Dhammatalks, Chanting, Precepts and Meditation with Ajahn Dhammasiha and other Experienced Senior Buddhist Monks in the Theravada Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. Recorded at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia. NEXT LIVE PODCASTS: For joining the Live Podcasts you have to download the castbox app here: https://castbox.fm/download We're simultaneously livestreaming the Sunday noon sessions on video here: https://vimeo.com/dhammatalks Every Saturday 07.30 am - Triple Refuge & Precepts 12.00 pm - Dhamma-Discussion, Q&A Every Sunday: 12.00 pm - Dhamma Talk & Discussion 03.00 pm - Chanting, Guided Meditation and Dhamma-Reflection www.dhammagiri.org.au https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw www.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitage www.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about one of the most profound aspects of the Buddha's teaching: Emptiness (Sunyata / Suññatā) On the most profound level, Emptiness means empty of Self, Me, Mine and I. An enlightend person, an arahant, has seen through and abandoned all delusions of I, me, mine and self. The Stream-Enterer (Sotāpanna, first of four stages of Awakening) has abandoned the delusion of Sakkāya-Diṭṭhi (Entity-View), he is empty of any view or doctrine of Self, though he still has thoughts & perceptions of me, mine and I. Emptiness on the most profound level also refers to an Arahant being empty of greed, hate and delusion. However, we can cultivate emptiness already at much more basic levels, for instance: Emptying our calendar - less events is better, more empty is better. Emptying our house, shelf and cupboards - less stuff is better, more empty is better. Emptying our behaviour from unwholesome action and speech - less bad actions makes life much easier and peaceful. Emptying our life from an endless stream of experiences and exitements - less drama is better and more peaceful. Emptying our mind from endless thinking - a mind empty of thought is blissful ...WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#emptiness #sunyata #dhammatalk #dhamma #buddhism #buddhadhamma #buddhistphilosophy
Ajahn Dhammasiha guides us through a Buddhist meditation on Mindfulness of the In and Out Breath (ānāpānasati). He specially emphasizes the following points: 1. Feeling the whole physical body with every breath. 2. Calming and relaxing all bodily tensions with every breath. 3. Enjoying the meditation. Developing feelings of gladness, rapture and bliss with every breath. 4. Brightening the mind with every breath. 5. Though we're calm, we're not going to sleep. Becoming more aware, more awake, more mindful with every breath. 6. We're not meditating to get anything, we're meditation to let go. Letting go with every breath. 7. After the bell, Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to use the same techniques for our walking meditation.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#meditation #buddhistmeditation #guidedmeditation #breathmeditation #anapanasati #mindfulness #sati
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked how to apply the Buddha's teaching of Four Noble Truths in our daily life. The 4 Noble Truths are a core teaching of the Buddha, that is acknowledged as fundmental in all Buddhist traditions, including Therevada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. These thruths do not constitute a philosophical thought excercise, but are directly applicable to our experience of pain, disappointment and suffering. They show us a practical method in the Noble Eightfold Path to completely extricate ourselves from pain, frustration, depression, old age sickness, death and repeated birth. Ajahn points out that we usually blame external causes for any pain and disappointment we experience: "It's because of this person that I'm so miserable!" However, we can never get out of suffering by trying to eliminate all external causes. There's just too many of them, and often they are beyond our control. Instead, the Buddha points us to the internal causes of suffering: Craving; Attachment; Desire; Anger; and the Delusion of I, Me, Mine and Self. If we can abandon the internal causes of our suffering, we can overcome it once and forever. We can experience the state beyond all suffering: Freedom, Release, the Deathleath Element, Nibbāna.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddhism #meditation #dhammatalk #fournobletruths #buddhistmeditation #buddhistwisdom #buddhistteachings
Mindfulness of the In-and-Out-Breath, Ānāpānasati, was the favourite meditation object of the Buddha himself. He has given us very comprehensive and detailed instructions how to develop this form of meditation. However, many meditators, often even those practising regularly for many years, are not fully aware, or at least do not really apply, the instructions as provided by the Buddha. To encourage everyone to receive the full results of their Breath Meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha goes through all 16 steps of Mindfulness of Breathing, as expounded by the Buddha; e.g. in Ānāpānasati Sutta, Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses, No. 118Each of the four Tetrads develops one of the Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) (i) BODY (KĀYA) (ii) FEELINGS (VEDANĀ) (iii) CITTA (MIND) (iv) DHAMMA (TRUTH) [i] 1. He breathes in mindfully, and he breathes out mindfully2.Breathing in long, he knows: ‘I'm breathing in long'; or breathing out long, he knows: ‘I' breathing out long.' Or breathing in short, he knows: ‘I'm breathing in short'; or breathing out short, he knows: ‘I am breathing out short.' 3. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in feeling the whole body.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out feeling the whole body.' 4. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in calming all bodily activity' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out calming all bodily activity.'[ii]5. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing rapture.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing rapture.' 6. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing bliss.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing bliss.' 7. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing mental activity.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing mental activity.' 8.He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in calming mental activity.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out calming mental activity.'(iii)9. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing the mind.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing the mind.' 10. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in gladdening the mind.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out gladdening the mind.' 11. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in unifying the mind.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out unifying the mind.' 12. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in releasing the mind.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out releasing the mind.'(iv)13. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on impermanence.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on inconstancy.' 14. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on dispassion / fading away.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on dispassion / fading away.' 15. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on cessation.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on cessation.' 16. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on letting go.' He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on letting go.'WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#anapanasati #satipatthana #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation #sati #breathmeditation
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question by someone just getting started in their Dhamma practise. Ajahn talks about karma, generosity and kindness; and the future results of our karma. He mentions rebirth, the fact that our mind doesn't just vanish at death, but will connect with a new body in one of the different realms of existence, according to our karma and attachments. Ajahn recommends to go back to what the Buddha himself actually taught, and explains that in the oldest part of the Theravada Pali Canon we can find the most authentic record of the Buddha's own words. He passes on two books summarizing the Noble Eight Fold Path based on these early suttas: Venerable Nyanatiloka, 'The Word of the Buddha', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, 'The Noble Eightfold Path' Ajahn also recommends to establish a little shrine, and to keep that area 'sacred', by not doing any other activity than chanting and meditation there. He recommends to start a regular practice of Buddhist Chanting, and passes on our Amaravati Chanting Book, that includes both Pali and English Chants: Ajahn encourages the newcomer to regularly continue his practice of Ānāpānasati (Meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing'), that he has already gathered some experience with.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked for advice to overcome ill will. Ajahn talks about the two fundamental approaches:Developing Loving Kindness, Compassion and Forgiveness to strengthen the opposite qualities in our mindUsing wisdom to contemplate and understand anger. For instance, if we're mindful, we can notice that ill will actually feels bad, and that we ourselves are the first 'victim' of our anger.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#illwill #anger #grudge #metta #lovingkindness #insight #vipassana #wisdom
Ajahn Dhammasiha explains the emotion of Saṃvega = Spiritual Shock/Spiritual Urgency. When we encounter Dukkha/Pain/Loss/Disappointment, the resulting sadness can make our heart dark and depressed. However, it's also possible to turn the pain we experience into a powerful motivation to practise the Buddha Dhamma with even more commitment and dedication, to ultimately free our heart from all suffering in the experience of the Deathless/Nibbāna.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#pain #loss #bereavement #buddhadhamma #dhammatalk
SHORT TALK 13 MINAjahn Dhammasiha encourages us to dedicate more attention to the quality of passive observation, rather than always being involved with doing things. We have to watch, observe, simply see how conditions unfold without interfering, in order to develop vipassana (insight).Yathābhūta Ñāṇadassana means seeing things as they really are, without distorting. We have to see the impermanent as impermanent, rather than distorting our perception towards permanence, in order to develop vipassana. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#seeing #observing #yathabhuta #nyanadassana #insight #vipassana
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the meaning of: 'Ādi-kalyānam, majjhe-kalyānam, pariyosāna-kalyānam' (Beautiful in the Beginning, Beautiful in the Middle, Beautiful in the End), one of the unique qualities of the Buddha-Dhamma. He also reponds to a question about the most senior monk disciple of the Buddha, Ven Aññā-Kondañña, and how he got his name. Finally, Ajahn offers some reflections on the question which parts of the Dhamma are most important to humanity right now in our current global situation; and how we can share the Dhamma with all human beings. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#dhamma #dhammatalk #beauty #beautiful #buddhism #buddha
Loving kindness is simply the intention of unconditional good will to all beings, without any distinction. Ajahn Dhammasiha explains benefits of a well established practice of loving kindness ('Mettā'). When we experience benefits of our metta practice (for instance healthy, peaceful sleep and waking up happily), they are the most powerful motivation to continue to develop our loving kindness even further.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#metta #lovingkindness #dhammatalk #buddhism #goodwill
Sometimes our mind may feel a bit dark, or frustated, or sad. If we can arouse the energy to do some act of kindness, some simple act of generosity or sharing, it will shine like a little star and illuminate our mind. As we accumulate more and more acts of good karma (puñña), we make our mind brighter and brighter, until it's illuminated like the star-spangled night sky. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#karma #punya #puñña #goodkarma #mind #nightsky
One of our retreatants noticed a crow attacking its mirror image in the glass sliding door. He doesn't reckognize that the image it actually himself. Instead, he thinks it's another crow intruding into his territory. Ajahn Dhammasiha uses this as a metaphor for unskilful effort in meditation. In particular, we can't overcome the delusion of self by fighting it. If we take it for real, and fight it, it will only 'fight back' harder. The successful approach is to wisely observe it, analyse it, and reckognize it as an illusion. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#mirror #self #sakkayaditthi #entityview #buddhism #dhamma.
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the importance of faith in the Buddha's teaching. The Pali term for the first of five spiritual faculties is 'saddha'. It could also be translated as 'confidence', 'conviction' or 'trust'. Ajahn discusses various conditions that nurture our conviction and make it very strong. He also explains that faith and knowledge are not contradictions, but can support each other in our Dhamma practice. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#faith #saddha #buddhism #confidence #conviction #knowledge #dhammatalk
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked:"How do we observe the mind?"Ajahn offers some reflections on superficial layers of the mind (like thinking) and deeper layers that can only be accessed in Samādhi. Ajahn also responds to a second question on mindfulness of feelings:"How to Distinguish wordly and spiritual feelings?"Spiritual happiness generated through good karma, generosity, virtue, sense retraint and samādhi/jhāna is so important, as it provides us with a superior happiness than sensuality. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#mind #consciousness #happines #mindfulness #sati
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question about Euthansia.He explains that the Buddha never encouraged or condoned the killing of other human beings at all, never mind the supposed motive or justification. The first precept to abstain from intentionally killing of living beings is unambiguous - it has no 'exceptions' under any circumstance. Any killing of human beings is very serious karma. However, if we participate in, or encourage, the killing ("euthanasia") of our mother or father (which can easily occur in the context of "euthanasia"), we're getting involved in what the Buddha declared as one of the five worst forms of evil karma possible (5 Anantarika Kamma - see e.g. Anguttara Nikāya Fives No 129). It's not compassionate at all to kill. Compassionate is to look after dying people, to provide them with excellent palliative care and really good pain management. Compassionate is to spiritually console dying persons, to prepare them for the transition to the next life, and to encourage them to let go of all attachments. If we normalize killing of human beings ("euthanasia"), those suffering from a chronic and expensive-to-treat disease will feel pressure to have themselves killed ("euthanized") to reduce expenses and burden of looking after them. As physicians are the ones doing the killing ("euthanasia"), the ethic foundation of the whole medical profession is undermined. A doctor should first of all do no harm. We must be able to fully trust our physicians and nurses that they are committed to preserving our lives, to cure us from disease and to wish us to live. How can we trust the medical profession if they are now the ones who are also killing us? Ajahn points out that a completely materialistic philosphy underlies modern Westen medical science. They simply don't know about consciousness/mind, they only know and describe course material phenomena. They believe that after death there's simply nothing. Of course, in reality there NOT nothing after death, but what we call mind or consciousness survives death and continues on to a new life. Consequently, killing any being does not 'free them from suffering', it only means that we can not see their suffering anymore. Only an Arahant attaining Nibbāna is truly free from suffering. WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#euthanasia #nonviolence #compassion #precepts #ethics #nonharming
Āsāḷhā is the full moon marking the beginning of the 3 months rains retreat (Vassa). It's also the day commemorating the first formal teaching of the Buddha, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ('Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma'). Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on the 4 Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariya-Saccāni) that the Buddha expounded in that discourse. In particular, he points out that these 4 Noble Truths are not just some theoretical concepts, but they are a pragmatic teaching, they are applicable ('opanayiko'), we have to do something with them in order to realize the intended result: Freedom from Suffering.WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#suffering #nobletruth #buddha #buddhism #dhammacakka
On occasion of Asalha Full Moon, Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on the Four Noble Truths.Whenever we experience pain and disappointment; when we feel hurt, offended, depressed, upset; we usually search for some EXTERNAL cause for all this suffering. Maybe we come to the conclusion that our boss, or our mother in law, or our spouse, or the kids, or the politicians and those in power are to blame for the fact that we are hurting. Or else it's the weather; or some sickness, some virus; or perhaps the mozzies or this or that... This conclusion is not necessarily wrong. We may even be able to eliminate some specific suffering we experience by changing or manipulating the behaviour of the people that cause us harm. However, this approach will never get us out of suffering completely: First of all, often we don't have the power to change the persons that cause us pain. There are so many external causes of our suffering that are completely outside of our control. Secondly, even if we can change one person, then someone else will come along and do things we don't like. Removing external causes will only give us a short break, it never removes suffering permanently.Instead, the Buddha looked at the INTERNAL causes of suffering, namely craving, attachment, clinging, delusion of ownership, ignorance and so on. This approach has two huge advantages:First, as it's internal, we actually have control over it - it may not be easy to abandon craving and attachment, but at least it's possible.Secondly, once we get rid of craving and attachment completely, all suffering is gone as well; and even better, it can never come back, we've found a permanent solution
Ajahn Dhammasiha recently spent at few days in Bodh Gaya, India, to visit and mediate at the Mahabodhi Temple. This is the very spot where the Buddha attained supreme awakening. In fact, it is said that the 3 previous Buddha's in our aeon, also realized Sambodhi in this same spot. Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the amazing strength of the spiritual energy one can experience at the 'Vajirāsana' ('Diamond Throne'), the seat under the Bodhi tree where the Buddha defeated Māra and the defilements and released his heart from all attachment, craving and ignorance. He explains that he can not recommend too highly the value of going on pilgrimage to this sacred site; the impact on one's Dhamma practice is often profound.Ajahn also talks about the fetter of Sīlabbataparāmāsa ('clinging to rites and rituals' / 'believing in purification through external actions of body and speech'). Whether on pilgrimage, or in our regular meditation practice, it's not about the body and the movements, rituals and activities the body performs; instead it's about the impact these external activities have on our mind.If we sit meditation, or perform puja at a sacred site, but the mind is actually developing unwholesome states of desire or aversion, we're wasting our time. We always have to observe carefully what is the effect of any activity on our mind, does it really lead to a diminishing of unwholesome states, and an increase in wholesome states. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#bodhgaya #vajirasana #buddha #enlightenment #mahabodhitemple #silabbataparamasa
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about supportive conditions to make our Metta Meditation (Loving Kindness) stronger and more successful: Loving Kindness to Oneself! Make sure you really include yourself when you extend Mettā to all beingsCompassion (Karuna). Use other Divine Abidings (Brahmavihāra) as appropriate, in particular Compassion/Karunā. If we struggle to extend metta to anyone, we may be more successful with Karuna. The most difficult people often have a lot of pain themselves. Once we see that, it's easier to have compassion to them.Contemplating Karma (Kamma). What I experience is the result of my own karma, my own actions, including actions in past lives. On a deeper level, the person hurting me is simply returning my own bad karma to me. Also, they will have to bear the painful result of their own karma in future, no need for me the avenger or punisher, they will get their karma anyhow. Contemplating Impermanence (Anicca-Saññā). What we're so upset with today, we may not even be able to remember in a years time. Why getting worked up about anything so evanescent Contemplating Death. If I were to die today, would I really bother about all these irritations I experience? Compared to the reality of our & our 'enymies'' mortality, what we're angry about appears so irrelevant.Sense Retraint (Indriya-samvara/Indriyesu Guttadvāra). Simply avoid persons and situations that make you angry, and don't even think about or remember them.Don't look at the tweets of a politician you can't stand. Don't watch that video, or those news, if they make you angry. Wise Attention (Yoniso Manasikāra). Focus on what's beautiful in others and yourself. Give attention to your own and others' kind and admirable qualities and actions. Contentment. Count your blessings. Appreciate what you have already, rather than hankering after things other have, and which may be difficult to obtain. Gratitude (Kataññū-Katavedi). Remember all the good you have received from others. Focus on that, rather than on the hard times other have given you.Good Friends (Kalyāṇamittatā). Don't hang out with angry people, spend time and become friends with those who practise Loving Kindness themselvesDhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#metta #lovingkindness #compassion #contentment #meditation #dhamma #buddhism
This is the story of the Buddha's greatest miracle presented by Ajahn Moneyyo: The Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta) and the conversion of the three Kassapa brothers and their 1000 disciples. Chapters:0:00 Let's start...0:24 The three Kassapa Brothers6:23 The Buddha arrives at Uruvela Kassapa's ashram09:04 The fiery battle with the Naga King14:22 Sakka and Brahma come to visit the Buddha16:07 Spending an afternoon in the Himalayas19:17 The great flood - The 1000 ascetics take refuge24:35 The greatest Miracle: The Miracle of instruction27:40 The Fire Sermon31:54 The most successful discourse of the Buddha33:02 How to practice to make the mind uninflammableby desire, aversion and delusion36:32 One thing to develop - Wise attention51:10 The next big move of the Buddha...For more Dhammatalks about the life of the Buddha, click on the link below: • The Life of the Buddha After the Buddha sucessfully lead his first 60 monk disciples to awakening in the Deer Park of Isipatana a few month after his awakening he sends them out in all directions to proclaim his teaching so that as many people as possible get an opportunity to hear it.The Buddha himself goes to Uruvela because he knows that there is a large group of people who are capable to understand his teaching quickly: The three brothers Uruvela-Kassapa, Gaya-Kassapa and Nadi-Kassapa - Three fire worshipping ascetics who live there together with their 1000 disciples.The Buddha is arriving at Uruvela-Kassapa's hermitage as an unknown recluse, just a few months after his awakening, while Uruvela-Kassapa is a famous spiritual teacher who believes that he is already a spiritually perfected person with a very large group of disciples.The Buddha is using his psychic powers on many occasions to undermine Uruvela-Kassapa superiority conceit until he finally takes refuge and submits to the Buddha as his teacher - and his brothers and all their 1000 disciples with him! The Buddha is then leading his 1000 new monk disciples to Gaya Sise, a hill to show them the greatest miracle: The miracle of instruction, the possibility to teach others the path of awakening - by teaching them the Fire Sermon.In the "Fire Sermon" (Adittapariyaya Sutta) the Buddha is teaching 1000 former fire worshipping ascetics that our five senses, the mind and the sense objects are burning in the fire of desire, aversion and delusion. However, the Buddha is also teaching the way of practice how to extinguish the fire and he says if we understand one thing deeply we can make our mind uninflammable for desire, aversion and delusion, so that our mind can never be set on fire again and has realized complete peace. This one thing that we have to understand is wise attention and unwise attention (yoniso manasikara and ayoniso manasikara)...more about it in this Dhamma-Talk. A translation of the Adittapariyaya Sutta: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN... A few discourses about yoniso manasikara and ayoniso manasikara: Majjhima Nikaya 2 https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN... Samyutta Nikaya 46:51 https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN... MORE INFO:Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter.
This talk gives an overview of the Anattā-Lakkhana Sutta, the Buddha's second discourse and how we can use the Buddha's teaching on Non-Self (Anattā) to free our hearts from clinging to what is impermanent, decaying and inherently unsatisfactory and suffering.For a complete playlist of "The Life of the Buddha" series on YouTube, click on the link below:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Chapters:0:00 Introduction to the Discourse on Non-Self3:16 Overview of the content of the Discourse10:02 The purpose of the teaching on non-self10:24 What creates our sense of "I'am"?15:28 The perception of non-self can be developed17:45 How can the perception of non-self be developed?18:23 Giving/Sharing20:10 Contentment28:13 Body contemplation45:03 Seeing Will/Desire (Sankhārā) as non-selfMORE INFO:Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter.
After the Buddha realized awakening he remained for several weeks meditating at Bodhgaya to fathom his realization in all aspects. Hear more about how the Buddha reflected, how he saw the cosmos and who were the beings who met the Buddha first after his awakening.0:00 The first week after awakening: The Buddha reflects about dependent origination.15:54 The second week after awakening: The Buddha surveys the cosmos and sees all beings burning with desire, aversion and delusion and afflicted by becoming.24:25 The third week: The Buddha meets a Brahmin and gives him a short teaching about how to become a true Brahmin.26:02 The fourth week: A great rainstorm comes and the Naga-King Mucalinda (A Serpent or Dragon like spirit from the lowest heavenly realm) protects the Buddha from the weather.28:24 The fifth week: Two Merchants, Bhallika & Tapussa, meet the Buddha, offer him the first meal after his awakening and become the first two male lay disciples of the Buddha.31:46 The sixth week: Mara, the evil one tries to challenge the Buddha, but has to leave sad and dejected because he has been defeated.33:56 The seventh week: The Buddha reflects about the practice that lead him to awakening The five spiritual faculties (Indriyas) and the four foundations of mindfulness (Satipatthana).Brahma Sahampati, a non-returner from Suddhavasa realm appears to the Buddha and expresses his approval.42:53 The Buddha sees that there is no other being with a higher spiritual attainment than him that he could honour, so he decides to dwell honouring and venerating the Dhamma, the law of nature that he discovered and taught.47:41 Brahma Sahampati requests the Buddha to teach.He surveys the cosmos with the eyes of a Buddha out of compassion and sees that there are being that are easy to teach and difficult to teach, some with good attributes and some with bad attributes. Just like lotus plants in a pond where some lotus plants are growing under the water and some have emerged from the water and stand unsullied by the water.After the Buddha sees that there are beings who are capable to understand him, he makes the momentous decision to teach the path to awakening that he found himself to others out of compassion, which influenced the lives of billions of people in the last 2500 years.The Suttas can be found in Udana 1;1-4, Udana 2;1 and Udana 3;10.https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/index.htmlIn the Mahavagga of the Vinaya Pitaka:https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/Mv/MvI.html#burmese4Samyutta Nikaya 4;1 and S 4;24 and 25https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_1.htmlhttps://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_24.htmlhttps://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_25.htmlSamyutta Nikaya 47;43 and 48;57 where the Buddha reflects about the practice that led him to awakeningSamyutta Nikaya 6;2 where the Buddha decides to live revering the Dhamma itselfhttps://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN6_2.htmlMORE INFO:Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter.
The account of the Buddha's awakening according to the most ancient sources, the Sutta and Vinaya Pitaka told by Ajahn Moneyyo. Hear how the Buddha was striving and succeeded in his quest to realize awakening - the deathless, ultimate liberation.Chapters:0:00 Introduction and the practice of the Budhisatta before awakening30:33 The first true knowledge - remembering his previous lives37:41 The second true knowledge - seeing how beings arise and pass away according to their kamma39:53 How did the first two true knowledges lead to the knowledge of the destruction of the taints, the third true knowledge and the four noble truth, unshakable liberation?49:00 What are the "taints" (Pali: Asava)?54:52 Bodhgaya - The place where the Buddha realized the supreme awakeningFor more Dhammatalks about the life of the Buddha, click on the link below:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Quoted discourses where the Buddha talks himself about his practice and his realization of awakening:Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikaya) Sutta Nr. 4, 12, 26, 36, 128https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...Numerical Discourses of the Buddha (Anguttara Nikaya) Sutta No. 5;28 and 10;81https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN...Udana 1:1-3Long Discourses of the Buddha (Digha Nikaya) Sutta Nr. 9Two recommended Sutta Anthologies about the life of the Buddha are available for free download:"The Life of the Buddha according to the Pali Canon" by Bhikkhu Nyanamoli Therahttps://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel..."Noble Warrior" by Ajahn Thanissarohttps://www.dhammatalks.org/books/#No...If you are interested to visit the places where the Buddha lived, walked and taught you can read "Middle Land, Middle Way" by Ven. S. Dhammika, the best travel guide about the buddhist holy sites in India:https://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel....
Hear about the spiritual quest for awakening of the Buddha - His noble search for peace & liberation beyond birth, ageing and death. What motivated the Buddha to leave behind his life in luxury as prince and his family and kingdom and become a spiritual seeker?A few discourses where the Buddha himself relates his life story that are quoted in the Dhammatalk:Middle Lenght Discourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikaya) Sutta No. 26 and 36https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN...Numerical Dicourses of the Buddha (Anguttara Nikaya) Sutta No. 3:39, 5:57https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN...https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN...Sutta Nipata SN 3:1, Verses 407-426https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN...For more Dhammatalks about the life of the Buddha click on the link below:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0N6FD5zQpY&list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Two recommended Sutta Anthologies about the life of the Buddha are available for free download:"The Life of the Buddha according to the Pali Canon" by Bhikkhu Nyanamoli Therahttps://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel..."Noble Warrior" by Ajahn Thanissarohttps://www.dhammatalks.org/books/#No...If you are interested to visit the places where the Buddha lived, walked and taught you can read "Middle Land, Middle Way" by Ven. S. Dhammika, the best travel guide about the buddhist holy sites in India:https://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel...MORE INFO:Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter.
The story of the birth of the Bodhisatta (the being who would become the Buddha) in Lumbini told by Ajahn Moneyyo. The appearance of a Buddha, a perfectly awakened one who teached the path to liberation is the rarest event in the universe. The Buddha says from his recollection of previous lives that sometimes for 30 or 60 eons no Buddha will arise in the universe. So it is not surprising that his conception and birth was accompanied by special events.This is a summary of the account of the conception and birth of the Bodhisatta according to the Middle Length DIscourses of the Buddha (Majjhima Nikaya) Sutta Nr. 123:This Dhammatalk is part of "The Life of the Buddha" series by Ajahn Moneyyo. For a complete playlist click on the link below. It will be gradually expanded to about 20 talks that recollect the life and outstanding qualities of the Buddha: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Two recommended Sutta Anthologies about the life of the Buddha are available for free download:"The Life of the Buddha according to the Pali Canon" by Bhikkhu Nyanamoli Therahttps://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel..."Noble Warrior" by Ajahn Thanissarohttps://www.dhammatalks.org/books/#No...If you are interested to visit the places where the Buddha lived, walked and taught you can read "Middle Land, Middle Way" by Ven. S. Dhammika, the best travel guide about the buddhist holy sites in India:https://www.bps.lk/library-search-sel...MORE INFO:Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter
Before his supreme awakening, the Bodhisatta tried to reach enlightenment by extreme self mortification. He becomes so emaciated and weakened that he collapses and almost dies. At this crisis moment, he remembers how he attained the first jhāna as a child, and recognizes that the rapture and bliss of samādhi are actually the way to enlightenment. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddha #bodhisatta #enlightenment #awakening #middleway #majjhimapatipada #asceticism #samadhi #jhana
Ajahn Dhammasiha leads a guided Buddhist meditation on the subject of Buddhānussati, recollection of the Buddha and his unique qualities. Ajahn suggests to use his favourite Buddha-mantra, silently repeating: "Bhagavā, Araham, Buddho - Buddho Araham Bhagavā" Ajahn explains that it's not about the words that we're repeating, but that it's really about the emotion of faith / confidence / devotion / conviction that the words are meant to generate in our mind. This emotion is wholesome and uplifting, and connected with a very pleasant feeling. As the emotion of faith/confidence in the Buddha grows, the pleasant feeling gets stronger, developing into rapture and bliss. The expereince of rapture and bliss allows our mind to let go of the external senses und to unify internally in samādhi. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#meditation #buddhismeditation #guidedmeditation #samadhi #concentration #buddha #buddhanussati
On occasion of the consecration of our Saddhamma Cetiya and Relic Enshrinement Ceremony, Ajahn Kalyano shares the story how Buddha Relics appeared in Ajahn Anan's shoulder bag while meditating on top of Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), the famous pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka with a footprint of the Buddha on top of a steep mountain. Luang Por Kalyano very kindly offered nine of these precious Buddha relics to Dhammagiri for enshrinement in our Stupa. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddha #relics #buddharelics #sripada #stupa #contentment
Ajahn Dhammasiha leads our community on Vesak Day in asking forgiveness from Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha; and in reciting the passage in Anguttara Nikaya / Numerical Discourses, Book of Ones, extolling the uniqueness of the Buddha: "There is one person, who arises in the world, for the welfare or the multitude..." Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddha #vesak #visakhapuja #forgiveness #buddhism
Today is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak / Visakha Puja, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. As it's also Mother's Day in the Western calendar, Ajahn Dhammasiha speaks about the birth of the Bodhisatta, and the marvellous qualities of the Bodhisatta and his mother. Strictly speaking, we shouldn't refer to him as the 'Buddha' at his birth, but rather as the 'Bodhisatta', as he wasn't enlightened yet. However, the little baby could walk 7 steps and announce that it's his last birth immediately after delivery.You can read how the Buddha himself described the events surrounding his birth in: Majjhima Nikāya / Middle Length Discourses, #123 'Acchariya-Abbhuta-Sutta' / 'Wonderful and Marvellous'.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddha #babybuddha #vesak #dhammatalk #buddhism
Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Anan on occasion of the relic enshrinement ceremony at our Saddhamma Cetiya on the summit of Dhammagiri hill, Friday 2nd May 2025.The talk was delivered after the Paritta chanting and directly before the relic enshrinement.English translation by Ajahn Stuart Suddhiko, a long term disciple of Luang Por. He's a native English speaker who has much experience in interpreting for Luang Por, with an amazing skill to provide accurate, fluent translations on the spot, working on handwritten notes taken during Luang Por's talk. Venerable Ajahn Anan, abbot of Wat Marp Jan, Rayong, Thailand, has kindly agreed to lead the proceedings for our Stupa Consecration and Relic Enshrinement Cermony. He is a direct senior disciple of Ajahn Chah, and one of the most respected living meditation masters in Thailand. Details about the stupa project and special features can be found hereFinancial donations to the considerable costs of this event, including building of stupa and all associated features, can be made on our website herePhoto Gallery of Stupa Ceremony EventsLearn more about Luang Por Anan & his monastery Wat Marp Jan#stupa #buddhistrituals #dhammatalk #relics #buddhism #dhamma
Dhamma Talk by Luang Por Anan. English translation by Ajahn Varadhammo, abbot of Bodhisaddha Monastery, Wilton near Sydney.Venerable Ajahn Anan, abbot of Wat Marp Jan, Rayong, Thailand, has kindly agreed to lead the proceedings for our Stupa Consecration and Relic Enshrinement Cermony. He is a direct senior disciple of Ajahn Chah, and one of the most respected living meditation masters in Thailand. Details about the stupa project and special features can be found hereFinancial donations to the considerable costs of this event, including building of stupa and all associated features, can be made on our website herePhoto Gallery of Stupa Ceremony EventsLearn more about Luang Por Anan & his monastery Wat Marp JanWebsite of Translator Ajahn Varadhammo's Monastery, Bodhisaddha #stupa #buddhist #buddhism #buddhistceremony #buddhistritual
Ajahn Dhammasiha explains about the upcoming Inauguration and Relic Enshrinement Events for our Saddhamma Cetiya with LP Anan & LP Kalyano & LP Lai next week, Fri 2nd, Sat 3rd & Sun 4th of May.He also goes back describing the first origins that ultimately lead to the development of our Stupa, starting with LP Plien's visit just after we acquired the first property on top of hill in March 2007.Detailed Program for Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration Events 2nd to 4th May can be found here:Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube Channel#stupa #chedi #relics #buddhism #buddhiststory #buddhistmonk
Please Note: Spotify deletes many of our Buddhist Chanting podcasts, claiming that they are 'Music', and that pure music tracks may not be uploaded to Spotify Podcasts. Personally, I disagree that our chanting constitutes 'Music', but there's not much point trying to argue with a bot. Therefore, I have included a spoken introduction, to make it not exclusively 'music'. Similarly, after the paritta, I have added Luang Por Liem's advice to us while writing a short dedication on a copper sheet to enshrine in our stupa. Hope this helps that Spoti will not delete this episode. The Sima Estalishment Ceremony at Bodhisaddha Monastery, Sydney, was the largest congregation of Bhikkhus in the Theravada tradtion in Australia ever. 40 of the monks had more than 40 rains retreats (years as monks). All 80+ together had spent more than 2,500 years in the robes. You can hear the sonorous, full sound of this large sangha chanting clearly on the recording. Luang Por Liem, the abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong (Ajahn Chah's monastery) and leading monk of the whole lineage of Ajahn Chah, was the presiding senior monk at the Paritta Chanting Ajahn Varadhammo, abbot of Bodhisaddha Monastery, was the host of the whole event, supporter by his own teacher, Luang Por Anan, the abbot of Wat Marp Jan and one of the most highly respected meditation masters in Thailand.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube Channel#palichanting #paritta #buddhistchanting #palirecitation #ajahnchah
We can be so fussy about our carpet and all kinds of things we protect from dirt and clean immediately if anything spoils them. But why are we not even more concerned if we notice any impurity in our mind?Why don't we immediately apply the Buddha's Dhamma as a cleansing agent whenever unwholesome emotions arise?Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#purity #cleanliness #clean #cleaning #mind #mentalpurification
Asking Forgiveness from Triple Gem. Pouring Rinsing Water on Buddha statue and Monks hands as a sign of respect, gratitude and affection on New Year's Day in Sri Lankan, Thai, Myanmar, Cambodian & Lao traditin (13 April). Ajahn Dhammasiha guides community through ceremony, and provides explanations of the deeper meaning of our ritual. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#songkran #newyear #water #purity #clean #cleanliness
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question posed by the audience:How to deal with dukkha and let it go?Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#dukkha #suffering #lettinggo #insight #vipassana
With Thai, Sri Lankan & Myanmar New Year coming up, including the ceremony of pouring water on Buddha statues and on the monks' hands, Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the symbolism of this ritual: Just as we use water to clean our bodies, so the Buddha has given us the Dhamma as a purifying agent for our mind.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#water #cleaning #cleansing #purification #songkran #buddhistritual
During his visit to Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia, Ajahn Karuniko joined our silent afternoon meditation. After the walking meditation, he opened up for a Q&A session, as it was the last opportunity to receive any Dhamma from him, before his departure next day. The first question is about the 5 Spiritual Faculties, and how they relate to developing the Noble 8-Fold Path. Ajahn Karuniko was born in Greater Manchester, UK in 1953. After graduating in Electronic Engineering in 1975 he worked for several years before coming to take up residence as a novice at Cittaviveka in 1982. He became a bhikkhu in 1984 at Cittaviveka with Ajahn Sumedho as his preceptor. He has also spent 3 years with Luang Por Anan at Wat Marp Jan in Tailand. From 2014 until 2019 Ajahn Karuniko served as the abbot of Cittaviveka. Ajahn Moneyyo lived for several years with Ajahn Karuniko at Cittaviveka. He is looking forward to welcoming an old friend, who has been his 'Reciting Teacher' ('Kammavācariya') during his ordination as a monk, and who remained a senior 'Kalyāṇa Mitta' (Dhamma Friend) to him in his junior years as a bhikkhu. Cittaviveka is the first monastery of the tradition of Ajahn Chah outside of Thailand. Ajahn Chah has personally visited the property, and provided guidance and encouragement to Ajahn Sumedho during the very difficult foundation and renovation period. You can learn more about Chithurst Monastery here: https://www.cittaviveka.orgDhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#Q&A #question&answer #dhammadiscussion #spiritualfaculties #indriya
During his visit to Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia, Ajahn Karuniko gave a special blessing to the small Buddha statues that we will enshrine in the upper circular niches of our Saddhamma Cetiya. He also encouraged us to use our stupa to focus our faith and gain inspiration to practise Dhamma.Ajahn Karuniko was born in Greater Manchester, UK in 1953. After graduating in Electronic Engineering in 1975 he worked for several years before coming to take up residence as a novice at Cittaviveka in 1982. He became a bhikkhu in 1984 at Cittaviveka with Ajahn Sumedho as his preceptor. He has also spent 3 years with Luang Por Anan at Wat Marp Jan in Tailand. From 2014 until 2019 Ajahn Karuniko served as the abbot of Cittaviveka. Ajahn Moneyyo lived for several years with Ajahn Karuniko at Cittaviveka. He is looking forward to welcoming an old friend, who has been his 'Reciting Teacher' ('Kammavācariya') during his ordination as a monk, and who remained a senior 'Kalyāṇa Mitta' (Dhamma Friend) to him in his junior years as a bhikkhu. Cittaviveka is the first monastery of the tradition of Ajahn Chah outside of Thailand. Ajahn Chah has personally visited the property, and provided guidance and encouragement to Ajahn Sumedho during the very difficult foundation and renovation period. You can learn more about Chithurst Monastery here: https://www.cittaviveka.orgDhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#stupa #chedi #buddhism #cittaviveka #dhammatalk
There are different kinds of happiness, and we have to learn to mindfully distinguish them. Some kinds of joy we do not indulge in, like partying with alcohol & drugs; or hurting others as revenge for what they did to us.Other kinds of happiness we deliberately develop, like helping other beings, sharing, generosity, keeping ethical standards, calm & peace, and in particular the blissful joy we can experience in meditation.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#happiness #joy #rapture #samadhi #jhana #kindness
As followers of the Buddha, are we devoted to the persuit of pleasure? Amazingly, and perhaps even counterintuitively, the answer is actually 'Yes"! It's not every kind of pleasure, though: we're not persuing happiness based on sensual indulgence, or anything causing harm to other beings. We only persue wholesome, spiritual pleasure, like the happiness one gets from practising generosity and helping other beings; or the blameless happiness and freedom from remorse one gains from keeping precepts; or the unperturbed happiness one gains from restraining the doors of the senses; and in particular the rapture and bliss one experiences in samādhi. Ajahn Dhammasiha quotes from: Pāsādikasutta, Dīgha Nikāya/Long Discourses No29Cūḷadukkhakkhandhasutta, Majjima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses No14Mahāsaccakasutta, Majjima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses No36Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#happiness #rapture #bliss #pleasure #samadhi #jhana
Ajahn Dhammasiha reads out and discusses Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, Book of Fours, No 21.Shortly after his supreme awakening, the Buddha reflects that without anything to look up to and respect and revere, one dwells in suffering. However, not finding any being in the whole universe that would exceed him in virtue, or samādhi, or wisdom, or release, the Buddha decides to respect, honour and esteem the Saddhamma that he discouvered. Brahma Sahampati appears to confirm to the Buddha that actually all the Buddhas of the past did exactly the same thing, revering the Saddhamma, and all the Buddhas arising in the future will do likewise. He then recites 3 verses expressing that reality, which the Buddha approves of. We will install 4 bronze plaques on the four sides of our Saddhamma Stupa with the verses of Brahma Sahampati, extolling the Saddhamma and the importance of respecting and remembering it:Ye ca atītā Sambuddhā Ye ca Buddhā anāgatā Yo c'etarahi SambuddhoBahūnaṃ sokanāsanoAll Buddhas of the distant past, And all the Buddhas yet to come, The Buddha of our present time, Who freed so many from all grief;Sabbe saddhammagaruno Vihaṃsu viharanti caTathāpi viharissantiEsā buddhāna dhammatā.They live, will live, have always livedRevering the authentic truth,The Dhamma that they realized -This is the nature of Enlightened Ones.Tasmā hi attakāmena MahattamabhikaṅkhatāSaddhammo garukātabboSaraṃ Buddhāna sāsanan'tiAnd thus, for your own happiness, For your own lasting benefit, Revere the truthful Dhamma here, Remember what the Buddha taught!Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#respect #saddhamma #brahma #buddha #buddhastory #buddhistwisdom
Ajahn Dhammasiha explains the project to enshrine ultra-long lasting ceremic tablets into our Saddhamma Stupa, inscribed with the most essential suttas.All practitioners of the Dhamma should have their own little anthology of suttas and verses that they really like, to learn by heart, to contemplate, to recite again and again, and to practise & realize.Ajahn gives examples of uniquely profound suttas, and explains what makes them so outstanding.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddhistteachings #buddhistteaching #buddhistphilosophy #stupa #sutta #sutra #tipitaka
When we contemplate the 4 elements of earth, water, fire and wind, we need conviction that there exists an escape beyond these elements. Without that confidence, a complete materialist would feel very despondent when reflecting on the unreliable, unpredictable and uncontrollable nature of the elements.However, if we have faith in the Buddha's teaching that one actually can go beyond, then through contemplation & insight into the elements, consciousness can completely let go and detach from them, and experience the liberated state beyond the material world, where no flood or cyclone or earthquake or fire could ever reach. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#elements #4elements #catumahabhuta #buddhism #dhammatalk
With Cyclone Alfred and heavy flooding just having passed over Brisbane, Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on the 4 elements (Cātu Mahābhūta/Dhātu).As the cyclone showed, these 4 material elements of earth, water, fire and wind are unreliable, uncertain, unpredictable and lead to suffering. Fortunately, we can free our mind from attachment to the 4 elements through contemplation and insight, to realize the state that is beyond reach of cyclones, floods or any form of suffering: Freedom, Release, Nibbāna.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#dhamma #buddhism #dhammatalk #4elements #dhatu
Towards the end of the session, Ajahn Dhammasiha is passed a note with several existential questions:How could I find meaning in life?Why am I not happy?How can I find inner peace?I can't find my way!Am I stupid?Ajahn tries to respond as succinct as possible within the remaining 15 minutes of the session.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#happiness #suffering #findmyway #meaningoflife
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a variety of questions from a student of University of Queensland, and from other members of the audience.Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#purposeoflife #wisdom #treespirits #nature #dhammatalk #buddhism.
The Buddha didn't realize awakening only for himself and was perfect in knowledge and conduct and developed supreme purity, compassion, wisdom and liberation but also had immeasurable compassion and an unique ability to teach and lead others to realize awakening themselves. This made him "the unsurpassable teacher" (anuttaro purisadamma sārathi, lit.: "the unsurpassable trainer of trainable people), one of the unique qualities of the Buddha that we can recollect about him. This Dhamma-Talk is a recollection of the Buddha as unsurpassable teacher: 0:00 Introduction 1:42 How does the Buddha teach and instruct? Where do his instructions lead? 8:54 What qualities made the Buddha the unsurpassable teacher? 33:32 How successful were the teaching efforts of the Buddha and what did he achieve by teaching? 49:54 The Buddha didn't just give people information but taught so that they get stirred up and inspired to practice his teaching Just like the sun is not only bright and radiant only for itself, but also provides the energy for the entire ecosystem of the planet earth and all beings living on it - so too the Buddha didn't realize awakening just for his own benefit but illuminated the life of countless beings and lead them to liberation. Click here to see the whole "The Life of the Buddha" series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWkDhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#buddha #buddhism #teacher #dhamma
The occasion of Māgha Pūjā commemorates the sponteneous gathering of 1,250 awakened disciples of the Buddha (Arahants) in the Veḷuvana Monastery (Bamboo Grove Monstery) in Rājagaha, and the teaching of the Ovādapātimokkha, a concise summary of the teaching of the Buddha in verse: Abstain from any evil deed, accomplish what is good and true, And fully purify your mind - That is what all the Buddhas teach. Enduring patience is the best of all ascetic practices; The best of everything at all is called Nibbāna by the sage. If you cause harm to anyone you can't be called a genuine monk! Refrain from harming and abuse, and strictly keep the Buddha's rules; Be moderate when taking food, and dwell alone in solitude devoted to the Higher Mind - That is what all the Buddhas teach. Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#Maghapuja #Dhamma #Dhammatalk #Arahant #Buddha #Sangha
In this insightful Dhamma Talk, Ajahn Keng Khemako shares powerful teachings on how mindfulness can lead us to a deeper state of silence and inner peace. Discover how the ancient wisdom of Buddhism can be applied to modern life to cultivate a peaceful mind, reduce stress, and experience true stillness.Ajahn Khemako explains that through mindful meditation, we can quiet the noise of the world by turning our focus inward, allowing us to find clarity and tranquility. Learn the practical steps to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily life.This video is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their meditation practice, explore Buddhist teachings, or anyone seeking a path to peace and stillness.Ajahn Keng Khemako is a Singaporean monk of the Thai Forest Tradition. He was ordained in 1987 under the recommendation of Ajahn Thanissaro. One of his main teachers was Luang Pu Jia Cundo, a first generation disciple of Ajahn Mun. He received the title of Chao Khun by the Kinf of Thailand in 2012. Currently, Ajahn Keng is the Abbot of Santi Forest Monastery (Malaysia) and President of Palelai Buddhist Temple (Singapore).Dhammagiri WebsiteOur Spotify PlaylistsNewsletterDhammagiri Youtube ChannelPics#calm #mindfulness #sati #meditation #dhammatalk