Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. A Dhamma talk on the Sotānugata Sutta (AN 4.191) where the Buddha reminds us of the importance of thoroughly learning the Dhamma in this life and the benefits that can be expected in the future (assuming you live a wholesome life), particularly if one is concerned about passing away with a muddled mind.   In this session, we reference the B...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 42 - THE STORY OF NANDA, THE HERDSMAN (Nandagopālaka Vatthu). The Buddha gives a very powerful teaching about the importance of a rightly directed mind and the safety of stream entry.    In this short session we examine Nanda's story and how he was able to enter the stream before his sudd...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma session we take a look at the Buddha's advice on longevity and vitality . We primarily examine the Anāyussā Sutta (AN 5.125-126) and the seven things that are conducive to shorter life and those that are conducive are conducive to longer life.   Some of these things you may already be familiar with, while others may encourage...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. A Dhamma talk on the Avakujja Sutta (AN 3.30) where the Buddha talks about three kinds of persons and the way they listen to Dhamma, which results in different types of wisdom (i.e. inverted, lap-like, and wide wisdom). The Buddha gives us three very useful similes to contemplate and connect with this teaching. And he states that the person with...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 35 - THE STORY OF A BHIKKHU WHO WISHED TO TAME THE MIND (Aññatarabhikkhu Vatthu). This is encouragement and inspiration towards making effort to restrain, guard, protect and tame the mind.   To further our understanding, we examine the Buddha's explanation of a taming practice and a calming p...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to accompany the fifth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on THE BLESSINGS OF RENUNCIATION (nekkhamma ānisaṃsaṃ).   In this additional session, we examine THE GREAT FRUIT AND BENEFIT OF OBSERVING THE UPOSATHA, to understand how the Buddha encourages la...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This question was asked during the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on BAK POYA (16 April 2022) via zoom on "TAMING THE MIND" where we examined the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta (MN 20).   The question:  “When unwholesome thoughts trouble me in my meditation, I usually examine those thoughts and review the five hindrances in meditation and apply...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This question was asked during the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on BAK POYA (16 April 2022) via zoom on "TAMING THE MIND" where we examined the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta (MN 20).   The question:  "Can you get to the higher concentration* of mind by following a guided meditation?"  * Note - the higher concentration of mind referred to...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This question was asked during the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on BAK POYA (16 April 2022) via zoom on "TAMING THE MIND" where we examined the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta (MN 20).   The question:  “I practise with a lot of restraint in daily life. I don’t read newspapers and only look at headlines for example… When I went through the simil...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on BAK POYA (16 April 2022) via zoom, on "TAMING THE MIND". We examine the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta (MN 20), which is an important teaching by the Buddha on how to tackle blocks and challenges that come up in our meditation when we are intent on training in the higher mind (i.e. to enter and dwel...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma session, we examine the Kaṭuviya Sutta (AN 3.128) and the Buddha's teaching "DO NOT POLLUTE YOURSELF" .   This short teaching from the Buddha advises not to pollute oneself, not to become tainted with a stench so that flies will attack and pursue.   We look into the meaning of the Buddha's teaching, as well as draw on ot...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. A short Dhamma talk on the Nikaṭṭha Sutta (AN 4.138). The Buddha talks about four kinds of persons in relation to being on retreat. This addresses the different permutations of where we are disciplined or undisciplined by body or by mind and the conditions are then conducive or not conducive.    It's very good to examine this teaching...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This is the fifth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series, focused on our younger audience looking into BUDDHA'S GRADUAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LAY PEOPLE ON THE BLESSINGS OF RENUNCIATION (nekkhamma ānisaṃsaṃ).   This session links with the earlier sessions and confirms the importance of building a foundation of generosity and virtue,...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. The title of this Dhamma Session is "All the Feels" and focuses on the Buddha's teaching on feeling or experience (vedanā). We study the Salla Sutta (SN 36.6) as well as other supporting suttas.   The question that is often asked is around " why does the Buddha and the noble disciples constantly talk about bearing with conditions? "; or " h...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This Dhamma talk is encouragement towards taking a closer look at non-mettā as a way to develop and deepen our mettā or loving kindness practice in daily life.   The core virtues and qualities of mettā are very important during these challenging times, and there is much we can investigate in daily life that will help us to overcome specific...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma session we take a look at the Buddha's answer, in the Paloka Sutta (AN 3.56), to a brahmin's question on why we see the number of people decline, why depopulation can be seen . The Buddha gives three reasons for why we experience depopulation, and in his answer he emphasises what is driving these reasons. He explains that when the...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma Session, we delve into the contemplation given by the on unfavourable (and favourable conditions) for spiritual practice from the Samaya Sutta (AN 3.54) and Dutiyaanāgatabhaya Sutta (AN 5.78).  These teachings are very beneficial and particularly timely for where we find ourselves with increasingly challenging conditions in t...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Youth Edition of the Parābhava Sutta as requested.   Slightly different perspective on the Buddha's teaching on "what brings downfall to a person" for our younger audience. For the younger generation there is an opportunity to pre-empt and prevent downfall by making wise choices once the Buddha's teaching is understood.   What&...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma session we examine the Buddha's teaching to the devas on "what brings downfall to a person?" from the Parābhava Sutta  (Snp 1.6) . The Buddha outlines 12 actions or qualities that cause downfall or decline. Due to these factors a person cannot make progress of succeed.   This session focuses primarily on the worldly...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. A short Dhamma talk on the Pathamasukha Sutta (AN 10.65) , where Venerable Sāriputta answers a question from the wanderer Sāmaṇḍakāni on "What is happiness? What is suffering"   The reference point for his succinct answer is in regards to rebirth (i.e. our bigger predicament). This teaching from Venerable Sāriputta is a very powerful one be...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ) In this session, we do a GUIDED MEDITATION together - SIMPLIFIED POTALIYA SUTTA - CONTEMPLATING EACH OF THE SIMILES FOR SENSUAL PLEASURES, which...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this Dhamma session we study the Mahāsupina Jataka (Ja 77), one of the birth stories, that goes into the 16 terrifying great dreams of King Pasenadi of Kosala.   This is a powerful jataka story where we can draw parallels with what is, and has been, unfolding in the world.    The key teaching that Buddha is drawing on is to correct our view....

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . This Dhamma talk is encouragement towards protecting our minds during this heightened period of turbulence in this afflictive world. Knowing where the safety is - within our spiritual practice (internal) and not with the challenging and divisive conditions in the world (external). Some of the suttas referred to directly or indirectly: — Tiracch...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ)   In this additional session, we study the Buddha's teaching to householder Potaliya, who thinks he has cut off all his worldly affairs and...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ)   In this additional session, we study the Buddha's teaching on SENSUAL PLEASURES, POVERTY & DEBT from the Iṇa Sutta (AN 6.45). This is...