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Everything Is Teaching Us A Collection of Teachings by Venerable Ajahn Chah Everything Is Teaching Us Venerable Ajahn Chah Translated by Paul Breiter i This book has been printed for free distribution. sabbadåna≤ dhammadåna≤ jinåti The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other gifts. Cover photograph by Mahesi Caplan-Faust Copyright The Sangha Bodhivana Monastery, 780 Woods Point Road, Warburton East 3799, Victoria, Australia All commercial rights reserved. Any reproduction, in whole or part, in any form, for sale, profit or material gain is prohibited. However, permission to print for free distribution as a gift of Dhamma may be sought from the above address. ii Venerable Ajahn Chah iii Acknowledgment For many years now, the sponsor and his family have been inspired by the teachings of Venerable Ajahn Chah, and they now wish to sponsor the printing of this book of teachings translated by Paul Breiter. This printing coincides with the annual Kathina celebration at Bodhivana Monastery, Victoria, Australia for 2004. As with all Venerable Ajahn Chah’s teachings, those found within these pages contain a depth of wisdom that could only come from a heart and mind that has realized the Dhamma. Ajahn Chah’s teachings continue to illuminate the path towards unshakeable peace and liberation and make a worthy gift to anyone wishing to pursue that path. On behalf of the Sangha at Bodhivana Monastery I would like to offer an Anumodana and express our appreciation to Paul, the sponsor and all the other people who put effort into making this book of teachings possible. Bhikkhu Kalyå√o Bodhivana Monastery, Victoria, Australia November 2004 iv Contents Acknowledgment ........................................................... iv Translator’s foreword .................................................... vi About being careful ....................................................... 1 It can be done ............................................................. 20 Free from doubt .......................................................... 37 Giving up good and evil ................................................ 52 Wholehearted training .................................................. 62 Seeking the source ........................................................ 89 The Dhamma goes westward ........................................ 101 Listening beyond words .............................................. 117 Glossary .................................................................... 121 v Translator’s foreword In April of 2001, several hundred people gathered in Portola Valley, California, for a weekend billed as ‘The Life, Times, and Teachings of Ajahn Chah.’ Monks, nuns and laypeople, disciples present and past, along with many other interested parties traveled from across the country and around the world to join the event. In two joyful and illuminating days, people gave personal recollections, read from teachings, and discussed Ajahn Chah’s way of training. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that brought back a lot of memories for all the speakers, perhaps capped by Ajahn Sumedho’s reflection on how ‘this one little man’ had done so much with his life for the benefit of the world. When I was a freaked-out young man, I dumped myself on the doorstep of Ajahn Chah’s orphanage. Physically debilitated, emotionally immature, and spiritually blind, I had nowhere to go in this world, no one to turn to for help. Ajahn Chah took me in and placed me under his wing. He was able to instill perfect trust and give me a feeling of safety as he nursed me along and helped me grow up. He was parent, doctor, teacher, mentor, priest, and Santa Claus, comedian and taskmaster, savior and nemesis, always waiting well ahead of me, always rea