Ajahn Chah LIVE in England (video)

Shambhala.com | Theravada Buddhism; Dhr. Seven, Ashley Wells, Crystal Q., Wisdom Quarterly

Ajahn Chah Rooplor first batch Wat Nongpanong (UncleChowAmulet.com)

I make known just this much for your awakening.

Ven. Chah (ajahnchah.org) is one of the greatest Thai Theravada Buddhist teachers ever, an enlightened meditation master with the extraordinary ability to communicate the Dharma (Dhamma) and the practice of the Path to Westerners like Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Sumedho.

Ajahn Chah taught Ajahn Brahm.

Ajahn Chah was so effective at this, that a number of them attained and went on to be great Western teachers independent of any teacher.

The meaning of this independence is that when one directly perceives the Dharma and realizes at least the stage of stream entry, one is certain of gaining full enlightenment within seven lives and is therefore called a "noble one" or aryan or enlightened individual.

The Buddha Gautama (Prince Siddhartha, Shakyamuni, the "Sage of the Scythians") was more than fully enlightened, for he was supremely enlightened.

The distinction is that just because someone gains full enlightenment and is utterly free does not mean that person can teach the Dharma or the practice of it to others.

A samma-sam-buddha does have this ability along with special powers of a supremely realized being beyond full enlightenment.

• The Buddha gave an example of this when wandering with monastics and coming to a large forest. He reached down and grabbed a handful of leaves. He then asked them, "Which is greater, the leaves in my hand or the ones in that forest." "The leaves in the forest," they answered. "Similarly, I have taught you this much because it is pertinent and necessary for reaching full enlightenment, but compared to what I know what I have taught you is like this handful of leaves." All the additional knowledge is not necessary for full enlightenment but it seems to be necessary to become a supremely enlightened teacher who can establish the Dharma and Discipline in the world again.

What's so great about Brahm?

A buddha rediscovers the truth. A supreme buddha makes it known to the world. A pacceka buddha, while realizing the Truth and becoming utterly free, did not previously accumulate the kusala karma and special merit to be able to effectively teach it to others, establish a sangha (community of practitioners), and bring the Dharma into a world again.

There are many worlds, and most do not have the Dharma. It is a rare blessing. So Ajahn Chah is special for his ability to teach beyond being revered for his own attainments.