References – SN 47.14: Ukkacela 
Sutta / Saṁyutta Nikāya / SN 47: Satipaṭṭhānasaṁyutta / SN 47.14: Ukkacelasutta (3)

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“I know parting with loved ones is a natural course of life, but deep sadness and grief arises when I reflect on that. Could you instruct on how to work with this grief? Is there a level of understanding when there is no grief? Thank you!” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Grief ] [Naturalness] // [Recollection] [Recollection/Death] [Impermanence] [Kamma] [Goodwill]

Sutta: AN 5.57 Five Recollections (Chanting Book translation)

Suttas: SN 47.13, SN 47.14: The deaths of Sariputta and Moggallana. [Buddha/Biography] [Great disciples] [Death]

Quote: “Now I’m an orphan.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Parents] [Wat Pah Pong] [Mae Chee]

2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 3, Excerpt 8


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“When Sariputta and Moggallāna died, [the Buddha] expressed almost a sense of grief in the context of the absence from the assembly. I wonder how that fits with the idea of Nibbāna.” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Great disciples] [Death] [Buddha/Biography] [Grief] [Nibbāna] // [Pain] [Suffering] [Emotion] [Tranquility] [Theravāda]

Sutta: SN 47.14: Ukkacelā Sutta: “This assembly appears to me empty now ...”

Sutta: SN 36.6: The Arrow.

Story: Ajahn Sumedho’s experience of his mother’s death. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Parents]

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 4, Excerpt 5


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“When you contemplate some situation, as long as there is still some tension or some feeling, does that mean that you did not come to the right understanding of it, but once you understand the situation, there would be no unpleasant, painful feelings about it?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Pain] [Recollection] [Discernment] [Cessation of Suffering] // [Defilements of insight] [Clinging] [Suffering] [Grief]

Sutta: SN 36.6: Simile of the two arrows. [Similes]

Suttas: MN 53.5; AN 10.67: The Buddha stretches his back. [Buddha/Biography]

Sutta: SN 47.14: “The assembly appears empty to me now.” [Great disciples] [Death] [Characteristics of existence]

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 47, Excerpt 3