INNER STRENGTH & PARTING GIFTS

Inner Strength & Parting Gifts Talks by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo (Phra Suddhidhammaraṅsī Gambhīramedhācariya) Translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff)

INTRODUCTION The sixteen talks translated here are actually reconstructions of Ajaan Lee’s talks made by one of his followers—a nun,

I. Inner Wealth The Last Sermon “On February 19, 1956, Khun Nai Thawngmuan Siasakun invited Phra Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo to

A Mind of Pure Gold July, 1958 The mind, the Buddha said, is like gold. An impure mind is like

Fabrications February 6, 1956 (Delivered at a funeral service for Somdet Phra Mahāvīravaṁsa (Tissa Uan), Wat Boromnivas.) aniccā vata saṅkhārā

The Tree is in its Seed August 27, 1956 The purpose of sitting and meditating is to cut away the

The Lessons of Unawareness August 21, 1956 ‘‘The sermon this afternoon was on the theme, ‘vijjā-caraṇa-sampanno sugato lokavidū.’ I didn’t listen to

II. Inner Skill The ABC’s of the Breath September 27, 1957 There are three important parts to meditating: thinking, awareness,

As the Mind Turns August 9, 1958 Every person has both awareness and unawareness, like a doctor who has studied

Mental Power, Step by Step July 26, 1956 Try to be mindful as you keep track of the breath going

Observe & Evaluate July 24, 1956 In fixing our attention on the breath, the important point is to use our

The Refinements of the Breath August 3, 1956 When we sit in meditation, the important point is to be observant

The Direct Path September 14, 1956 When you fix your attention on the breath, you must try to cut away

Knowledge & Vision July, 1958 The parts of the body that ache, that are tense, painful, or sore—think of them

Coming Home September 22, 1956 When you close your eyes while sitting in meditation, simply close your eyelids. Don’t try

III. Inner Release The Truth & its Shadows Undated, 1959 The Dhamma of attainment is something cool, clean, and clear.

Beyond Right & Wrong January 17, 1959 For the heart to go and do harm to other people, we first