Ajahn Sumedho

Ajahn Sumedho ( born 1934 in Seattle, Washington) is the abbot of Amaravati in Hemel Hempstead. He teaches the Buddhist Theravada branch in the forest tradition. Ajahn means teacher.

The Ajahn Sumedho was born Robert Jackman in the U.S. state of Washington. During the Korean War (1950-1953), he served for four years as a medic in the U.S. Navy. He graduated from the University of Washington Bachelor of Chinese Studies, 1963 Masters. He then worked for a year as a social worker for the Red Cross. From 1964 to 1966 he taught the English language in Borneo for the Peace Corps.

In June 1966 he went as a novice in the monastery of Wat Sri Saket in Thailand in May 1967 and became a monk. He followed the teachings of Ajahn Chah, the master of meditation at Wat Pah Pong monastery. In 1973 he undertook a pilgrimage to India. In 1975 he founded the International Forest Monastery Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand, is taught in English. In 1977 he visited Ajahn Chah along with England and was commissioned by him, even to found a monastery.

The English Sangha Trust presented Ajahn Sumedho first its establishment in Hampstead available. In 1979 he acquired the present Cittaviveka in West Sussex. From there followed other monastic foundations in Northumberland, Devon, California, New Zealand, Switzerland ( Dhammapala ) and Italy. In August 1984, the Amaravati Buddhist Centre opened in Hertfordshire, where the Ajahn Sumedho, who is known for his humor, now lives. Also noteworthy is the authorized by him ordination of Siladara (ten vows nuns ) and the creation of an extraordinary Theravada nunnery.