In order to flourish in the world it’s not a matter of merely accumulating a body of knowledge.
These words from our Spiritual Advisor, Phra Dharma Bajranyanamuni (Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro), are truly insightful and worth reflecting upon in this ever-increasingly chaotic world in which we live.
At Panyaden International School, we have a unique relationship, not only with the natural environment that surrounds us, but also with Buddhist values and the people who teach them.
Phra Dharma Bajranyanamuni is one of our valued teaches. His words of wisdom are greatly appreciated.
We graciously give thanks and invite you to share in more words of wisdom on our school YouTube channel.
Thank you for your interest in Panyaden. We openly welcome all enquiries from interested families throughout the year, so please feel free to contact us for more information, or to arrange a visit to Panyaden please apply for a school tour.
It is through learning that we become truly human
– Phra Dharma Bajranyanamuni (Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro)
Phra Dharma Bajranyanamuni (Shaun Michael Chiverton) was born on the Isle of Wight, England in 1958. He joined Ajahn Sumedho's community for the Rains Retreat as an anagarika in 1978 and in November he left for Wat Pa Pong in Northeast Thailand where he ordained as a novice in the following year. In 1978 he became a disciple of Ajahn Chah, one of Thailand's most renowned Buddhist monks and meditation masters, at Wat Pa Pong forest monastery in Northeast Thailand. He took full ordination, with Ajahn Chah as his preceptor, in 1980. Since early 2003 Phra Dharma Bajranyanamuni has been living in a hermitage at the foot of Khao Yai Mountain National Park. The Dhamma teachings and meditation retreats he gives at regular intervals at a nearby retreat centre offer inspiration to both lay Buddhists and monastics. He is also a key figure in the movement to integrate Buddhist developmental principles into the Thai education system.
“In order to flourish in the world it's not a matter of merely accumulating a body of knowledge, so much as cultivating a strong but supple mind and the ability to develop life skills such as skilful communication, the ability to work in a team, patience, resilience (the ability to bounce back after disappointments), the ability to manage one's moods, and to protect the mind from pride, arrogance, greed, hatred, depression, anxiety, and panic. These abilities are being increasingly recognised as being more useful and necessary in the long run to a successful working life rather than having a particular degree under your belt. It's becoming clear to what extent a lack of emotional maturity and self-knowledge amongst people in positions of authority undermines the advantages that they should derive from a cultivated intellect.”
Venerable Ajahn Piyasilo
Venerable Ajahn Piyasilo is the abbot at Wat Pah Yen Boon in Chiang Rai. This monastery is a branch monastery of the Ajahn Chah Lineage, which is part of the Thai Forest Buddhist tradition. Venerable Ajahn Piyasilo is one of the students of Venerable Ajahn Piyasilo and has been a monk in the Thai Forest tradition for 25 years.
Venerable Ajahn Piyasilo has been Panyaden's spiritual advisor since 2011.