On 15 May 2024, the Royal Thai Embassy had the honor of inviting The Venerable Phra Phrom Phacharayanamuni (Ajahn Jayasāro) to give a lecture on “Mindfulness and the Search for Happiness and Peace” at the Rayburn House Office Building. This event was the second activity the Embassy organized in collaboration with the US-Thai Alliance Caucus. The lecture was attended by Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Member of Congress and member of the US-Thai Alliance Caucus, as well as Congressional staff.

The Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro highlighted that peace is not a stable state; it is fragile and unpredictable, often slipping away. The ability to reestablish peace and balance when it is lost, therefore, is fundamental. The Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro also shared how individuals can foster peaceful coexistence within society by adhering to the five Buddhist precepts, which guide them to refrain from killing or harming others. By committing to these principles and understanding their significance, individuals create an environment of safety and trust, demonstrating an act of great generosity towards others. The Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro also stressed the importance of effectively developing such inner discipline.

The Venerable Ajahn Jayasaro also discussed the importance of developing mindfulness through meditation practice, which helps us become more aware of how our minds work. Mindfulness minimizes distractions such as sadness, anger or anxiety, enabling us to be more aware of what is happening. This heightened that awareness opens up opportunities for wise and thoughtful responses.