Sutta Meditation Series

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 look at THE STORY OF BĀLANAKKHATTA FESTIVAL from the Dhammapada verses 26 - 27. Through this story the Buddha...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.  This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on NAVAM POYA (17 January 2022) via zoom, on "BENEFICIAL TALK" that comes abandoning wrong speech to enter upon right speech. We examine the 10 beneficial topics of discussion that the Buddha encourages in the Paṭhamakathāvatthu Sutta (AN 10.69).  As we know, Right Speech is an important fact...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Role models play an important part in all of our lives, whether we seek them out or not. And whether we walk the Buddhist Path or not, they can have the power to shape the direction we take and the ability to influence the decisions that follow on from there.  For Buddhist practitioners, the Buddha is our most eminent role model, teacher an...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to answer a question in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on Heavenly Realms:   “Do you have any information taken from the suttas about the ‘Nāga Loka’? The question that comes to my mind is they are supposed to have a lot of faith in Buddha and Dhamma but they cannot listen to Dhamma from their wor...

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 okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ )   In this additional session, we look at the important area of REPROGRAMMING THE PLEASURE SEEKER . With a human body, we ar...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . A question to contemplate when it comes to daily practice. Something so mundane, yet so important. How we start our day is all about what we lead with and the tone we set for the rest of the day.   Do we lead with what is wholesome (kusala), or do jump straight into the unwholesome (akusala)? What are our habit tendencies? It's important t...

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 okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ)   In this additional session, we look at a collection of Sayings of the Buddha from the Dhammapada (piyavagga), with related...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This is the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series, focused on our younger audience looking into BUDDHA'S GRADUAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LAY PEOPLE ON DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ)  This session links with the earlier sessions and confirms the importance of building a foundation of generosity...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to answer a question on DETAILS OF THE HEAVENLY REALMS, in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on the HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ). This session is specifically on the FORMLESS REALMS (arūpa-loka).   We explore some of the key aspects about these realms, their lifespan, possible inhabitants from the t...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 32 - THE STORY OF NIGAMAVĀSITISSA THERA and how he approached spiritual practice with vigilance ( appamada ) and simplicity, being easily satisfied with little, which leads to realising fruits of the Buddha's Path. In the Dhammapada commentary to this saying of the Buddha, there is also a story of...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . This is an EXTRACT from the Full Dhamma Session on the Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN 35.97) - SAFEGUARDING THE MIND BY DWELLING WITH VIGILANCE.  It was delivered on full moon poya (uposatha) on 4 July 2020 via Zoom to a meditation group.   To listen to the FULL SESSION - Episode #21 - https://bit.ly/33VczY5 This specifically outlines how to meditate o...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. The Buddha tells Venerable Ānanda in the Upaḍḍha Sutta (SN 45.2) that " Good friendship, good companionship is the entire Spiritual Life ". In this short session, we hear some of the most important insights from our kalyāṇamittas or good friends. We learn so much from each other on this spiritual path. It's good to ask our kalyāṇamittas the ques...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This is a re-recorded version (due to sound issues) of the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on DURUTHU POYA (17 January 2022) via zoom, on "HAPPINESS & JOY" that comes from spiritual (Dhamma) practice. In this Dhamma session, we: introduce three key suttas, including the Sukhasomanassa Sutta (AN 6.78), Bhaddaka Sutta (AN 6.14) and An...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Role models play an important part in all of our lives, whether we seek them out or not. And whether we walk the Buddhist Path or not, they can have the power to shape the direction we take and the ability to influence the decisions that follow on from there.  For Buddhist practitioners,  the Buddha is our most eminent role model, teac...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to accompany the third module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on the HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ).   In this session, we do a GUIDED MEDITATION together - RECOLLECTING THE NOBLE BEINGS IN THE PURE ABODES (suddhāvāsa). We recollect their conviction, virtuo...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. The Buddha encourages making wholesome resolutions and talks of great benefits and blessings as a result.    As we begin a new year, in this Dhamma session we look at the Buddha's words in a couple of suttas, the benefit of making resolutions, what kind of resolutions can we make towards our spiritual practice, some helpful things to c...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. The Buddha tells Venerable Ānanda in the Upaḍḍha Sutta (SN 45.2) that " Good friendship, good companionship is the entire Spiritual Life ". In this short session, we hear some of the most important insights from our kalyāṇamittas or good friends.   We learn so much from each other on this spiritual path. It's good to ask our kalyāṇamittas t...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to answer a question on DETAILS OF THE HEAVENLY REALMS, in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on the HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ). This session is specifically on NON-RETURNERS & THE PURE ABODES, as we complete our review of the heavenly realms of form (rūpa-loka).   The noble beings that dwell i...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Another session to answer a question on DETAILS OF THE HEAVENLY REALMS, in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on the HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ). This session is specifically on the HEAVENLY REALMS OF FORM (rūpa-loka) , with other sessions to follow to describe the others.   We explore some of the key aspects about...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. As we come to the end of 2021, it's a good opportunity to reflect on how we've connected through the Buddha and his Teachings, and to honour the good friendship we've cultivated across the world . Expressing gratitude and joy.   Blessings and good wishes, to all our brothers and sisters in Dhamma, as we close out the year and head into a ne...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Today's subject is "WHEN SPIRITUAL PRACTICE SEEMS DIFFICULT" and we draw on the Buddha's teaching to a young deva in the Kāmada Sutta (SN 2.6) for inspiration and encouragement.   At different times, we have all experienced the thought or feeling that this spiritual path and practice is "too difficult" or "too hard" or even that "it's an im...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this session we look into the Buddha's question to some young boys when he encounters them doing unskilful things: "ARE YOU AFRAID OF PAIN?" from the Kumāraka Sutta (Ud 5.4).   What's interesting about this story and similar ones is the link between inflicting pain and being fearful or afraid of experiencing pain .  We also look at...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast . In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 75 - THE STORY OF SAMANERA TISSA, THE FOREST DWELLER and how he was devoted to solitude, instead of intimacy in the village and gain, honour and praise.   Samanera Tissa is a good contrast to what we examined in the story of Devadatta, as part of looking at the danger of gain, honour and prai...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. In this session we look at "THE STORY OF THE WOODCUTTER'S SON" from Dhammapada Verse 296-301 . The story about the young boy when he is left overnight by himself exposed to the elements, is one that all of us can probably relate to, in some way or another. And what is particularly helpful are the SIX THINGS the Buddha reminds us, that are protec...

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on UNDUVAP POYA (18 December 2021) via zoom on "THE DANGER OF GAIN, HONOUR & PRAISE - Obstacles on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path". In pali, this is lābhasakkārasiloka. Throughout his teachings, the Buddha strongly cautions against becoming overwhelmed and obsessed with gain, honour and praise. He...