

• [22:13] Discussion and examples of hiri and ottappa (moral shame and fear of wrongdoing).

Cultivating Gratitude

Ajahn Pasanno – Read by Sāmaṇera Jagaro – January 20, 2016

Readings:

• “Cultivating Gratitude” a talk given by Ajahn Pasanno on November 18, 2009

Questions:

• [15:49] Tan Pesalo asks, "During the development of Abhayagiri over the years, has there been a shift in how strictly some practices, activities are followed?"

Khanti – Patient Endurance

Ajahn Jayasaro – Read by Debbie Stamp – January 22, 2016

Readings:

• “Khanti - Patient Endurance” online talk by Ajahn Jayasaro in 2008

Questions:

• [25:29] Discussion about the idea of punishment in the vinaya
• [28:34] Where does the story in the reading come from?

Head and Heart Together

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo – January 26, 2016

Readings:

• “Head and Heart Together” in booklet Head and Heart Together by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro

Questions:

• [24:47] Comments on right view and skillful cause and effect regarding the brahmaviharas.
• [26:21] Tan Pesalo asks, "Did Ajahn Chah emphasize generosity and service more for westerners than for Thais?
• [28:45] Comments on another Ajahn Ṭhānissaro piece, "Generosity and Metta" as wisdom practices.

Hindrances and their Cessation; Emptiness and Form

Ajahn Sumedho – Read by Ajahn Ñāniko – January 28, 2016

Readings:

• “Hindrances and their Cessation” pp.47-51 in Ajahn Sumedho, The Anthology, Vol.2 by Ajahn Sumedho
• “Emptiness and Form” pp. 53-57 in Ajahn Sumedho, The Anthology, Vol.2 by Ajahn Sumedho

Questions:

• [16:37] Is Ajahn Sumedho saying that art is always coming from a place of ego?
• [17:47] Tan Kaccāna comments on the arising of self even in abstract thought; discussion about self in creative endeavors.

Recollecting Our Goodness

Ajahn Amaro – Read by Tan Kassapo – January 30, 2016

Readings:

• “Recollecting Our Goodness” pp. 23-26 in Beginning Our Day, Vol.1 by Ajahn Amaro

Questions:

• [11:58] At what point does it become unskillful to continue to reflect on one's own good deeds?
• [24:37] Discussion about how one assesses one's practice; goal oriented habits; personalizing kamma and ones practice.

Rude Awakenings

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Tan Pesalo – February 3, 2016

Readings:

• Excerpts from Rude Awakenings by Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [29:42] Was your experience (in India) similar to what is described in the reading?
• [30:42] How did you have the opportunity to go to India?
• [31:39] Tan Pesalo asks" In your time there, was there a big takeaway from your experience; or stories or experiences you would be willing to share?"

Attammayata

Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro – Read by Tan Khantiko – February 5, 2016

Readings:

• “Attammayata” pp. 110-122 in The Island, The Anthology On Nibbana by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno

Questions:

• [29:50] Sāmaṇera Kondañño asks, "Can you provide guidance on the contemplation of conceiving, and name and form?"
• [39:57] Tan Pesalo asks, "Can you restate Luang Por Dtun's rendering of the Four Noble Truths?"
• [41:53] What does the phrase "beyond good and evil" mean in reference to the mind of an arahant?

Five Piles of Bricks: the Khandas as Burden and Path

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Sāmaṇera Kondañño – February 10, 2016

Readings:

• “Five Piles of Bricks: the Khandas as Burden and Path” pp. 53 -58 in The Karma of Questions by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro

Questions:

• [18:55] Tan Kaccāna asks, "Is Ajahn Ṭhānissaro the first voice in a couple thousand years to propose that the khandas may not be a self, or is he drawing from another tradition?"
• [19:53] Could you talk about practicing with intention?
• [23:02] Is volition the same as becoming or an aspect of becoming?
• [25:01] In trying to create separation between self and the khandas, are there other tools that can help around the act of becoming?

In The Mood; Imagine

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Anagārika Armand – February 12, 2016

Questions:

• [24:01] Tan Kaccāna asks, " In working with the breath, when I try to spread well-being throughout the body, it seems to diminish. how do I discern whether to maintain this feeling or go back to the more intense feeling?"
• [26:27] Does insight arise from deeper concentration or can it also arise from different things?
• [29:02] Comments about samadhi and continuity of practice.

The One Who Knows

Ajahn Kalyāno – Read by Beth Steff – February 17, 2016

Readings:

• “The One Who Knows” an unpublished talk by Ajahn Kalyāno at Bodhiyana Monastery, Melbourne Australia on October 2012 (with permission).

Identity

Ajahn Sumedho – Read by Ajahn Ñāniko – February 19, 2016

Readings:

• “Identity” pp. 67-76 in Ajahn Sumedho, The Anthology, Vol.4 by Ajahn Sumedho

Questions:

• [21:41] Can I respond to my thoughts in ways that I think are useful?

Why am I Talking?

Ajahn Amaro – Read by Tan Kassapo – February 24, 2016

Readings:

• “Why am I Talking?” pp. 92-94 in Beginning Our Day, Vol.2 by Ajahn Amaro

Questions:

• [8:37] recollection of teaching on mindfulness to develop right speech.

The Deathless Drum

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Tan Pesalo – February 26, 2016

Readings:

• “The Deathless Drum” excerpts from Chapter 9 in Rude Awakenings by Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [23:48] Ajahn Pasanno recollects time in India.
• [27:10] Comments about decline of Buddhism in India; Buddhism not having a central physical location.

Citta

Ajahn Paññavaddho – Read by Tan Gambhīro – February 29, 2016

Readings:

• “Citta” pp 246-256 in Uncommon Wisdom, Life and Teachings of Ajahn Paññavaddho by Ajahn Dick Silaratano

Questions:

• [23:03] The way Ajahn Paññavaddho describes Citta sounds like a soul? Can you discuss?
• [30:34] Discussion about Thai Forest Masters describing Nibbana.
• [34:10] If, in meditation, one sees thought at the point it arises, is it the sense consciousness that sees that or the pure Citta?
• [35:23] How was "Atta" defined in the Buddha's time?

Trusting In Wholesome Intentions

Ajahn Sumedho – Read by Sāmaṇera Jāgaro – March 4, 2016

Readings:

• “Trusting in Wholesome Intentions” pp. 215-221 in Ajahn Sumedho,The Anthology, Vol.5 by Ajahn Sumedho

Questions:

• [15:27] How much did you have to adapt Ajahn Chah's training for your own practice?
• [19:10] Did Ajahn Chah have a common statement about his own core practice?
• [21:50] Reflections about Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Chah.
• [25:08] Ajahn Pasanno recalls early years in Thailand.

Awareness: Nameless And Stopped

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Debbie Stamp – March 9, 2016

Readings:

• “Awareness: Nameless and Stopped” a blog post by Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [22:47] Does Abhayagiri have its own Korwat?
• [24:31] Discussion about bowl washing; monastic training as living by example.
• [29:28] Attending to Name and Form; how does one understand name and form ceasing, or name and form not arising?
• [32:50] Is there a precise definition of the saṅkhāra of delusion?

Relating to Hindrances

Ajahn Tiradhammo – Read by Ajahn Jotipālo – March 11, 2016

Readings:

• “Relating to Hindrances” pp. 27-32 in Working with the Five Hindrances by Ajahn Tiradhammo

Questions:

• [14:32] Ajahn Ñāniko asks, "Where does the expression "sad is mad" come from?"
• [15:36] Is sleepiness not dullness? Is there a separation?

The Gate Of Relativity

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Tan Jīvako – March 14, 2016

Readings:

• “The Gate of Relativity” in Kalyāṇa, Dhamma Talks from Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [20:06] Question and discussion about neutral feeling and awareness.
• [22:27] In what ways is neutral feeling delusion?
• [24:47] Tan Pesalo asks, "What does a delusion type of person look like?"

Prayer and Devotion

Ajahn Munindo – Read by Tan Kaccāna – March 18, 2016

Readings:

• “Prayer and Devotion” pp. 124 -135 in Unexpected Freedom by Ajahn Munindo

Questions:

• [24:40] Tan Kaccāna asks, "How does your relic puja work for you?"
• [27:55] Discussion of beneficial effects of prayer even without an external entity to which it is directed.

Basic Premises

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Tan Suhajjo – March 20, 2016

Readings:

• “Basic Premises” pp. 7-16 in With Each and Every Breath by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro

Questions:

• [21:20] Could you comment on the issue of feeling that there need to be certain conditions in place for me to practice?
• [25:28] Sāmaṇera Kondañño asks about the differences between expansive knowing, concentration, and divided knowing or awareness; difference between viññāṇa and paññā.

Recollection of Hell; Pissing on Palaces

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro – Read by Tan Gambhīro – March 24, 2016

Readings:

• “Recollection of Hell” pp. 205-209 in Meditations, Vol.6 by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro
• “Pissing on Palaces” pp. 241-246 in Meditations, Vol.6 by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro

The Second Noble Truth

Ajahn Sumedho – Read by Sāmaṇera Jāgaro – March 26, 2016

Readings:

• “The Second Noble Truth” pp. 29-37 in The Four Noble Truths by Ajahn Sumedho

Questions:

• [35:10] Tan Kaccāna asks a question about views on whether the cause of suffering is desire or clinging to desire.

Working with Perception

Ajahn Sucitto – Read by Debbie Stamp – March 28, 2016

Readings:

• “Working with Perception” in The Insight Journal, Winter 2009 Barre Center for Buddhist Studies by Ajahn Sucitto

Questions:

• [28:11] What is a good question to pose to yourself to investigate perception?
• [29:44] Discussion about perception and name and form.
• [37:47] Is there a way to stabilize the perception of impermanence?
• [41:05] Discussion of sanna and paññā.