r/forestsangha

>“In the end we can say only this - apart from the birth, the life and the death of suffering, there is nothing. There is just this. But we who are ignorant run and grab it constantly. We never see the truth of it, that there's simply this continual change. If we understand this then we don't need to think very much, but we have much wisdom. If we don't know it, then we will have more thinking than wisdom - and maybe no wisdom at all! It's not until we truly see the harmful results of our actions that we can give them up. Likewise, it's not until we see the real benefits of practice that we can follow it, and begin working to make the mind 'good'.”
>
> — Luang Por Chah

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• Given to the assembly of monks and novices at Wat Pah Nanachat, during the rains retreat, 1978.

• Right View Desana

Venerable Ajahn Paññavaddho was for 41 years the senior-most Western bhikkhu following Venerable Ajahn Mun's path of practice. A pioneer of the Western Sangha, his calm presence and selfless devotion touched countless monks and laypeople. He translated Ajahn Maha Boowa's teachings into English, introducing generations to the Thai forest tradition. He he was highly praised by Luang Dta as a great resource for the western monks.

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• Archive.org collection link

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KEY BIOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS

• Born 19 Oct 1925 in Kolar Gold Fields, South India (Welsh parents)
• Ordained as samanera in London (1955), then bhikkhu in Bangkok (1956)
• Returned to Thailand in 1961 seeking a true teacher
• Became disciple of Ajaan Maha Boowa at Wat Pa Baan Taad (1963)
• Re-ordained in Dhammayuta Nikaya (1965)
• Passed away peacefully on 18 Aug 2004 at Wat Pa Baan Taad
• Funeral attended by ~50,000 people; a circular rainbow appeared thrice around the sun on the day of his cremation

NOTABLE HARDSHIPS OVERCOME

• Bovine tuberculosis in right foot as teen → fused ankle, lifelong disability
• Escaped military service in WWII (avoided bad kamma)
• Lived in remote, hot jungles of NE Thailand
• Language barrier (learned Thai to follow Venerable Ajahn Maha Boowa)
• Applied engineering skills to build monastery infrastructure

Remembering Venerable Ajahn Panya: "His heart was purely and simply at peace."