|  Join
Lifelong Learning and
the Asian Art Museum
for a Special Event
HAND IN HAND:
A DAY IN THE LIFE
OF A THAI BUDDHIST MONK
Ajahn Maha Prasert
and Ajahn Pasanno
In Thailand the interdependence of the monastery and the
society is visibly demonstrated in the simple interaction
of mutual sharing that occurs daily: the lay community provides
the basic sustenance of food and other necessities to the
monks; in return, the monks provide spiritual guidance to
the people.
In this one-day workshop, Buddhist monks Ajahn Maha Prasert
and Ajahn Pasanno will introduce participants to various real-life
aspects of Thai Buddhist practices. The day will begin with
traditional blessing chants, followed by the opportunity to
participate in an almsround in San Francisco and to share
a Thai meal at a nearby restaurant. In the spirit of Thai
Bhuddist tradition, the meal will be donated, and participants
are encouraged to bring a dish to share, pot-luck style. Back
at the museum, participants will view an exhibition of ancient
Thai Buddhist art; watch a short documentary on life in a
forest monastery; receive instructions in meditation; and
learn more about how Buddhism in Thailand—and the monks
who serve as its spiritual guides—are an integral part
of the day-to-day life of the people and culture of Thailand.
| Ajahn Maha Prasert
was born in Thailand and ordained as
a novice in 1957 at the age of 11. In 1968, he
was ordained as a monk. He continued his studies
in India from 1971 to 1975, completing his master's
degree at Magadh University. In July 1983, Ajahn
Maha Prasert established Wat Buddhanusorn in Fremont,
CA, where he is now the abbot. He is also the
assistant abbot of Wat Rajburana in Bangkok in
Thailand.
Ajahn Pasanno, who grew up in
Canada, was ordained in Thailand in 1974 at the
age of 24. During his first year as a monk, he
trained with meditation master Ajahn Chah. In
his ninth year of ordination, he became the abbot
of Wat Pah Nanachat, the monastery set up by Ajahn
Chah for the training of Westerners. Ajahn Pasanno
moved to California in December 1997 to share
the abbotship of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
in Redwood Valley, California.
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