In this interview, Ven Bhante Gunaratana, fondly known as "Bhante G", speaks about the different paths of practice one can pursue in life.
Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Mahathera is an internationally recognized author and meditation teacher and is the founding abbot of the Bhavana Society Buddhist Monastery in West Virginia where regularly leads retreats on vipassana, mindfulness, loving-friendliness, and concentration practices.
Born in rural Sri Lanka in 1927 (making him currently 93 years old!), he took novice ordianation at age 12 and has thus been in monastic robes for 81 years!
“Bhante G” (as he is fondly called by his students) came to the United States in 1968. In addition to teaching at the Buddhist Vihara of Washington D.C. (where he served as president), at American University in Washington D.C. (where he served as Buddhist chaplain and earned a Ph.D.), and at numerous meditation centers and monasteries around the globe, he is also the author of many best-selling books. These included “Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness,” “The Path of Serenity and Insight,” “The Jhanas in Theravada Meditation,” “Meditation on Perception,” “Beyond Mindfulness in Plain English,” “The Four Foundations of Mindfulness in Plain English,” “Loving-Kindness in Plain English,” and the now-classic meditation manual “Mindfulness In Plain English.”
Bhante G continues to write books and articles, lead retreats, and teach at the Bhavana Society. On the occasion of his 90th birthday, Bhante G decided that he would no longer accept invitations that require long-distance travel. He says, "Thank you all for your kind consideration. With Metta, Bhante Gunaratana."
To learn more, visit linktr.ee/clear_mountain_mona...
Tune in with fellow practitioners every Wednesday evening at 6 pm for a Dhamma Talk or Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo or Tan Nisabho. Wednesday evening Q&A's are followed by a discussion on Zoom from 6:45 - 7:30 pm. Additionally, look for the video of Saturday's in-person Seattle talk uploaded each weekend. See www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ for details. Welcome!