Dear Dhamma Friends, On Saturday, May 30th, Abhayagiri will commence the celebration of 30 years since its inception. Abhayagiri was founded on June 1st, 1996. You are welcome to join us either in-person or online for a day of meeting each other and listening to stories and reflections. Please note that part two of the 30th Anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, June 27th. There will…
Dear Dhamma Friends, On May 9th, Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery will begin hosting Upāsika Days again, beginning with an Upāsika Renewal Day from 9am to 4pm. This is an opportunity for dedicated lay practitioners to re-commit to living by the Five Precepts, and to spend a day at the monastery meditating, listening to Dhamma teachings, and engaging in Dhamma discussion. Anyone is welcome to join for…
There is a rather humorous text in the Middle Length Discourses called the Kukkuravatika Sutta, or The Dog-Duty Ascetic (M 57). In the Buddha’s time, the so-called spiritual scene was full of people who did extreme ascetic practices. In this text, we’re told of an ascetic who likes to practice like he’s a dog. He walks around on all fours, traipsing in and out of puddles, and will only eat food that is thrown on the ground. And he has an ascetic friend who likes to practice like he’s an ox. This one stands around and lies down in straw. They both have been doing their ascetic practice for many…
This Dhamma talk was offered on May 24, 2026 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.
