FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to what people most often ask. If yours isn’t here, write to us — the address is at the end.
What is RidgeClub?
A small library for anyone drawn to the Buddha’s teaching as it has been lived in the forest monasteries of Thailand: texts worth returning to, the teachers of the tradition, a library of the best places to go deeper, and the calendar of moon days and holy days. About RidgeClub says more.
Who is it for?
Anyone. You may be new to the teaching, or have practised for years, or simply want to read a sutta in the Pāli and in English side by side. Nothing here assumes you belong to a tradition.
Does it cost anything?
No. There’s nothing to buy, no advertising, and no account to make. Nearly everything in the library is offered freely too, by the monasteries themselves, in the spirit of dāna — giving without asking anything in return.
Who chooses what’s here?
Everything is chosen by hand, and it changes with the calendar: a reflection for each day, and the moon days and holy days of the Thai year. The aim isn’t to be complete but to be trustworthy — a few of the best doors into a very deep house.
Where do the translations come from?
Every text says who translated it and where it comes from. Where a translation is our own, it says so, and it’s offered freely. Anything that belongs to someone else is linked from the library rather than copied here.
What are moon days?
Wan phra, the observance days of the lunar month: the new moon, the full moon, and the two half moons between them. On these days lay people go to the monasteries to hear the Dhamma and keep the precepts. The calendar lists them, with the holy days of the year.
Why do the dates follow Thailand’s time?
Because the calendar is the Thai monasteries’ own. A moon day or a holy day begins at midnight in Thailand, so depending on where you are, it may begin the day before by your own calendar. Dates are as the Mahanikaya monasteries keep them — Ajahn Chah’s among them; Dhammayut monasteries sometimes keep a moon day a day apart.
Can I suggest a text, a teacher, or a link?
Yes, please. Suggestions, corrections, and questions are all welcome at hello@ridgeclub.com.
Do you keep anything about me?
Almost nothing. Reading the site sets no cookies and needs no account. The privacy page says exactly what is kept, and for how long.
Is there a shortcut to enlightenment?
Recognize that your existence is completely at your direction - now; there is no mental inertia that prevents any well directed pursuit. Some summary suggestions which can be very helpful:
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Cease all unskillful actions of mind, speech and body and execute only those most skillful.
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Escape from the delusion of prioritizing conventional reality in favor of focus on ultimate reality.
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Promote peace and loving kindness in an active continuous manner.
Not answered here?
Write to us, and we'll answer as soon as we can: hello@ridgeclub.com.