Summer 2008•2551/2552 Volume 13, Number 2

During the ceremony out at the Cool Oaks today, Bennett who, in recol- lecting Todd, was certainly missing his friend, was also remembering the good qualities of his generosity, curiosity, and humor. It is the quali- ties that we remember of each other as we think about our friends. It’s the qualities that are important, and those are the things that are actually carried on—various qualities. So, for ourselves as well, trying to recollect what kind of qualities to bring into our own lives. How do we want to associate with others? And how are we able to relate to each other in ways of friendship? In particular, in Buddhist teachings, the Buddha places a great importance on spiritual friendship or admirable friendship, Kaly€namitta. When we have noble friends or have Nathan, Steven, Sunny, Faith and Brandon, and Bennett good friends, those are the things that help support us in our own life and in our own aspiration for living skillfully. There is a very famous discourse Friendship or teaching where the Buddha was By Pasanno. approached by his attendant, šnanda. A Saturday night talk, Abhayagiri , April 26, 2008 šnanda had spent the day in solitude. Today we have had a very special ceremony for Todd Tansuhaj, a young boy who When he was meditating during that died about two years ago and who was a novice here just prior to his hospitalization day, he had an insight and was really for an illness. His parents and friends have come for a memorial service. Some of (Continued on page ) them came last year. A couple more have come this year as well. So that all together, we have Todd’s parents, a cousin and several friends. During the day we had a couple of little ceremonies to commemorate Todd’s passing. INSIDE: I was thinking about a theme of friendship, because Todd’s friends have made From the Monastery Pg 2 the effort to be here and Todd’s parents have made the effort to bring them. His Tales from Varapañño Pg 5 friends were keen to come here and to do some kind of memorial commemoration Calendar Pg 8 &9 for their friend, Todd. The theme of friendship is an important one to be consid- ering as we live in the world. We were born into this world. We have a shorter or A Shorter Long Road North Pg 10 longer lifespan in this world. We don’t live separately from other people. We have From M€ra’s Desk Pg 15 the association with others as human beings. And, the friendships that we make are Contributors: The , , the ones that sustain us, support us, give us a sense of connection to each other. , Mettika, and Paul Breiter From the Monastery

Life at Abhayagiri Monastery alternates winter retreat, Anag€rika Michael came Tan Ñ€niko completed his fifth rains between periods of stillness and to the decision to leave Abhayagiri retreat last October, thereby becoming activity. The last installment of “From Monastery; he departed on April 6. The a majjhima (middle) . The majj- the Monastery” concluded with the community extends its appreciation for hima years of bhikkhu life are often Abhayagiri residents in the heart of the Anag€rika Michael’s many contributions spent training on one’s own, and Tan winter retreat, listening to teachings including cooking, driving, managing Ñ€niko decided to return to , from The Island, Ajahn Pasanno and finances, and communicating with where he had spent his third rains Ajahn Amaro’s upcoming compilation guests in Thai. Last we heard he was retreat, to deepen his meditation prac- of the Buddha’s teachings on Nibb€na. cooking for over 200 people as the tice and walk tudong. He plans to spend By mid-March, the winter rains had assistant kitchen manager at Tassajara at least two years in Thailand. We miss ceased, the weather was warming, and Center. Tan Ñ€niko’s cheerful presence and spring was in full bloom. In response Michael’s departure left Anag€rika immense help with Abhayagiri building to the rising energy and approaching Nic as the kitchen manager and only projects and send him our best wishes work year, the abbots reinstated all-day resident male driver during the month for fruitful practice. community meditation practice and of April. The rest of the community did Two ordinations took place at began to read The Stillness of Being, their best to ease Nic’s workload during Abhayagiri on July 8: Anag€rika Nic a short compilation of talks by Ajahn this time. Ian returned as planned became S€manera Thitapañño and Viradhammo which emphasizes the in early May, and Louis Gegenhuber Ian went forth from the home life as application of the teachings in activity. and Carl Braun joined the Abhayagiri an anag€rika. S€manera Thitapañño’s community as long-term lay guests parents traveled here from Maryland COMMUNITY shortly thereafter. Abhayagiri gained to attend the ceremony, and after When the winter retreat officially ended two more long-term lay guests in early the ceremony his long-time mentor on March 31, the Abhayagiri commu- June when Janejira Sutanonpaiboon Bhante Gunaratana gave an inspiring nity consisted of the two abbots, eight accepted the position of Casa Serena talk centered on the Ten Subjects for other , two s€maneras, two caretaker and Christine Lem replaced Frequent Recollection by One Who anag€rikas, the five retreat helpers, and Anag€rika Nic as kitchen manager. Has Gone Forth—a teaching given Debbie Stamp. After receiving heartfelt Both women plan to stay at Abhayagiri by the Buddha for monks and nuns thanks from the Abhayagiri residents through August. to recollect daily (see page 40 of the for their dedicated service, the retreat helpers Nancy, Dukata, Ian, Josh, and Ben departed a few days after the retreat ended. Ian expressed the intention to return in May for an extended stay and possible anag€rika training. On April 7, Ajahn Sudanto returned from Vimutti Monastery in New Zealand, where he had spent the winter. During his time there, Ajahn Sudanto helped the abbot, Ajahn Chandako, finalize the design and begin construction of an octagonal yurt and contributed to the Vimutti Monastery website. Because he had little opportunity for retreat in New Zealand, Ajahn Sudanto chose to spend the next month practicing on his own rather than immediately rejoining the Abhayagiri work scene. During the Ajahn Maha Prasert, Ajahn Pasanno, and the Bhikkhu Sangha during Ven. Cunda’s ordination

2 • Fearless Mountain The monks and nuns at this year’s Western Buddhist Monastic Gathering held at Shasta Abbey

Abhayagiri Chanting Book available shared memories of him, and the and five siblings. After the ordina- at www.abhayagiri.org/pdf/books/ community of monks recited blessing tion, Ajahn Sona gave a discourse ChantingBook.pdf). More information chants. That evening, the children which likened developing the mind about Bhante G’s visit will appear in the listened attentively to Ajahn Pasanno’s to cultivating and protecting a garden. next issue of Fearless Mountain. reflections about the value of friendship (the featured talk in this issue). TRAVELS EVENTS May 22 saw what we believe to be On April 7, Ajahn Amaro departed On April 25, Patriya and Chusak the largest gathering of bhikkhus yet at Abhayagiri to begin a six-week excur- Tansuhaj, the parents of Todd (Piyasilo) Abhayagiri. They came to participate in sion to Europe. His trip began with Tansuhaj, arrived at Abhayagiri along the ordination of Abhayagiri’s newest four days of meetings at Amaravati bhikkhu, Tan Cunda. Three Monastery. After spending time with senior monks in the Ajahn family in England, he travelled to Chah tradition arrived days Monastery in Rieti, before the event: Ajahn Jayanto Italy. While in Italy, he visited Rome from Amaravati Monastery, and Padua and led a five-day silent Ajahn Kusalo, the second retreat. He then returned to England to monk at Tisarana Monastery begin an eighteen-day tudong (walking in Ottawa, and Ajahn Sona pilgrimage) with Nick Scott to honor from Birken Monastery. The the 25th anniversary of their walk from most senior monk in atten- Chithurst to Harnham in 1983. They dance was Ajahn Maha Prasert retraced several portions of the 1983 from Buddhanusorn, the route and re-connected with many Thai temple in Fremont. Rev. people who had aided their original New monk’s cabin under construction Heng Sure from the Berkeley journey, some of whom recollected how with a group of six of Todd’s friends and Buddhist Monastery and Rev. Jin the initial pilgrimage had spurred their one of the friends’ parents to observe Yong from the City of Ten Thousand interest in Buddhadhamma (see article the second anniversary of Todd’s death. Buddhas represented the Chinese beginning on page 10). On the last day (Todd ordained as a novice for a week in Buddhist tradition. Including the eleven of the pilgrimage, Ajahn Amaro’s left May 2005 in preparation for upcoming resident bhikkhus and Ajahn Maha foot gave out from overuse. Upon his medical treatment.) The next day, they Prasert’s attendant, a total of eighteen return to Abhayagiri Monastery, the enthusiastically swept the Abhayagiri fully-ordained monks participated in significantly less mobile Ajahn reflected trails, and then gathered that afternoon Tan Cunda’s upasampada. Many of Tan on the changes he observed and the at Cool Oaks where Todd’s ashes are Cunda’s family and friends attended, unreliable nature of memory, percep- interred. Todd’s family and friends including his parents, stepmother, tion and the body. (Continued on next page)

SUMMER 2008 • 3 Conflict” at Yoga attended the Western Buddhist Mendocino in Ukiah. Monastic Gathering held at Shasta On May 26, Ajahn Abbey. The gathering’s formal sessions Amaro gave Dhamma focused on the education and training reflections to about of newcomers to monastic culture, 1,000 people as a but the Abhayagiri attendees also guest speaker at found informal discussions with the annual Olema fellow monastics to be of great Vedanta interfaith value. They were impressed by the celebration. Ajahn sincerity and dedication of monas- Sona, Ajahn Yatiko, tics from other Buddhist traditions. Ajahn Sudanto, and Tan Cunda accom- LUANG POR SUMEDHO’S VISIT panied Ajahn Amaro The highlight of the summer was Luang Luang Por Sumedho receiving guests at Abhayagiri during his recent visit to the event, where Por Sumedho’s visit to Abhayagiri in they had the oppor- June. Luang Por arrived in San Diego in Shortly after Tan Cunda’s ordination, tunity to converse with Rev. Heng late May where he visited his parents’ Ajahn Pasanno spent two weeks Sure and Houston Smith. After the graves and Metta Forest Monastery. He camping in the Alaska wilderness with interfaith celebration, Ajahn Sudanto flew to San Francisco on June 5 and five lay people from Portland Friends flew to Kentucky to attend the third began teaching a ten-day retreat at of the Dhamma. He appreciated the Buddhist-Catholic Monastic Gathering Spirit Rock retreat with Ajahn Amaro opportunity to travel and meditate at Gethsemane Abbey. The theme of and the Amaravati siladhar€s Ajahn with a group of Buddhist practitioners. this four-day event was Monasticism Candasiri and Ajahn šnandabodhi The spaciousness and grandeur of the and the Environment, and Ajahn the next day. Ajahn Sudanto, Tan rugged environment reminded him Sudanto enjoyed learning what other Ahimsako, Tan Kassapo, Anag€rika of the smallness and insignificance of communities are doing to reduce their Nic, and Debbie Stamp also attended human beings. environmental impact. the retreat. Luang Por’s retreat teach- Ajahn Viradhammo invited a senior From June 23 to June 27, Ajahn ings repeatedly highlighted insight into monk from Abhayagiri to come to Pasanno, Ajahn Amaro, and Tan the first three fetters (personality view, Tisarana Monastery to help run the Sampaj€no along with attachment to social conventions and monastery while Ajahn Kusalo was and Ajahn šnandabodhi (senior nuns language, and doubt) which bind us to away in June. Ajahn Karunadhammo from Amaravati visiting Abhayagiri suffering. The retreatants returned to gratefully accepted this opportunity for along with Luang Por Sumedho) Abhayagiri on June 15. Ajahn Pasanno a three-week break from his responsi- bilities as guestmonk and health-care coordinator at Abhayagiri. He appreci- ated the good-hearted lay supporters and quiet, low-key environment at Tisarana.

TEACHINGS On May 7, Ajahn Pasanno, Tan C€g€nado, Tan Sampaj€no, S€manera Cunda, S€manera Kacc€na, and Debbie Stamp paid their respects to the elder meditation teacher Luang Ta Chi at Wat Buddhanusorn. He gave a Dhamma talk emphasizing the four foundations of . Ajahn Amaro gave a series of three talks beginning May 21 titled “Violence and Non-Violence: Working with Ven. Cunda receiving his alms bowl from his mother Ila

4 • Fearless Mountain Tales from Varapañño and Ven. Varapañño Visit Forest By Paul Breiter

February, 1976. It was that ominous an open air sala set into a huge cave. time of year when hot season could We were greeted and taken to meet begin at any moment. I was lolling Ajahn Juen. around the kuti, trying to shake The sala was made of a gorgeous off early-afternoon lethargy, when hardwood. Ajahn Juen greeted us someone came to tell me to pack up cordially and asked about the climb. my alms bowl (the bhikkhu’s suit- We told him it was a workout, and case)—Ajahn Sumedho was inviting he said, “If you’re not used to it, you me to accompany him on a trip around can’t make it without stopping.” We the Northeast. remarked on the sala, and he told us Bhante Gunaratana with Sāmanera Thitapañño Every year Ajahn Sumedho would it was a rare wood—no doubt one happily offered his kuti to Luang Por, who go to pay respects to his preceptor in of Southeast Asia’s vanishing hard- considered his accommodations “as good Nong Khai province. In the past he woods—for which special permits as it gets in the human realm.” always went on foot, but now he was are needed, and that a lay supporter Luang Por emerged from the solitude of abbot of the newly established Bung in government had arranged it for the the forest to give teachings on numerous Wai International Forest Monastery, monastery. Ajahn Juen also told us occasions. On the full-moon observance and a lay supporter from town had that some foreign engineers had been night of June 18, Luang Por described offered to take him by car this time. consulted on building the monastery, inclusive, awakened awareness in a We did the afternoon chores as and their professional judgment was Dhamma hall filled with people including usual. There was a high-spirited send- that it couldn’t be done in that location. Ayya Tath€loka, Bhikkhuni Suddhamma, off, as the junior monks made coffee, He then invited us to go bathe and get Bhikkhuni Sudinna, and Bhikkhuni then we went to bathe and came back set up in some of the nearby kutis. Ven. Sobhana. On June 22, Luang Por described to wait for the car. Jagaro and I shared one, and Ajahn the meaning of the Three Refuges at a The “car” was actually a pickup Sumedho was given another. public talk at the City of Ten Thousand truck; Ajahn Sumedho sat in front with It was Wan Phra (the lunar obser- Buddhas translated into Chinese by Rev. the driver, Dong, a young Chinese man vance day). No one had invited us to Heng Sure. In his June 28 Dhamma talk, from Ubon city, and Ven. Jagaro and I join the ceremony for the Luang Por reminded us that attachment sat in back with Dong’s friend. By the recitation of the Patimokkha (monks’ to the conditioned world is attachment time we left the monastery, evening discipline), so we did our own three- to death. In addition to these formal was upon us. monk ritual in the evening. Later on a talks, Luang Por also hosted several long Dhamma question and answer sessions We were in hill country now, and this monastery after the meal. Ten Spirit Rock teachers visited was built high up on one large hill, what passes Abhayagiri to receive teachings from Luang for a mountain in Thailand. Por from June 18 to June 20, and Board members of Saranaloka (the foundation One of our stops was in Beung Gan bell rang and we went to the s€l€. supporting siladhar€s in the United States) district, at the monastery of Ajahn After the chanting, similar every- met with him June 21. Juen, Wat Phu Tok. We were in hill where in Thailand, Ajahn Juen gave a country now, and this monastery was Dhamma talk. He began by speaking DEVELOPMENT built high up on one large hill, what about the snare of the hunter. It was The long-awaited Dhamma Hall renova- passes for a mountain in Thailand. Our heady, penetrating stuff to hear, sitting tion project began in mid-April with the laymen dropped us off and pointed there in the dim light and the stillness removal of the water-damaged floor. out the way up to the monastery. It of the evening. The next morning, Ven. Drywall was replaced and insulation added was a killer trek, straight up. We had to Jagaro and I went to the s€l€ to find on two walls. Tan C€g€nando designed stop to catch our breath along the way. out where and when to go on pindapat and implemented an energy-efficient When we got near the top, there was (alms round), and Ajahn Juen was (Continued on page 13) a clearing with some small kutis and (Continued on next page)

SUMMER 2008 • 5 Tales from Varapañño (continued from page ) sitting there alone. He seemed deep in Buddho, the One Who Knows, is a there was a brief interval of silence. Por the recesses of his own being, chewing standard meditation in Thailand, but no Yoo, the Bung Wai village headman, betel nut, sitting calmly. We got the one was more renowned for teaching it turned to the laywomen and said, required info from him, and as we left, than Ajahn Fun. I think his one Western “Do you women have anything to ask Ven. Jagaro asked me, “Don’t you feel disciple, simply known as Tahn Don, the Ajahn?” he’s like Luang Por?” There was that had told me that Ajahn Fun taught on “What’s the matter, you men don’t same sense one often got from Ajahn Buddho every night, and as I sat there, have mouths?” came the response. Chah that he was presenting a persona, I could well imagine that he did just There was some laughter, I suspect as doing an act, while an unfathomable that, presenting Buddho in a different much at the Poo Yai Bahn being shown presence shone through from beneath way each time. Yet there was nothing up as at the humor of the response, and the mask. contrived about it; his words had the then Ajahn Pyrote began an informal, We took our leave after the meal and authentic ring of someone who speaks rambling discourse, much in the way headed off to see Ajahn Fun. There was from direct experience and has strong that Luang Por Chah would. a nice easy feeling about Ajahn Fun’s confidence in what he is expounding. He urged the lay folk to practice monastery. It seemed like it existed Ajahn Fun was certainly one of the correct speech. “The mouth is a mostly to make his wonderful pres- most charismatic and widely loved of weapon,” he said. “Even though it’s only ence available to the faithful, and that ’s disciples. sound, our speech can bring people his strength and grace waves carried We were on the road again, off to meet happiness or pain. It can make us everyone and everything along. He Ajahn Sumedho’s upajjhaya (preceptor), loved or hated.” He covered a few other received visitors in the daytime and Chao Khun Dhammapariyattimuni, in things. He talked about perception: “A spoke every night without fail, after Nong Khai city. It was evening when flower for a child is an object of play. chanting service and meditation. we arrived. The Chao Khun was a An adolescent will want to offer it to Dong had told us, in the somewhat lovely man, and it was touching to his sweetheart. For a grownup, it’s touching, wide-eyed fashion of non- see Ajahn Sumedho’s ongoing devo- something to sell. And an elderly practicing lay devotees, that in Ajahn tion to and gratitude for him. We had person thinks of it in p™j€. One Mun’s monastery, Ajahn Tate and Ajahn a relaxed conversation and went to flower, different meanings.” Fun were the senior disciples. When sleep soon afterwards, as we were Thirty years later, those simple Ajahn Mun gave a talk, those two would getting up in a few hours so that we words still stay with me. It’s a beautiful sit by him and examine the minds of the could travel early the next morning. example of the Forest way of monks and novices as they listened. If # # # teaching Dhamma, using the objects and anyone wandered off, they would catch One other memorable visit we vocabulary of everyday life to transmit them and call them back. As we sat and made on a different occasion was at the timeless truths that the Buddha meditated in the raised wooden s€l€ (a Kilometer 29 on the road from Ubon to taught. Luang Por Chah once told me humble affair considering the exalted Amnatcharoen. Ajahn Sumedho, Ven. not to think in terms of profound or status of the abbot), I was uneasy Santacitto, and I were on a day trip with shallow, and indeed it would be hard about the glowing, mountainous Ajahn some Bung Wai laypeople to visit some to pigeonhole such a teaching as Ajahn possibly reading my thoughts. of the branch , and they Pyrote gave as simple or profound, After the meditation, deep or common. Ajahn Fun took notice There’s not much to of us and engaged “A flower for a child is an object of play. the words, but they Ajahn Sumedho in An adolescent will want to offer it to his sweetheart. get right to the heart a brief conversa- For a grownup, it’s something to sell. of all our experience. tion. He asked him # # # if his meditation had And an elderly person thinks of offering it in p™j€. And that brief stop been peaceful. Ajahn One flower, different meanings.” on the way to some- Sumedho replied that where else was yet it was, and then Ajahn Fun went on to suggested we visit an Ajahn Pyrote who another reminder of just how many ask Ven. Jagaro and me. Peaceful some, had a forest monastery not too far from fine practitioners and teachers there not peaceful some, we replied. the main road. were throughout Thailand, a lot of “Nae!” exclaimed Ajahn Fun.“Why only He was an outgoing fellow, maybe them beyond the spotlight of renown. partly peaceful?” And then he launched about forty years old, obviously I suspect that even in these times into the evening desan€ (Dhamma talk), comfortable speaking to groups of of rapid change, there are still many which worked its way into his trade- people on the spur of the moment. such beings to be found in the Kingdom mark theme, the repetition of “Buddho.” Pleasantries were exchanged, and then of Siam.

6 • Fearless Mountain Friendship (continued from page ) excited to share the insight with the the warrior caste of those days; if you seek for a mate and found this young Buddha. So, in late afternoon he came don’t have friends, you are really on female hawk, and her question to him and told the Buddha that he had been your own. You need to have friends was, “Who are your friends? How meditating through the day and had in time of need, in times when lacking many friends do you have?” And he this great insight that half of the holy support, or in times of problems and said, “Well, who would be appropriate life, half of the spiritual life was having difficulties. When you need advice, you friends for us?” She said, “In this area good friends, having noble friendship. have to rely on friends. It really struck around here, we have a big pond over The Buddha said, “Oh. Don’t say that, this young man that this young woman there and a tall tree. There’s a very big šnanda. It’s not just half of the holy he was interested in and wanted to gull, a very large turtle and then there’s life. It’s all of the holy life, to have good marry had real wisdom. It made him also a lion.” They cultivated friend- friends, to have spiritual friendship, even more interested in her. He made ship with these animals. They started admirable friendship.” That a family. They built their sense of the importance “The theme of friendship is an important nest in the big tree. One that the Buddha placed day there were hunters on having good friends, of one to be considering as we live in the world from the neighboring cultivating good friendship, the friendships that we make are the ones village out hunting. They being a good friend of other that sustain us, support us, give us a sense of weren’t very successful in people—these are really connection to each other.” finding anything that day important qualities. and they stopped by this Also if we consider that pond. There were mosqui- the Buddha never referred to himself an effort to cultivate friendship with toes out so they lit a fire to chase them in an inflated way, “I am omniscient. many different people, including royal away. The smoke went up high and the I am omnipresent. I am the greatest. families and the monastics of the time, little hawk chicks in the nest weren’t Look at me!” What he said was, “I am including being introduced to the used to smoke at all. They started to a Kaly€namitta for the world. I am Buddha. And, in time, they got married make noises, crying out and making a a good friend for the world.” Again, in a very large ceremony as he had fuss. The hunters said, “Well, we didn’t this highlights his own sense of the many friends now. It was commented get anything else. We could have bird importance of good friendship. The on by many people how many friends meat.” So, they built up the fire and Buddha, being fully enlightened, a seemed to be there. The Buddha said, of course, put a lot of stress on the fully awakened being, thought the best “This isn’t the first time that they have chicks. The parents were worried and thing that he could do was to provide cultivated friends.” concerned what to do, how to deal with spiritual friendship for others, spiritual In a past life, the couple was born it. They said, “This is the time we could guidance. So this quality of friendship in the animal realm as hawks, male and ask for help from our friends.” So the is important. female. The same question was asked male hawk went and asked the large There’s a lovely J€taka story that I of the male hawk who was trying to gull who was living nearby to help out. remember. (J€takas are tales or The gull said, “Certainly.” The fables of the Buddha’s previous gull went swooping down to the existence). It begins with a water, filled his beak and made scene in the Buddha’s time sure his wings were dripping when a young man and a young wet. Just as the hunter was trying woman are interested in getting to come up with a torch to burn married. Her question to him the nest down and drive out the was, “How many friends do little birds with their parents, the you have?” It wasn’t–how much gull came, swooped down, beat money do you have? Or, how its wings, let loose its mouthful much fame do you have? But, of water, then went back and how many friends do you have? forth until he put the torch out. He was taken aback by that. He Of course, the hunters got more realized that even if one has frustrated and tried to be more all sorts of material well-being persistent. The gull’s effort was or has any power or influence successful to a certain degree because of birth, even if one but it looked like the hunters Shrine in memory of Todd at the Cool Oaks was born in the ruling class or (Continued on page 14)

SUMMER 2008 • 7 Abhayagiri Sangha Calendar & Information 2008 2551/2552

Also visit our online calendar at www.abhayagiri.org/index.php/main/days Lunar Observance Days for the most up-to-date information. 2551/2 Aug ’08 Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan ’09 Feb FRI Aug 5 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. 9 Upasika Day at Abhayagiri—Meditation: The “Other Brahma-viharas” 1 and Recollection Meditation. SAT SUN TUE WED FRI SAT MON 10 Community Work Day at Abhayagiri. 9 7 7 5 5 3 2 13 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA SAT SUN TUE WED FRI SAT MON 1 2 3 22-24 Spirit Rock Teen Weekend at Abhayagiri.

16 14 14 12 12 10 9 Sept 2 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. SUN MON WED THU SAT SUN TUE 8-14 Ajahn Pasanno leads week long Mettā retreat in Cazadero, CA. 24 22 22 20 20 18 17 For information contact: Karen Philips, 20260 Alder Road, Monte Rio, SAT MON TUE THU FRI SUN MON CA 95462, or Paul Friedlander, at [email protected]. FULLY BOOKED – WAITING LIST IN OPERATION. 30 29 28 27 26 25 23 10 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA 1. Pavāranā day. 2. Buddhist year 2552 begins on the 13th. 3. Māgha Pūjā. 14 Community Work Day at Abhayagiri. 20 Benefit for Spirit Rock Family Program (to be held at a private home in the Richmond hills). “Time for Play and Mindfulness: A Community Day for Directions to Abhayagiri Families” with Ajahn Amaro, Heather Sundberg, Kevin Griffin, and others. 1. Take WEST ROAD exit from HWY 101. To Willits Turnout with For more information please go to www.spiritrock.org. (11 miles) 20 mail boxes 21 Ajahn Amaro leads daylong retreat at Spirit Rock “The - 2. Go straight over NORTH STATE ST. Abhayagiri Monastery Balancing Light & Dark, Being & Non-Being.” and SCHOOL WAY. 16201 Tomki Road 27-28 Buddhist bicycle pilgrimage, www.dharmawheels.org. d R i 3. Follow WEST ROAD 3 miles until you k m reach a T-Junction. To Oct 7 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.

d 8 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA. R t 4. Turn left at the T-Junction onto TOMKI s We 11 Upasika day—Practice in a Global Context: The Buddha’s Advice to Political ROAD. Continue for 4 miles until you d R t Leaders and Political Activists s reach a turn-out with 20 mailboxes. The a School E

N W o y 12 Community work day at Abhayagiri. monastery entrance is on the right. r

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) 14 Pavāranā day. This marks the end of the (rains retreat) period. s ile m OREGON 6 19 Kathina Day. - it O CALPELLA x te rr S e ta 5 . S r h D d rt p R o lla 26 Bhikkhu Ordination of Sāmanera Kaccāna. Eureka ri t N e o East Side n s lp in g a c Potter Valley Rd Redding s C o R We d o n d t e h M Redwood a i e 4 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. Valley k k Nov Lo U a w ( L 101 G Lake ap R Mendocino 9 Community Work Day at Abhayagiri. d Dr 1 Sacramento UKIAH 12 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA. Oakland To San Francisco 13 Buddhist year 2552 begins. SAN FRANCISCO (120 miles) NEVADA

San Jose 21 Thanksgiving Retreat Nov 21–30, led by Ajahn Amaro and others. 5 Angela Center, Santa Rosa, CA

1 2 Monthly gathering at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. CALIFORNIA Dec

Bakersfield 7 Upasika Day—Practice in a Personal Context: Generosity Santa Barbara 10 Monthly gathering at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA. LOS ANGELES 101 N 10 13 Daylong at Yoga Mendocino, Ukiah, CA.

Catalina Island 5 14 Community work day at Abhayagiri. SAN 8 DIEGO MEXICO 21 Ajahn Amaro leads daylong retreat at Spirit Rock: “Maximum Darkness.” - an investigation of death, sadness and loss.

Jan 1 Abhayagiri monastic community on retreat for months of Jan, Feb, Mar. Contact Information UNITED STATES Bodhivana Monastery Every Saturday evening at Abhayagiri 780 Woods Point Road, Chanting, meditation & Dhamma talk, beginning at 7:30 pm. Berkeley Buddhist Monastery Amaravati Buddhist Monastery East Warburton, Great Gaddesden, Institute for World Religions Victoria 3799. 2304 McKinley Ave. Hemel Hempstead, Every Lunar Quarter at Abhayagiri Tel. +61 (0) 3 5966 5999 Chanting, meditation, precepts, Dhamma talk, and late night vigil, Berkeley, CA 94703 Hertfordshire HP1 3BZ. Fax. +61 (0) 3 5966 5998 beginning at 7:30 pm. Tel. (510) 848 3440 Tel. +44 (0) 144 284 2455 Fax. (510) 548 4551 Fax: +44 (0) 144 284 3721 www.drba.org www.amaravati.org Second Sunday of each month at Abhayagiri NEW ZEALAND Community work day, 8:00 am–4:00 pm. Bodhinyanarama Portland Friends of the Cittaviveka Monastery First Tuesday of the month in Berkeley, CA Dhamma Chithurst Buddhist Monastery 17 Rakau Grove 5:00-6:00 pm, Informal tea gathering. 7:30-9:30 pm, Meditation, Precepts & 1422 SE Tacoma St., 2nd Floor Chithurst, Petersfield, Stokes Valley, Dhamma talk by monastic at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley. Portland, OR 97202 Hampshire GU31 5EU. Lower Hutt 5019 [email protected] Tel. +44 (0) 1730 814 986 Tel. +64 (0) 4 5637 193 Second Wednesday of each month at Yoga Mendocino Fax. +44 (0) 1730 817 334 www.bodhinyanarama.net.nz 7:30 pm–9:00 pm: Meditation and Dhamma talk by Theravāda monastic. Spirit Rock Meditation Center www.cittaviveka.org During the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, the evening will be led by an Upāsikā. 5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Vimutti Monastery Woodacre, CA AUSTRALIA PO Box 7 Every Tuesday and Friday at Portland Friends of the Dhamma Tel. (415) 488 0164 Bombay, 2343 7:00 pm–9:00 pm: Meditation and Dhamma discussion with lay practitioners. Fax. (415) 488 1025 Tel. +64 (0) 9 236 6816 216 Kingsbury Drive, www.spiritrock.org www.vimutti.org.nz Serpentine, WA 6125. Tel. +61 (0) 8 9525 2420 Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery Community List Yoga Mendocino Vassa (Rains Retreats/years as a monk) 206 Mason St. Fax. +61 (0) 8 9525 3420 THAILAND Ukiah, CA 95482 www.bswa.org Cunda Bhikkhu 0 Ahimsako Bhikkhu 4 Tel. (707) 462 2580 Bahn Bung Wai, Pasanno Bhikkhu 34 Sāmanera Kaccāna 1 Cāgānando Bhikkhu 3 www.yogamendocino.org Amper Warin, Amaro Bhikkhu 29 Sāmanera Thitapañño 0 Sampajāno Bhikkhu 2 Ubon 34310 Yatiko Bhikkhu 15 Anagārika Ian 0 Thitābho Bhikkhu 1 Sudanto Bhikkhu 13 Anagārika Louis 0 Karunadhammo Bhikkhu 10 Kassapo Bhikkhu 1 For a more comprehensive directory of branch monasteries Anagārika Carl 0 please visit www.forestsangha.org Fearless Mountain

Fearless Mountain is the periodic newsletter of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, a Buddhist community in the of and Ajahn Sumedho. It is composed of materials submitted to or written at Abhayagiri and distributed free of charge to friends of the Abhayagiri community. Comment within is personal reflection only. Your input is welcome and appreciated. If you have comments, suggestions, or wish to reprint any of the material contained in this newsletter, please send an email to . Please keep us informed of your current address. © 2008 Abhayagiri Monastery. All rights reserved. 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 Tel. (707) 485-1630 www.abhayagiri.org A Shorter Long Road North

In the spring of 1983 I set out to walk Ajahn Amaro offers some the length of England (via a rambling, roundabout route) with a lay companion, reflections on his recent walk Nick Scott. I had been inspired by the in England with Nick Scott, heritage of wandering monks of the Thai forest tradition and, more perti- which celebrated, and roughly nently, by the recent short journeys followed the route of a previous and undertaken in England by two Western longer walk undertaken in 1983, monks of our lineage. The custom of tudong–journeying on foot by ascetic also with Nick. monastics–had begun in Britain and One year after that first walk I was keen to try my hand, or perhaps that should be my feet... a book was published journaling This original walk took three their experiences entitled months and brought with it many Tudong: The Long Road North, vivid experiences. A few people we met we had already known for some with illustrations by Nancy Sloane time and were staunch supporters of Stanley; parts of this book were the monastery, familiar friends such Day 2 - Camp at The Land of Nod included in the later anthology as Noy Thomson, Carol Winter and Sister Nanda. For some of those we I had just finished a year’s sabbatical in Silent Rain. came across it had been their first June of ’05 and I didn’t think it would ever meeting with Buddhist monastics be met with much favor if I suggested and it was a contact that brought taking a few weeks off again, to go on Dhamma irrevocably into their lives. a jaunt through the byways of England’s Most in this group, like Dan Jones green and pleasant. Then inspiration whom we met in Cambridge, subse- alighted: “You know, 2008 will be the quently chose a ’s path. 25th anniversary of the first walk; if we Others, like the former Ajahn Siripañña, left it for a couple of years the Abhayagiri were inspired by this initial contact to community will be likely to approve of enter into monastic life. a second walk–especially since it’ll be a u u u way of celebrating the anniversary” Decades passed: people we had met This seemed to be an excellent on the walk kept in touch with Nick, fit all round so thus it was. As 2008 came to visit our monasteries, or occa- approached e-mails began to flow sionally we saw each other when I was back and forth between Abhayagiri visiting Buddhist groups throughout Monastery in California and the Galway England. A few received ordination, Peninsular, where Nick now resided. like Ajahn Vimalo, Ajahn Siripañña, Along with the grizzling of beards, Tan Suviro and Adrian Gibson; others the years had also brought us more vanished without a murmur. densely packed schedules so we Through this trickle of sustained only had an 18-day period to play contacts the afterglow of that original with. This was about 20% of the walk was kept alive. Then in 2005, time of the original walk so we care- perhaps due to the reflectiveness fully pegged out a possible route Arrival at Harnham - End of the 1983 walk that can arrive when near the 50-year that covered roughly 165 miles on mark, Nick suggested that he and I paper. In January of ’08 Nick placed revisit some of the places and people a modest notice in the Forest Sangha we had met all those years ago. (Continued on page 12)

10 • Fearless Mountain Day 2 - With Noy Thomson at Squires Hill

Day 3 - Breakfast at Greyfriars

Day 8 - Meeting Ajahn Vimalo & Ven. Vinita at RAF Lakenheath Warren

Day 11 - In the valley below Arncliff.

SUMMER 2008 • 11 A Shorter Long Road North (continued from page 10) Newsletter to let folks know of our intention to The route was formed of four chunks, these visit some of the route we had followed in 1983. It were: Chithurst to my sister’s house in south-west also invited any of those whom we had met then, London; Cambridge to Swaffham, where Sister or those who would like to meet up with us now, Nanda used to live; Ilkley to Kendal, through the to get in touch. Yorkshire Dales; and lastly from Hadrian’s Wall u u u to Monastery, at Harnham. Late April of 2008 brought Nick and I to u u u Chithurst Monastery, he arriving at the last Memories can be tricky, conniving with each minute from a back-packing retreat he had been other to create convincing stories, yet again and leading in Crete. A thick blanket of rain-laden again it is discovered that things didn’t happened skies also appeared, taunting our powers of quite that way and–yes–we recall places shaped resolution. The storeroom of Chithurst House had differently from the way our eyes now reveal rendered up not only a fine tent, a water bottle them to be. Have the memories been modified and a sleeping bag and mat for me to travel with, it by the illustrations that Nancy Sloane Stanley had also (to my amazement) supplied the self-same invented for the book? Or perhaps it’s because pack that I had used 25 years before. My astonish- through endless retelling, the tales have become ment was doubled when it turned out that Nick the reality... So much of what I met along the way this also had the pack that he had used back in ’83. This year did not match the memory: St Martha’s church small physical connection with the venture our was in the wrong place on her hill; Lakenheath two younger selves had set out on brought a Warren was nothing like that and Barbon had bright glow to the heart and that strange tingle reconfigured itself completely saññ€ anicc€, that accompanies such miraculous trivia. sankh€r€ anicc€ perceptions and memories are u u u unreliable, uncertain. Unlike 1983, wherein our meetings and eating- If there is wisdom, however, we actively develop stops had mostly evolved en route, Nick had this this “anicca-sañña,” recognizing unreliability in time organized a thoroughly worked-out array things and, mysteriously, the mind that knows “All of meal-offerings. Personally I had hoped for it to is uncertain” provides a genuine . Furthermore, be more in the spirit of monk-who-travels-like- not only does this refuge operate on an internal clouds-and-water, with more open days and less level but we find we receive great blessings even preparations. This was not the way this particular when things don’t go “right.” When my foot gave undertaking was shaped, however, and I reflected out on the last day of the walk, a sequence of that to harmonize with the wholesome attitudes encounters with compassionate strangers resulted of your travelling companions is the first rule of a in rides all the way to Harnham. We arrived three fruitful life on the road. hours before our planned welcome was ready. So it goes.

Day 11 - Setting out into the Yorkshire Dales, north of Ilkley

12 • Fearless Mountain Day 13 - Finding precious shade on top of Ingleborough Hill

From the Monastery (continued from page ) remote controlled fluorescent lighting system, and a team of Abhayagiri residents undertook the painting, using a newly donated paint sprayer, which greatly reduced the painting time and improved the quality of the work. The Abhayagiri residents held evening puja at Casa Serena for the duration of this project, which was completed in time for Ajahn Amaro’s return on May 17. During the month of May, monastery residents often Day 15 - At Hadrian’s Wall, noticed heavy machinery rumbling up the Abhayagiri hill. near the Scottish For some of us, this was the only visible sign of Bud Garman border & Sons Construction creating two new roads in the forest to enable present and future kuti construction. One road begins at the solar field and goes 300 feet to the new monk’s kuti, and the other road creates access for a number of future new kuti sites. Bud Garman & Sons also repaired roads at Casa Serena. Shortly after the roads were finished, Madlem Construction broke ground on two new kutis, a “visiting elder’s” cabin at the end of the road and a monk’s kuti just below the ordina- tion platform. The Abhayagiri community has been working in conjunction with Madlem Construction to build these new dwellings, with residents doing a large share of the work on the monk’s cabin. The elder’s cabin is nearly identical to Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro’s kutis but has underfloor heating and is wheelchair accessible. The monk’s kuti has the same floor plan as those built in 2006. While this is the Day 18 - final elder’s cabin that Abhayagiri plans to build, the master Arrival at Harnham - plan calls for similar monk’s kutis to be built for future use. note walking staff… - The Sangha

SUMMER 2008 • 13 Friendship (continued from page ) were not going to quit. So then, the it’s something that is really right or yourself, as well as being a good friend hawks let the turtle know. It was a appropriate. So that being a good friend to others–that sense of knowing how very large turtle, and as it came, it is always looking out for the benefit or to encourage yourself, to support formulated a plan–it covered itself with the good, not just in the short term but yourself in ways that allow you to be a lot of moss and weeds from the pond, also in the long term–the benefit and peaceful or at ease with yourself. We along with mud and slime. It came up can create a lot of tension out of worry and went right on to the fire and put or fear–and that’s not being a good it out. That made the hunters really It’s important to know friend to oneself. We wouldn’t do angry. They started to try to catch the that to our other friends. We wouldn’t turtle and beat this turtle. Of course, it how to be a good friend make them worry or make them really was very large and strong and was able to yourself, as well as anxious. We would want to try to to get away. Still these hunters weren’t protect them. But oftentimes we don’t going to give up. Finally, the hawks being a good friend do that to ourselves. We wouldn’t criti- had to go to the last friend, the lion. to others - that sense cize our friends so much that they feel The lion came and roared his lion’s really badly. We would want to help roar. The hunters were finally afraid of knowing how to them, maybe by giving encouragement and ran away. After the hunters left, encourage yourself, or helping them to do something better, the hawks, the gull, the turtle thanked but we wouldn’t want to hurt them. the lion and thanked each other for to support yourself in We have to learn how to do that to their friendship. They all rejoiced in ways that allow one ourselves as well. So learning how to their friendship with each other and be a good friend–both learning how to determined to remain friends and live to be peaceful or be a good friend to others, as well as as friends in that area, which they did, at ease with oneself being a good friend to ourselves. helping to look after each other. As the In the teaching that the Buddha gave, Buddha finished this story, he said, “In when he was talking to šnanda and that lifetime, those two hawks were this happiness of one’s friends. Friendship saying that having noble friends is all of young man and this young woman. is perhaps something that we only tend the holy life, the Buddha actually ends The gull was S€riputta. The turtle was to think of as having a group of friends by asking, “How does one have noble Moggall€na. The lion was myself. Even or helping friends or being in social friendship?” And he says, by cultivating in these former lives, living as animals, situations, and of course these are very or by living this path of practice of we appreciated and saw the value in important. But as the Buddha said, so having right view, having right inten- friendship.” So we can see the Buddha much of what supports the spiritual life tion, having right speech, having right placed much importance in the value is having good friends–the nurturing of action, having right livelihood, having of friendship. our spiritual aspirations is fulfilled by right effort, having right mindfulness, When we live in the world, even how we cultivate friendship. and having right concentration; that though it might not be as spectacular Another aspect that is really impor- is, the . The path as the J€taka story, in many, many tant is how we are a good friend to of skilful living is the way we cultivate little ways, it always comes up in our ourselves. Sometimes we are able to noble friendship, so that we both look lives how important and necessary it be good friends with others, but some- after ourselves and then also learn how is to rely on our friends, and to be able times we may not be a good friend to to look after others. Again, learning to know how to be a good friend, to ourselves. It may be that a friend makes how to be a good friend to oneself is give friendship to others. Sometimes a mistake or may have done something learning to be a good friend to others. being a good friend isn’t necessarily a bit foolish. We might say something Another thing that the Buddha always doing what your other friends but it would rarely be harsh or overly pointed out, when we are looking at want. Sometimes a good friend is one critical. One would say something but friendship with others is, how do we who is willing to point out when your it would be out of care or kindness decide or how does one gauge who other friends may be doing something or compassion. But if we ourselves is a good friend? The Buddha said it that might be harmful, or that may not do something unskillful or foolish, comes back to qualities–the qualities be of benefit to them, or that is going to oftentimes we can be really harsh on of having similar or compatible virtue, create disharmony. Being a good friend ourselves. Sometimes we are not a similar or compatible generosity, similar is also sometimes being willing to good friend to ourselves. It’s important or compatible faith and similar or criticize if it’s necessary, or if you think to know how to be a good friend to compatible discernment. These are all

14 • Fearless Mountain the wholesome qualities that we build From ’s Desk together as friends. This is something By Cindy Mettika Hoffman that binds us together and provides the basis for friendship to continue over a Several years ago I was at Abhayagiri and words and actions arose and passed long period of time. had the opportunity to see Ruth Denison, away rapidly. It was very painful to Today Todd’s friends and family my heart teacher, who was visiting for remember these events. come to make offerings and dedicate the day. After the meal I sat with Ruth, A few weeks later I was at Spirit Rock the blessings and goodness of those guests and members of the community. Meditation Center in training with 60 offerings for Todd. That’s something We were relaxed, comfortable and glad other people from all over the country. which is very very beautiful. I wish to to be with each other. I walked out of the dark interior of a express my appreciation to them all for Ruth asked me the meaning of building into the brilliant sunshine and coming and providing an example of “Mettika.” I said that it means, “One saw Ajahn Amaro sitting on a bench friendship for us all. It’s something that with loving kindness,” taken from the at a picnic table directly facing me. is noble and beautiful in the human word “mett€.” Then Ajahn Amaro said He greeted me with, “Hello Dosika.” condition. They have come a long way. in his inimitable way, “We couldn’t find ARGHH. And, tomorrow they will be returning the P€li word for ‘grumpy’.” Everyone I went home and reflected deeply on to Washington State. I wish them all a laughed, including moi. dosa/dosika and realized that anger safe journey. I will close with that for The next week I was back at the was part of the three poisons and it the evening. monastery and Ajahn Amaro said was everyone’s responsibility to deal they had found the P€li word for with these poisons. The Buddha’s “grumpy.” I asked what it was. Ajahn teachings offer the perfect way to train UPCOMING EVENTS replied, “Dosika.” In the far back of the mind and heart toward wholesome

Bhikkhu Ordination my mind I knew the word but didn’t thoughts, words and deeds. I realized On Sunday, October 26th, want to wait for the definition to arise. that mett€/mettika was the wholesome S€manera Kacc€na is planning to Ajahn provided it for me: “One filled side of the picture and dosa/dosika was formally request the Upasampada, with aversion.” the unwholesome. It could be called the or bhikkhu ordination. Please join Everything went still and quiet. This shadow side of personality. It runs on us for this auspicious event! was the perfect opportunity for M€ra automatic pilot, difficult to see in your- For more information, please to slip in, as quick as a flash, and fill self, but obvious to everyone else. contact the monastery. my heart with overwhelming fear, At that point in time I made the inten- shame, pride and embarrassment. M€ra tion to work with the wholesome and Kathina Celebration is the great master of doubt, shame, fear, unwholesome through the use of my at Abhayagiri confusion, denial, angst, stress, greed, name. So now when I realize that some- Please join us for this year’s Kathina anger and delusion. “Ajahn thing I think, say or do could be Celebration, which will be held on really does know all my more skillful I can use the words Sunday, October 19th. For further nasty qualities,” I thought. “mettika” and “dosika” and act information visit the Abhayagiri For the next several weeks, accordingly. Ajahn Amaro has website or phone the monastery. meditation and everyday never again called me that name thoughts were filled with the beginning with a “D.” concept of dosika. Scenes of In the previous issue of Fearless Mountain Newsletter we announced that we would anger manifesting in thoughts, be discontinuing its production. Because of the interest and generosity of supporters of the monastery, we are able to, once again, continue publishing. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Jebbie Lavoie for design and layout, along with editorial assistance by Kristy Arbon and Elizabeth Matovinovic.

SUMMER 2008 • 15 Sanghapala Foundation ABHAYAGIRI NON PROFIT ORG. BUDDHIST MONASTERY U.S. POSTAGE 16201 Tomki Road, Redwood Valley, CA 95470 PAID AUTOZIP

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Summer 2008•2551/2552 Newsletter

Ajahn Amaro & Friends Offer a 10-day retreat over Thanksgiving Abhayagiri Monastery and the Sanghapala Foundation are offering people the opportunity to join Ajahn Amaro and friends for a 10-day retreat over the Thanksgiving holiday.

The retreat will be held from Friday afternoon, Nov 21, through midday Sunday, Nov 30, 2008, at the Angela Center in Santa Rosa, California.

The retreat will be offered solely on dana (freewill donations). A refundable registration deposit of $100 is required to register.

For further information, please contact Paul at [email protected]