Ven. Ajahn Jayanto

Introduction

Ajahn Jayanto is a senior American monastic in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. With decades of training across Europe, Asia, and North America, he has played a central role in bringing the Thai Forest Tradition back to his roots in New England. He is known for his calm, thoughtful presence and his dedication to establishing monastic communities that serve as spiritual sanctuaries for the modern world.

Early Spiritual Search

Born in Boston in 1967, Ajahn Jayanto grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. His path to the Dhamma began during his time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where a period of international travel sparked a deep interest in the spiritual life.

Upon returning to the U.S., he began attending meditation classes at the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, which eventually led him to the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts. It was there that he felt the call to the monastic life, making plans to join the community of Luang Por Sumedho in England.

Monastic Training in Europe and Thailand

In 1989, Ajahn Jayanto traveled to the UK to begin his life as a postulant at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery. He took full Bhikkhu (monk) ordination in 1991 at Cittaviveka (Chithurst Buddhist Monastery), with Ajahn Sumedho as his preceptor.

For the next several years, he trained rigorously in the UK at both Chithurst and Aruna Ratanagiri (Harnham Buddhist Monastery). Seeking to deepen his practice in the source of his tradition, he embarked on a formative period of practice in Thailand and other Asian Buddhist countries from 1997 to 2006. This decade of "forest training" allowed him to immerse himself in the lifestyle and meditation techniques of the Thai masters.

Establishing Temple Forest Monastery (Jetavana)

After returning to the UK in 2006 and serving the community at Amaravati for several years, Ajahn Jayanto felt the call to help establish a monastic presence in his home region of New England.

Since 2009, he has been a leading figure in the efforts to found a branch monastery in the United States. This culminated in the establishment of Temple Forest Monastery (Jetavana) in Temple, New Hampshire, in 2014. As the Abbot, he has overseen the transformation of a historic property into a thriving forest monastery, providing a space for both monastic training and lay practice in the northeastern United States.

Ven. Ajahn Kusalo

Introduction

Ajahn Kusalo is a senior monk in the Thai Forest Tradition, widely respected for his practical, "down-to-earth" approach to the Dhamma. With a background in the construction industry and a former life as a householder, he brings a unique, relatable perspective to spiritual practice, emphasising that the path to peace is found within the ordinary activities of daily life.

Early Life: From Builder to Seeker

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1952, Ajahn Kusalo lived a full householder life before entering the monastery. He worked for many years in the building industry as a carpenter and builder, eventually qualifying as a Quantity Surveyor. This professional background significantly informs his teaching style, which often uses structural metaphors and focuses on the "craft" of mental cultivation.

His spiritual journey began in earnest around 1980 when he met Ajahn Jāgaro in Perth, Australia, and attended retreats led by Ajahn Sumedho. Despite his deep interest in the Dhamma, he continued to fulfil his responsibilities as a husband and father to his son for another decade before transitioning to monastic life.

Monastic Path and Ordination

In 1990, he joined Ajahn Viradhammo at Bodhinyanarama Monastery in Wellington to begin his formal training. He took full Bhikkhu ordination in 1992 with Ajahn Sumedho as his preceptor.

His monastic training has been international in scope:

• New Zealand (1992–1994): Initial years of training at Bodhinyanarama.

• United Kingdom (1994–2000): Six years at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery, training under the direct guidance of Ajahn Sumedho.

• Europe (2000–2004): Spent time in Wales and several years wandering (tudong) through various parts of Europe, further refining his practice in solitude and diverse environments.

Establishing Tisarana (Canada)

In 2004, Ajahn Kusalo moved to Canada to assist Ajahn Viradhammo in establishing a new forest monastery. For eight years, he played a central role in the growth of Tisarana Buddhist Monastery in Ontario, serving as its co-abbot. True to his roots, he was deeply involved in the physical manifestation of the monastery, literally "hooking on his tool belt" to help renovate the original farm buildings into a sanctuary for practitioners.

Return to Bodhinyanarama

In 2012, Ajahn Kusalo returned to his "home" monastery, Bodhinyanarama, in New Zealand to succeed Ajahn Tiradhammo as Abbot. Under his leadership, the monastery continues to be a thriving focal point for the Thai Forest Tradition in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a space for both rigorous monastic training and lay community engagement.

---

Ven. Ajahn Dhammasiha

Introduction

Ajahn Dhammasiha is a senior monk within the Thai Forest Tradition, known for his deep scholarly knowledge of the Suttas (the Buddha’s original discourses) and his commitment to the rigorous meditative life of the forest lineage. With a background that spans European academia, Sri Lankan forest training, and the Thai-Australian monastic community, he offers a teaching style that is intellectually rigorous yet profoundly practical.

From Corporate Culture to the Dhammapada

Born in West Germany in 1966, Ajahn Dhammasiha’s early life was centered on academic and professional pursuits. After serving in the German armed forces and completing his studies in Business Administration in West Berlin, he embarked on a PhD project focused on "Indian Corporate Culture."

It was during his field research in India in 1994 that he encountered the Dhammapada. This ancient collection of the Buddha's sayings resonated so deeply with him that he described it as a "true revelation," prompting him to pivot from a corporate career toward the path of renunciation.

Monastic Foundations: Sri Lanka and the Vinaya

In 1995, he took ordination in Sri Lanka under the guidance of Most Ven. Pandita K. Sri Jinavarisa. He spent three formative years at Nissarana Vana (Meetisigala), one of Sri Lanka’s most respected forest monasteries. This period was dedicated to:

• Solitary Practice: Developing deep concentration and mindfulness in a secluded forest environment.

• Meticulous Vinaya: Mastering the traditional monastic code of discipline, which remains a cornerstone of his practice today.

Integration into the Thai Forest Tradition

In 1998, Ajahn Dhammasiha moved to Australia to train within the lineage of Ajahn Chah. He spent significant time at Bodhinyana Monastery in Perth and Vimokkharam Forest Hermitage in Melbourne.

During his training in Australia, he had the rare opportunity to receive direct teachings from some of the most revered meditation masters of the Thai Forest Tradition, including Luang Por Tui and Luang Por Plien. These influences helped him synthesize the strict discipline of the Sri Lankan tradition with the profound meditative insights of the Thai masters.

Establishing Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage

In 2007, Ajahn Dhammasiha accepted an invitation to Brisbane to help establish a forest monastery for the local community. Under his guidance, Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage was established as a sanctuary for those seeking silence and spiritual growth.

As the Abbot, he has worked tirelessly to create a "forest" environment in the Brisbane hinterlands where monastics and laypeople alike can practice the Dhamma in its traditional form.

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).