Ajahn Sumedho, born Robert Karr Jackman in Seattle, Washington in 1934, stands as a pioneering figure in the transmission of Theravada Buddhism to the West. Raised in an American Christian family, his early life included service in the U.S. Navy and work as a Peace Corps volunteer in Borneo. His spiritual journey led him to Thailand, where he ordained as a Buddhist monk in the late 1960s and became one of the first Western disciples of the esteemed Thai forest master Ajahn Chah.

Under Ajahn Chah’s guidance, Ajahn Sumedho immersed himself in the Thai Forest Tradition, a lineage renowned for its emphasis on meditation, mindfulness, and direct experiential understanding. His monastic training was marked by a deep commitment to the contemplative path, and he became a close student of Ajahn Chah at Wat Pah Pong monastery. This rigorous period of study and practice laid the foundation for his later role as a bridge between Eastern and Western spiritual cultures.

Ajahn Sumedho’s contributions extend far beyond his personal practice. He played a central role in establishing the Thai Forest Tradition in the West, founding Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England in 1984 and serving as its abbot for many years. Through his leadership, he fostered the growth of multiple monastic communities across the United Kingdom and Europe, nurturing a generation of Western monks and nuns dedicated to the Theravada path.

His teaching style is characterized by clarity, practicality, and accessibility. Drawing from his own experience, Ajahn Sumedho emphasizes mindfulness, the Four Noble Truths, and the importance of direct experience over theoretical study. His ability to translate traditional Buddhist concepts into language and practices resonant with Western audiences has made him an influential figure in contemporary Buddhism, guiding countless practitioners toward a deeper understanding of the Dhamma.