In this talk given on New Years Eve 2020, Luang Por Anan speaks about that which does not change with the passing of years: the truth of Dhamma and the necessity of the practice. Along with reflections on the supramundane, he speaks about the basics of practice.
A preview of the recently-uploaded audiobook of teachings from Ajahn Anan, a disciple of Ajahn Chah and abbot of Wat Marp Jan Monastery in Thailand. The book includes four Dhamma talks, progressing from the basics of meditation to more advanced stages of the Path. Includes a talk giving detailed accounts of Ajahn Anan’s own experiences in the practice. You may find the audiobook in its entirety on itunes now. For more information, visit www.watmarpjan.org/en.
From this videoconference talk from 26 July, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses truthfulness and determination.
An excerpt: “All the people born in the world, whether a monk or layperson, must follow the law of karma. One does good, and one gets good results. One does bad, and one gets bad results. No one has the power to overcome the results of karma that one has done. But additana, determination, is building the power of one’s mind to be strong to set a goal, locking that goal in so that we will succeed in that. This sets the compass of one’s life, so that it is straight. So, if we have enough strength of determination, then we will be able to succeed. Our minds need to build parami – build dana, giving, build sila, morality, build bhavana, mental development, build goodness, then our determinations will succeed.”
From this videoconference talk from 2 August, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the value of that which overflows from the mind, like the value of that which overflows from a teacup.
An excerpt: “Ven. Nan-in said, “For you as well, how can I put any more in to you? You are full of thoughts and views, following your own attachments and opinions. These two things will make you unable to understand Zen Buddhism. This is called “the teacup that is overflowing”.””
From this videoconference talk from 9 August, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the topic of giving and helping others. An excerpt: “Today we learn about the Dhamma topic of self-sacrifice. The Buddha said this quality of self -sacrifice is something good for getting rid of the mental defilements and the sense of self. When we stay together in a group, each person needs to have this sense of self-sacrifice and metta, the love and compassion to help one another.”
From this videoconference talk from 16 August, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the way of practice and understanding nature. An excerpt: “When we have wisdom, then we will be able to understand the truth of life, the truth of nature – that there is arising, persisting, and ceasing. Regardless of whether the Buddha becomes awakened, or doesn’t become awakened, the nature, the way things are, already exists. Our Buddha is the one who finds, understands, and becomes awakened to that nature. And after the Buddha has passed away into parinibbana, the nature of truth that is here already, is still here.”
From this videoconference talk from 15 November, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the history of King Asoka and some great disciples of the Buddha.
An excerpt from the end of the talk: “Then we can see the sacca Dhamma, the truth of reality, that there is changing of compounded things. All things are in this breath of ours. When we have the breath, we have everything. When the breath stops then everything ends with it, as well. The decay and ending of all things comes from this decay and ending of the in and out breath first. So when we travel, we sit, stand, walk and lie down, we have the breath there with us, and these breaths that we have left are getting less and less in each passing moment. So may we establish ourselves in not being heedless. May you all grow in blessings.”
In this talk translated by Ajahn Kalyano, Luang Por Anan speaks of the proper way to look at the Triple Gem, how to contemplate necessities such as food, and how to approach duties such as raising children.
From this videoconference talk from 6 September, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses a Zen story about the way to true happiness. An excerpt: “If we have no goodness, then, even if we are breathing, then we are careless. It’s like we are someone who is already dead. Have you seen a dead person that is still breathing? They are walking around everywhere. They are already dead, because they are careless. Careless in building goodness and virtue.”
In this talk translated by Ajahn Kalyano, Luang Por Anan speaks about the challenges and necessity of practicing sincerely in today’s age of growth and technology.
In this talk translated by Ajahn Kalyano, Luang Por Anan gives a sweeping summary of the entire path of Buddhist practice, from the early stages of meditation to refined states of concentration and insight.
In this question-and-answer session, Ajahn Anan speaks on how one can begin walking the Buddhist path in a dedicated manner through doing good, making determinations, and staying in a good practice environment once one has found it. Additionally, he speaks on how a formal meditation practice can assist in other aspects of one’s life.
In this talk given at the end of the traditional rains retreat, Luang Por Anan speaks of the importance of maintaining the practice even as the monastery enters its usual schedule. He reflects that, if the practice is going well, all other regular comforts cease to occupy one, and so encourages the monks to put forth effort.
In this Friday night videoconference Dhamma session from October 18th, 2019, Venerable Ajahn Anan discusses the Kathina ceremony that occurs after the annual monastic rains retreat. He talks about a story of a great donation made in a past Kathina and the origin story of the Kathina ceremony.
In this Friday night videoconference Dhamma session from October 11th, 2019, Venerable Ajahn Anan discusses the Great Invitation Day that occurs at the end of the annual monastic rains retreat. He talks about the 7 factors of group harmony, the importance of forgiveness, and more.
In this session, Luang Por answers questions about the nature of mindfulness versus clear awareness, cultivating sati in the midst of daily life, developing specific insights into oneself, and giving up the habit of street racing.
In this Friday evening video-conference talk, Ajahn Anan discusses the biography of the right-hand chief disciple of the Buddha – Venerable Sariputta, the bhikkhu foremost in wisdom. Venerable Sariputta was known for his gratitude, as well. The Kalama Sutta is also discussed. This talk was given 4 October, 2019.
In this talk, given on the Uposatha Day of September 28th, 2019, Luang Por Anan reminds the monastics and laity that the 2019 rains retreat has almost past, and that the fleeting nature of time, our possessions, and our bodies demand that we look with urgency towards that which does not decay. While he acknowledges continuity of mindfulness during daily life as a cornerstone of practice, on this occasion Luang Por Anan encourages those present to put forth special effort in sitting together through the night, not rising from the posture for a period of at least five hours. To practice occasionally in such a way, he reminds all present, represents a method of crossing over painful feeling and achieving a peace of mind above and beyond painful feeling.
A translation of a talk in which Ajahn Anan describes the life of Khujjuttara, the foremost female lay disciple of the Buddha in terms of learning. Her story is one of difficulty and unexpected blessings that led her to become a source of liberation and inspiration for many, from her time until the present day.
This Friday videoconference talk is on the topic of effort. The story of the monk foremost in effort from the Buddha’s time is given as an example.
The translation of a talk in which Ajahn Anan describes the life of Venerable Khema Theri, a prominent bhikkhuni during the time of the Buddha. Declared one of the chief disciples, Venerable Khema Theri came from a royal family and, after renouncing her wealth, achieved awakening and became renowned for her mindfulness and wisdom.
A talk given one Saturday morning by Venerable Ajahn Anan. This talk covers a range of topics, from contemplating the body in terms of the four elements, Christian ideas of salvation and how they relate to Buddhism, the nature of nibbana (nirvana), the meaning of not-self, and more.
A translation of a talk given by Ajahn Anan to the monastic community on the weekly lunar observance day. In concise terms, Ajahn Anan stresses how time’s relentless passage mandates that we apply ourselves to formal practice now, not taking our fortunate conditions for granted. Apart from urging the monks to maintain their foundational practices, such as attending daily chanting and participating in the monastery’s regular routine, Ajahn Anan also speaks of the higher insights one eventually can gain into the nature of the body and mind.
Ajahn Anan teaches techniques for maintaining a still center of mindfulness while fulfilling one’s regular duties. Apart from stressing the importance of constantly recollecting the formal practice, he speaks of the early days of his own monastic life and teachings he received from Ajahn Chah.
Ajahn Anan’s advice to the monks entering the traditional annual rains retreat at Wat Marp Jan regarding how to develop their practice in the midst of duties, study, and work. This talk was offered on August 15th, 2019.
Three short teachings on the practice of meditation. Here Ajahn Anan describes the importance of keeping mindfulness present within us at all times. If we can do this then our hearts will constantly be growing and developing the Dhamma. Next, he talks about using our reflective capacities in order to bring up peace and joy, firstly by reflecting on the Buddha, then by cultivating the ‘Four Divine Abidings’ of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.
Weekly podcast with teachings from Venerable Ajahn Anan Akincaño.
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Ajahn Anan’s advice to Ven. Jayanando, our new bhikkhu from Malaysia, and his family and friends who gathered together to celebrate his ordination.
Ajahn Anan describes the foundation practices for the mind to gather in, becoming serene and still. Firstly he goes through ways of watching the breath and how to use the mantra ‘Buddho,’ then he proceeds to describing how to practice meditation while walking. Lastly, he gives a brief overview of the joyful results that comes from developing these practices.
This is the first part of the second chapter from ‘Simple Teachings on Higher Truths.’
A collection of short Dhamma teachings on how to find true happiness in our lives. This is the first chapter from Ajahn Anan’s book ‘Simple Teachings on Higher Truths.’
Profound reflections on life and death from Ajahn Chah to an old disciple during her last days. This reading is from a detailed translation by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro.
A short, informal discourse to the monks after the evening chanting about life in Wat Nong Pah Pong, the monastery that Ajahn Chah established, and how to keep the spirit of those practices alive today despite all the changes that have taken place in the last four decades. This talk displays how qualities such as respect, humility, energy and loving-kindness can be lived out on a day-to-day basis.
On the occasion of his birthday, Ajahn Anan talks about the importance of joy, how to develop appreciation for the goodness of others and the best way to show our love and respect for our teachers.
Ajahn Anan tells the story of the Buddha’s disciple Yasa and explains how it relates to the practice of the Dhamma in our lives.
In this episode of the Friday night videoconference, Ajahn Anan discusses dukkha and the nature of liking and disliking.
A powerful and inspiring talk given to the thousands of monks, nuns and laity who gathered together on January 16th for the annual memorial of their teacher Ajahn Chah.
On the occasion of Asalha Puja, Ajahn Anan discusses the Four Noble Truths proclaimed by the Buddha in the Deer Park at Isipatana, as well as Venerable Añña Koṇḍañña’s realization of these truths.
In this episode of the Friday night videoconference, Ajahn Anan discusses the problem of attachment to happiness and other topics.
In this talk on the occasion of the new year, Ajahn Anan recalls the good we’ve done over the past year and encourages us to recall the Buddha and his teachings as a foundation for doing good in the coming year.
From the Friday night videoconference with Ajahn Anan Akiñcano. Topics covered include breath meditation, abstaining from alcohol, metta meditation, Ajahn Chah stories, and Stream Entry.
Seeking Buddho Chapter 4: Marananusati: Keeping the End in Mind
Seeking Buddho Chapter 3: Seeking Buddho: Awakened Awareness
Seeking Buddho Chapter 2: Samadhi for Liberation
Seeking Buddho Introduction and Chapter 1: Developing Samadhi
Sotapattimagga by Ven. Ajahn Anan Akiñcano: Part 2 Section 2
Sotapattimagga by Ven. Ajahn Anan Akiñcano: Part 2 Section 1
Sotapattimagga by Ven. Ajahn Anan Akiñcano: Part 1 Section 2
Sotapatimagga by Ven. Ajahn Anan Akiñcano: Introduction and Part 1 Section 1
Ajahn Chah gives advice and encouragement—at times light-hearted and humorous, at others hard-hitting and profound—to a weary old monk. This talk is not found in the Collected Teachings.
Q and A with the sangha of Abhayagiri Monastery.
Ajahn Anan tells a story of a Zen master, his heavy-hearted disciple and a bamboo basket.
Soon after the crumbling of a huge dam in Laos, Ajahn Anan gave this talk emphasizing the importance of maintaining firm mindfulness in order to keep suffering and the unwholesome tendencies of the mind at bay.
In this talk on the occasion of Visakha Puja, Ajahn Anan explains the causes and conditions for insight into the truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.
This talk includes Ajahn Anan speaking on the practice of giving as the foundation for the path to awakening, the Hinayana vs Mahayana traditions, and advice for young monks.
In this talk, Ajahn Anan discusses using different meditation objects, the nature of “parami”, or spiritual perfections, using determination skillfully, and recollecting death as a meditation practice.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Bodhikusuma Buddhist Center in Sydney, Australia, Ajahn Anan gives reflections on the nature of nibbana being not far away from us, and how nibbana can be seen in the present moment through mental development and learning to let go.
In this set of questions and answers, Ajahn Anan speaks on his life and his early practice. He also covers topics such as eating meat vs. vegetarianism and skillfully relating to one’s children.
In this episode, Ajahn Anan talks on the function of mindfulness as a protection for the mind, the practices of death and corpse recollection, renouncing sense objects, and a story of a monk from the time of the Buddha.
In this series of questions and answers, Ajahn Anan explains the monks’ code of conduct (Patimokkha), dealing with difficulties in the workplace, dealing with anger, and how to contemplate the Dhamma.
In this podcast, Ajahn Anan gives a talk on the occasion of Vesak Puja, a day commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing away (parinibbana) of the Buddha. Ajahn Anan reflects on these events and encourages listeners in the practice of mindfulness.
In this talk directed at the monastic community at Wat Marp Jan, Ajahn Anan discusses the importance of starting meditation time with loving-kindness practice, dealing with thinking, the recollection of death and corpses as meditation themes, and finding balance in mind training.
In this series of questions and answers, Ajahn Anan covers topics such as loving-kindness (metta) practice as it relates to insight, how to explain Buddhism to those unfamiliar with it, and objects that are suitable for contemplation in meditation.
In this podcast, Ajahn Anan describes the progression of meditation practice from making the mind peaceful and cooling down mental disturbances, to continuous mindfulness, the arising of concentration, and the mind’s release to seeing the nature of reality.