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TisaAdmin, Page 33

We Can Still Train Our Minds

Tan Khemako offers a reflection on effort to a small but dedicated group of practitioners on a hot, sunny afternoon at Tisarana. Even amidst difficult conditions, there can be progress in training our minds if we’re willing to be persistent and reflective. By employing a steady energy with clear mindfulness and appropriate curiosity, we can affect the mind in wholesome ways over the long term. This steady application of effort is encompassed in the Noble Eightfold Path and can ultimately result in the cool freedom of Nibbāna.

(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 14 July 2018. Duration 35:40)Read the rest

Tea Time with Ajahn Amaro

Many interesting and relevant topics concerning our modern world were discussed during tea time with Ajahn Viradhammo and Ajahn Amaro. Ajahn Amaro visited Tisarana for ten days last May.

Ajahn Amaro,was asked how he handles being the abbot of such a large community, both lay and ordained, at Amaravati Monastery (England). Some important things for him were to watch his attitude, not to be fixed on a particular outcome, listen to others and don’t take sides. He goes on giving useful advice on how to be a good leader in general, whether as an Abbot of a monastery or as a CEO of a large company.

In the later half of the discussion, someone asked how he thinks modern technology and social media affects our mental health. Ajahn Amaro, and others add in as well, discuss how it tends to create a strong sense of self, cultivates fear, and so on.

(Q&A recorded at Tisarana on 19 May 2018. Duration 1:25:40)Read the rest

New Property Finalized

Tisarana Monastery is happy to announce that the purchasing of the new property at 548 Pike Lake Rt. 17A is complete. The agreement was finalized on June 15, 2018. As we shared last February, the bordering property includes 59 acres of forest similar to Tisarana and has a small stretch of access to Pike Lake.

The costs of the property were donated by disciples of Luang Por Ganhah of Wat Pah Subthawee Dhammaram in Thailand, as well as disciples of Ajahn Ñānadhammo of Wat Pah Rattanawan in Thailand. Several others also made generous donations to make this purchase possible. From the Saṅgha and the extended lay community at Tisarana, we offer our sincere gratitude for this maha-dāna.

The following photos were taken during a blessing ceremony with the Tisarana community in early July 2018, shortly following Luang Por Viradhammo’s return from his travels to the west coast.

Anumodana for all those who helped in this acquisition of this beautiful property.… Read the rest

The Crucible

On the New Moon night of May, Luang Por Viradhammo presides over the ordination of Anagarikas Lancelot and William. After an inspiring ceremony, Tahn Ajahn Amaro offers advice to Tisarana’s two newest sangha members on using the outer conventions of shaved heads and commitments to moral precepts as a crucible for transforming the inner experience. By letting go of preferences and surrendering to LP Chah’s statement that ‘Everything is teaching us’, he maps out a chart for success in the holy life. (Talk recorded at Tisarana on 14 May 2018. Duration 38:44)

Read the rest

Truth Beyond Happiness and Dukkha

Ajahn Sucitto describes how the pursuit of certainty and comfort acts as a barrier to the deep discharge of the pain of being. Discharge becomes available through allowing and handling the weight and intensities of unresolved dukkha. When approached with honesty and accuracy, there is the possibility to experience what is real, the unconditioned. (Talk given at Tisarana on 26-Mar-2017. Duration = 39:26)Read the rest

Offering & Receiving: Training in the Relational Domain

Ajahn Sucitto reflects on how ways of relating at the monastery provide training for accessing the true place of citta. In the monastery we are encouraged to get beyond self-views of “have to”, “is it good enough” and “am I worthy” so the deeper qualities of citta – warmth, generosity, gratitude – can manifest. (Talk given at Tisarana on 25-Mar-2017. Duration = 31:12)Read the rest

Development Plans for Tisarana’s new Dhamma hall.

As our community grows and expands, the need for a larger space dedicated to meditation, silence and teaching has become apparent. To address this need, a building sub-committee, headed by Ajahn V and Adam Mackenzie Smith, our architect, was formed. Over the past year, the building committee has made significant progress developing plans for a new Dhamma hall.

As a result, we have seen design plans and a new model displayed in the house. Taking this further, we have now added a new page on our website detailing our vision to help bring these plans to fruition. Please click here to view the page about our development plans.

Our architect and the building committee have envisaged that the new hall will hold 150 people (expandable to accommodate up to 200) with much needed washroom facilities during large events. This hall will also be connected to the other buildings, providing easy access.

We invite you to visit our website for more details, to take the virtual tour and view our interactive site plan. We are grateful for all the encouragement and support received from our community, both local and overseas. Do enjoy our new Dhamma hall web-page and feel free to participate in any way you may wish to support this project.… Read the rest

Vesak Day of Meditation (Sat, May 19th) & Vesak Celebration Day (Sun, May, 20th)

Saturday, May 19th, 2018, will be observed as a day-long meditation retreat to commemorate the upcoming Vesaka Puja Day (May 29th, 2018).

8.45 AM: Arrive & be seated

9 AM to 11 AM: Readings on the life of the Buddha & Meditation

11.15 AM: Potluck dana

1.30 to 4.30 PM: Readings on the life of the Buddha & Meditation

Sunday, May 20th, 2018 has been scheduled as Vesak Celebration Day at Tisarana.

10.30 AM or earlier: Arrive & be seated

10.45 AM: Rice Pindapath

11.15 AM: Potluck dana

1.30 PM: Chanting, Meditation & Dhamma Talk by Tahn Ajahn Amaro

Registration for these events is NOT required and all are welcome to attend. Contributions are welcome for the potluck dana on both days.… Read the rest

Non-attachment versus Non-preoccupation

Ajahn V. discusses how the term ‘non-preoccupation’ can be a useful way to talk about non-attachment, and the importance of noticing presence, noticing awareness, and noticing change.
(Talk given in Toronto at the annual retreat on 06-May-2017. Duration = 17:56)Read the rest

Saturday afternoon with Ajahn Amaro.

Tisarana Buddhist Monastery is honoured to welcome Tahn Ajahn Amaro, Abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, who is visiting us from Hertfordshire, England.

The public meditation this Saturday (May 12, 2018) at Tisarana will be lead by  Tahn Ajahn Amaro. The afternoon will start with a group meditation at 1.30PM followed by a Dhamma Talk and Q&A.

On Sunday (May13, 2018) Tahn Ajahn Amaro will lead the public meditation retreat at Sati Saraniya Hermitage. Please click here for the programme.… Read the rest