A post on the Forest Tradition at E-Sangha forum

There are a lot of miraculous stories of Thai forest teachers, indeed some may be very real, and some may be just stories retold over and over.

IMHO Ajahn Chah's most miraculous power is his amazing ability to teach. Son of poor farmers in Issan who did not speak English, had the ability to teach both Thai and western students such that now the Thai forest tradition is well-known across the world with renounced Western Ajahns such as Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Brahm, as well as a number of Thai Ajahns in many branch monasteries.

His teachings touch the hearts of those who care to listen with open mind. And for those who practice, the truths of his words can be found in their hearts. Despite the "brandings" that we read about once in a while that his teachings, and his students' teachings, are not strictly orthodox Theravada (or sometimes even described with more amusing words), for those of us who follow the forest tradition, and for those who may simply like his simple yet profound teachings, Ajahn Chah's words are very valuable.

I have no doubt in Ajahn Chah's miraculous ability to teach.



PS - I'd like to add that in additional to students that we know of, both HM the King and HM the Queen of Thailand have been making frequently visits to the forest ajahns during their private times over the past several decades. The King himself have temporary ordained at a young age, and no doubt have had access to teachings of well-versed high ranking scholar ajahns in Bangkok, and no doubt have heard about the branded "unorthodox" teachings of the forest ajahns. This has not stopped him from visiting forest tradition ajahns in Isaan many times a year to both pay respect and seek guidance for practice over the years - probably longer than my 40-year-old life, and not as royal duties. The Thai King had been practicing Buddhism for a long time.

Of course, this does not give the forest tradition a "royal seal", as if such a thing would say anything. But for those who may say that followers of the forest tradition are heretic, especially those who live in Thailand, they may like to include the Thai Monarchy in their list as well.