Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery: Ayya Santussika's most recent Dharma talks

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) This talk is based on the verses of the Enlightened Monk called Gotama. He was in the Buddha's family, but a different Gotama. The verses are found in the "Verses of the Enlightened Monks," the Theragāthā 10.7

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center)

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center)

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) The Buddha taught that there are some qualities, such as virtue, that naturally lead to Samadhi and on to seeing reality as it is.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Questions on devas, chanting and Dhamma in general.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Scanning the front, back and inside of the body with the image of warm oil flowing slowly over all its parts.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Using SN 28.1 "Born of Seclusion" as a basis, we can come to understand what "ultimate goodness" is: the end of "eradicated I-making, mine-making, and the underlying tendency to conceit."

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Finding joy in everything good: generosity, kindness, letting go, virtuous behavior. Seeing how the qualities of generosity lay the groundwork for awakening and show up in that process as well. Cultivating mudita, appreciative joy, for the good in ourselves, in others, and goodness wherever we find it.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) These recollections from the Buddha help to lift up the heart, remind us of our goodness and give us encouragement on the path. The recollections are of the qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. And then, recollections on one's own moral conduct (sila), generosity, and the qualities of the devas that caused them to become devas that we ourselves also possess.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) In Itivuttaka 38, the Buddha talks about how the Tathāgata frequently has two thoughts: one about sanctuary and the other about seclusion. The thought about sanctuary, the safety and security for living beings, comes from his love of and delight in kindness. The thought comes from the Buddha's love of seclusion and his delight in it, so this thought often occurs to...

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Physical seclusion, mental seclusion, seclusion from people, unethical conduct, wrong view and defilements, and the relief and joy that comes from seclusion.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) As we being to reflect on the joy of seclusion, we turn inwards for mental seclusion using Mindfulness of Breathing.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Techniques in the practice take many different forms. Some questions include how to work with grief after recent death of one's mother, how to deal with sloth and torpor, how to do walking meditation, etc.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) Developing skill and sensitivity to life force energy or chi can support development on the path to awakening. Here are some reflections on how that might happen.

(Cloud Mountain Retreat Center) The introduction to the retreat with introductions, descriptions, taking refuges and precepts, and calling the devas. The Dhamma talk starts at 34 minutes. Tonight we are entering the sanctuary of this amazing forest and beautiful buildings where so many people have come to practice over these many years. We are also entering the sanctuary of physical safety and sec...

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on May 30, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - DHAMMA TALK 42:56 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) A journey through the possibilities of practice.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on the 16th of May, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 0:00:14 - GUIDED MEDITATION 00:23:08 - DHAMMA TALK 0:44:45 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on the 9th of May , 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!”

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) Dhammapada Verses 129-145 Violence The text can be found here: https://suttacentral.now/dhp129-145 Look for Ācāriya Buddharakkhita version.

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on April 25, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION 21:52 - DHAMMA TALK 50:42 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on April 18, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - 22:50 Guided Meditation 22:50 - 45:00 DHAMMA TALK 45:00 - 1:30:00 COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 4th of April, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:43 - Guided Meditation 28:09 - DHAMMA TALK 57:28 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

(Karuna Buddhist Vihara) This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on March 28, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” Also included at the end is a sharing of a document titled "Practices for Before, During and After Dying." The document was created by Ayya Santussikā and includes suggestions on how to prepare for when you are dying and what frien...