4. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah’s birthplace and early life. [Culture/Thailand] [Family] [Children] [Ajahn Chah]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 22
5. Reading from the draft biography: At the age of nine, Ajahn Chah asks to go to the village monastery. [Family] [Novices] [Ajahn Chah]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 25
7. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah falls in love. [Relationships] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Spiritual urgency] [Sensual desire]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 34
8. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah ordains at age 20. [Ordination] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Military] [Merit] [Spiritual urgency] [Learning] [Pāṭimokkha]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 37
9. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah obsesses about food. [Food] [Sensual desire] [Ajahn Chah]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 39
Quote: “Close the doors. I’m going to eat noodles today!” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno.
10. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah accepts his dying father’s request to stay as a monk for life. [Parents] [Monastic life/Motivation] [Sickness] [Death] [Ajahn Chah ] [Determination] // [Mindfulness of body] [Spiritual urgency] [Saṃsāra]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 40
Quote: “I dedicate my body and mind, my whole life, to the practice of the Lord Buddha’s teachings in their entirety. I will realize the truth in this lifetime … I will let go of everything and follow the teachings. No matter how much suffering and difficulty I have to endure I will persevere, otherwise there will be no end to my doubts. I will make this life as even and continuous as a single day and night. I will abandon attachments to mind and body and follow the Buddha’s teachings until I know their truth for myself.” — Ajahn Chah [Ardency] [Patience] [Doubt] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Relinquishment] [Knowledge and vision]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 42
The singular quality of Ajahn Chah’s resolution. Reflection by Ajahn Pasanno.
12. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Mun’s character and legacy. [Ajahn Mun ] [Thai Forest Tradition] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Great disciples] [Ascetic practices] [Rains retreat] [Almsround] [Psychic powers] [Discernment] [Liberation] [History/Thai Buddhism]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 52
Story: Ajahn Mun disappears after being appointed abbot. [Abbot] [Seclusion]
13. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah visits Ajahn Mun. [Ajahn Mun] [Tudong] [Ajahn Chah ] // [Relics] [Cleanliness] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Personal presence] [Vinaya] [Conscience and prudence] [Teaching Dhamma] [Knowing itself] [Nature of mind] [Conventions] [Unconditioned] [Faith]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 54
1. Aware of the in-breath, aware of the out-breath. Guided meditation from Ajahn Chah. Read by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah]
Reference: Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 255 “Just Do It!”
2. Teaching by Ajahn Chah: Skillful effort in meditation. [Meditation/General advice] [Determination] [Right Effort] [Ajahn Chah] // [Conceit] [Posture/Sitting] [Relinquishment] [Equanimity] [Tranquility] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Restlessness and worry] [Clinging] [Craving] [Judgementalism]
Reference: Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 467 “Unshakeable Peace”
3. Teaching by Ajahn Chah: The contemplation of conditionality leads to the Dhamma. [Conditionality] [Dhamma] [Ajahn Chah] // [Characteristics of existence]
4. Teaching by Ajahn Chah: Meditation is like a single piece of wood. Insight is one end of the stick, and serenity is the other. [Similes] [Insight meditation] [Calming meditation] [Ajahn Chah] // [Naturalness]
5. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah’s mentors: Ajahn Tongrat and Ajahn Kinaree [Mentoring] [Ajahn Tongrat] [Ajahn Kinaree] [Ajahn Chah] // [Personality] [Respect for elders] [Upatakh] [Tudong] [Visiting holy sites] [Robes] [Relinquishment] [Monastic crafts] [Pace of life] [Craving]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 73
Story: Ajahn Chah meets Ajahn Tongrat.
Story: Ajahn Mun teaches his teacher, Ajahn Sao. [Ajahn Sao] [Ajahn Mun] [Liberation]
6. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah leaves his companions and stays alone. [Tudong] [Seclusion] [Culture/Thailand] [Ajahn Chah] // [Spiritual friendship]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 89
Quote: “Where is the good person? He lies within us. If we’re good, then wherever we go, the goodness stays with us.” — Ajahn Chah [Virtue] [Blame and praise]
1. Guided meditation: Resolve right now is the time for training the mind and nothing else. From “The Key to Liberation” by Ajahn Chah. [Calming meditation] [Proliferation] [Determination] [Ajahn Chah] // [Mindfulness] [Discernment] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Body scanning] [Relinquishment] [Unification] [Restlessness and worry] [Concentration] [Present moment awareness] [Clear comprehension] [Impermanence] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Sense restraint]
Quote: “Sitting and walking meditation are in essence the same, differing only in the posture used.” [Posture/Sitting] [Posture/Walking]
Simile: Chicken in a coop. [Similes]
Simile: Mindfulness, clear comprehension, and wisdom are like three workers lifting heavy planks.
1. Reading: Beyond Doubt. [Doubt] [Ajahn Chah] // [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Teachers] [Buddha] [Spiritual search] [Relinquishment] [Present moment awareness] [Emptiness] [Characteristics of existence] [Conditionality] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Liberation]
2. Reading: Everyday. [Everyday life] [Ajahn Chah] // [Ardency] [Sloth and torpor]
Simile: A child learning to write. [Similes]
3. Reading: Catching a Lizard. [Similes] [Ajahn Chah] // [Meditation/General advice] [Sense restraint] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension]
4. Reading: One Seat. [Similes] [Ajahn Chah] // [Mindfulness] [Buddho mantra] [Volitional formations]
6. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah in the early years: spare, stern, and vigorous. [Personality] [Personal presence] [Ardency] [Ascetic practices] [Ajahn Chah] // [Similes]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 137
Quote: “Nibbāna lies on the shores of death.” — Ajahn Chah [Nibbāna] [Death]
7. Reading from the draft biography: Building the road to Tam Sang Pet. [Wat Tam Saeng Pet] [Work] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Natural environment] [Ajahn Anek] [Patience] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Ardency]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 428
Quote: “Patient endurance is the general of practice.” — Ajahn Chah
8. Reading from the draft biography: Ajahn Chah’s ability to draw people in and respond with compassion. [Personal presence] [Compassion] [Generosity] [Ajahn Chah] // [Wat Tam Saeng Pet] [Rains retreat] [Sickness] [Almsround] [Teaching Dhamma] [Similes] [Upatakh]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 705
9. Reading: Ajahn Chah’s first Western disciple. [Ajahn Sumedho] [History/Western Buddhist monasticism] [Ajahn Chah] // [Military] [Humor] [Monastic life] [Wat Pah Pong]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 486
10. Reading: Ajahn Gavesako’s first impressions of Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Gavesako] [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Chah] // [Almsround] [Perception of a samaṇa] [Cleanliness] [Humor] [Unwholesome Roots] [Dhamma] [Gratitude] [Upatakh]
Reference: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 502
1. Readings: Buddhist Economics: A Middle Way for the Market Place by P. A. Payutto, p. 19; Buddhist Economics: A Middle Way for the Market Place by P. A. Payutto, p. 36. [Commerce/economics] [Requisites] [Right Livelihood]
23. Reading: A Constitution for Living by P. A. Payutto, p. 33. [Right Livelihood]
24. Reading: A Constitution for Living by P. A. Payutto, p. 35. [Right Livelihood]
4. “Can you say more about the practice of awareness of arising and ceasing in relation to discernment and right view?” [Becoming] [Cessation] [Mindfulness] [Discernment] [Right View] // [Impermanence] [Ajahn Chah] [Conditionality] [Self-identity view] [Happiness] [Mindfulness of mind] [Patience]
Reading from an unnamed recent Ajahn Chah book. [Relinquishment] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]
Quote: “I don’t teach you guys much. Just be patient.” — Ajahn Chah
2. Reading: “Kondañña Knows” from Being Dharma by Ajahn Chah (commercial) pp. 151-168.
2. Reading: Interview with Ajahn Koon in Twigs and Branches of the Bodhinyana.
2. Reading: “About the Author” from Simply So by Ajahn Sim. [Ajahn Sim] // [Ajahn Mun] [Geography/Thailand] [Posture/Sitting]
Story: Ajahn Pabhakaro asks the Bung Wai villagers to sit full lotus. [Joseph Kappel] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Lunar observance days]
3. Reading: “Source and Stream” from Simply So by Ajahn Sim. Translated by Ajahn Jayasaro.
2. Reading: Five qualities of good patients and nurses (Kd 8.26.5) [Sickness] [Health care]
3. Reading: AN 6.16: Nakula’s Father [Sickness] [Relationships] [Death]
4. Reading: SN 41.10: Death of Citta the Householder [Great disciples] [Death] // [Deva] [Faith] [Three Refuges] [Generosity]
5. Reading: SN 55.24-25: Sarakāni [Stream entry] [Intoxicants] [Death]
7. Readings: MN 143, SN 2.20: Death of Anāthapiṇḍika [Great disciples] [Death] // [Sense bases] [Relinquishment] [Teaching Dhamma] [Lay life] [Deva]
10. Reading: “The Ballad of Liberation from the Khandas,” from A Heart Released by Ajahn Mun, p. 37 [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Ajahn Mun] [Culture/Thailand]
Quote: “The Dhamma stays as the Dhamma, the khandas stay as khandas. That’s all.” [Dhamma] [Aggregates]
7. Reading: “Discernment versus self-deception” from An Unentangled Knowing by Upasikā Kee Nanayon, p. 102. [Discernment] [Delusion] [Thai Forest Tradition]
5. “In an earlier reading, Ajahn Mun mentioned the primal mind. Is that what you’re discussing here?” [Ajahn Mun] [Nature of mind] [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Knowing itself] [Ajahn Chah]
Reading: Questions and answers regarding the primal mind from Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 478.
9. Reading: Excerpt from “The Training the Heart,” Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 509. [Thai Forest Tradition] // [Ajahn Sumedho] [Translation]
2. Reading from the draft biography of Ajahn Chah: The founding of Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Ajahn Sao]
Reference: Stillness Flowing p.123 .
3. Readings from the Introduction to Listening to the Heart by Kittisaro and Ṭhānissarā (commercial). [Kittisaro]
Story: Kittisaro’s first meeting with Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Conceit] [Body scanning] [Humor]
Stories: The Squirrel Story and the Donkey Story. [Learning]
[Session] Reading: “Theory: Elements,” Meditation: A Way of Awakening by Ajahn Sucitto, pp. 128-138. [Elements]
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness pp. 8-12.
Reading: Iti 34: Ardour. [Ardency]
[Session]
Reading: Right Mindfulness pp. 12-14. [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: AN 10.58: Roots.
Reading: SN 51.15: The Brahmin Uṇṇabha.
[Session] Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 14-21. [Right Mindfulness]
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 21-22.
Reading: AN 4.245: Training.
Reading: Sn 1.4: The Farmer Bhāradvāja.
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 23-24.
Reading: AN 4.41: Concentration. [Concentration]
[Session]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 24-28. [Right Mindfulness] [Right Concentration]
Reading: MN 19: Dvedhavitakka Sutta, Two Kinds of Thought.
[Session] [Right Mindfulness] [Right Concentration]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 28-31.
Reading: SN 47.40: Analysis.
[Session] [Right Mindfulness] [Right Concentration]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 31-34.
Reading: SN 47.4: At Sālā.
Reading: Iti 90: Foremost Faith.
[Session] Reading: The Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118) describes how the sixteen steps of mindfulness of breathing fufill the four foundations of mindfulness, which in turn fufill the seven factors of enlightenment. [Mindfulness of breathing]
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 109-112.
Reading: SN 51.20: “Analysis.”
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 112-113.
Reading: MN 44, Cūḷavedalla Sutta, The Shorter Series of Questions and Answers.
Reading: AN 8.63: “In Brief.”
Reading: MN 101: Devadaha Sutta, At Devadaha.
Reading: AN 8.81: “Training.”
[Session] [Right Mindfulness] [Concentration] [Formless attainments]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 113.
Reading: AN 4.94: “Concentration.”
Reading: AN 9.36: “Jhāna.”
[Session] [Right Mindfulness]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 113-115.
Reading: MN 101: Devadaha Sutta, At Devadaha (Right Mindfulness p. 43).
Reading: MN 95: Cankī Sutta, With Cankī.
[Session] Reading: MN 95: Cankī Sutta, With Cankī.
[Session] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 115-119.
Reading: MN 80: Vekhanassa Sutta, To Vekhanassa.
Reading: Ud 7.8: “Kaccāna.”
Reading: MN 62: Mahārāhulaovāda Sutta, The Greater Discourse of Advice to Rāhula.
[Session] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body] [Elements] [Mindfulness of feeling]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 119-121.
Reading: MN 28: Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta, The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint.
[Session] [Mindfulness of feeling]
Reading: MN 14: Cūḷadukkhakkhandha Sutta, The Shorter Discourse on the Mass of Suffering.
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 121-122.
[Session] Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 122-129. [Mindfulness of feeling] [Jhāna] [Sensual desire]
[Session] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Concentration] [Mindfulness of mind]
Reading: Right Mindfulness p. 129-132.
Reading: MN 111: Anupada Sutta, One by One As They Occured.
[Session] Readings: AN 7.6: Treasures. Translated by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro. [Treasures]
4. Reflection: The common root of renunciation and compassion is the relationship to suffering. [Renunciation] [Compassion] [Suffering]
Reading: “The Balanced Way” by Bhikkhu Bodhi on accesstoinsight.org.
2. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 40-41: Ajahn Chah’s father’s dying request [Parents] [Death] [Monastic life/Motivation] [Ajahn Chah] // [Culture/Thailand] [Meditation]
4. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 582: “Out of Compassion” [Compassion] [Ajahn Chah] // [Gratitude] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Teaching Dhamma] [Family]
6. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 588-591: “Observance Day” [Lunar observance days] [Ajahn Chah] // [Abhayagiri] [Eight Precepts]
9. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 612-614 “Faith in the Triple Gem” [Faith] [Three Refuges] [Ajahn Chah] // [Buddha] [Dhamma] [Truth] [Teaching Dhamma] [Lay life] [Recollection/Dhamma]
Simile: Digging a well — Ajahn Chah. [Right Effort] [Liberation]
2. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 427 “Work is Dhamma Practice” [Ajahn Chah] [Work ] [Eightfold Path] // [Everyday life] [Aversion]
5. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 533-535 “A Snake in the House” [Ajahn Chah] [Similes] // [Relinquishment] [Cessation] [Saṃsāra] [Nibbāna]
6. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 646-647 “Por Buapah” [Ajahn Chah] // [Death] [Grief] [Personal presence]
Story: Por Buapah did the cement work for the original shine at Wat Pah Nanachat and the bell tower at Wat Pah Pong. [Stupas/monuments] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Wat Pah Pong]
7. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 647-648 “Por Am” [Ajahn Chah] // [Right Livelihood] [Views] [Intoxicants]
Story: Ajahn Chah teaches Por Am herbal medicine so he can avoid killing animals. [Culture/Thailand] [Food] [Precepts] [Medicinal requisites] [Ajahn Pasanno] [Health care] [Lunar observance days]
Quote: “It’s not possible to defeat the Dhamma, you know, and that’s why you fainted.” — Ajahn Chah to Por Am [Dhamma]
9. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 654-655 “Scientists and Academics” [Ajahn Chah] [Science] [Learning]
10. Reading: Stillness Flowing by Ajahn Jayasaro, p. 662-664 “Por Puang” [Ajahn Chah] // [Temporary ordination] [Wat Pah Pong] [Generosity] [Recollection/Death] [Sickness] [Death] [Mutual lay/Saṅgha support] [Three Refuges]