From 1971-1991 Joseph Kappel lived as a Buddhist monk as Pabhakaro Bhikkhu, with Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho in Thailand and Great Britain. His initial interest in Buddhism was inspired by visits to Thailand from Vietnam where he was a Captain serving as a combat helicopter pilot in 1969-70. Since leaving monastic life in 1991, Joseph has taught MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) in Massachusetts’s prisons, received the degree of Master of Education from Harvard University, and worked with college athletes to facilitate “mental fitness” and the inner game. He currently teaches meditation retreats in various settings in the US. Additionally, he co-leads retreats with Ajahn Amaro at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England. Joseph’s commitment is to encourage everyone to awaken in daily life by using life’s journey to cultivate deep understanding, virtuous conduct, along with wise effort & reflection.
In this talk Joseph speaks about faith in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and how belief and faith are interconnected. The intricate and interwoven nature of these is central to one’s humanity and critical to deepening one’s religious and spiritual life. He relates it in very personal terms using his own journey as a former soldier and monk to reveal how this sojourn we’re on, is one that offers multiple opportunities to take strides along the path to liberation from all that binds one to the perpetual wheel of samsara (myriad births & deaths).
