From this videoconference talk from 12 April 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses having the right attitude in relationships and discusses a Zen story on this topic.
An excerpt: “Last week we learned that for the mind to have happiness in life, it must have the 4 divine abidings of metta, or loving kindness, karuna, or compassion, mudita, or appreciate joy, and upekkha, or equanimity. When the mind has these 4 divine abidings to a good level, then the 5 moral precepts can be maintained with ease. This is because, with the four divine abidings, we are happy when others do well, and when others make mistakes out of delusion, we don’t punish them for it and we have equanimity. We wait for the time when we can help them according to our ability.”
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/
This videoconference talk with Ajahn Anan includes the questions and answers after the formal talk.
Note: One can read Dhamma talk transcripts at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page. See: https://watmarpjan.org/en/dhamma-reflections/reflections-archive/
A translation of a talk given by Ajahn Anan on February 16th, 2020. In it, he speaks about what a practitioner must do to cultivate refined states of concentration and, once they have attained them, what they must do to uproot the sense of self that attaches even to these.
In this videoconference talk from 10 April, 2020, Ajahn Anan discusses virtue and concentration as ways to help deal with the virus pandemic currently affecting the world, Covid-19.
An excerpt: “…if they uphold sila, then this leads to peace. What are the benefits of sila? silena sugatim yanti- sila leads to happiness. Silena bhoga sampada – sila leads to wealth in one’s mind – it is a noble wealth. Sila leads coolness (peacefulness) to arise – that is nibbana.”
Note: One can read other talks at the Wat Marp Jan ‘Reflections’ page, which also includes questions and answers with Ajahn Anan, which are not in the audio files. One can read this talk here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/april-10-2020/
A talk given during the evening meditation on how to use the active mind to recollect the Buddha or investigate the nature of form to bring up feelings of calm and joy within. Ajahn Anan then explains how viruses and crises like these are nothing new, in fact they are normal.
In this videoconference talk from 28 September 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses the wisdom of children.
An excerpt: “Those of us who are old should reflect that we should cultivate noble inner virtues, as well. We should see that those younger than us may be older in their hearts with the wealth of noble virtue. Let us contemplate like this, for us to let go of our ego and views within our heart. This is the path to meet with true 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 here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/the-wisdom-of-children/
In this videoconference talk from 23 November 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses a parable about three old men: love, wealth and success.
An excerpt: “In our daily lives we may meet with many types of suffering. If our money and wealth lessens, then suffering arises. But it’s not that if we have more money and wealth, then we will have more happiness. Because we will have clinging arise, right? So if we have no wisdom, then suffering will arise in our hearts.”
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/three-old-men/
This Dhamma talk was recorded on the night of April 7, 2020. In this talk, Ajahn Anan discusses how to reflect skillfully on the Covid-19 pandemic with teachings on death reflection, building goodness, and heedfulness.
From this videoconference talk from 3 May 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses a dog, Bunrod, miraculously surviving in the ocean.
An excerpt: “The workers helped to nurse the dog. They helped to wipe the dog down, because the sea water that was in the fur would make the fur fall off in some areas. The dog had some minor wounds. But they gave the dog water and food. They named the dog Bunrod, which means ‘merit saves’, because, by the power of the dog’s merits, it was able to escape danger.”
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 24 May 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses perception and a Zen story about seeing with the eyes of Dhamma.
An excerpt: “So can you see that the way we see things is different. The true monk or the true Dhamma practitioner, they will see all things according to Dhamma. But if our mind is not yet true, and the mind still has attachments, then one will see things according to worldly ways.”
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/