Theravāda · The Thai forest tradition
The Buddha’s teaching as the forest monasteries of Thailand have lived it — the texts they chant, the teachers who embodied them, and the best places to go deeper. Chosen with care, and offered freely.
Today
Buddhist Era 2569
Last quarter
New moon in 7 days, 9 Nov
Today in Thailand · Retreat
The Kathina season
Today's reflection
Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā,
manoseṭṭhā manomayā.
Manasā ce paduṭṭhena
bhāsati vā karoti vā,
tato naṃ dukkhamanveti
cakkaṃva vahato padaṃ.
Mind goes before all things;
mind is their chief, and they are made of mind.
If one speaks or acts
with a corrupted mind,
suffering follows
as the wheel follows the ox’s hoof.
From the texts
Sutta Sn 1.8 · Khp 9
Karaṇīyamettā Sutta
The Buddha's verses on loving-kindness: the qualities of one who seeks peace, and a heart without limit toward every being — among the best-loved chants of the Thai monasteries.
Verse Dhp 183–185
Ovāda Pāṭimokkha
The whole of the teaching in three verses — not doing evil, doing good, purifying the mind — remembered each year on Māgha Pūjā.
Sutta SN 56.11
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
The Buddha's first teaching: the middle way between indulgence and self-torment, and the four noble truths. Remembered each year on Āsāḷha Pūjā.
The teachers
Wat Pa Suddhavasa, Sakon Nakhon
Wat Asokaram, Samut Prakan
Wat Pa Baan Taad, Udon Thani
Wat Nong Pah Pong, Ubon Ratchathani
The library
Talks
youtube.com
I find this collection to be of tremendous value: The progression from basic concepts and practice guidance to a careful examination of all elements of Buddhist practice as they arise .
Sayar Myat
Texts
dhammatalks.org
Close to a thousand suttas from the Pāli Canon in careful, readable English — the Dhammapada, the Sutta Nipāta, and much of the four great collections — with introductions and notes. Free, without advertising.
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Book
forestsangha.org · Forest Sangha
Nearly all of Ajahn Chah's talks that have been translated into English, gathered in a single volume by the monasteries of his lineage and offered for free distribution.
Ajahn Chah
Book
abhayagiri.org · Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
Ajahn Jayasāro's life of Ajahn Chah — more than twenty years in the making, and the fullest account there is of the man and his teaching. Free to download.
Ajahn Chah
Book
dhammatalks.org
Ajahn Lee's classic guide to breath meditation, with his lessons in concentration, translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. Read online, or download it free as an ebook.
Ajahn Lee
Book
forestdhamma.org · Forest Dhamma
Ajahn Maha Boowa's account of his teacher's life and practice — the founding story of the forest tradition — translated by Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano. Free to download.
Ajahn Mun
Themes
The calendar