Ajahn Chah various Disciples - Seeing the Way Vol 2 - Buddhist Reflections on the Spiritual Life

Seeing The Way Volume 2

Published by:
Aruno Publications,
Aruna Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery
2 Harnham Hall Cottages,
Harnham, Belsay,
Northumberland NE20 0HF UK

Contact Aruno Publications at www.aruno.org
This book is available for free download from www.forestsanghapublications.org

ISBN 978-09568113-3-2

Digital Edition 1.1

Copyright 2011 HARNHAM BUDDHIST MONASTERY TRUST

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In order to make this e-book readable in a variety of electronic formats a simplified form of representing Pali words has been used; some of the diacritical marks have therefore not been included in this edition. To check the spelling of any particular Pali word, please consult the Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

The first volume of Seeing the Way was printed in 1989. Our teacher, the Venerable Ajahn Chah, had been seriously ill for a number of years. Publishing this collection of Dhamma talks in English was one way of expressing our love and gratitude to him.

Numerous requests to reprint that original anthology have been made over the years. The two decades that have passed since that time, however, have found the shape and size of our community change considerably. Hence, rather than reprinting, I decided to offer a Seeing the Way, Volume Two.

During Ajahn Chahs visit to Europe in 1978 he asked his senior Western disciple, Ajahn Sumedho, to accept an invitation to establish a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Britain. No one knew how things would unfold but Ajahn Chahs recommendation was to simply live the bhikkhu life and wait to see what happened.

Now, as we begin the year 2011, Ajahn Sumedho has returned to live in Thailand, and we reflect on what happened during those intervening thirty-four years. Not only was a Theravada training monastery well established in the UK Cittaviveka in West Sussex but Ajahn Sumedho further initiated and supported the building of seven other monasteries around the Western world: another three in Britain, and one each in Italy, Switzerland, the United States and New Zealand. So this book also honours the dedicated commitment of Ajahn Sumedho to the renunciate life and the many precious gifts he has given us.

This new collection of transcribed talks and essays by eighteen monks and nuns aims to present a snapshot of the community of Western disciples of Ajahn Chah as it is now, in 2011. Included among the contributors are many of those whose talks were in Volume One of Seeing the Way. Also included are senior monks and nuns who are currently serving as leaders of this family of monasteries. The layout of the chapters is determined by geographical location, a structure that I hope will give a picture of the world-wide community. But readers should feel free to read the chapters in whatever sequence they wish.

However they are read, I expect that you will recognize Dhamma threads connecting all of them. One of the most evident threads is that of relinquishment. Perhaps in the context of the modern consumer culture its Western and Eastern variations there is a risk of Buddhism becoming another expression of self-seeking: doing my practice, developing my attainments, gaining my insights.

Ajahn Chah leaves us no room for doubt. In the question and answer session that forms the introduction to this book he makes it very clear: there is nothing at all we can cling to; everything must eventually be relinquished, including our most precious ideas about practice. I chose to reprint this piece called, What is Contemplation from the first Seeing the Way, so readers might glean a sense of the way in which Dhamma is taught in this tradition. From studying suttas we recognize the importance of solitude. Yet somewhat paradoxically it is Sangha, or spiritual community, that shows us how to truly benefit from solitary practice. In the company of the teacher we intuit a right relationship to the inner life, with its joys and sorrows, successes and failures. Ajahn Chah was ruthless in his encouragement to us to surrender ourselves into practice, holding nothing back. He did it, however, with a warmth, and often a smile, that made all the difference. In the following pages I trust you will sense something of this generosity of spirit which naturally shines forth from those who, with commitment, have developed this way.

In the first discourse Ajahn Sumedho inspires us towards awakening in his talk The Dhamma is Right Here by focusing directly on the power of a purified awareness. He speaks of the escape hatch through which we can enter a new level of understanding, free from the undermining habits of clinging. Later on Ajahn Sucitto discusses the wisdom that knows how to release out of our life-story, with its tragedies, heroes and villains. He emphasizes that such letting go is not an unwillingness to respond. However, that steadiness and completeness can be found in a quality of awareness of what is, when we cease clinging to opinions about how things should be. Ajahn Khemasiri in his talk Right Orientation reflects on the first two factors of the Eightfold Path. He points out that renunciation practice is for everyone; not just for those gone forth. And that the essence of renunciation is found in what we do on the heart level, not just on the outer aspects or forms of practice.

Ajahn Pasanno in his contribution considers spiritual friendship and comments on how bringing mindfulness into all areas of life formal practice and daily life practice equips us with the skill to make wise choices. He discusses how cultivating mindful relationship leads to a tangible increased ability in taking responsibility. Ajahn Viradhammo directs our contemplation towards the value of community and the way practice of precepts supports letting go at the same time as we maintain empathy. We will all face obstacles as we travel along this path to freedom but wise companionship can protect us from becoming too distracted or lost.

Ajahn Tiradhammo highlights some of the causes for becoming lost and shows us how to recognize warning signs. And both Ajahn Sundara and Ajahn Candasiri speak about equipping ourselves well for the journey ahead with conscious appreciation of the blessings we have already received. Timely reflection on these blessings shows us we have more than enough to fully give ourselves into this training.

If we hadnt heard wise teachings or if we didnt live in a benevolent and tolerant society we wouldnt have the freedom to investigate as the Buddha taught. Yet even though we are indeed blessed with good fortune at this time, out of heedlessness we can create obstructions for ourselves and others. Complacency is one of them. We might gain some tranquillity and initial insight from our meditation efforts but this is not yet the heartwood of which the Buddha spoke. Relinquishment, letting go, abandonment is the goal. In his talk, The Real Practice, Ajahn Jayasaro again offers clear guidance on where our priorities must lie if we really do long for liberation.

It is hoped that readers will find within these offerings instruction and encouragement relevant to a personal seeing of that which the Buddha saw, 2550 years ago. As Ajahn Sumedho emphasizes, this teaching is, ... not just a nice idea, or Buddhism