Ajahn Chah

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Venerable Ajahn Chah

Venerable Ajahn Chah Subhatto Bodhinyanathera (alternatively Achaan Chah, occasionally with honorific titles Luang Por and Phra) (1918, Thailand – 1992), was one of the greatest meditation masters of the twentieth century. Known for his informal and direct style, he was a major influence on Theravada Buddhism around the world.

As a young Bhikkhu, Ajahn Chah practiced meditation under a number of masters, among whom was Ajahn Mun, a highly respected and accomplished meditation teacher of the time. Ajahn Mun had an indelible influence on Ajahn Chah, giving his meditation the direction and clarity that it lacked. Ajahn Chah later became an accomplished meditation teacher in his own right, sharing his realization of the Dhamma with those who sought it. The essence of the teaching was rather simple: be mindful, don't hang on to anything, let go and surrender to the way things are.

Venerable Ajahn Chah was an influential and perhaps the most famous monk of the Thai Forest tradition of Theravada. The monks of this tradition use various ascetic practices, known as dhutanga, on an occasional or regular basis to deepen their devotional practice. They might, for example, eat only one meal a day, sleep outside under a tree, or visit fearsome forests or graveyards. They also use meditation, for calming (samatha) and for insight (vipassana).

Ajahn Chah established the monasteries of Wat Nong Pah Pong and Wat Pah Nanachat in Northeast Thailand, the grounds of which contain some of the last remaining forest land in Thailand. Wat Pah Pong now includes over ten monasteries and 140 branches in Thailand, as well as four associated monasteries and ten lay practice centers around the world.

Ajahn Chah himself did not write much if anything for publication, but his talks were recorded, transcribed, translated and published as books and as free materials available on the Internet.

Over a million people attended Ajahn Chah's funeral in 1992, including the Thai royal family. He left behind a legacy of Dhamma talks, students, and monasteries.

Quotes

"When one does not understand death, life can be very confusing."

"The Dhamma has to be found by looking into your own heart and seeing that which is true and that which is not, that which is balanced and that which is not balanced."

"Only one book is worth reading: the heart."

"Don’t think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. If you do think this way, then quickly change your thinking. Steady practice is keeping mindful in every posture, whether sitting, walking, standing or lying down. When coming out of sitting, don’t think that you’re coming out of meditation, but that you are only changing postures. If you reflect in this way, you will have peace. Wherever you are, you will have this attitude of practice with you constantly. You will have a steady awareness within yourself."

"When sitting in meditation, say, “That’s not my business!” with every thought that comes by."

"The heart of the path is quite easy. There’s no need to explain anything at length. Let go of love and hate and let things be. That’s all that I do in my own practice."

"We practice to learn how to let go, not how to increase our holding on to things. Enlightenment appears when you stop wanting anything."

"If you let go a little, you will have a little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have a lot of peace. If you let go completely, you will have complete peace."

"You are your own teacher. Looking for teachers can’t solve your own doubts. Investigate yourself to find the truth - inside, not outside. Knowing yourself is most important."

Famous Western students

• Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo : Abbot of The Forest Hermitage, Warwickshire, England
• Venerable Ajahn Brahm : Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australian and Abbot of Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery, Serpentine WA, Australia
• Venerable Ajahn Amaro : Co-abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery Redwood Valley, California, USA
• Venerable Ajahn Passano : Co-abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery Redwood Valley, California, USA
• Venerable Ajahn Sumedho : Abbot of Amaravati Buddhist centre, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire England
• Venerable Ajahn Sundara
• Joseph Kappel
• Jack Kornfield

References

• A Still Forest Pool: The Insight Meditation of Achaan Chah (Jack Kornfield ed.). Theosophical Publishing House (1985). ISBN 0835605973.
• Being Dharma: The Essence of the Buddha's Teachings. Shambahla Press (2001). ISBN 1570628084.
• Food for the Heart (Ajahn Amaro, ed.). Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2002. ISBN 0861713230.

External links

• Full biography and picture
• Excellent collection of transcribed talks, audio talks in Real Audio format, and biographical links
• Collection of transcribed talks
• Collection of transcribed talks
• List of monasteries based on Chah's teachings
• List of monasteries based on Chah's teachings

See Also

• Venerable Ajahn Khemadhammo
• Venerable Ajahn Mun