Q & A with the Buddhist Community at Stanford | Ajahn Jayasaro

Ajahn Jayasaro, a senior monk in the Thai Forest Tradition and a disciple of Ajahn Chah, speaks with the Buddhist Community at Stanford (BCAS) about his work in Thailand's schools, finding an appropriate teacher, how to approach conflict, and other aspects of the practice. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

In 2015, after seven years in various monasteries, 'Tahn' Pamutto began a period of ascetic wandering practice and came to the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. Over the next three years, he often dwelt in the forest and ate almsfood placed in his bowl, living up to some of the most rigorous forest monk practices. He traveled constantly by foot, seeking new ways to develop his practice and delighting in the community and support he found along the way. He is currently looking to found a community in Massachusetts (https://www.upavana.org/). More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ven. Canda went forth as a Buddhist nun in Burma in 2006 and subsequently took full ordination with Ajahn Brahm. She founded the Anukampa Bhikkhuni project in England, which aims to create a monastic home for bhikkhunis. To support their vision, visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate/. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro reviews the Four Noble Truths as the categorical teaching of the Buddha—true and always beneficial. He describes the duties that enable us to fully understand and comprehend them and how the three characteristics—Dukkha, Anicca, Anatta—are used in support of these duties and this understanding. An accompanying article can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ayya Anandabodhi, the senior teacher at Aloka Vihara Monastery, speaks about understanding the First Noble Truth as attachment to the five aggregates of clinging. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ayya Santussika, in residence at Karuna Buddhist Vihara (Compassion Monastery), spent five years as an anagarika (eight-precept nun), then ordained as a samaneri (ten-precept nun) in 2010 and as a bhikkhuni (311 rules) in 2012 at Dharma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Renowned Thai Forest meditation master and disciple of the late Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Anan Akiñcano is known for his ability to teach the Dhamma on many levels, from the mundane to the super-mundane. This talk, translated by long-time disciple Ajahn Kalyano, gives a sweeping summary of the entire path of Buddhist practice, from the early stages of meditation to refined states of concentration and insight. An accompanying article can be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org. More teachings from Ajahn Anan may be found at his monastery's website, https://www.watmarpjan.org/en

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi speaks on the three themes the Buddha said should be reflected upon by "one who has gone forth" in Sutta 101 of the Anguttara Nikāya. A relevant teaching for all practitioners, this talk was given at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California, in 2007.  An accompanying article may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ven. Thubten Chodron, abbess of Sravasti Abbey in Newport, WA, went forth over forty years ago. Here she reflects on the eight "worldly winds" described by the Buddha and elaborated on by her teacher, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.

Ordained for nearly forty years, Ajahn Candasiri is the most senior sīladhārā nun of the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest Lineage. After helping found Chithurst and Amaravati monasteries in England, she moved to Milntuim Hermitage in Scotland where she now resides. More information and monastic teachings may be found at https://www.fourthmessenger.org.