Ananda was born in Sri Lanka went to the village temple with his Grandfather from a very young age. Yet he came to practise meditation only after meeting the then Ajahn Jagaro & Ajahn Brahm, around 1987. He has been meditating for about 25 years and considers Ajahn Brahm, Ajahn Brahmali & Bhante Sujato as his spiritual teachers. He and his family started visiting Bodhinyana and Dhammaloka regularly in 1991 and he has served in the Committee in different capacities including Treasurer and the Secretary. He has also contributed to Buddhist communities overseas in various ways and is a student of early Buddhist texts from the Tripitaka, relying mostly on Bhante Sujato’s English translations of Sutta on SuttaCentral & also, Dhammaloka Sutta classes & Sutta Retreats at Jhana Grove.

Please find the list of Suttas that was quoted during the talk:
Guided Meditation:
SN 56.10 Tiracchānakathā sutta (Low Talk) - Bhikkhu Sujato
SN 14.12 Sanidāna sutta (With a Cause) - Bhante Sujato

Dhamma Talk:
Iti 100 Brāhmaṇadhammayāga sutta (The Brahmin’s Offering of the Teaching) - Bhante Sujato
SN 22.87 Vakkali sutta (With Vakkali) - Bhante Sujato
SN 4.5 Dutiyamārapāsa sutta {Māra’s Snares (2nd)} - Bhante Sujato
Kd 1 Mahākhandhaka, part 7 (Great Chapter) Vinaya Pitaka – Ajahn Brahmali
AN 8.37 Sappurisadana Sutta (Good Person’s Gifts) - Bhante Sujato
Ud 8.6 Pāṭaligāmiya sutta (The Layfolk of Pāṭali Village) - Bhante Sujato
AN 10:1 Kimatthiyasutta Sutta (What is the purpose) - Bhante Sujato
SN 12.41 Pañcaverabhaya sutta (Dangers & Threats) - Bhante Sujato
AN 5.42 Sappurisa sutta (True Person) - Bhante Sujato
SN 20.2 Nakhasikha sutta (A Fingernail) - Bhante Sujato
SN 56.11 Dhammacakkappavattana sutta (Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma) - Bhante Sujato

Q&A:
AN 3:100 Lonakapalla Sutta (A Lump of Salt) - Bhante Sujato
MN 14 Cūḷadukkhakkhandha sutta (The Shorter Discourse on the Mass of Suffering) - Bhante Sujato

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice. While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

Dust in Our Eyes 2025 (Rains Retreat Speakers' Series 2025) Hear stories of everyday dhamma as told by monastics and lay practitioners from various Buddhist traditions.

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Account of the First 60 Arahants: Inspiration for our Practice | Ananda Thilakasiri | 25 July 2025