Bhante Pandit – Agency: how action shapes perception in the arising of experience

Pandit Bhikkhu: While searching aimlessly for something to read in a quiet library in rural New Zealand Pandit came across a book on Buddhism. Inspired to investigate further he devoured what few books on the topic he could find, and then took off to start some monastery stays and short retreats. Before leaving NZ and heading back to his native England he took some longer retreats, including 10 days at Te Moata retreat centre in the Coromandel Peninsula of NZ with Steven Smith teaching Mahasi style meditation. Following the Forest temples in the lineage of Luang Phor Chah for a few years, Pandit entered Ratanagiri Monastery in Newcastle, Northern UK in 1994 as an Anagarika (novice). Six months there, and then six months further in Amaravati while Ajahn Sumedho was abbot, convinced him to ordain as a monk. He headed off to Thailand in late 1996 and ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Luang Phor Sodh in Rajaburi Province. Four years later he moved to Wat Paknam, Bhasicharoen in order to attend the monastic university, gaining a degree in psychology.

Having had experience in meditation styles of  Mahasi Sayadaw, Ajahn Chah, Dhammakaya, and some Tibetan, Pandit Bhikkhu claims no lineage other than Buddhism. His own approach uses reflection on the six senses to hold the mind in empty alert awareness. But there are various techniques that are useful for people at different times in their practise. Just so long as you keep making an effort, with the right goal in mind, progress will be made.

His interests, besides nuclear power, vertical axis wind turbines and the Electric Universe theory, include psychology, faerie tales, and other mystic religious traditions.