Currently browsing author

TisaAdmin, Page 36

Decisions, Choices and Firm Determination

Ajahn VIradhammo offers reflection: “Having made the decision to observe the arising and cessation of resistance, we should make our choices accordingly and determine to abide by them. Wisdom informs effort, effort informs action, and action is in line with the Dhamma and no longer performed out of habit. Adhitthana will help maintain our decision, but should not entail a sense of non-forgiveness or excessive self-criticism.” (Talk given at Tisarana on 10-Jan-2017. Duration = 23:32)
… Read the rest

Anagarika Christopher

Ordination of a New Anagarika: On Jan 31, during the Uposatha observance evening, Luang Por Viradhammo gave the Anagarika precepts to Christopher Harnett, who has gone forth into the homeless life, wearing white. The Tisarana community welcomes Anagarika Christopher to the training!… Read the rest

Guided Meditation: Beyond Observing Resistance

“One step beyond observing sensations is observing the resistance that arises from sensations.”  Ajahn Viradhammo guides meditators in separating discomfort from resistance to discomfort, and in observing the energy and changing nature of resistance itself. (Talk given at Tisarana on 10-Jan-2017. Duration = 1:02:36)
… Read the rest

Real Peace, or What Happens when Change Stops Changing

Ajahn Viradhammo explains how real peace goes beyond physical or emotional happiness. Real peace comes from experiencing the vicissitudes of life from a position of awareness: by observing change in conditioned things, we become available to the unconditioned, to the unchanging, and to ultimate peace. (Talk given at Tisarana on 09-Jan-2017. Duration = 38:22)
… Read the rest

100 years: A letter from Thailand by L.P. Viradhammo

Subject: 100 years

Dear friends,
I am at Dhammaram in Bangkok, room 5, LP Sumedho is downstairs talking with Ajahn Amaro and the sangha from Amaravati, Ajhn Kongrit is packing a box with Yom Meechai for sending to the UK and Ajahn Panyasaro is crocheting a cover for my watch. We were all on the same flight from Ubon this afternoon and so it’s a good time to reflect on the Wat Pah Pong gatherings, our monastic legacy and our close friendships with each other. It has been a warm and heartfelt gathering of our community.
I am sure you have seen pictures from the great gatherings at Wat Pah Pong. The numbers are impressive: 6500 lay people in tents on the grounds of Wat Pah Pong, 1050 monks registered with over 100 western monks and the siladharas from Amaravati, on the final day one estimate was that a total of 2000 monks(?) and 30,000(?) lay people took part in the circumambulation around LP Chah’s stupa.
More than the numbers is the the sense of dignity and reverence that flowed throughout this beautiful gathering. Just before the circumambulation LP Sumedho gave a talk in the big sala to the laity while LP Pitoon spoke at the uposatha hall to the assembly of monks.
… Read the rest

Guided Meditation: Focus on the Outbreath

Ajahn Viradhammo instructs the meditators to use the out-breath in order to bring vitality to one’s posture and to observe one’s hands and eyes at the end of the out-breath, all the while maintaining the head in awareness. (Talk given at Tisarana on 09-Jan-2017. Duration = 1:00:08)
… Read the rest

Ajahn Chah Memorial Day – The Lotus and the Tumbleweed

Ajahn Sucitto reminisces about Ajahn Chah’s predilection for the unplanned as well as his ability to perceive exactly what the present moment required. Being grounded in the present, says Ajahn Sucitto, is like watching a lotus, solidly rooted in Dhamma, blossom; whereas being immersed in plans for the future makes us as aimless as tumbleweeds. (Talk given at Tisarana on 16-Jan-2017. Duration = 42:37)… Read the rest

2018 Ajahn Chah Memorial Day

Every year on 16 January we observe a special puja to remember the life and teachings of Luong Pu Chah, the founder of our ordination lineage and teacher of Ajahns Sumedho, Pasanno, Viridhammo and many other of the senior teachers in our larger community of monasteries, including Tisarana, Abhayagiri, Amaravati. The senior monks of our lineage usually attend a Sangha meeting at Wat Pah Pong in NE Thailand where the annual memorial is held and participate in the ceremonies there.

At Tisarana on 16 January we will have a puja at 7:00 PM (chanting followed by meditation) and a Dhamma talk. All are welcome.… Read the rest

A Million and One Ways to Wisdom

Ajahn Viradhammo explores the different ways in which we can adapt our meditation technique to our present disposition. He explains how to maintain a vigorous posture by locking the Hara, and how to practice yoga Nidra. For dullness, one can use complexity, such as intricate visualizations or recitation of a sutta, or evoking each individual in the room and sending them loving kindness. (Talk given at Tisarana on 08-Jan-2017. Duration = 33:23)
… Read the rest