Abhayagiri Talks

Drawing on the qualities of the Dhamma outlined in the Gotami Sutta (AN 8.53), Ajahn Ñaniko urges us to practice Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma rather than according to our preferences. This talk was offered on September 20, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. Download File

Taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha is more than symbolic, Ajahn Pasanno tells us. It can be a powerful embodiment of our practice. And taking the precepts is more about simplification than renunciation. He then explains how once we've laid this solid foundation for our meditation practice we can begin to experiment with mindfulness of the body and the mind as less of a heavy chore and more of a lightening process, one of “lifting up and tuning in.” This talk was offered on September 12, 2015 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery. 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 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

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 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

Ajahn Karuṇadhammo explains that the path to the end of dukkha involves both fabricating the skills of wholesome intention and wise attention and in investigating the characteristics of all fabrications as impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not-self. When practiced to completion, this path leads to the ending of kamma and becoming. Several questions regarding the scope of practice with kamma follow the talk. This talk was offered on 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

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

“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