About Cittasanto
I am not an expert translator or trained in scholarly practices so work here maybe rough around the edges, and things might seam unclear so feedback and your own thoughts on posts, here, on this site are very much appreciated and I will attend to whatever matters are brought to my attention as soon as possible, so please do not hesitate to comment on the various posts. If you want to contact me personally please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.
I was born on the Isle of Man on 27th May and spent most of my life living there, although I have lived in Chester, England in 1996/97, studying Massage & Chiropody at the Lillian Maund Training Center amongst other related fields of body therapy, Aberdeen, Scotland in 2008/09, where I studied Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, through distance learning, and Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, England in 2010/12, where I was an anāgārika. I have worked in hospitality; shops; cleaning; and care homes; as-well as short period as a sales representative. I became interested in spirituality in 1997 and looked at the different spiritual/religious traditions including Celtic Spirituality; Christianity; Islam; Taoism; Japanese Zen; Tibetan Buddhism and eventually Theravada, which resonated with me both intellectually and practically far more than other traditions and their associated practices, although other practices do still have a place in my life, the other traditions only filled part of the spiritual life I was looking for, and needing. |
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The Isle of Man Dhamma Sangha was the first meditation group I attended back in 1997, under the spiritual direction of Michael Kewley the former Theravadin Buddhist monk (Bhikkhu (Pāḷi)) Paññadipa (meaning Island of Wisdom;) a Lay Dhamma Teacher & disciple of the late Sayadaw Rewata Dhamma, whom lives in France and originally from the Isle of Man. In 2008 an interest in the original texts developed due to a meeting with Sitagu Sayadaw, Ashin Nyanissara, which later became the reason for starting translations from the canon (Tipiṭaka.) This year I also started attending retreats at Bhavana Dhamma the retreat house of The Forest Hermitage (Wat Pah Santidhamma) near Warwick, England, with Ajahn Manapo, and with my move to Aberdeen, Scotland started attending a local Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO - later to become the Triratna Buddhist Community) meditation group there, and the following year based on my research of the mahā-satipaṭṭhāna sutta (DN22) I led an evenings meditation sitting and shared some thoughts on the text with the group.
After moving back to the Isle of Man in 2009 I returned to the Isle of Man Dhamma Sangha and spent 3 weeks at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery - which is part of the Thai Forest Tradition of the Theravāda School of Buddhism - during which time I knew that it was the place to be, so after saving up funds in 2009/2010 I went there as a lay guest in May 2010, eventually undertaking the Anāgārika (Pali: lit., "homeless one") training under Ajahn Amaro, the Abbott, and the community of Mendicants there on the 23 October 2010 (Pavāraṇā Day, AKA - Sangha Day). leaving the training on 9 January 2012 to move back to the Isle and pursue other avenues of practice and life.
While at the monastery an interest in other meditative practices apart from the common sitting and walking practices, arose which led to practices involving Upright Speech, Calligraphy and an increased interest in studying the canon and collecting the instructions for a fuller picture based on the whole canon, not just one specific text.
All the monasteries I have been to have been founded by disciples of Luang Por Chah - who is one of my spiritual hero's, along with Luang Ta Maha-Bua, Bhikkhu Anālayo, and of course the Buddha.
The Name 'Cittasanto' means 'peaceful mind,' and I was offered this upon leaving the Anāgārika training in 2012, before this I used the name Manapa (Pāḷi for 'Beloved') for on-line purposes, this name came about as it made differentiating who was being talked to in forums easier, and chosen as it means the same as my birth name, "David."
Other interests include reading; writing; walking; conversation; religion & philosophy; psychology; cooking, meditative practices; as-well as photography & encaustic art, which can be found in the Art section, as-well as Calligraphy which can be found both in the Art and translation sections, however, some works can be found on a more dedicated site here.
After moving back to the Isle of Man in 2009 I returned to the Isle of Man Dhamma Sangha and spent 3 weeks at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery - which is part of the Thai Forest Tradition of the Theravāda School of Buddhism - during which time I knew that it was the place to be, so after saving up funds in 2009/2010 I went there as a lay guest in May 2010, eventually undertaking the Anāgārika (Pali: lit., "homeless one") training under Ajahn Amaro, the Abbott, and the community of Mendicants there on the 23 October 2010 (Pavāraṇā Day, AKA - Sangha Day). leaving the training on 9 January 2012 to move back to the Isle and pursue other avenues of practice and life.
While at the monastery an interest in other meditative practices apart from the common sitting and walking practices, arose which led to practices involving Upright Speech, Calligraphy and an increased interest in studying the canon and collecting the instructions for a fuller picture based on the whole canon, not just one specific text.
All the monasteries I have been to have been founded by disciples of Luang Por Chah - who is one of my spiritual hero's, along with Luang Ta Maha-Bua, Bhikkhu Anālayo, and of course the Buddha.
The Name 'Cittasanto' means 'peaceful mind,' and I was offered this upon leaving the Anāgārika training in 2012, before this I used the name Manapa (Pāḷi for 'Beloved') for on-line purposes, this name came about as it made differentiating who was being talked to in forums easier, and chosen as it means the same as my birth name, "David."
Other interests include reading; writing; walking; conversation; religion & philosophy; psychology; cooking, meditative practices; as-well as photography & encaustic art, which can be found in the Art section, as-well as Calligraphy which can be found both in the Art and translation sections, however, some works can be found on a more dedicated site here.
Sila, Allowing Inherent Goodness to Blossom - Ajahn Amaro's talk on my Anāgārika "going forth" on Pavarana day 23 October 2010.
Relevant Training
CBT Level 5 Diploma
AnāgārikaTraining
Meditation Retreats
Self-guided Retreats
AnāgārikaTraining
Meditation Retreats
Self-guided Retreats