Ajahn Vajiro reminds us to live wisely so that our lives become a ‘blessing’ and not a ‘curse’.

On Saturday 25 June, Nalandians were honoured to have Venerable Ajahn Vajiro leading our weekly meditation session and delivering a Dhamma talk.  Ajahn reminded us to live a life of wisdom by ‘knowing’ and ‘upholding’ the truth.  He also urged Dhamma practitioners to constantly develop happiness independent of conditions by cultivating a sense of contentment.

When we reflect wisely on the lowest standards of living and understand our true basic necessities and be content with it, then anything else becomes a bonus or blessings.  Similarly, Ajahn Vajiro taught us to relate to our practice, our possessions, and our experiences the same way, so that our lives become a ‘blessing’ and not a ‘curse’.

Before the Dhamma talk, Ajahn led the congregation in meditation.

Ajahn urged Dhamma practitioners to constantly develop happiness by cultivating a sense of contentment.

Ajahn Vajiro explained that by following the Noble Eightfold Path – cultivating ‘bhāvanā’ (meditation), and establishing ‘Sammā-ditthi’ (Right view) – we can be free from greed, hatred, and delusion, as others had successfully achieved before us.

Earlier in the evening, Ajahn Vajiro was warmly welcomed at Nalanda Centre. Ajahn had stayed here a few years ago and knew Nalandians well.

Ajahn Vajiro is a senior Western disciple of the late Ajahn Chah, having received higher ordination in 1980 at Wat Nong Pah Pong, Thailand.  He returned to England in 1984 to help in the establishment of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.  He later served in monasteries in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.  In 2010, Ajahn Vajiro was invited to establish a branch monastery in Portugal; and since 2012, he has been living and teaching Dhamma there.

We thank Ajahn Vajiro for his important and insightful teaching.  Sadhu anumodana.

Bro. Tan briefing Ajahn Vajiro about plans to build ‘Wisdom Park’, and was happy to hear of this new development.