Ajahn Karuṇadhammo responds to questions about kamma and external events, kamma's influence on rebirth situations, how to maintain a sense of urgency regarding the dangers of rebirth without massive anxiety, advice about solo retreats, choosing between the lesser of two evils, kamma and inaction, neutral kamma, the meaning of saṅkhāra, will we ever see the end of unskillfulness and destruction, and suppression versus repression. This question and answer session occurred on the daylong retreat “Karma – Out of Our Control?” at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on September 6, 2015. Download File

The principle of this-that conditionality describes how both past actions and present attitudes shape suffering and happiness in the present moment. Drawing on Ajahn Ṭhanissaro's explanation in The Wings to Awakening, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo describes how understanding this-that conditionality can lead to the end of kamma. This talk was offered on the daylong retreat “Karma – Out of Our Control?” at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on September 6, 2015. Download File

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo explains the role of kamma in the Buddha's teachings in contrast to both ancient and modern views on the topic. His talk is followed by a series of questions concerning random kamma, the role of intention, discerning kamma from the past, adjusting intention before acting, kamma from mental action, the effect of past lives, and how can I own kamma if there is no self? This talk was offered on the daylong retreat “Karma – Out of Our Control?” at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on September 6, 2015. Download File

Since the topic of kamma often inspires heady thinking, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo begins the day with meditation instructions bringing attention back to the body. This guided meditation was offered on the daylong retreat “Karma – Out of Our Control?” at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on September 6, 2015. Download File

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo introduces the Abhayagiri monastics, the topic of kamma, and the structure for the daylong. This talk began the daylong retreat “Karma – Out of Our Control?” at Spirit Rock Mediation Center on September 6, 2015. Download File

Taking off from Ajahn Pasanno's talk the night before, Ajahn Jotipālo contemplates how the mind reacts when accidents happen. This leads into some personal recollections of incidents in nature and how mindfulness can make a difference when difficult situations occur. He then shares how he has been exploring ways to combine hiking and meditation as he prepares for a camping retreat with a group of monks at Yosemite Park. This talk was offered on September 6, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

“Enlightenment is an accident, but some activities make you accident-prone.” ~Krishnamurti.  Beginning by reflecting on this quote, Ajahn Pasanno teaches that the true nature of the mind is to be luminous, but that it is stained by defilements. We believe these defilements to be who we are, but, he tells us, they are merely akan dukkha – visitors – because they are adventitious: they come from elsewhere and are not inherent to us. To relinquish them we must engage in the primary activity that can make us accident-prone – meditation. This talk was offered on September 5, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

With a group of teens visiting the monastery on a weekend retreat, Ajahn Pasanno explains the Buddha's reasoning behind having the lay community periodically take eight precepts for “a day and a night.” He then gives a clear, detailed talk on the meaning, the nature, and the types of dukkha, and on the practical ways the Four Noble Truths can liberate us from it. This talk was offered on August 29, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

The interdependence of the monastic and lay Buddhist communities reflects the lack of separation between the transcendent and “the real world.” Ajahn Pasanno goes on to explain the structure of the Buddha's path. This talk was offered on the August 23, 2015 Abhayagiri Benefit and Community Event at the Mindfulness Care Center in San Francisco. Download File

Ajahn Pasanno gives meditation instructions contemplating the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha as qualities of the heart. These meditation instructions were given on the August 23, 2015 Abhayagiri Benefit and Community Event at the Mindfulness Care Center in San Francisco. Download File