Renunciation of attachments seems intimidating because it feels as if we are being asked to give up things which give us a lot of pleasure–or, a least , more pleasure than pain.
If we still perceive things in this way there can be no renunciation in the Buddhist sense.  True renunciation can only occur through clear seeing.
By looking again and again at our mind we see that, in fact, the pleasure that we receive from our attachments is much less than we thought, the suffering much more.  When we see this truth with a peaceful mind we throw off the attachment without regret.
Ajahn Chah said it was like a fisherman who grabs a poisonous snake from the net thinking it is an eel.  The moment he realises what he is holding he throws it as far away as he can.

                                               “from heart and hand” by Ajahn Jayasaro
 

A Chat with Ajahn Suchart

During our recent visit to Thailand, we had the privilege to meet up with Ajahn Suchart again.  Below is the video of the chat: Please click:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOBGqze8SF4&t=1903s

Ajahn Tiradhammo to reside at WBD

Ajahn Tiradhammo is a warm and cheerful Bhikkhu, and always an interesting speaker. With 44 years of experience as a Buddhist Monk, Ajahn Tiradhammo has led many meditation retreats throughout the world. We are delighted  that Venerable Ajahn will be staying at WBD for the next two years.

A Brief Biography 
Ajahn Tiradhammo was born in New Westminster, British Columbia in 1949. In 1973 he became a novice and took his higher ordination one year later at Wat Meung Man in Chiang Mai with Venerable Tong. In 1975 he moved, in order to be with Ajahn Chah, staying at Wat Pah Pong and Wat Pa Nanachat. He went on several tudong journeys through the northeast of Thailand and the mountains of Chiang Mai, visiting many famous forest meditation masters.
He was invited to England in 1982 to help with developments there. He spent two years at Chithurst Monastery, and three years in charge of Harnham Vihara in Northumberland. In 1988 he helped establish Dhammapala Monastery near Bern, Switzerland and also later at its new location in the Bernese Alpine village of Kandersteg where he was the senior monk until 2005. In July 2005 he assumed the position of Abbot at Bodhinyanarama, Wellington, NZ, until 2012.  He has since retired and is now a wandering monk.