Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

Ajahn Dhammasiha shares how we can contemplate impermanence (Pali: Anicca) when we set out on a journey. We're all exited and look forward to what we're going to experience, whowe will meet. But then, after we have returned and the travels are over, only memories remain, which are slowly fading away. What appeared so important when we set out, is now just a distant memory. It's actuall...

Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some information about his upcoming travels to Europe and Asia. If any of our global podcast audience likes to catch up personally, here's the dates in detail : Thu 18 to 27 May Sumedharama, Lisbon, Portugal 10:40 am Arrival Lisbon, pick up to Sumedharama Paying respects and spending time with our long standing Dhamma friend Ajahn Vajiro, who has provided support and ad...

Luang Por Tongdaeng was so kind to perform for us the traditional ceremony of taking refuge in the 'Triple Gem' (Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha), and to observe the 8 precepts. Dr Lakmini is leading our lay community in requesting the Three Refuges and the 8 precepts from Luang Por Next, Luang Por recites 'Namo tassa...' (Homage to the Buddha) three times. The lay community repeats 'Namo tassa...' th...

Vesak is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. We remember, commemorate, celebrate and rejoice in three main events in the Buddha's life, which all occurred on the Full Moon in May ('Visākhā'): 1. Birth of the Bodhisatta in beautiful Lumbini grove 2. Supreme Awakening ('Sammāsambodhi') under the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, at the banks of River Neranjana. 3. Final Nibbā...

Luang Por Thongdang, Ajahn Dhammasiha, Ajahn Moshe, Ajahn Khantiko, Ajahn Moneyyo and Tan Niddaro recite auspicious Paritta during Luang Por's visit to Dhammagiri. Luang Por is chanting in the 'Makhot' style prevelant in the Dhammayut Nikāya, which is noticably different from the 'Sangyot' style that is normally chanted in Mahānikāya, including Ajahn Chah tradition. Fortunately...

Responding to questions and comments of the audience, Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about falling asleep mindfully, directing awareness to the point of rising. He addresses questions on the hindrance of sleepiness and laziness ('Thina-middha'), and how to arouse energy to overcome excessive sleeping Ajahn talks about the relationship of pleasant feeling, desire, indulgence and the tendency of our...

We've put the English translation by Ajahn Moshe first, as our podcast audience are mainly English speakers. You can listen to the complete Thai original from 38:20 Luang Por Tongdaeng Varapañño is the abbot of Wat Doi Phra Jao Ton Luang near Chiang Mai. He was born in Sakon Nakhon Province in the Northeast of Thailand in August 1954. At the young age of 13 he ordained as a novice with Luang Por W...

Luang Por Thong Dang, Ajahn Dhammasiha, Ajahn Moshe, Ajahn Khantiko and Tan Niddaro receive 'Sanghadāna' (Offerings dedicated to the Sangha of the four quarters) and receite the Pali verses of blessings, anumodanā (rejoicing) and sharing of merits. 00:00 Namo tassa... (Homage to the Buddha) by Lay Community - 3 times 00:30 Offering of 'Sangha-Dāna' (dedication of offerings to Sangha of the four qu...

Luang Por Thong Dang provides very comprehensive Dhamma Guidelines during a one day meditation retreat at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage. Luang Por explains various skillful means to develop Dāna, Sīla and Bhāvanā (Generosity, Virtue and Meditation). He encourages us to raise our heart to a higher cause, and to investigate the true nature of the present moment. As our podcast is directed at an Englis...

The Buddha used the simile of a magic show for consciousness. In his time there were no movies yet, otherwise he may well have used watching movie or TV or Youtube as a simile. Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about how truly mindfully watching a film usually means that we can't 'enjoy' it anymore. The moment we're aware that this is not real, this is just pictures on a screen, this is artif...

We hope for "Good Luck" and are worried that we may end up "unlucky". However, if we truly have confidence in the Buddha Dhamma, we know that there is actually no such thing as good or bad luck, there's only the results of Karma. Nothing happens just by chance, it's always the outcome of our intentional action. Usually a combination of the Karma from actions a long time...

Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question about AI ('Artificial Intelligence'). He points out the most important difference between AI and a living human being, namely consciousness: Even the most sophisticated and 'intelligent' AI is not conscious, it's not a living being. A human being is more than the faculty of intellect. In particular, human beings can have a conscience, whi...

The Buddha teaches a gradual training. Most beings are not ready yet to completely let go of everything and end the circle of Saṃsāra, the endless wheel of birth and death. First we can aim at improving our situation in Saṃsāra: By generosity and kindness By keeping precepts By having conviction in the efficacy of karma and the truth of rebirth We accumulate good karma that will lead to a fortunat...

When we respect and admire a person, like for example the Buddha, when we revere a certain quality, like wisdom or compassion, our mind will incline into that direction. We gradually condition ourselves to become similar to the person or quality that we respect and worship. The choice is ours, in which direction we wish to develop: If we respect and admire celebrities, sport, pop and music stars,...

Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some info about Luang Por Tongdaeng, who will visit Dhammagiri in three weeks time 23rd to 25th April, including a one day retreat on Sun 23/04. Luang Por is the abbot of Wat Doi Phra Jao Ton Luang near Chiang Mai. He was born in Sakon Nakhon Province in the Northeast of Thailand in August 1954. At the young age of 13 he ordained as a novice with Luang Por Wan Uttamo. Some...

The Buddha himself explained that the highest form of puja is to practise the Dhamma in line with Dhamma. The same applies to any teacher I know of, they all appreciate most if their students take their teachings on board and actually practise them. We can use this fact to give us motivation to be more diligent in our meditatitve development. We reflect that by putting forth effort in our own bhāv...

Ajahn Dhammasiha points out how Luang Por Liem in his recent Dhamma talks interprets terms like 'Going Forth' ('Pabbajjā'), or 'Generosity/Giving' ('Cāga'), in a deeper, more profound sense. Usually Pabbajjā means ordination as a novice, going forth from the houselife into homelessness. But Luang Por takes it deeper by suggesting the meaning of going forth, moving a...

English translation first. Full Talk in Original Thai from 18 min 00 sec. Luang Por Liem is the successor of Ajahn Chah as the abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong, Ubon, Thailand. He is the leading senior monk of the whole international lineage of Ajahn Chah, and one of the most revered meditation masters of the Thai Forest Tradtion. This talk was recorded at the public Dhamma sharing session with Luang Po...

On Magha Puja, the full moon in March, 1,250 Arahant disciples spontaneously gathered around the Buddha in the Bamboo Grove Monastery in Rājagaha. The Buddha then recited the 'Ovadapāṭimokka', a concise summary of his teaching and practice leading to awakening. The second verse in this poem of only 16 lines starts with: "Khantī paramam tapo titikkhā..." Usually translated as 'Enduring patience is...

On Magha Puja Full Moon, in the first year after the Buddha's supreme awakening, 1,250 of his most outstanding Arahant discpiles gathered in a spontaneous assembly around the Buddha in the Bamboo Grave Monastery at Rajagaha.  The Buddha then recited the 'Ovādapāṭimokkha' to them.  In just 16 lines of beautiful poetry, the Buddha summarized the most essential points or his teaching and th...

Mettā, 'Loving Kindness', is the intention of unconditional good will to all beings, without distinction or discriminatiton, without bargaining, without demanding anything back, without any expectations to be liked or thanked or reciprocated. Whether cute koalas or ugly canetoads, whether friends & family or total strangers or even enemies, we aim to wish well to absolutely everyone. Towards t...

Ajahn Dhammasiha points out that Dhamma is not something we simply have to belief, to take on blind faith. Instead, all the teachings of the Buddha are open to investigation, and can be verified in our own experience. In fact, the Buddha himself encouraged thorough investigation of his teaching. He himself said that experiential, true knowledge is superior to faith, and he is leading us to gain th...

Ajahn Dhammasiha reminds us that walking meditation is not in any way inferior to sitting meditation. Monks have realized full awakening while walking meditation, and some have even attained Parinibbāna (Nibbāna element without remainder at the 'Death' of an Arahant) while walking. The Buddha practised walking meditation a lot, and he walked over the whole central Ganges valley throughout his life...

Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to uplift our mind to a higher level, to better connect with Luang Por Liem during his visit in three weeks time. The purer our heart, the better we will be able to tune into profound teachings and comprehend them. In Australia and many countries mobile networks are being upgraded to 5G. However, if our phone only has 4G capabilities, we won't be able to receive the...

Ajahn Dhammasiha shares his joyful experience of meeting senior monks and monastic kalyāna mittas (spiritual friends) in various forest monasteries during his recent travels in Thailand and Malaysia. He reports from Wat Pah Nanachat, the international Forest Monastery founded by Ajahn Chah in 1975 Meeting Luang Por Liem, Ajahn Chah's successor as abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong, currently the leading s...