The Ultimate Expression of Gratitude and Deep Respect

~ By Ajahn Jayasāro ~

16th January is Teachers Day in Thailand. It is also the day that Ajahn Cha passed away. Every year, to commemorate his passing, over a thousand monks and nuns and several thousand lay Buddhists gather at his monastery for six days of Dhamma practice. On the afternoon of the 16th, the whole assembly pays their respects to Ajahn Cha’s relics by forming into a long column and circumambulating the stupa in which the relics are enshrined.

When I give Dhamma talks on these days I find myself returning to a familiar point. Ajahn Cha left us once, in January 1992. But since then we, his disciples, have left him many, many times. Whenever we choose to ignore or act in opposition to his wise and compassionate teachings it is as if we turn our backs on him and walk away. My appeal is that we should all try to honour his memory by keeping his teachings in our hearts and, come what may, putting them into practice as best we can. This I believe, is the ultimate expression of gratitude and deep respect.

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"Food for the Heart", a series of Dhamma teachings handwritten weekly is posted on the Buddhadāsa Indapañño Archives page with Ajahn's kind permission.

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For other teachings by Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro, please visit the Panyaprateep Foundation website.