Ajahn Manapo
Life began when I was eighteen. I had never been religious (far from it: I couldn’t stand religion!) but I had always had questions. What is this life? What’s the point? Who am I? Why am I here? Was I anything before I was born? What will happen when I die? etc. I had also always been aware of a troubling discontent within myself from very early on. This twin conundrum is what eventually led the eighteen year-old me to pick up a little white book called ‘How to Meditate’ from my village library one afternoon. I didn’t know it at that moment, but I had found what I was looking for.
On that memorable day, after quickly leaving the library, I rolled home on my skateboard and opened the book. I leafed through to the instructions – a paragraph on mindfulness-of-breathing – and tried it. What followed was the most meaningful experience of my life up to that point. Things were never the same again.
Over the next few months my meditation practice became everything to me. I meditated at home virtually every morning and evening. I meditated in the college library, I meditated on the bus. I tried to be mindful while I ate, put the washing up away, and walked the dog. I was exited. I was on to something.
During this period my mother found an advert in the local newspaper for ‘Buddhist meditation at the Forest Hermitage’. ‘Why don’t you try this?’, she said, after having observed her once troubled son transform before her very eyes. So I gave them a call, and went. I was soon attending almost every Monday and Friday open evening.
It was during this period that I experienced something that was to give me an almighty shove towards the robes. It was a Sunday night and I was lying in bed. My mind was noticeably quiet and clear, though I thought nothing of it at the time. I then fell asleep. The week passed as normal until I was, again, lying in bed on a Sunday night and I had that same clarity of awareness. Then, all of a sudden, my mind leapt back to that state of mind of a week before; the two instances appeared to be placed next to each other, as though nothing had happened in between. But a whole week had passed. I was startled, in a kind of panic. The fact that my life was vanishing before my eyes struck me with the force of a thunderbolt. And then the question hit me: ‘What am I doing with my time?!‘
One evening at the Hermitage, a little while later, during the tea after the meditation session, Luangpor asked a young man who had been intending to become a novice when he was going to take the plunge. Hardly had that young chap answered when my mouth burst open: “How do you become a novice?” Once everyone had left I stayed behind to ask Luangpor if I could become one. A few months later I was in robes.
In May 2001 I received full ordination as a bhikkhu under Luangpor Khemadhammo and I trained at the Forest Hermitage for eleven years. As of October 2011 I am living in Thailand.
I know my life would be very different if it wasn’t for Buddhism. And I realize that having access to Ajahn Chah’s teachings is a great privilege. When reading his words I feel like a weary man who has been stumbling through the desert and finds an oasis: he drinks and is refreshed; every sip is precious.
I’m deeply indebted to Luangpor at the Hermitage as well. He is a tremendous role model in many ways: his determination, sincerity, integrity, and strength of mind are second to none. I bow to the Buddha, Ajahn Chah and Luangpor.
Saturday, 22. December 2007 22:12
Dear Tahn Manapo,
You must be a parami millionnaire! For most of us, renouncing the worldly life is one of the hardest decisions to make.
Your spiritual journey inspires me. Your good kamma, both past and present, has led you to meet great and wise teachers like Ajahn Chah and Luangpor.
Thank you so much for your wonderful teachings. May you be free from suffering.
Sunday, 23. December 2007 20:46
Dear Tahn Manapo
What a generous gift this site is! Thank you so much for your determination, sincerity, integrity and strength of mind. I am so grateful for your support and inspiration. Your presence is very much appreciated…
with mudita
Mark
Thursday, 10. January 2008 14:05
Dear Tahn Manapo,
This site is actually a gift! I am a senior lecturer in a Medical School in Sri Lanka. I am on leave and working and training in the UK. I used to read a lot of Dhamma books back in Sri Lanka. I am very happy that I got the opportunity of associating with the hermitage. I’ve been to it twice and am very impressed with the environment. It is one hour’s drive from where we live. We will try our best to visit more frequently. Thank you for the books that you sent me. My husband reads them too. So does my elder daughter, even though she understands only a little, still. She is 12 years and interested in meditation.
With metta
Amali
Thursday, 25. September 2008 18:53
Good website. Well done. Thank U
with metta,
Kalyasiri
Saturday, 29. November 2008 19:47
Dear Tahn Manapo,
I hope you are well…
Metta,
Matthew
Saturday, 29. November 2008 21:55
Thanks Matthew.
I’m well enough to practise the Dhamma.
I hope you are well and have developed a good Scottish accent.
Metta
Tahn Manapo
Saturday, 10. January 2009 20:42
Great to meet you in the Thai house in Sheffield, Tahn Manapo. Thanks for inspiring me to persevere in my meditation practise. Sam.
Thursday, 9. April 2009 19:13
Thanks for your introduction to Buddhism at the Quaker Meeting Hall, Warwick. I look forward to continuing my practice further, and stilling my mind for at least 20 minutes.
Happy birthday, and may your practice deepen in the coming year.
Metta to you and your brother monks
Paul D
Thursday, 16. April 2009 14:11
Thanks Paul.
Wednesday, 13. May 2009 16:05
Thank you for transferring your meditation and talks from Warwick to The Hermitage. A far more conducive atmosphere. I think the ‘question and answer’ session is much better than writing down questions. All in all, a good move.
Tuesday, 23. June 2009 23:50
June 23,2009
Dear Tahn Manapo
Thank you very much for your wonderful, meaningful website. It is truly a blessing.
Dharmananda
Wednesday, 24. June 2009 8:04
Thanks for the kind words – they are appreciated.
Tahn Manapo
Thursday, 6. May 2010 23:29
Namaste Tahn Manapo,
I’m so lucky I found this website.
There’s very rare Buddhists that have a chance to learn a core of Buddhism from a great teacher like Ajarn Cha. I’m glad that we have a monk like you that learned a real Buddhism and practice, and last but not least, you volunteer doing this website, which will be a good way to extend the core of Buddhism to the rest of the world, to get to know “Way of being free from Suffering”
Anumothana,
Kanoknapat
Friday, 7. May 2010 17:43
Thanks for the comment, Kanoknapat. We are truly fortunate to have the teachings of Ven. Ajahn Chah. He was one in a billion.
I am planning to start writing new posts soon so stay tuned.
Tahn Manapo
Tuesday, 10. August 2010 10:41
Dear Tahn Manapo,
Thank you for coming to Gilwell park with Luangpor to belss the Buddha Sala.
It was last blessed in 1966, so it was long overdue
Most of the people who were present had never witnessed anything like that before and many people have contacted me to say that being present was a privelige
Metta
Troll
Sunday, 8. January 2012 0:47
Dear Ajahn,
i still feel inspired from the new years retreat i took over at the forest hermitage under your guidance a few years ago. You and Luang Por are the most inspiring persons i met in my life so far. Just like a beacon near a coast, you are bringing the light of Dhamma to guide people out of their suffering. Saddhu Ajahn!
Saturday, 13. October 2012 15:34
Ajahn Manapo,
thank you for your fine teaching and example I was so privileged to encounter on several visits some years ago to the Forest Hermitage. Excuses galore I have found for a lack of practice since, but I have never forgotten your inspiration.
Metta, Steve.
Sunday, 14. October 2012 16:15
Hi Steve,
Thanks for taking the time to write. It’s much appreciated.
I hope you’re keeping well.
Metta,
Ajahn Manapo