Ven. Ajahn Achalo

Introduction

Ajahn Achalo is a senior Western disciple in the lineage of the late Ajahn Chah. Known for his deep devotion and extensive training under some of the greatest living masters of the Forest Tradition, he brings a wealth of experience in meditation, monastic discipline, and the art of spiritual pilgrimage. His teachings are characterized by a profound gratitude for the Dhamma and a practical emphasis on finding "peace beyond suffering."

Early Life and Path to Ordination

Born in Brisbane, Australia, in 1972, Ajahn Achalo’s spiritual journey began in his early twenties. His keen interest in meditation led him to Thailand at the age of 21, where he spent two years exploring various meditation centers and monasteries.

In 1996, he took full ordination as a Bhikkhu (monk) at Wat Nong Pah Pong, with Luang Por Liem serving as his preceptor. This began a decades-long immersion in the strict, disciplined lifestyle of the Thai Forest Tradition.

A Lineage of Wisdom: Teachers and Mentors

Ajahn Achalo’s training is distinguished by the time he spent learning directly from several of the most influential teachers in the Western and Thai Forest Sangha. His path has been shaped by the guidance of:

• Tan Ajahn Anan: The Abbot of Wat Marp Jan, whom Ajahn Achalo considers his principal mentor and guide for the majority of his monastic life.

• Senior Western Elders: He has received personal guidance from Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Jayasaro, and Ajahn Kalyano.

Beyond the Thai Forest Tradition, Ajahn Achalo has also expressed deep appreciation for the instructions and compassionate example of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, whose teachings he integrates as a valuable complement to his core Theravada practice.

Diverse Training and Pilgrimage

A hallmark of Ajahn Achalo’s monastic life is his varied experience across different contemplative settings. He has practiced in:

• International Forest Monasteries: Training in several monasteries within the Ajahn Chah lineage globally.

• Remote Forest Retreats: Spending significant periods in the solitude of nature to deepen his meditation.

• Traditional Pilgrimage: Traveling to sacred sites to cultivate faith and reflection, a practice that informs his teaching on the "living" nature of the Dhamma.

Anandagiri Forest Monastery

Today, Ajahn Achalo is the Abbot of Anandagiri Forest Monastery in Petchabun, Thailand. Under his leadership, the monastery has become a sanctuary for both monastics and laypeople seeking to cultivate mindfulness and wisdom. He has also been instrumental in various charitable projects, including the development of local infrastructure and support for Buddhist education.

Ven. Ajahn Jayasaro

Introduction

Ajahn Jayasaro is one of the most respected senior Western disciples of the legendary meditation master Ajahn Chah. Known for his profound clarity, gentle wit, and ability to translate deep Dhamma into practical wisdom for modern life, he has spent over four decades as a monastic in the Thai Forest Tradition.

Early Life and Path to the Robe

Born Shaun Michael Chiverton on the Isle of Wight, England, in 1958, Ajahn Jayasaro’s spiritual search began in his teenage years. At the age of 16, he embarked on a journey through India, seeking a way of life aligned with his personal principles. After returning to England, he discovered the teachings of the Thai Forest Tradition through Ajahn Sumedho.

In 1978, he joined Ajahn Sumedho's community as an anagarika (monastic trainee) before travelling to Thailand later that year. He took full ordination as a Bhikkhu at Wat Nong Pah Pong in 1980, with Ajahn Chah serving as his preceptor.

Leadership at Wat Pah Nanachat

After years of rigorous training and solitary retreat, Ajahn Jayasaro served as the Abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat (the International Forest Monastery) from 1997 to 2002. During his tenure, he guided monastics from across the globe, upholding the strict standards of discipline and meditation established by Ajahn Chah.

Stillness Flowing: Preserving the Legacy

Ajahn Jayasaro is widely recognized as the official biographer of Ajahn Chah. He spent over twenty years researching and writing "Stillness Flowing," the definitive 800-page biography that captures the life, teachings, and spirit of his teacher. This work is considered a masterpiece of contemporary Buddhist literature, offering a rare, intimate window into the Thai Forest Tradition.

Contributions to Buddhist Education

A passionate advocate for "Buddhism as an education system," Ajahn Jayasaro has been a key figure in integrating Buddhist developmental principles into the Thai school system. He serves as the spiritual advisor for the Panyaprateep Foundation and several schools, emphasising the cultivation of Sila (virtue), Samadhi (inner stillness), and Panna (wisdom) as the foundation for a meaningful life.

Royal Recognition and Citizenship

In recognition of his significant contributions to Thai society and the propagation of the Dhamma, Ajahn Jayasaro was granted Thai citizenship by royal decree in 2020. He has received several high-ranking royal monastic titles from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, most recently being honoured with the title Phra Phrompacharayanmuni in 2024.

Current Life

Today, Ajahn Jayasaro resides in a solitary hermitage at the foot of Khao Yai National Park. While he maintains a life of quiet practice, he continues to offer Dhamma teachings to both monastics and laypeople through retreats, books, and digital media, bridging the gap between ancient forest wisdom and the challenges of the 21st century.

Ven. Ajahn Ṭhānissaro

Introduction

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro (Geoffrey DeGraff) is a highly respected senior monk and one of the most prolific English translators of the Buddha’s original discourses. A student of the great Thai masters, he is widely known for his ability to synthesize rigorous scholarship with the practical, "heart-centered" meditation instructions of the Forest Tradition. His life's work has been dedicated to making the Pali Canon and the teachings of the Thai Forest masters accessible to a global audience.

The Journey to the Forest

Born in 1949 and raised in the United States, Ajahn Ṭhānissaro’s interest in Buddhism was sparked during his college years. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1971 with a degree in European Intellectual History, he traveled to Thailand on a fellowship.

In Thailand, he met Ajahn Fuang Jotiko, a direct disciple of the legendary Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo. Finding in Ajahn Fuang a teacher of immense skill and down-to-earth wisdom, he eventually decided to dedicate his life to the monastic path. He was ordained in 1976 and spent the next decade as Ajahn Fuang's close student and attendant at Wat Dhammasathit.

Bridging East and West

Following the passing of Ajahn Fuang in 1986, Ajahn Ṭhānissaro remained in Thailand for several years. In 1991, at the invitation of Ajahn Suwat Suvaco, he moved to the hills of San Diego County, California, to help establish Metta Forest Monastery (Wat Mettavanaram).

Since 1993, he has served as the Abbot of Metta Forest Monastery, where he has cultivated a sanctuary that preserves the strict discipline and intensive meditation focus of the Thai Forest Tradition on American soil. In 1995, he became the first American-born monk to be given the authority of a Preceptor (Upajjhaya) in the Dhammayut Order.

A Legacy of Translation and Teaching

Ajahn Ṭhānissaro is perhaps best known for his immense contribution to Buddhist literature. His work is characterized by "Dhamma Dana"—the principle that the Dhamma should be shared freely. His major achievements include:

• The Pali Canon: Translating over 1,000 suttas from the original Pali into clear, modern English. His translations form a significant portion of the Access to Insight and Dhammatalks.org archives.

• The Thai Forest Masters: Translating the teachings of masters like Ajahn Lee, Ajahn Fuang, and Ajahn Dune, preserving their unique "oral tradition" for English speakers.

• Authoritative Treatises: Writing influential books such as The Wings to Awakening, The Buddhist Monastic Code, and With Each & Every Breath (a comprehensive meditation manual).

Ven. Ajahn Dton

Introduction

Ajahn Maha Dton Dhirapanno is a distinguished teacher in the Thai Forest Tradition whose life path uniquely bridges the worlds of modern medicine and ancient spiritual wisdom. A former pediatrician, Ajahn Dton brings a scientific mind and a deeply compassionate heart to his Dhamma teachings, making them highly accessible to professionals and laypeople seeking balance in a fast-paced world.

Medical Excellence and International Training

Born in Chonburi, Thailand, in 1967, Ajahn Dton (born Keyrati Srivuthana) initially pursued a career in medicine. After completing his foundational medical education in Thailand, he was awarded a prestigious Thai government scholarship to specialize in Paediatrics in the United States.

From 1994 to 1997, he served at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan (American Board of Pediatrics). During his residency, he was not only recognized for his clinical skill but also for his exceptional bedside manner, receiving the "Best of Hospitality" award—a testament to the innate kindness (Metta) that would later become a hallmark of his monastic life.

The Turning Point: Medicine for the Mind

While in the United States, despite his professional success, Ajahn Dton sought a deeper fulfillment. He attended a meditation retreat led by Ajahn Jayasaro (then the Abbot of Wat Pah Nanachat). This experience proved transformative; he realized that while medicine could heal the body, the Dhamma offered a cure for the underlying suffering of the mind.

Upon completing his advanced medical commitments, he returned to Thailand to enter the monastic life, taking his vows at Wat Pah Nanachat (The International Forest Monastery) in the lineage of Ajahn Chah.

Scholarly Achievement: The Title of "Maha"

In the Thai monastic tradition, the title "Maha" is a distinguished honour reserved for those who demonstrate high proficiency in the study of the Pali language, the original language of the Theravada scriptures.

Ajahn Dton’s intellectual rigor led him to complete advanced Buddhist studies, earning him Grade 3 Pali studies proficiency. This academic foundation allows him to share the Buddha’s original discourses with deep accuracy and linguistic insight.

Integration of Dhamma and Healthcare

Given his medical background, Ajahn Dton occupies a unique role as a Buddhist adviser and meditation instructor for:

• Hospitals and Medical Schools: Helping healthcare professionals manage burnout and cultivate compassion.

• Government Departments: Integrating mindfulness into public service.

• Schools: Teaching the next generation the foundations of mental well-being.

He currently serves as the Co-Abbot of Wat Pah Boon Lorm in Ubon Ratchathani, a monastery that emphasizes the traditional forest lifestyle while remaining deeply engaged with the local and international community.