A good teacher demonstrates; a great teacher transforms.

Phra Pasura Dantamano, a Buddhist monk from Thailand embodies this distinction.

Known for his profound yet accessible teachings, Phra Pasura has a unique ability to simplify complex spiritual concepts, making them relatable for his audience. His teachings not only capture attention—they inspire change.

I first met Phra Pasura during a meditation session organized by Ruch and Uważność. His approach, characterized by humility and powerful storytelling, left a lasting impression, compelling me to explore his insights further.

Fortunately, he agreed to share his deeper thoughts on mindfulness, meditation, and Buddhist philosophy.

Before we explore his teachings, don’t miss the chance to experience his meditation practices firsthand.

WolskyTales: Can you share a bit of story about what was your first time you met with meditation, and what were your thoughts back then?

Phra: I was born Buddhist, and meditation has been part of my life since I can remember. As a child, my parents would take me to the temple, and we would sit down under the trees to meditate. At that young age, it often turned into a nap after a few minutes, but the practice was always a part of me. 

Around the age of 14, I attended a novice ordination camp at a temple in Thailand, where I lived like a monk for a month and a half. This experience deepened my meditation practice.

Throughout my life, from attending school to navigating relationships, meditation has kept me grounded. It helped me avoid the extremes that many of my peers experienced. This balance and awareness, gained from meditation, has been its greatest benefit to me.

WolskyTales: How has it changed over time? When was the ‘aha’ moment that led you to become a Buddhist monk?

Phra: In Thailand, it’s traditional for men to become monks for a short time to honor their parents. I’ve always worked hard, and by 28, life felt overwhelmingly hectic. This led me to consider a break. Just before turning 30, I took a four-month leave from work to enter monkhood. Initially, it was meant to be just a brief period—a chance to reset and start anew.

After the first few weeks in the temple, adjustments to a new way of life were quite challenging. However, one night, everything changed. I woke up to complete silence, everything suddenly became still, as if the entire night had shut off. 

This profound quiet was striking because I hadn’t experienced such stillness until then.

About seven months into my monkhood, I faced a crucial decision: should I return to my previous life or continue as a monk? Realizing that going back meant returning to a life of superficial pleasures and eventual boredom, I decided to stay.

WolskyTales: I can imagine how profound it must have been to leave your old life behind.

Phra: Considering my background—working as a DJ during university, living a bustling social life, and always being in relationships since high school—I had never really taken a break. But in that moment of clarity, I realized I didn’t need to worry about tomorrow—how I should look, what I should do without my usual schedule. None of it mattered anymore. The relief was profound; all the things I had considered important suddenly seemed trivial. This feeling of peace showed me just how important it is to be grounded.

WolskyTales: What does a typical day look like for you, and how do specific practices contribute to your sense of peace?

Phra: The typical day as a monk follows a fairly straightforward routine. We rise early, usually between 4:30 to 5:00 in the morning, to pray and maditate until around 6:30. After breakfast, the morning is devoted to further meditation, maintaining a disciplined schedule.

Post-lunch activities vary based on temple needs. With around 3,000 monks in the temple, there’s always something happening, keeping me active.

Yet amidst the busyness, I find solace in my regular meditation practice. The beauty lies in its flexibility—I can meditate anywhere, anytime. Taking just a brief moment, perhaps half an hour, to center myself before moving on to other tasks is invaluable.

Consistency in practice is key. Cultivating a habit of regular meditation is crucial, especially in the face of our society’s tendency towards constant activity and distraction. 

By reprogramming our habits to prioritize mindfulness, we pave the way for a more peaceful existence.

WolskyTales: Could you share a particularly transformative experience you’ve had as a result of your meditation practices?

Phra: People often anticipate a major transformation, a pivotal change that dramatically alters everything. But in reality, transformation doesn’t work that way. It’s more of a gradual process. This typically starts with a slow build-up, a steady accumulation of grounded, realistic perspectives.

Initially, we may cling to illusions of the future or dwell in the past, but through meditation and mindfulness, we become grounded in reality. We learn to accept things as they are, whether good or bad.

Embracing this reality makes it less daunting. Through this acceptance, transformation occurs. Challenges may arise, but they seem more manageable. This shift is profound—a quiet realization in the dead of night or a moment of indescribable happiness during meditation.

It’s a clarity beyond words, where we see the insignificance of what once seemed important. We let go of fabricated realities and embrace the present. 

WolskyTales: I see your point. The question suggests we expect quick changes. This makes me realize that my expectation for immediate results is something I need to reevaluate.

WolskyTales: Can you share a challenge you faced on your path to monkhood and how you overcame it?

Phra: Each year of my journey has been different. In the beginning, life was about the fun things—traveling, eating out, and visiting restaurants. Then, I became a monk, and suddenly, there were a lot of restrictions. I couldn’t indulge in what I previously thought was fun, which was a big challenge initially. I had to restrain myself from falling back into old habits. However, after the first year, new routines slowly took the place of the old ones, setting the stage for a new way of life.

The first five years were particularly challenging because I transitioned from secular work to temple duties. I was suddenly working with people who had been monks since they were children. At times, it felt like I was dealing with kids who didn’t know anything, which made me a bit egotistic. Over time, I learned to let go of my ego and embrace our monastic rules. After ten years, my perspective and lifestyle had significantly evolved. These changes came from understanding this new way of life.

WolskyTales: How would you explain the essence of mindfulness to someone new to the concept?

Phra: Mindfulness often starts with a misconception. Many think it’s about being aware of every single thought, to the point where they try to suppress their mind from having thoughts at all, seeing it as something negative. But you cannot force mindfulness, because your mind is going to be fighting back all the time. 

In our terms, mindfulness simply means to be conscious, to remember, to remind oneself. It’s about recognizing what’s happening within you. For instance, you might be stressed, anxious, or depressed without even realizing it.

Mindfulness involves observing your thoughts from a third-person perspective. It’s like stepping back from being an actor in a scene to instead understand the movie playing around you. 

Over time, this practice leads to Sampajañña,’ or introspection. This pause allows you to assess situations more clearly, like pausing at a sidewalk to check for cars before crossing the street.

As a result you can choose how to engage with your surroundings and emotions. You gain control over what to focus on and decide which feelings to embrace or let go of. 

WolskyTales: What are some common misconceptions about Buddhism and mindfulness, and how do you address them?

Phra: One common misconception is that Buddhism is pessimistic because it often discusses suffering. This is not about pessimism; it’s about acknowledging the inevitable challenges of life—such as not achieving desires, losing loved ones, and experiencing grief. These are universal experiences, not personal afflictions.

Instead, Buddhism encourages a realistic approach: recognizing suffering as impermanent and focusing on what can be done next.

As for mindfulness, it is often misperceived as solely a Buddhist or religious practice. In reality, mindfulness predates Buddhism and was not invented by Buddha. He expanded on what already existed, integrating it into Buddhism as a tool to enhance spiritual growth.

Mindfulness is fundamentally about being aware and present in the moment—it’s a universal practice, not confined to any religious doctrine. It’s about using simple techniques to enhance awareness in everyday life.

WolskyTales: I’ve noticed that you’re quite active on social media, and I’m curious about your approach to technology. Social media often feels like a rabbit hole; it’s easy to get lost in it. How do you maintain balance?

Phra: The key is to not blame technology. It’s tempting to say that technology consumes my time, but really, it’s about my own discipline. It’s easier to fault social networks or gadgets than to hold myself accountable for not being more disciplined. At the end of the day, I establish strict routines: designated times for specific activities.

Of course, there are moments I might lose track of time, but this structured approach helps me maintain certain habits. It’s not unusual to achieve balance—it’s about creating and sticking to a routine, much like brushing your teeth before bed. 

WolskyTales: What advice would you offer to someone during challenging moments to help them find peace?

Phra: Dealing with challenges is a central theme in life, as they are inevitable. In our practice, we don’t run from these challenges; instead, we face and embrace them. The first step when encountering a challenge is to pause—much like you would before crossing a street. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ground yourself in the present. When you reopen your eyes, tackle one thing at a time. This helps avoid the common reactive impulse to handle multiple issues at a time.

This moment of pause not only aids in introspection but also creates space for new, constructive ideas to emerge.

The interview made with Phra Pasura Dantamano Chief of international relations division of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple and Vice President of World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY).