Ajahn Lee

Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo (1907-1961) was a highly respected Thai Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition. He was a prominent teacher of the Thai Forest Tradition and a direct disciple of Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta. Ajahn Lee is known for his emphasis on direct experience in meditation and his systematic approach to developing concentration and insight.

Life and Teachings:

Born in the Ubon Ratchathani province of Thailand, Ajahn Lee ordained as a monk in 1926. He sought out Ajahn Mun, becoming one of his closest students. He spent years practicing meditation in the forests and mountains of Thailand, learning directly from Ajahn Mun and developing his own unique teaching style.

Ajahn Lee's teachings focus on the practical aspects of meditation, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. He developed a structured approach to meditation that included specific techniques for calming the mind and cultivating insight. He also stressed the importance of integrating meditation into daily life.

Ajahn Lee's method often involved using the breath as the primary object of meditation, emphasizing the use of mental noting to observe and understand the breath's qualities. He taught about the different stages of meditation, from the initial stages of calming the mind to the development of deep states of concentration (jhana) and ultimately, insight into the nature of reality.

Legacy:

Ajahn Lee founded Wat Asokaram, a monastery in Thailand, which continues to be a center for meditation and Dhamma practice. His teachings have been widely disseminated through his published works, which include transcribed talks and meditation manuals. He is remembered as a dedicated practitioner and a skillful teacher who made the practice of meditation accessible to many. His students and their students have continued to spread his teachings, making him a significant figure in the contemporary Thai Forest Tradition.