It is so refreshing to have a new generation of Teachers actually teaching the Suttas, Empty Cloud, Dharmadirini, Buddhist insights, etc, they are doing a wonderful job. I live in the UK and to be honest the suttas seem to take a back seat at places like Amravati: and Chithurst, It is a bit repetitive, listening to monks making up their talks as they go along, not only that but the same abbots telling the same stories becomes a bit dull. Let’s hope they take a lead from the younger generation on teaching in the near future!
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If you are in the UK you may like to check out Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project. Venerable Candā regularly teaches from the suttas.
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Yes thank-you Venerable Passana, will drop in to that channel 
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Yes, it seems the western Buddhist movement (outside of cult-like groups) is lacking strong public speakers, preacher-types who know how to motivate a congregation.
Mission Majjhima! – Sunday Evening Sutta Teaching & Discussion (YouTube & Zoom)
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In Brazil we are lucky to have Ajahn Mudito who is the Abbot of the Suddhavari Monastery carrying out a study of the Suttas every Tuesday night, currently we are studying the Anguttara Nikaya, Book 6.
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It is important to explain that without Ajahn Sumedho teachings I would not have gained the interest in this path, I hold him in high regard and all Monks for the record. It is just that Preparation does go a long way, and to base talks around a sutta is of great benefit for newcomers and experienced Buddhists alike. I have noticed my own interest in the Suttas expand upon the worthy efforts of the monasteries that do teach around the suttas and one does have the sense of inclusion, which in my view can only be of benefit for those Monasteries that do teach in such a way.
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Dhammadharini Monastery | California
Dhammadharini Monestery the link above, is one of my Favourite especially for learning about the Suttas and they practice inclusion by the way of an active Zoom platform on which a gathering of two times a week is just fantastic, they are an hardworking Monastery and deserve praise, they are kind, listening , and welcome all! If you visit their website you can register for free, they will send a link to you for Zoom meetings and topics to be discussed and dates.
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I Know that Ajahn Brahm has taught the actual suttas, not only that but to let his monks teach which can only give them confidence and actual practice, I give him the highest praise for his efforts and insight has an Abbot ! He has given us observers and lay people the opportunity to listen to new and not so new Monks, and therefore opening the Dhamma to the mass. We in the UK unfortunately have not as yet had this experience. I hope one day the Abootts in the UK and elsewhere will adopt Ajahn Brahms wisdom.
The Monks speak from their experience r.e. Amaravati and Chithurst as compared to preparing their speeches. Drawing from experience is a lot different than making it up as they go along. In fact, the capacity to be able to convey from one’s experience is evidence of dhamma comprehension. Their approach is influenced by Ajahn Chah. There is a big difference between hoarding intellectual ideas/Sutta recital, experiential insight and dhamma transmission.
You can also make a formal request to any Monk and ask them to teach dhamma & explore texts together personally and not have to rely on public talks about Suttas.
The Suttas are publicly available for anyone who seeks them out. They point and we are the ones who do the learning. We have to make the effort and cannot expect to be spoon fed.
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Hi dhammapala, hope you are well. I find it odd that monastics would even think such a thing?
I am sure that when the Buddha instructed Sariputta and Moggallana on memorising and teaching others that his objective was one of sharing and teaching, both monks and to the lay community? Maybe I am missing? Something, but maybe not. I find it even stranger that the two biggest monastery in the UK and many others around the World appear not to
teach the suttas
I find it even stranger that monks see no purpose in teaching the suttas , why did Buddha leave instrution if that was not his intention? Anyways good healthh and much metta all!
Wellness to you John.
No doubt knowing the Suttas and using them as a signpost towards realisation can be helpful but whether or not one realises what is being pointed to is on that person themselves. The point I am making is that the realisation or insight experience is different than the memorised words of the Sutta.
Let’s say that we have heard that if we immediately hold a hot cup with freshly boiled water inside that it may scorch ones hand but have never experienced it for ourselves - or better yet, have never experienced being burned. One day, we find ourselves in a kitchen and one of us, unmindful of the hot cup, picks it up and experiences pain related to the heat from the cup. One says “now I understand what it means to burn ones hand!”.
In this way, there is a vast distinction between memorising Suttas and then realising what they point to. If, one has grasped the meaning of what is presented, they can then communicate it from their own mind naturally without sounding like they are repeating something from a book.
The Monks at Amaravati and Chithurst, the more senior, are following the advice from their preceptor to: speak naturally. I have no doubt that if you approached a monastic and began to establish a friendship with them that they will be more than happy to explore the Suttas with you & signpost you to good Suttas to read.
I think they do speak from the Suttas - referencing verses in talks, some of them at least, and many are versed & refer to some Suttas in their talks.
My advice would be to go directly to a Monk of your choice and have a chat with them. They may just show you otherwise.
Actual practice of governing mind and body from hindrances is vastly different than reading about how to do so. There is the old adage: the map is not the territory. This rings true! The map is the signpost. Our faculties of mind-body are the territory. This mind, so subtle and difficult to discern. Is it possible to bridle this great Ox?
Best wishes,
Dhammapala.
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I can see no zoom arrangements on their sites, other than for a lay Buddhist group at Amravati.
I do not drive and live a long way from Both monastery, so communication is non-existent. If in the past some time was given by the monastics to the teaching of the suttas then a body of work would exist for a reference. If other monks were allowed to teach this would give choice in the sense that not all teachers grab all laypeople - so the more monks that teach gives more choice. I still listen to Joseph G who is a great communicator, I feel sure there are some hidden gems within the sangha just waiting to share their skills? Alas, tradition is blocking them, and the Archive is full of one or two teachers thoughts. How can this be remedied? If there is no wish to change the tradition slightly?. Thanks for your input!
Your posts seem to express a fixated negative attitude and also an agenda in manipulating outside conditions to conform to your views. As such replying is probably foolish but as I do wish you happiness, please forgive my foolishness.
Ajahn Sucitto who is based in one of the monasteries you criticized, shared a talk some weeks ago, based on SN 22.90 in a way that you may find talks directly to your predicament:
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I think there are Monks who would be open to exploring the Suttas with you at both Amaravati and Chithurst. Given that you have not frequented these monasteries often because you are distant from them then it is likely that you have not had the in-person opportunity to hear any of the Monks reference Suttas. Not everything is recorded at Amaravati & Chithurst. Being in a living, breathing and working monastery as well as participating in that community is vastly different from being an outside observer.
It may be worthwhile sending an email to Amaravati or Chithurst and asking if they would be prepared to do a Sutta study with lay people who are interested. Pre-covid, there were lots of extended retreats and I think exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta. As mentioned earlier, the Suttas are publicly available and able to be found online. SuttaCentral is a perfect example of a Sutta repository. There is also the other point that I was making earlier: that transmission of an insight and then the reading of a Sutta, or memorising of a Sutta, is different. Many Monks have realised what particular Suttas are pointing to. So, if you have a conversation with them as compared to expecting a class or a video to pop up somewhere down the line, you will find that they may be able to facilitate your request. This is why it is important to frequent monasteries and develop friendships with the local community.
I am familiar with few Monks at Amaravati and our conversations are… nourishing and wholesome, to say the least. I think you should visit the monasteries more and sit for evening Dhamma talks where a different Monk comes and speaks every time there is a talk.
Overall, what I think is most important, is your own diligence, striving, and seeking to come to ‘knowing’. Use whatever resources you have with every ounce of mind and body to make sense of the Path, and live it!
(P.S. I think they have the entire Tipitaka at the Amaravati Library. Why not get a train down one day and explore it?)
Best wishes,
Dhammapala.
Amaravati post youtube videos sometimes weeks or months after the event.
One master says to read the suttas, and another master says not to read the suttas. Both seem to be accomplished, and both speak the truth.
Maybe I have to find out for myself, then, that no master can do it for me. Sometimes reading is wise, and at other times it is wise to let go of books.
I haven’t heard any other ajahn explaining the first sermon of the Buddha as deeply as Ajahn Sumedho, and I’ve learned a lot from just one sutta in my practice by listening and made myself standing under his teaching until it was understood. In the library of Dhammatalks at Amaravati, one can find extensive talks on different suttas and important aspects of the suttas.
So I’m grateful we have different kinds of incredible teachers.
It just is as it is) awarewolf
You seem defensive on behalf of the monastics, but has stated Sariputta and Moggallana really did teach the way the Buddha instructed.
I think this isn’t actually a problem with Amaravati or Chithurst or any of the Monks.
They are very active and dispensing lots of information regularly in forms of books, day and evening talks.
I think you haven’t seen what you’re seeking because you do not frequent these places often or stay overnight.