The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 1

“It’s impossible to equate worldly intelligence with the wisdom of Dhamma. If intelligent people would turn away from their mundane concerns and instead turn their attention to the practice of Buddhist meditation, they could bring true happiness into their daily lives and the lives of those around them.”

Part 1 - The Basics of Buddhist Practice

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The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 2

“Buddhism is not a path of gaining so much as it is a path of relinquishing. The goal is not reached by striving to go higher. The goal is there already. We simply uncover it by getting rid of things; not by actually gaining something, but by relinquishing everything.”

Part 2 - Samādhi and Wisdom

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The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 3

“To be successful, meditation must be a discipline that encompasses the whole person and all aspects of daily life. It is a path of practice that has both cause and effect, a firm basis leading to good results. We can’t simply choose to practice some factors of the path and neglect the others; otherwise, all efforts will ultimately prove disappointing.”

Part 3 - Teachings for the Monks

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The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 4 – Video 1

“People should think about what their lives will be like if they don’t do meditation. They should consider what their lives will be like after 10, 20, 30 years if they decide to just follow the way of the world. What will their hearts be like then—what will they have of value in their hearts to bring true happiness into their daily lives and the lives of those around them. And what will they have developed in their hearts to carry on to the next life, because the next life is only as good as we make it in this life."

Life Story

This uplifting biographical sketch compiled from old photographs and video footage reveals the remarkable life and Dhamma teachings of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho, an English monk in the Thai Forest Tradition who, through his own efforts in meditation, was able to establish a strong spiritual foundation in his heart. He was a patriarch in the Western Sangha where his leadership influenced countless monks and laypeople to practice the teachings of Ajaan Mahā Boowa. In the course of his life he introduced generations of Western Buddhists to kammaṭṭhāna meditation practices.

The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 5 – Video 2

“People should think about what their lives will be like if they don’t do meditation. They should consider what their lives will be like after 10, 20, 30 years if they decide to just follow the way of the world. What will their hearts be like then—what will they have of value in their hearts to bring true happiness into their daily lives and the lives of those around them. And what will they have developed in their hearts to carry on to the next life, because the next life is only as good as we make it in this life."

Bhikkhu Ordination in 1956

This is the original black-and-white video of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho’s first bhikkhu ordination in 1956. The ordination ceremony began on the afternoon of January 27, 1956 with a long procession that escorted the monks and novices three times around the Uposatha Hall before entering that sanctified building. The procession was led in traditional Thai fashion by a serpentine figure, the mythical nāga, in the form of a man draped by an enormous and colorful dragon’s head which spewed real flames from its gaping mouth as it bobbed and weaved through the crowd of onlookers.

The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 6 – Video 3

“People should think about what their lives will be like if they don’t do meditation. They should consider what their lives will be like after 10, 20, 30 years if they decide to just follow the way of the world. What will their hearts be like then—what will they have of value in their hearts to bring true happiness into their daily lives and the lives of those around them. And what will they have developed in their hearts to carry on to the next life, because the next life is only as good as we make it in this life."

Dhamma Talk

This video shows Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho explaining the nature of Dhamma to a group of lay disciples at Wat Pa Baan Taad in 2003. When speaking, Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho had a soft, deep voice, as soothing as a cool forest stream. He spoke quietly to those who came to hear his teachings, his head leaning affably to one side, inspiring respect and careful attention. His teachings inspired in his audience an unshakeable confidence in the Dhamma, and a conviction in the central importance of a trusted teacher.

The Dhamma of Ajaan Paññāvaddho – Part 7 – Video 4

“People should think about what their lives will be like if they don’t do meditation. They should consider what their lives will be like after 10, 20, 30 years if they decide to just follow the way of the world. What will their hearts be like then—what will they have of value in their hearts to bring true happiness into their daily lives and the lives of those around them. And what will they have developed in their hearts to carry on to the next life, because the next life is only as good as we make it in this life."

Cremation Ceremony

This video highlights the main events of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho’s funeral, which occurred at Wat Pa Baan Taad in 2004. Three separate times during the course of his funeral ceremony that day an enormous sphere-shaped rainbow encircled the sun in the cloudless sky. It was as though the power of Ajaan Paññāvaḍḍho’s spiritual awakening had induced this image to reflect the depth and subtlety of his unblemished virtue for all to witness.