Buddhadasa Bhikkhu
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:
 | Courses which introduce foreigners to the correct understanding of Buddhist principles and practice; |
| Meetings among Buddhists from around the world to establish and agree upon the "heart of Buddhism"; |
| Meetings of leaders from all religions for the sake of making mutual good understanding and cooperating to drag the world out from under the tyranny of materialism. |
| He left instruction for the building of Dhamma-Mata, a residential facility to support the dedicated study-practice of women. He called it Dhamma-Mata (Dhamma Mothers, those who give birth to others through Dhamma). |
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 occurred 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.
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An Old Friend: Panyananda Bhikkhu
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.
