From this videoconference talk from 14 February 2020, Ajahn Anan discusses the importance of lovingkindness, or metta, and giving.
An excerpt: “It’s like the trees in a drought—the trees are dry because they lack water. It is similar to a tree standing upright but close to death, like it has no life, the leaves have all fallen. This is like the mind of a person that is dry and that has no goodness. One can feel that life doesn’t really have much value. When we become aware of this, then we come and search for the way out. When we can meet with goodness, meet with Dhamma, and then practice Dhamma, then this will moisten and freshen up our minds. Just like when it rains, the ground becomes moist, then the trees and grass become green. The rivers and dams become full. Underneath the ground, the soil is fertile.”
Note: One can read this talk and others 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 3 April 2020, Ajahn Anan discusses positive things that we can learn from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Note: Much of this talk is talk is taken from a social media post that was originally mistakenly attributed to Bill Gates. The post has been revealed to not be from Bill Gates but from an unknown source.
An excerpt: “So Covid-10 makes us change the way we do things and encourages us to protect each other and to have self-sacrifice and loving-kindness to each other. It is the quality of metta, loving kindness that supports the world, which is a truth the Buddha taught.”
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: https://watmarpjan.org/en/dhamma-reflections/reflections-archive/
In this videoconference talk from 26 October 2018, Ajahn Anan discusses the annual Kathina ceremony, which is a ceremony held after the end of the rains retreat when 5 or more monks have spent the rainy season retreat together in one monastery.
An excerpt: “The Buddha said that the benefit of the Kathina offering is not just for the people offering the cloth, but to every person in the ceremony. Every mind coming together with harmony will have the same benefit. This harmony has great benefit – in the worldly way and in the Dhamma, one will meet with success. May all your minds be intent to have forgiveness to each other and to have harmony.”
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 transcripts here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/dhamma-reflections/reflections-archive/
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/