Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
(Servant of the Buddha) went forth as a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) in 1926, at the
age of twenty. After a few years of study in Bangkok, which convinced him
"purity is not to be found in the big city," he was inspired to live close with
nature in order to investigate the Buddha-Dhamma. Thus, he established Suan Mokkhabalarama (The
Grove of the Power of Liberation) in 1932, near his hometown of Pum Riang
(now in Chaiya District). At that time, it was the only forest Dhamma Center and
one of the few places dedicated to vipassana meditation in Southern Thailand.
Word of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, his work, and Suan Mokkh spread over the years so
that they are easily described as "one of the most influential events of
Buddhist history in Siam." Here, we can only mention some of the most
interesting services he has rendered Buddhism.
Ajahn Buddhadasa worked painstakingly to establish and explain the
correct and essential principles of what he called "pristine Buddhism," that is,
the original realization of the Lord Buddha before it was buried under
commentaries, ritualism, clerical politics, and the like. His work was based in
extensive research of the Pali texts (Canon and commentary), especially of the
Buddha's Discourses (Sutta Pitaka), followed by personal experiment and practice
with these teachings. Then he taught whatever he could say truly quenches dukkha
(dissatisfaction, suffering). His goal was to produce a complete set of
references for present and future research and practice. His approach was always
scientific, straight-forward, and practical.
Although his formal education only went as far as ninth grade and beginning Pali studies, he was given five Honorary Doctorates by Thai universities. His books, both written and transcribed from talks, fill a room at the National Library and influence all serious Thai Buddhists in Siam. Doctoral dissertations are still being written about him and his legacy. His books can be found in bookstores around the country and are favorites as gifts at cremations.
Progressive elements in Thai society, especially the young, were inspired by his teaching and selfless example. Since the 1960's, activists and thinkers in areas such as education, ecology, social welfare, and rural development have drawn upon his teaching and advice. Most of the monks involved in nature conservation and community development were inspired by him. He provided the link between the scriptural tradition and engaged buddhist practice today.
After the founding of Suan Mokkh, he studied all schools of Buddhism, as well as
the other major religious traditions. This interest was practical rather than
scholarly. He sought to unite all genuinely religious people in order to work
together to help, as he put it, "drag humanity out from under the power of
materialism." This broadmindedness won him friends and students from around the
world, including Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs.
His last project was to establish an International Dhamma Hermitage. This addition to Suan Mokkh is intended to provide facilities for:
Ajarn Buddhadasa died in 1993 after a series of heart attacks and strokes that he kept bouncing back from in order to teach. The final stroke occured as he was preparing notes for a talk to be given on his birthday in two days (27 May). Suan Mokkh carries on in the hearts and actions of all those who have been inspired and guided by his example and words. Suan Mokkh is not so much a physical place as it is the space of liberation that we all must discover in this very life.
For
some images of Tan Ajarn and his cremation,
please click
here.
|
|
Luang Por Panya has been a lifelong
friend of Ajarn Buddhadasa, ever since spending a formative Rains Retreat at
Suan Mokkh when he was a junior monk (1936). Over the years, they cooperated in
a number of ways, Ajarn Buddhadasa being the "older brother."
Since 1957, Luang Por has been based at Wat Cholapratan Rangsarit in Nontaburi a suburb of Bangkok. From there, and with the help of younger monks from Suan Mokkh, he has worked to disseminate Ajarn Buddhadasa's teaching in Bangkok and around the country, having been Siam's most prolific Dhamma preacher for many years, until recently slowed down by old age. He is now 85. For a biography of Luang Por, click here.
