ayya khema

[PeterB]

[pilgrim]

I didn't read her biography, so I don't know what I should tell or can. But One Day in November she asked us to open the windows of the meditation hall - it was quite chilly - and she mentioned the reason for doing so. The evening before devas came to her and asked her if it was ok with her to listen to her talks on Dhamma. With the windows closed they felt they were intruding. So she gave them permission to listen to her talks by opening the windows.

That's interesting. Few western teachers speak of such.

[a la n]

Hi - I took 5 precepts from Ayya Khema in 1980 at the Wat and did many retreats there with Laurence and Sister Khema. My kids and I used to take her dana when she came to Melbourne and stayed at the Buddhist societies house in Richmond. My 2 - 5 yr old daugher adored her. She was feisty, warm, precise, detailed, cautious, stern, mystical, straightlaced and when Laurence disrobed, furious and disbelieving.

I once sat for 10 days in her kuti seeing only Laurence in the afternoon and it was the most transformative time Ive ever enjoyed.

Her retreats at the Wat were sellouts because she was so popular and inspiring. Generally she always smiled wen she talked - her eyes were wrinkled at the edges with so much smiling.

Interesting to hear of Acharn Maha Boowas passing. I have a few old books Laurence passed on to me. He'll appreciate knowing, if he doesnt already, when I see him Saturday.

Nice to be on this forum.

cheers

Alan.

[greensleaves]

Hi Delilah

I went to several meditation retreats with Ayya Khema at Wat Buddha Dhamma in the 80s. She was such a powerful woman - beautifully intelligent and logical in her presentation, but something of a steam roller in that there wasn't much opportunity to disagree with anything she said. She could be very simple and lovely in interviews - I remember she suggested taking flowers when I went to visit my parents. I remember a sense of being cared for and understood. I read her autobiography a long time ago and didn't like it - I found it curiously hollow, as though there wasn't much more to this person than Buddha Dhamma. A pity. I think she was a bit obsessed with Buddhism. I don't know the origins or reasons for that.

[David N. Snyder]

as though there wasn't much more to this person than Buddha Dhamma. A pity. I think she was a bit obsessed with Buddhism. I don't know the origins or reasons for that.

And the problem with that is . . . ?

After all, she was a bhikkhuni.

I think when one gets advanced in the practice, the Buddha-Dhamma consumes the person's energy and time and other trivial pursuits matter less. It can still be in a wholesome way and not a dogmatic or fundamentalist way. One thing she definitely was not, is a dogmatic fundamentalist.

[David2]

There are many video-talks by Ayya Khema on this channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/mettaviharatube

[retrofuturist]

Greetings,

as though there wasn't much more to this person than Buddha Dhamma. A pity. I think she was a bit obsessed with Buddhism. I don't know the origins or reasons for that.

And the problem with that is . . . ?

Ha... yeah, that's exactly what I thought too.

Metta,
Retro.

[imaginos]

Thank you for that Bhante...Who is your teacher if I might ask ?

My present teacher is (was for he died on 30 jan 2011) Than Acharn Maha Bua.
Metta Martin

Bhante, it's wonderful that you have/had an auspicious fortune to have him as your teacher.
And I agree that it's the best to follow the teachers who only have one side (on and off stage).

[heyjude]

Hi Delilah, I had the great pleasure of meeting your grandmother Ayya Khema several times. Many years ago whilst visiting Ramana Maharshi's ashram I met Narikuti Swami who knew Ayya Khema well in the early days. I believe in one of her books she named Narikuti Swami as one of her first teachers.

[lbrasington]

Hi Delilah,

I was a long time student of your grandmother. She's without a doubt one of the most amazing people I ever met. I would be very happy to share memories of her with you. Visit my web site at http://leighb.com - you'll find my email address there. Then send me an email and I'll get back to you.

Metta,
Leigh Brasington

[tiltbillings]

Hi Delilah,

I was a long time student of your grandmother. She's without a doubt one of the most amazing people I ever met. I would be very happy to share memories of her with you. Visit my web site at http://leighb.com - you'll find my email address there. Then send me an email and I'll get back to you.

Metta,
Leigh Brasington

Welcome. And thanks for your input. I have found your website of great value, and anything you would care to share about Ven khema here would be most welcome. She was an inspiring teacher.