Index by Subject Index by Author
Work in progress
This index was started years ago by Ajahn Kusalo, who set up the first website for the Forest Sangha Newsletter.
Aided by generous helpers, Ajahn Kusalo has continued the work in dribs and
drabs. It may or may not ever be finished. Anyone interested in helping
to catalogue one or more issues, please contact him c/o editor AT amaravati DOT org.
Please note: since this work is unfinished, not all links are functional.
Index by Subject
OBITUARIES:
Ayya Rocana passed away peacefully
in New Delhi during her second pilgrimage to the Buddhist Holy Places.
These personal reflections on her life are offered by Ayya Candasiri,
with affection and gratitude.
Venerable Dr. Hammalawa Saddhatissa Mahanayaka Thera passed away, aged 76, on February 13th this year, (1990) and was cremated at the orth London Crematorium on February 17th, 1990. Although personally he had not wanted any ceremony, such an event was inevitable at the funeral of Britain's most senior bhikkhu. Dr. Saddhatissa had received upasampada in Sri Lanka in 1926 and had been resident in the U.K., mostly at the London Buddhist Vihara, since 1957.
Ajahn
Chah Passes Away
Venerable Thitapanno sent us an account of the events at Wat Pah
Pong immediately following Luang Por Chah's death.
On the morning of 16th January, the Sangha in Britain received a
brief message from Wat Pah Nanachat to inform us of the death of
Luang Por Chah. The Venerable Ajahn had been critically ill, paralysed
and rendered completely incapacitated by brain damage and numerous
strokes over the past ten years. Our winter retreat offered us an
ideal opportunity to pay honour to his example, reflect upon his
teachings and further our practice in the way that he made clear.
Venerable Ajahn Sumedho, who was in Thailand at the time, will be
leading the formal commemoration for Luang Por Chah in Britain at
Amaravati on April 25th. It is an event that we hope all of Luang
Por Chah's disciples in the West can attend.
Greg Klein (Ajahn Anando),3rd
November 1946 - 11th May 1994. Ajahn Sucitto remembers Greg Klein
whose ashes were interred at Cittaviveka on 17th July and a plaque
that he had had made was laid.
Phra
Dhammapariyattimuni passed away on the 19th of July 2002.
He was the Upajjhaya (Preceptor) of Ajahn Sumedho. He was the head
monk of Nongkhai Province, Thailand when Ajahn Sumedho received
the Pabbajja (Samanera ordination) in July of 1964. He gave the
higher ordination (Upasampada) to Ajahn Sumedho in 1967. He, later,
resigned his position in Nong Khai in order to become the Abbot
of Wat Dhatu Panom province.
He was 84 years old when he died.'
Tripitaka
Master Hsuan Hua, Chairman of the Sino-American Buddhist
Association and founder of many monasteries and Dharma centres thoroughout
the West Coast of America and Canada, had passed away. He was 77
years old.
Roots of the Forest; N-E Thailand [pt I] - Ajahn Sucitto spent ten weeks of the winter in Thailand, mostly in the North-East, which is the source of the monastic style of the monasteries of this Sangha. The North-East has produced many masters in the Forest Tradition, but naturally enough, it was Ajahn Chah and Wat Pah Pong that formed the fundamental reference point for the trip. It was Ajahn Sucitto's first visit to Wat Pah Pong and it provided some clear reflections on the heart of monastic practice...
Roots of the Forest; N-E Thailand - Ajahn Sucitto; pt II
Wish You Were Here: Everybody has their own notion of the ideal place and the ideal practice. Here is Venerable Sumano's.
Extinguishing the Fires of Delusion: Wat Kern lies close to the Laotian border in a danger zone where farming and 'monastic settlement is not generally encouraged. Ajahn Puriso, in this interview with Ajahn Munindo, explains the practical difficulties and some of the ethical dilemmas when trying to protect the forest in North-East Thailand.
ENGLAND
Northumerland: Ajahn Tiradhammo has been the senior incumbent at Harnham Vihara for two and a half years. On May 24th, [1987] he will be handing over the incumbency, to Ajahn Pabhakaro and with it, the project to build a Dhamma Hall and more accommodation for Sangha and visitors at the Vihara.
Letter from Chithurst; Part of a letter written by the Abbot, Ajahn Anando, to his mother in the United States.
Off the Beaten Track: Venerable Kovido reports on happenings at Devon Vihara
Amaravati: A First View of Buddhism: Arnold Handley works as a journalist, writing features for popular newspapers.
What is the Devon Vihara?: A few reflections from Supanno and Pasadaka, supporters of the vihara in Devon.
Out on a Limb: Venerable Kovido recollects his time as a newly-ordained bhikkhu in Devon.
Sangha and the Basis of Community: Ajahn Santacitto shares some reflections on the workings and nature of community.
INDIA
In
the Footsteps of the Buddha; Venerable Bodhipalo came
over from Thailand last year, to spend some time at Chithurst and
visit his family. He decided to undertake a lone pilgrimage in India
on his way back to Thailand. We received a letter from him a few
months ago.NEW ZEALAND
The
following letter comes from Ajahn Viradhammo, who was asked
to establish a forest monastery in New Zealand in 1984. He's been
there with Venerable Thanavaro for three years; recently they were
joined by Venerable Bodhinando. This Vassa has been their first
in the monastery that they have been building in Stokes Valley,
near Wellington. Zeal
and New Land: An interview with Venerable Subbato, a
New Zealander by birth who spent a year (1985-86) in the early stages
developing the New Zealand Monastery, "Bodhinyanarama". [with PS
letter from Ajahn Viradhammo] WEST AUSTRALIA Serpentine,
Western Australia: We don't hear so much from the Sangha at
Bodhinyana Monastery, Western Australia; so when Chris Banks,
who has stayed there from time to time, sent us a brief letter,
we asked her to write a little more. Part
of the Lineage: Part I. Ajahn Jagaro, the abbot of Bodhinyana
Monastery in Australia, was a guest at Amaravati during the Winter
1988-89. Before he returned, he passed on some informal comments
in an interview with Ajahn Sucitto.SWITZERLAND
View
from Switzerland The Swiss vihara opened on May 15th with Ajahn
Tiradhammo as abbot. He sends us this brief report. Returning Homeless: Dhammapala, the vihara in Switzerland,
was opened in May '99. Sister Cittapala was born in Switzerland
so was the natural choice as nurse for the baby monastery - at least
until the abbot learns some German.ITALY
A
Leap of Faith Ajahn Sucitto provides perspective on another
Theravadin residence taking shape in Italy. Ajahn Thanavaro will
return to his native country to take up residence there. Tudong in the Lakes: Ajahn Sumedho, accompanied by Venerable
Amaro and Nick Scott, went on a nine-day walk in the Lake District
at the end of June this year. Here are some of Venerable Amaro's
notes on the long wet hike: Emerald Buddhas: Ajahn Amaro writes this account of
a teaching tour made in Ireland in spring 1988, shortly after the
funeral killings in Belfast He and Anagarika Jakob spent much of
their first week in the company of Paddy and Linda Boyle and their
four children. The State of America Out West: In March of this year, Ajahn
Anando accompanied Ajahn Sumedho to California to teach a retreat
and meet people involved with the prospective Dhamma centre, Insight
Meditation West. The freewheeling views of Californian society have
produced some debate around such an orthodox establishment, as these
comments from Ajahn Anando point out. Old Insights in New England: Ajahn Sucitto reflects
on his travels through America. State of America: Ajahn Sucitto continues his reflections
on aspects of Buddhism in America. Arrive Where You Are: The practice of tudong, walking through
open country on an extended pilgrimage, has long been a treasured aspect of the life of the forest bhikkhu: it presents many opportunities to live in insecurity and be confronted by difficult situations. Ajahns Pabhakaro & Anando
To Arrive at Where You Are: Three bhikkhus and two anagarikas
of the Devon Vihara walked from Devon to Chithurst in July. Here
are extracts from Ajahn Kittisaro's letter. Kwan
Yin and the Noble Elephant: In the winter of 1986-7 Venerable
Sucitto was in Thailand on tudong with Venerable Gavesako. He
reflects on part of his trip in Siraja and Ko Sichang. Walking The Way - Nuns' Tudong: Leaving Chithurst on the
morning after the Tenth Anniversary celebrations in 1989, a group
of nuns spent two weeks walking ("going tudong") along the South
Downs Way. Sister Thanissara shares some of her experiences. Keeping the Breath in Mind: Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo was one of the disciples of Venerable Ajahn Mun. Here is a small
section from the book, 'Keeping the Breath in Mind', translated
by Venerable Thanissaro Allowing Silence: A talk give by Ajahn Sucitto as
part of a meditation situation at Cittaviveka. Question time with Ajahn Sumedho: A series of questions and
answers on meditation and practice in lay life. Wood Hammered at Chithurst: When Britain was hit by a hurricane
in the middle of October, West Sussex was right on target. Ajahn
Anando describes some of the storm's effects.
Life in the Sangha's Forest: Ayya Thanissara reflects
on some of the various aspects of Hammer Wood, Chithurst.
Ancient Meadows: As well as providing a very pleasant area
for future visitors to walk in, the 'Wildflower Project" aims to
reintroduce into the meadows adjacent to Chithurst Monastery some
of the native flowering plants which have become rare in the area.
The following are accounts by Dr. Barry Durrant and Ayya
Viveka.
Serenity,
an Open Heart; Tenth Anniversary
Progress in Hammer Wood: A conversation between Ajahn Sucitto
and Mike Holmes, the warden of Hammer Wood.
Looking for the Sweet One: The following teaching is adapted
from a Friday night Dhamma talk by Ajahn Jagaro at the Perth
Vihara on 7th June, 1985, in a response to the question "What is
happiness"? Kathina 1987: With three Kathina Ceremonies being held within
our monasteries it is pretty clear that people are finding more
in this ancient custom than supplying a monk with some cloth. Here
are a couple of viewpoints from Sister Candasiri and Upasika
Susilo.
Magha Puja: 1988 - Extracts from the minutes of a gathering
of the ordained community of all four U.K. viharas, plus Ajahn Brahmavamso
on a visit from Western Australia.
Amaravati Exhibition; Lay People's Practice.
Ajahn
Chah's Birthday: Ajahn Viradhammo, who was visiting Thailand
in June, passed on a letter that he had written to the New Zealand
Sangha about the birthday commemoration of Tuhn Ajahn Chah at Wat
Pah Pong.
New-Born: Sister Viveka was one of the women who took
the ten-precept ordination at Amaravati in July. During her first
Vassa as a siladhara she offered these reflections on the Going
Forth. Amaravati Summer Camp: Several summer camps, both weekend
and longer, have been successfully organised for families and in
addition "Rainbows", a children's Dhamma magazine with a page for
parents, has been published regularly at Amaravati. Medhina,
who has written this account of the 1987 Summer Camp, has had to
resign as the co-ordinator for family activities. Brenda Popplewell
has kindly undertaken to replace her in organising next year's family
activities. Family Summer Camp: Ayya
Thanissara, Medhina Fright and several of the children report
on events at this years family summer camp. RETREATS:
Monastic Winter Retreat: A few reflections from one of the
monks. Keeping it Simple: The Buddha allowed four basic requisites
for monks and nuns; robes, almsfood, shelter and medicine. Ayya
Candasiri reflects on this as a way to learn contentment with
a very simple life-style. Passing Thoughts From a Forest: Venerable Vipassi was one of three bhikkhus to spend the entire Vassa on retreat in
the Hammer Wood [Chithurst]. Mind Conditions the World; Ajahn Sumedho: As you try
to understand how to live your life, consider that how you actually
live in a place has its effect on your mind. Question Time; Ajahn Sumedho replies to the question:
'What is the citta?' Question
Time; Ajahn Sumedho during the January monastic retreat
of 1988. How do you practise contemplation of the citta? Living in the World with Dhamma: A translation of an informal
talk given by Ajahn Chah to a group of visitors to Wat Nong
Pah Pong. Question Time: Answers to lay folk at the end of a talk. In the Footsteps of the Wise: Ajahn Liam is the acting
abbot of Wat Pah Pong. This piece, translated by Ajahn Jayasaro,
is an exhortation he gave to monks from Wat Pah Nanachat who had
come to pay respects to him before beginning the Vassa. Co-operation and a Different "Golden Rule": Ajahn Santacitto,
one of the Sangha co-ordinators for the Global Co-operation Workshop
at Amaravati in August, contributed this piece. Fittingly, his own
description is interspersed with comments from those who participated
in the discussions. The Desire That Ends Desire: Ajahn Maha Boowa is one of the
most highly respected meditation masters in Thailand today. He is
a native of the North-East (Isan) and spends much of his time in
his forest monastery, Mat Pah Ban Tard, in Udon Province. Filling in the Dots: Sister Abhassara has been working
on providing a way of chanting the Pujas in English for the past
year or so. Here she comments on the process so far. The Four Brahma Viharas: An extract from a talk Ajahn
Munindo gave at the Buddhist Summer School in 1987. Question Time: The following is from a public talk given
by Venerable Kittisaro to an audience of approximately 300
people in Bath, 1986. Letting
Go is the Greatest Kindness: Taken from a Dhamma-desana (teaching),
given by Ajahn Anando on 10th December 1988 A Guided Tour of Lay Practice: Ajahn Santacitto and Barbara Jackson have been working together at Amaravati on
an Exhibition: "Lay People's Practice". Inside Freedom: Monks from Harnham Vihara regularly visit
four prisons in the North. Here are some reflections on prison visiting
from Venerable Nyanaviro Bhikkhu. Unlocking Human Potential: The following interview was held
in July of this year, when Ajahn Sucitto talked with Ajahn
Pabhakaro and Venerable Nyanaviro about their work in
prisons in North-East England. Gratitude to Ajahn Chah: June 17th was the 71st birthday
of, Venerable Ajahn Chah, spiritual teacher of over eighty forest
monasteries in Thailand, Britain and around the world. We present
an occasion for readers to recollect what he has made possible for
all of us. Image of the Dhamma: Sister Viveka reflects on the use of
symbols and images Learning to Accept the Way Things Are: Sister Thanissara offers some guidance and suggestions around the practice of acceptance. Question Time: Ajahn Sumedho replies to questions
[sudden calamity + non-attachment] at the end of a dhamma talk. Declan's Gift: Venerable Kovido offers some reflections
on the events following the death of Declan Griffin. He died in
hospital of a brain tumour on the last evening of the Family Camp,
and his parents brought his body back to the monastery.