Language
Parent topic: Cultural context
Subtopics: Pāli, Thai, Translation, Etymology
34 excerpts, 2:08:42 total duration

All excerpts (34) Questions about (12) Answers involving (18) Stories (6) Quotes (3)

Abhayagiri Monastic Retreat 2013, Session 6 – Nov. 28, 2013

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1. “Can you tell us about how Ajahn Chah taught Western monks when he doesn’t know English?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [History/Western Buddhist monasticism] [Language]


Abhayagiri 2014 Winter Retreat, Session 52 – Mar. 18, 2014

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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]


Thai Forest Tradition, Session 1 – Jun. 14, 2014

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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]


2014 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 5 – Nov. 26, 2014

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18. “I was very fortunate to receive a Pali name from the Sangha. At first, I was very energized in my practice but then I saw it as just another identity to work with, particularly from a pride and self-view side. I seldom use my Pali name these days but I realize that I am neglecting this gift. How do I use my Pali name skillfully in my practice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] [Self-identity view] [Language]


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19. “Was Pali ever a conversational language? Do you know of a translation of suttas that use more common, everyday words? For example, saying…letting go or releasing instead of relinquishing. I like to use simple words in the day to remind myself.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] [History/Early Buddhism] [Sutta] [Translation] [Language]

Note: Bhante Sujato’s translations (available on suttacentral.net) use less technical terms.


Abhayagiri 2015 Winter Retreat, Session 31 – Feb. 20, 2015

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2. “What is a synonym for lassitude?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Language] // [Sloth and torpor]


Desire or Aspiration, Session 1 – Jun. 14, 2015

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3. “I’ve been confused between intention and desire. For me, desire arises from non-conceptual craving.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] [Craving] [Desire] [Language] // [Cause of Suffering] [Right Effort] [Happiness] [Kamma] [Pāli]


2015 Thanksgiving Monastic Retreat, Session 5 – Nov. 25, 2015

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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] [Monastic life] [Language]


Two Kinds of Thought and the Removal of Distracting Thoughts, Session 2 – Jun. 4, 2017

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1. “The last option [in MN 20] I thought was really interesting because it’s reare I hear such agressive terms used. There’s almost a sense of violence in some of those terms. Is that just because of the interpretation? Also, is another option to get rid of the thought to get up and actively do something?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Language] [Abuse/violence] [Excercise] // [Buddha/Biography] [Similes] [Cleanliness] [Gladdening the mind]


Chanting, Session 3 – Jun. 2, 2018

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1. “Are the paritta chants not as effective in English?” Answered by Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Translation] [Language] [Pāli] [Chanting] [Protective chants] // [Devotional practice]


Love, Attachment, and Friendship, Session 3 – Oct. 12, 2019

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7. Comment: Words that I haven’t grown up with like skillfulness and wholesomeness have the spectrum to reflect on the different levels of these qualities. [Language] [Culture/West] [Skillful qualities]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


Abhayagiri Kaṭhina 2021, Session 1 – Nov. 3, 2021

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1. “The reflection on kamma (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 55) uses language related to family: ‘born,’ ‘heir,’ ‘related’, ‘supported.’ What are the implications of this?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kamma] [Family] [Language] // [Community] [Perception]