In this videoconference talk from 7 December 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses clinging, truthfulness, and five types of blessings that the monks often chant.
An excerpt: “Ven. Cakkhupala become totally enlightened, free from having to go around the never-ending cycle of birth and death again. But those with clinging and attachment must be born and die in this cycle of samsara. The spiritual perfection of truthfulness is important. Because if one has the perfection of truthfulness, then khanti parami, the spiritual perfection of patient endurance, will follow. If we keep our vows, this becomes strength and power that helps our mind progress well.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. One can read this talk’s transcript here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/clinging-truthfulness-and-the-five-blessings/
From this videoconference talk from 14 December 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses inner wealth, generosity, the building of chedis, the preciousness of human birth, and more.
An excerpt: “May the results of the goodness that you have done be the cause for you to succeed in all things – being born as a human already, may you have no obstacles or difficulties. By these good causes and the parami you have made, may you succeed according to your wishes. Following the Bodhisattva path may you succeed in your wishes that you have made in your heart. Practicing for the goal of the paths and fruits of nibbana (enlightenment), may you all meet with success.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. One can read this talk’s transcript here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/the-goodness-that-we-build/
From this videoconference talk from 1 March 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the four imponderables that the Buddha taught.
There are four things that the Buddha taught should not be thought about, because they can drive one crazy:
1) The knowledge and power of a Buddha.
2) The abilities of those with deep concentration (jhana).
3) The details of how karma works.
4) Speculation about the universe (origin, etc.).
An excerpt: “It’s beyond the ability of humans to be able to think about and comprehend… And to think too much about it, one’s views may become distorted.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. One can read this talk’s transcript here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/the-four-imponderables/
From this videoconference talk from 31 May 2019, Ajahn Anan how to support oneself in the practice.
An excerpt: “And now, we will look at the saying from the Mangala Sutta, “To see a samana, a renunciant, is one of the highest blessings of one’s life.” Seeing a samana also means seeing inner peace, which means seeing the mind, our mind. When our mind knows the truth, then it has inner peace. This is a virtue, so we need to be intent to train our mind a lot.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page, which also includes questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. See: https://watmarpjan.org/en/dhamma-reflections/reflections-archive/
From this videoconference talk from 18 January 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses honoring Luang Pu Chah and one’s teachers.
An excerpt: “It’s like [The Lord Buddha] planted a great Bodhi tree of Dhamma. And we all come under its support, under this Bodhi tree of Dhamma. We are just 1 person coming to be supported under this Bodhi tree of the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, and Bodhisattvas. So, I ask you to reflect a lot on the virtues of the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha in your hearts. Chant and meditate. This is the limitlessness of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in one’s heart. Have inspiration in the heart and reflect on their virtue, and then determine to practice – sitting and walking meditation, determine to maintain sila. Here, we will have happiness and prosperity.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. This talk’s transcript can be found here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/honoring-luang-pu-chah-and-our-teachers/
From this videoconference talk from 20 December 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the veneration of chedis (stupas) and other holy sites.
An excerpt: “We venerate the Maha Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment, the requisites of the Buddha, of which the important ones are the bodily relics of the Buddha that are still in this world, like the hair relics, or his bone relics. When we recollect these as Buddhanusati, we recollect the virtues of the Buddha – the virtues of great wisdom, great purity and great compassion – then our minds will feel joy and will have feelings of inner peace and happiness.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. See this talk’s transcript at: https://watmarpjan.org/en/veneration-of-chedis-and-other-holy-sites/
From this videoconference talk from 8 March 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses Bodhi trees and the four things a Buddha cannot do for others.
An excerpt: “The essence of the Dhamma cannot be conveyed through language. Ultimately, one needs to practice for oneself to see the reality of the universe. There is only one path that will lead one to experience the truth of Dhamma. Whatever nationality or language one has, if one is only learning the scriptures, one won’t be able to gain understanding into the Dhamma. It is just like the spoon in the curry, which is unable to taste the curry. One must practice to gain proof of the truth, and then one will truly understand the Dhamma.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. See this talk’s transcript at: https://watmarpjan.org/en/bodhi-trees/
From this videoconference talk from 22 February 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses Magha Puja and Venerable Cula Panthaka.
An excerpt: ““My Lord Buddha, my brother drives me away, so I am going to disrobe.” The Buddha then said to bring up awareness in Cula Panthaka, “Cula Panthaka, when did you ordain for your older brother? Didn’t you ordain for yourself? When your older brother told you to leave, why didn’t you come to me? Come. Stay with me.””
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. See this talk’s transcript here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/magha-puja-and-culapanthaka/
A translation of a talk given by Ajahn Anan to resident monastics on February 8, 2020 on the afternoon of Magha Puja. In it, he discusses how the basic teachings in the Ovada Patimokkha may be applied in ones’ life, and gives detailed instruction as to how one should contemplate the body as the 32 parts, the 4 elements, and in progressive states of decay.
From this videoconference talk from 28 December 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses the foremost female lay supporter of the Buddha’s time, Lady Visakha, and the power of virtue.
An excerpt: “…Lady Visakha…wanted to make merit and do goodness within the dispensation of the Buddha. She had the state of mind that wanted her heart to have cleanliness and purity, that which we call nibbana. She saw the happiness in the present, she made merit and also gained the results of that merit.”
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. These include questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. This transcript can be found here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/lady-visakha-and-the-power-of-virtue/