Forest Path - Amaravati Buddhist Monastery

86 forest path
everything, sometimes no need to explain, in my idea, no need to explain,
to tell anyone, he can let the student look and concentrate.
TP: What do you think of the teachings of Ajan Jayasàro like
Dhamma desanà teachings to lay people and to monks?
TK: With the monk Ajan very soft. I really feel. Few time I heard
him talk — very strong — like the one who show power of the
teacher. With the laypeople he’s very nice. I stay with Tan Ajan
Supot, he talk very strong with the laypeople, too strong even
sometimes I cannot accept it. “Why Ajan talk very strong?” I feel
angry. But long, long time I think again and it’s very powerful and
helpful.
TP: What about the practice of meditation at Wat Pa Nanachat?
Is it the way we practise ànàpàna-sati similar to the Kruba Ajan.
TK: I think, about meditation, I think it is the same… Tan Ajan
Supot or Tan Ajan Jayasàro never push us this way or that way, just
explain, explain. But in Korat we did not have much schedule, in the
early days quite nice but when I stay for a long time or many vassas
it’s not useful with the group, on the other hand more schedule is
quite good ’cause when I don’t want to go I have to go.
TP: When we went to Tao Dam this year, you became Jao-awas
(‘Abbot’) at Wat Pa Nanachat. How does it feel to be the Jao-awas of
a large monastery, a monk of only seven vassa?
TK: To be Jao-awas, I used to help Ajan Supot many times ‘cause
he travel often, but not for long time like this. But anyway, I don’t
have to take any responsibility ’cause I can contact Tan Ajan for
everything so it’s not too hard. When I have problems, I can call him
and talk with him or write him a letter. The most difficult thing is
when I think too much ’cause so many things about work or job.
Sometime I think no need to tell me why you tell me, like the water
leaking or the power went out, sometime I think it’s too busy for me.
“No need to tell me you can do it yourself.” But I didn’t say, I keep it
within myself and concentrated. I think being Jao-awas is very
difficult when we have someone consult us for everything. In Korat
sometime people come and complain with the Ajan even about the
dog — Jao-awas have to concern even the dog in the monastery.