Ajahn Sumedho, No Birth

This is a review of the early years of Ajahn Sumedho’s life, based it seems for some part at least, on a talk he gave at Amarāvatī recently. It starts with his rather odd birth certificate, and goes through mementos from his early years as a child and a student, gving some information about his background.

It then goes on to his early work life, his decisions to study East Asian language and culture, and his time in Thailand where he first came across the Theravāda tradition, and an “interesting” way of life. We see photos from his early monastic life, and his travels with Ajahn Chah, and the setting up of Chithurst.

We also hear from his long time student Ajahn Candasirī, who offers recollections from his early life in the first foundations in England. Finally we have some chanting led by Ajahn as we see more photos from his time as Abbot of the monasteries in England, and hear extracts from a talk he gave in 1978.