An Anthology from the Teachings
of
Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo
(Phra Suddhidhammaransi Gambhiramedhacariya)
Selected and translated from the Thai by
Thanissaro Bhikkhu
For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
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Contents
Introduction
From Craft of the Heart
From Keeping the Breath in Mind: Method 2
From The Path to Peace & Freedom for the Mind
From Frames of Reference
From Basic Themes
From The Craft of the Heart
From the Autobiography
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Introduction
This anthology, drawn from the teachings of Phra Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo, provides an introduction to the basic outlines of his thought and the method of meditation he taught.
The first excerpt, from The Craft of the Heart, was written shortly after he had received training from Phra Ajaan Mun Bhuridatto. In it, Ajaan Lee shows how he regarded the state of meditation practice in Thailand at the time, and gives some ideas of why he himself had chosen the path of becoming a meditating monk.
The passage from Keeping the Breath in Mind details the method of meditation he developed and taught in the later years of his life. The passage from The Path to Peace and Freedom for the Mind elaborates on a theme he had learned from Ajaan Mun: that there are no sharp boundaries among the practice of virtue, concentration, and discernment, and that all three of these aspects of the path are mutually reinforcing.
The three excerpts from Dhamma talks make a similar point: that there is no sharp division between the practice of tranquillity meditation and insight meditation. They also emphasize the role played by experimenting and using one’s powers of observation in developing meditation as a skill.
The excerpts from Frames of Reference and Basic Themes deal with the development of discernment, particularly with regard to detecting the currents of the mind — both those that flow out and get involved with the world, and those that spin around with reference to the mind in the present — so as to touch the aspect of the mind that doesn’t flow, even to the present moment.
The next excerpt, from the concluding section of The Craft of the Heart, discusses the goal of the practice as a supreme awareness, beyond all suppositions.
The final excerpt, from Ajaan Lee’s Autobiography, discusses some of the lessons he learned by living in the forest.
My hope is that this anthology will inspire the reader to further explore Ajaan Lee’s teachings — both through reading more of his writings and through putting their teachings into practice.
— Thanissaro Bhikkhu
