Āyasmā Ariyadhammika

Introduction

Āyasmā Ariyadhammika is a highly seasoned Austrian Thera (Elder) with a vast breadth of experience across the primary Theravada Buddhist landscapes of Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. Known for his "global" monastic training, he integrates various meditation lineages with a deep scholarly focus on Early Buddhism. He currently serves as a guiding teacher for monastics at the Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) in Perak, Malaysia.

Early Life and Academic Background

Born Björn Selic in Austria in 1976, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika was academically inclined toward Economics and Music, which he studied at the University of Graz. His spiritual curiosity was piqued at the age of 14 upon discovering the Buddha’s teachings in a local library. After a decade of independent study and practice in the U Ba Khin tradition, his commitment to the Dhamma led him to renounce his lay life in 2005 to seek ordination in Asia.

Formative Years in Myanmar (2005–2010)

Āyasmā Ariyadhammika received his full ordination on July 14, 2005, at the renowned Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Myanmar, with Pa-Auk Sayadaw as his preceptor. He spent five years living a minimalist forest life, often dwelling in the open air under trees. During this time, he mastered Ānāpānassati (mindfulness of breathing) and later explored the diverse meditation techniques of the Mogok, Mahasi, Shwe Oo Min (U Tejaniya), and Sunlun traditions.

Thai Forest Training (2010–2013)

Seeking to experience the lifestyle of the Thai Forest Tradition, he moved to Thailand in 2010. He underwent the traditional training of a forest monk at Wat Pah Nanachat (the International Forest Monastery of the Ajahn Chah lineage). He spent his final year in Thailand on thudong (monastic wandering), journeying throughout the country to practice in secluded branch monasteries and Dhammayuttika Nikāya forest hermitages.

Connection with Malaysia and Ven. Aggacitta (2013–2015)

In 2013, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika arrived in Malaysia, where he developed a significant spiritual bond with Āyasmā Aggacitta Mahāthera. He spent two years at Sāsānarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) and the Mūla Vihāra hermitage, engaging in intensive studies of Pāli, Suttanta, and the Vinaya (monastic discipline) under Ven. Aggacitta’s mentorship.

Sri Lankan Residency and Preceptorship (2015–2018)

To complete his study of the three main Theravada cultures, he moved to Sri Lanka in 2015. He practised and taught at Nā Uyana Aranya, and later at the historic Island Hermitage (founded by Ven. Ñānatiloka). During this period, he took on the role of upajjhāya (preceptor), ordaining and training Western disciples while leading them on thudong through the Sri Lankan hillsides.

Current Leadership at SBS

In 2018, having accomplished his goal of exploring the meditation methods and monastic cultures of the major Theravada nations, Āyasmā Ariyadhammika returned to Malaysia to settle long-term. He accepted the invitation to become the Saṅghaṇāyaka at the SBS Monk Training Centre in Taiping. In this role, he is dedicated to supporting and training fellow monastics in a way that balances forest practice with scriptural accuracy.

Luang Por Thong Daeng

Introduction

Luang Por Thong Daeng is a senior monastic of the Thai Forest Tradition, widely respected for his deep commitment to the dhutanga (ascetic) practices. Trained in the lineage of the legendary Ajahn Mun Bhuridatto, he is known for his calm presence and his profound experience in forest wandering. Having spent decades practicing in the secluded mountains of Northern Thailand, he now serves as the Abbot of Wat Doi Phra Chao Ton Luang in Chiang Mai.

Early Life and Dedication to the Path

Born in the province of Sakhon Nakhon—the heartland of the Forest Tradition in Northeast Thailand—Luang Por Thong Daeng felt a deep connection to the monastic life from a young age. He entered the Sangha as a novice at just 15 years old. At age 21, he took higher ordination as a Bhikkhu, formally committing his life to the pursuit of Dhamma.

Lineage and Training

Luang Por’s practice is rooted in the rigorous standards of the first-generation disciples of Ajahn Mun. He received formative guidance from his teacher, Venerable Ajahn Uttamo, a highly regarded forest monk known for his strict adherence to the monastic code and his mastery of meditation.

The Years of Thudong and Seclusion

A hallmark of Luang Por Thong Daeng’s monastic journey is his four-year "Tudong" pilgrimage. During this time, he practiced the wandering forest tradition in its most traditional form, walking from the Northeast of Thailand all the way to the Southeast. Living with only the most basic requisites, he utilized the challenges of the wilderness—hunger, weather, and the solitude of the forest—as tools to sharpen his mindfulness and develop inner resilience.

Following his years of wandering, Luang Por spent eight years under the tutelage of Luang Por Plien Panyapatipo at Wat Aranyawiwake in Chiang Mai. Luang Por Plien was one of Thailand’s most famous meditation masters, and training under him allowed Luang Por Thong Daeng to further refine his meditative insight and wisdom.

Leadership at Wat Doi Phra Chao Ton Luang

Today, as the Abbot of Wat Doi Phra Chao Ton Luang, Luang Por Thong Daeng maintains a sanctuary for monastics and laypeople seeking peace and spiritual development. His monastery in Chiang Mai reflects his own practice: a place of silence, natural beauty, and diligent effort.

Ven. Ajahn Siripanyo

Introduction

Ajahn Siripanyo is a respected senior monk in the Thai Forest Tradition whose life story bridges the cosmopolitan world of his upbringing with the ascetic rigours of the jungle. Of Thai and Malaysian descent, he is known for his humility and his choice to practice in one of the most remote and challenging environments in Thailand. As the Abbot of Dtao Dam, he oversees a sanctuary dedicated to deep meditation and the preservation of the natural world.

Early Life and Education

Born in London, Ajahn Siripanyo grew up in a multicultural environment, being the son of a prominent Malaysian businessman and a Thai mother. He was educated in the United Kingdom, where he experienced a diverse and modern upbringing. Despite the comforts of his early life, his spiritual search led him to explore the teachings of the Buddha, eventually drawing him to the discipline and simplicity of the Forest Tradition.

Entering the Forest Path

Ajahn Siripanyo took ordination in Thailand over 20 years ago. He was trained in the lineage of Ajahn Chah, a tradition that emphasizes the development of mindfulness through the strict adherence to monastic discipline (Vinaya) and the endurance of physical hardships.

His training took place in the traditional forest monasteries of Thailand, where he immersed himself in the "dhutanga" (ascetic) practices. This path involves living simply, often under trees or in caves, and relying on the generosity of local villagers for a single daily meal.

Abbot of Dtao Dam Hermitage

Currently, Ajahn Siripanyo serves as the Abbot of Dtao Dam, a remote forest hermitage located deep within the Sai Yok National Park in Kanchanaburi Province, near the Thai-Burmese border.

Dtao Dam is renowned for its isolation and its rugged beauty. It is a place where:

• The Wilderness is the Teacher: Monastics live without modern amenities, practising in a landscape shared with wild animals and the elements.

• Intensive Meditation: The focus is entirely on the cultivation of Samadhi (concentration) and Panna (wisdom) in the silence of the deep jungle.

• Environmental Stewardship: Under Ajahn Siripanyo's guidance, the hermitage acts as a protector of the surrounding forest, embodying the Buddhist principle of living in harmony with all sentient beings.

Evening Dhamma Talk by Ven. Ajahn Siripanyo on 29 Dec 2024

Ven. Ajahn Siripanyo - Reflections on "Loving The Humour of Human Life”

Timeless Teachings of Ajahn Chah by Ajahn Siripanno

Luang Por Viradhammo

Introduction

Luang Por Viradhammo is a senior monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition and the most senior Western-born monk of this lineage currently residing in North America. A direct disciple of the legendary Ajahn Chah, his monastic career spans over 50 years. He is widely respected for his deep understanding of the Dhamma, his skill in guiding meditation, and his pioneering role in establishing forest monasteries in the West.

Early Life and Meeting the Path

Born in Germany to Latvian parents, Luang Por Viradhammo eventually emigrated to Toronto, Canada. His spiritual search began in the early 1970s while he was working as a teacher in West Africa. This journey eventually led him to India and then to Thailand, where he encountered the life and teachings of the forest monastics.

Training under Ajahn Chah

In 1974, he received full ordination as a Bhikkhu from Ajahn Chah at Wat Nong Pah Pong. As one of the earliest Westerners to arrive in the Ubon province of Northeast Thailand, he was a founding resident of Wat Pah Nanachat (The International Forest Monastery), established by Ajahn Chah specifically to train Western disciples in the traditional Thai forest way.

A Global Pioneer of the Forest Sangha

Luang Por Viradhammo has spent much of his monastic life at the forefront of the "Forest Sangha" expansion. His leadership has been instrumental in founding and guiding monasteries across three continents:

• United Kingdom: He assisted Ajahn Sumedho in the early years of Chithurst (Cittaviveka) and Amaravati Buddhist Monasteries.

• New Zealand: In 1985, he was invited to Wellington to establish Bodhinyanarama Buddhist Monastery, where he served as Abbot for many years, helping the tradition take root in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Canada: Returning to his home country, he founded Tisarana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Ontario. As the Abbot, he continues to guide a thriving community of monastics and lay practitioners.

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Sunday Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Viradhammo on 22 Dec 2024

Ven. Ajahn Golf

Introduction

Phra Surawat Khemachitto, affectionately known as Ajahn Golf, is a dedicated meditation master from the Dhammayut school of the Thai Forest Tradition. Based in the forest heartland of Northeast Thailand, he is known for his disciplined adherence to the monastic code and his practical, direct approach to meditation. Having spent decades training under various masters in the lineage of Ajahn Mun, Ajahn Golf brings a wealth of experiential wisdom to his students, emphasizing the importance of internalizing the Dhamma before attempting to teach others.

Roots in the Dhammayut Tradition

Born in Bangkok, Ajahn Golf felt a spiritual calling early in life. At the age of 20, he received full ordination in Udon Thani, a province famous for being the spiritual epicenter of the Thai Forest Tradition. He entered the Dhammayut Nikaya, the monastic order founded by King Mongkut that focuses on a return to the original Dhamma-Vinaya (discipline and teachings) and is the home of the Great Forest Masters.

Years of Diligent Practice

Ajahn Golf spent his formative years as a wandering monk, moving between the provinces of Udon, Sakon Nakhon, Khon Kaen, and Nong Bua Lamphu. This "Forest Heartland" is known for its rugged terrain and remote monasteries. During this period, he practiced under various meditation masters, focusing on:

• Cittabhavana (Mental Development): Developing deep concentration and sharp mindfulness through the traditional forest methods.

• Seclusion: Spending long periods in solitary practice to observe the subtle movements of the mind.

• Dhamma-Vinaya: Maintaining the strict standards of conduct that are the hallmark of the Dhammayut tradition.

Leadership at Wat Pa Anuttaro

Today, Ajahn Golf serves as the Abbot of Wat Pa Anuttaro in Nong Bua Lamphu province. Under his guidance, the monastery has become a sanctuary for those seeking a quiet, intensive environment for meditation.

Notably, Ajahn Golf is recognized for his humility and caution regarding teaching. For many years, he focused solely on his own practice, only beginning to teach Dhamma publicly once he felt he had attained a sufficient depth of understanding and the confidence to guide others correctly. This ensures that his instructions are not merely theoretical but are born from direct personal experience.

Luang Por Karuniko

Introduction

Luang Por Karuniko is a senior monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition with over 40 years of experience in the robes. A direct disciple of Ajahn Sumedho, he has been a foundational pillar in the establishment of the Forest Sangha in the West. Known for his technical precision, humility, and steady wisdom, he currently serves as the Abbot of Cittaviveka, the first forest monastery established in the UK.

From Engineering to Enlightenment

Born Christopher John Woodfine in 1953 near Manchester, England, Luang Por Karuniko’s early life was focused on the sciences. He graduated from Sheffield University in 1975 with an honours degree in Electronics Engineering.

His professional career as an engineer in North London was short-lived, however, as a chance encounter with a Buddhist book in 1976 sparked a profound shift in his perspective. Two years later, he met Ajahn Sumedho at the Hampstead Vihara. This meeting was a turning point; the clarity of the Forest Tradition’s teachings resonated with his logical mind and spiritual aspirations, leading him to move toward a life of renunciation.

Monastic Training and Ordination

Luang Por Karuniko began his formal training at the very beginning of the Forest Sangha's move to the English countryside:

• 1982: Entered the community at Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery) as an Anagarika (eight-precept postulant).

• July 1984: Received full Bhikkhu (monk) ordination from Ajahn Sumedho.

A Global Builder of Sangha

For much of his monastic life, Luang Por Karuniko has been an "architect" of the tradition, not just spiritually, but practically. His background in engineering proved invaluable as he helped establish and develop several monasteries:

• The UK Monasteries: He was instrumental in the physical and communal development of the British branches, including Cittaviveka and Amaravati.

• New Zealand: He spent significant time assisting the growth of Bodhinyanarama Monastery in Wellington, helping to solidify the tradition in the Southern Hemisphere.

Leadership at Cittaviveka

In a "full circle" journey, Luang Por Karuniko returned to where his training began to serve as the Abbot of Cittaviveka. Under his guidance, Chithurst continues to serve as a rigorous training ground for monastics and a sanctuary of silence for the thousands of laypeople who visit annually.

His leadership is characterized by a "lead-by-example" approach, upholding the high standards of discipline and simplicity that Ajahn Chah first transmitted to the West.

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Sunday Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Karuniko on 1 Dec 2024

Ven. U Maṅgala

Introduction

Venerable U Maṅgala is a highly respected Malaysian meditation teacher and a senior disciple of the world-renowned meditation master, Most Venerable Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi. Known for his systematic teaching style and deep dedication to the Samatha-Vipassana practice, he has been instrumental in establishing several meditation hermitages across Asia. As a Malaysian-born monk, he possesses the unique ability to bridge traditional Burmese monastic training with the cultural context of local and international lay practitioners.

Academic Background and Ordination

Born in Malacca in 1968, Ven. U Maṅgala pursued a secular career in law, graduating from the Law Faculty of the University of Malaya. However, his search for a more profound truth led him to the monastic life.

In 1996, he received full ordination under Ven. Pa-Auk Sayadawgyi in Myanmar. He spent the next decade in intensive practice, immersing himself in the detailed meditation manual of the Visuddhimagga (Path of Purification) under the close supervision of his teacher.

Training and Appointment at Pa-Auk

Ven. U Maṅgala’s aptitude for the practice and his clear understanding of the Dhamma led to his appointment as a meditation teacher at the main Pa-Auk Forest Monastery in Mawlamyine, Myanmar, in 2006. In this role, he guided both local and international monastics and laypeople through the rigorous stages of concentration and insight meditation.

Establishing the Tusita and Dhamma Earth Network

In 2008, Ven. U Maṅgala returned to Malaysia to share the fruits of his training. With the support of the Malaysia Dhamma Society, he founded Tusita Hermitage in Kuching, Sarawak. His vision for a dedicated space for intensive practice led to the rapid expansion of the Tusita Saṅgha Council, which now oversees centers in:

• Malaysia: Kuching, Malacca, Penang, and Taiping.

• International: The Nepal Himalayas and Taiwan.

In 2016, he established Dhamma Earth (Tusita Dhamma Earth) in Semenyih, Selangor. This center has become a major hub for Dhamma education, youth programs, and intensive retreats in Peninsular Malaysia.