I had the rare opportunity to hear Bhikkhu Bodhi, one of the great Buddhist luminaries of our times, give a talk a few weeks ago up at Abhayagiri Monastery. A widely respected translator of large swaths of the Pali Canon and Commentaries, I had always thought of him above all as a scholar rather than a practioner. However sitting in a room with him and hearing him speak, I quickly realized how misunformed I was.
It is hard to describe Bhikkhu Bodhi because his presence communicates a range of qualities that we often don't associate together. He is at once completely warm, radiating kindness and good-will like a sun; and yet there is also an awesome remoteness about him. His sense of humor is joyful and deeply human; and yet both his face and voice fill one with a profound sobriety. His speech is gentle, unassuming, genuinely humble; and yet one is left with the impression of great majesty.
Enjoy the talk. May it support you in your investigation into the nature and possibilities afforded by this precious human life.
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