Theravada as practiced by most converts in the West is distinguished by the absence of monasticism, its dominant institution. Nevertheless, Thai Forest monasticism has managed to gain a foothold in the convert West, thanks to the efforts of convert monastics trained in Thailand. This article analyzes the missionary project to “monasticize” Western lay converts through the history of Birken Forest Monastery in British Columbia, Canada, founded in 1994.

To establish a monastery in Birken’s isolated, non-Buddhist environs, the abbot, Ajahn Sona in effect created a lay village to attract converts to and to teach them their role in orthodox Thai Forest monasticism. The all-consuming nature of the monasticization project among laypeople has cut short the training of a homegrown Sangha at Birken, demonstrating the challenges of establishing a domestic convert monasticism and the continuing dominance of the laity in North American Theravada.

Those who have awakened don’t talk of what they’ve awakened to, because it lies above and beyond all words.

A collection of pithy teachings from a notoriously reticent, modern-day “Zen Master” of the Thai Forest Tradition.

If we can bring all this inwards and investigate it, we will see that the birth of a tree and our own birth are no different. This body of ours is born and exists dependent on conditions, on the elements of earth, water, wind and fire

A selection of ten dhamma talks by Venerable Ajahn Chah that covers various topics, such as meditation, opening the dhamma-eye, and right view.

… those who have not long gone forth, who are newcomers in this Dhamma & Vinaya should be encouraged, exhorted, and established in these five things.

Wisdom doesn’t get itself entangled, bogged down…

A small collection of three Dhamma talks on how to orient our thoughts and practice in the right direction.

When we watch the mind in this way, we will see whatever arises as it really is. We will keep seeing the truth of body and mind until we become dispassionate to their constant flux, their insubstantiality, their suffering nature. We will release attachment to them, be liberated and know

When we say you have to endure, you really have to endure. Don’t be willing to surrender. Craving is going to keep coming up and whispering but don’t you listen to it! You have to listen to the Buddha—the Buddha who tells you to let go of craving.

A collection of teachings from one of 20th-century Thailand’s preeminent nuns.

… what the Buddha knew and what he told us is a hard-to-come-by, transcendental truth which will make us happy all the time

A collection of Than Ajahn Suchart’s early Dhamma talks in English.

Volume 2 can be found on Google Drive here.

When feelings of discouragement come up and we are tired and disheartened we might want to give up our efforts, but once we have given up, there is no chance any more to reap the benefits of the practice. So at least keep trying, everyone. Whether we have already attained peaceful states or not doesn’t matter. Just keep on meditating, sitting or walking. Peaceful or not.

… when thereʼs fuel, fire will keep burning until thereʼs nothing left

Triumphing over the dragon was a genuine heroic quest. That’s not the problem. The problem is that at a later stage in life, we’re not able to let go of that. We’re not able to see, “What is the dragon that’s in front of me right now?”

A talk about psychological development and its relationship to the monk’s journey.

It is as if an arrow has been pulled out of your heart.

The comprehensive biography of one of the most revered of the modern Thai masters.

You can find the official audiobook here.

We must use sati-paññā to sound out and see the dukkha. To see clearly the heat with insight. Then turn to see our Heart – is that also red-hot as well? Or is it only the body parts (dhātu-khandha) that are heated? If one possesses discernment then the Heart will not be moved. It will be cool within the mass of fire which is the body burning with the fires of dukkha. This is the way of those who practise.

A series of fiery and inspiring Dhamma talks from Thailand’s famed forest master on the subject of meditation: starting with the foundation of samatha and dwelling at length on the correct way to develop vipassana and paññā.

So, keep on practicing. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You’ll have to reap results, there’s no doubt about it.

An intimate letter of encouragement, helpful for meditators who haven’t yet entered the insight path.

What we’re referring to when we speak of “Korwat” is the monastic etiquette and protocol.

A short introduction to the monastic rules as followed in Thailand.

Until one has a taste of samādhi, one doesn’t know the value of the Dhamma and the teaching. Until a bhikkhu experiences samādhi, he fails to see the value of the Buddha’s teaching. He may read about it in books, but paper and ink are not very tasty food!

A transcript of this talk can be found in Teachings for the Monks.

But one day your body’s gonna say, “No, I can no longer do it.” Your body becomes old, sick or incapacitated. You cannot do anything. Then, people may think about killing themselves, right? But if you have peace from meditation, then you don’t need the body. Whatever happens to the body doesn’t bother you. You can still have peace and happiness directly. You don’t need a medium like the body and the things that the body consumes to make it happy. All you need is mindfulness to calm your mind, to stop your mind.

But it’s not easy. Mindfulness doesn’t come easily but it’s not impossible. You just have to concentrate on your effort to be mindful

Once the mind has been made peaceful, we then allow the mind to rest for some time in this calm state. Once it begins to think and proliferate again, we then take up the body for contemplation. Contemplation and samādhi are practiced in alternation like this.

As for the question of suffering in the future—in this life or the next—don’t overlook your heart that’s suffering right now.

A collection of Luangta’s talks delivered to lay people. A beautiful collection of sermons from one of the great modern masters.

We’ve got these defilements, they are within us and they keep coming up all the time. They act like demons. They cause one trouble the whole time. So one does the meditation practice and it’s quite hard work for quite a long time, but steadily the results come. Bit by bit they come.

Ajahn Pañña has a light-hearted but sincere discussion on the fundamentals of Buddhism one evening in Thailand.