In this Friday evening video-conference talk from 4 October, 2019, Ajahn Anan discusses the biography of the right-hand chief disciple of the Buddha – Venerable Sariputta, the bhikkhu foremost in wisdom. Venerable Sariputta is known for his gratitude, as well. The Kalama Sutta is also discussed.
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/
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 given at the Friday night videoconference, 27 September, 2019, 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.
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/
This Friday videoconference talk was given 13 September, 2019. The topic is effort. The story of the monk foremost in effort from the Buddha’s time, Venerable Sona Mahathera, is given as an example.
Note: One can read this talk and others, including questions and answers with Ajahn Anan here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/making-balanced-effort/
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.