Dhamma-Vinaya Patipadā Podcast

This talk discusses how inspiration is a skill. It discusses strategies for making the mind inspired and for using inspiration well when it arises. *Note: this talk was given as a backup for our regular monthly meditation session for North America. For more information about our monthly events, see our Luna calendar... https://luma.com/user/dhammavinayap

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased...) Hey, Bhante... what I find sometimes with myself is this: I’ll sit down, and then there’s this resentment or anger from something during the day. Someone said something wrong to me or whatever, right? So I’ll be trying to look for the root or the background of that. Do I think that I don’t count? Or that my opinion doesn’t matter? So I’m a...

This talk examines the lives of the Buddha's lay noble disciples in ancient and modern times to see what lessons their lives can hold for practitioners today. It also examines the Buddha's specific advice to laypeople in the Pali Canon that can act as a checklist for lay practice.

An interview with Ajahn Kovilo of Clear Mountain Monastery. Links Website www.clearmountainmonastery.org The Wellbeing Cascade: https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/2024/06/11/the-wellbeing-cascade/ Thus You Should Train Yourselves https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/2024/06/11/thus-should-you-train-yourselves/

This talk discusses how the Buddha defines the self as a process. We can create selves that are based on increasingly refined levels of happiness, until we don't need to create a self at all.

Dhamma discussion based on the question... '..sort of following the connection from last week, the comments you made about observing cause and effect and especially observing causes of happiness today. I was wondering if you could clarify the difference between the latter two types of happiness that you mentioned. So, happiness from stillness and that from absence. Could you speak a little bit mor...

An ovāda and Dhamma discussion based on developing an increasing sensitivity to different types of happiness as a means to progress on one's path.

This ovāda discusses the importance of keeping in mind the purpose for which we meditate and evaluating our success or failure against that purpose

A simple guided breath meditation suitable for beginners

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Bhante, I have some questions regarding discernment. First, is the only type of discernment which leads to the destruction of defilements and cutting fetters, insight into the three characteristics? Secondly, are we supposed to A) actively produce discernment in meditation, or B) are we cultivating our minds in a way that will cause discernment to aris...

This ovāda discusses the Buddha's statement that the in and out breath is a body among bodies.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... @ Bhante Joe I have a question around balancing contentment and striving. When I was meditating last night I saw how much dissatisfaction I was experiencing over not having the type of meditation experiences I had the last time and wanted again this time. The perceptions and feelings were not as strong and pleasant. I tried forcing it for a bit, and the...

This Sutta and Vinaya study discusses controversies regarding working out and keeping the precept not to eat after solar noon. *** Note: the distinction between milk fat and milk protein appears to be the reason why milk is not allowed after noon, but butter is. Also note that whey protein powder is derived from milk. *** Relevant Sutta and Vinaya Passages: Majjhima Nikāya (MN) MN 2 – Sabbāsava Su...

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Dear Bhante, between asubha and 4 elements contemplation for the body, which is a better one to get insight into annata and cut the fetter of Sakkāya-diṭṭhi? I was watching a video of Ajahn (X) and it was mentioned there that asubha is primarily to reduce lust and 4 elements is for insight into annata. Would that be the case? Because in my understandin...

This ovāda discusses the importance of balance and experimentation in Buddhist practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Theruwan Saranai Bhante, have you encountered any lay people who have reached supramundane stages of practice, such as attaining the Jhanas or even attaining Sotapanna and/or beyond? What do you think allowed them to reach such stages of practice while still living as laypeople especially in the modern-day with all its distractions etc? (e.g. lifestyle...

This sutta study examines a popular claim that the only way to overcome suffering is to be with the experience without reacting to it. Attempting to change the experience — for example, by focusing on a meditation topic or manipulating thoughts — is seen as negative. The basic assumption is that desire and aversion cannot be used to overcome suffering. In this study, we will look at the suttas to...

A Dhamma discussion based on the following question.. (after speaking about the possibility of bringing relationships with others into balance by withdrawing) "How could I do this if it is with a family member that I can't avoid?"

This ovāda discusses setting goals and dealing with expectations of results in one's practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... Do you ever feel fear from what the Buddha teaches? How long this has been going on, how many lives this ball has been picking up speed. How many times has it been slowed but never fully stopped, leading onto suffering for a long long time. I suppose that is the pessimistic view, one could also hold to that the ball has been slowing for a long time, and...

The ovāda discusses how the world burns with passion at the eyes, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, and the importance of seeing the cooling of this passion as peace.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "While practicing I believe I can sometimes glimpse the impermanent nature of all determinations. For example, I can establish my mind on the impermanence of the breath and recognize that the breath depends on the body as its necessary basis which is in itself also determined by consciousness and thus also impermanent and not worth holding onto. This pr...

This ovāda discusses how to associate with solitary places. It was given at the ancient monastery of Situl Pawa inside Yala National Park.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Is the mindfulness that recognizes the absence of pressure when it is absent, and the presence of pressure when it is present, without being deceived by it, that supreme peace? Or something moving in that direction?" Suttas Referenced: -MN 137 (Equanimity based on multiplicity) -MN 22 (Let go of what's not yours) -SN 51:15 (Four bases of psychic power,...

This ovāda discusses how all beings have happiness as their goal and gives some of the Buddha's strategies to achieve it.