Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the rules prohibiting shows, entertainments and music for monks and nuns; and how that would relate to lay life.

What to do if we come back after a hard days work, and are feeling very tired - is it fine to indulge in just watching Youtube or TV, or doing online games simply to relax?

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Luang Por Vajiro is asked how one can maintain motivation in one's daily Dhamma practice, without getting distracted by the numerous duties, responsibilities and issues inherent in lay life.

Luang Por also responds to a variety of other questions.

One particular interesting reflection he offers is about our urge to make others happy. On closer reflection, wanting to make others happy may not be as selfless as it superficially appears. Sometimes the true motivation is actually discontent with the way others are. We don't really like the way they are, and our supposed intention "to make them happy" is actually a subtle form of aversion, based on our own need to change them according to our own likes and dislikes.

On the other hand, the intention "how can I reduce someone's suffering" is less prone to egotistic distortion, and often more successful in influencing the other person in a way truly beneficial to them.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Ajahn Vajiro is asked what to do when we experience pain in the body while meditating: Should we pay attention to the pain, or should we just change posture to be comfortable again?

From that, a lively Dhamma discussion develops about different approaches to contemplate pain to deepen our understanding of 'vedanā', so that we can overcome aversion, attachement and identification with feelings.

Ven. Ajahn Vajiro was born in Malaysia in 1953 and has been a Buddhist monk for over 40 years.

In 1979, he met Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho when they made a visit to Hampstead Vihara in Oakenholt, England. He received higher ordination from Ajahn Chah personally in Thailand in 1980 at Wat Nong Pah Pong.

After helping with the opening of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK, he participated in the running of both Harnham Buddhist Monastery and Chithurst Forest Monastery. In 1993 he moved to New Zealand to lead the Bodhinyanarama community in Wellington for five years. Following this he entered a three-year retreat in Australia before returning to Amaravati in 2001.

In 2012 he moved to Portugal, where he had been closely involved in the establishment of ⁠Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery⁠ near Lisbon, which is where he is now based.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast⁠

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠

Our Youtube Channel:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD⁠

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834⁠

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On the occasion of Māgha Puja 2024, Ajahn Vajiro shares from his experience living with Ajahn Chah in the early 1980ies. Luang Por Chah put strong emphasis on the Sangha doing work together, to maintain harmony in the community. Regular daily ooperation establishes the concord so essential for the long term stability of the Sangha.

Ajahn also discusses the topic of 'nutriment' (āhāra), providing insightful relflections on the four kinds of nutriment expounded by the Buddha.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Luang Por Vajiro talks about 'Mindfulness of Breathing' (Ānāpāṇasati), and responds to questions from the audience, during his visit to Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage.

Ven. Ajahn Vajiro was born in Malaysia in 1953 and has been a Buddhist monk for over 40 years.

In 1979, he met Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho when they made a visit to Hampstead Vihara in Oakenholt, England. He received higher ordination from Ajahn Chah personally in Thailand in 1980 at Wat Nong Pah Pong.

After helping with the opening of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK, he participated in the running of both Harnham Buddhist Monastery and Chithurst Forest Monastery. In 1993 he moved to New Zealand to lead the Bodhinyanarama community in Wellington for five years. Following this he entered a three-year retreat in Australia before returning to Amaravati in 2001.

In 2012 he moved to Portugal, where he had been closely involved in the establishment of Sumedharama Buddhist Monastery near Lisbon, which is where he is now based.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Ajahn Dhammasiha presents a short teaching of the Buddha explaining that Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha are supreme, and that those with faith/conviction in what is supreme will receive supreme results.

Anguttara Nikāya/Numerical Discourses, Book of Fours, 'Aggappasāda Sutta'/'Supreme Confidence Discourse'

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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One of the most eagerly anticipated fashion events of 2024 is going to take place during our Magha Puja Event at Dhammagiri 😉:

We're launching our free distribution Dhammagiri T-Shirt!

Ajahn Dhammasiha gives a little sneak preview of the shirt, and talks about the meaning of the Tiratana symbol that's printed on it.

The top of the symbol represents the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha.

Below that (the little triangular structures sticking out to the sides) is a 'Vajira', the Thunderbolt, a mythological weapon of Indra. It symbolizes the power of wisdom capable of destroying defilements like a flash of lightning.

Below that is an 8-petelled lotus. The lotus represents purity, the ability to raise our heart above the pollution of worldly attachements, and become beautiful, fragrant and pure.

The writing in Pali (language of the Buddha) says:

"Buddhaṃ, Dhammaṃ, Sanghaṃ Saraṇaṃ Gacchāmi!"

"I take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha!"

This short, simple statement is nevertheless very powerful. If we truly commit to the Triple Gem, we're also committing to:

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast⁠

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠

Our Youtube Channel:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our email Newsletter:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD⁠

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834⁠

The best thing we can possibly do for the benefit of all other beings is to free our heart from greed, hatred and delusion, and realize Nibbāna.

When we are generous, we generate good karma for ourselves, and at the same time others receive material benefits from our gifts.

When we keep precepts, we protect ourselves from creating bad karma, and we give the gift to fearlessness to countless beings.

Whenever we reduce toxic emotions like anger or greed, we become less likely to harm anyone, and more capable of truly helping others.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Celebrating Chinese/Vietnamese New Year, everyone is usually hoping for good luck, health, long life, beauty, success and happiness for the new year.

Sources for Ajahn's Talk:

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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Sunday evening Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Dhammasiha during his visit to Singapore at Wat Palelai.

We can all relate to the problem of suffering, as we all know the experience of pain, frustration and hurt in our own heart. That's why the Buddha's teaching is timeless and universal.

So is his analysis that the deep cause of suffering is craving (tanhā), which we can also experience directly ourselves in our mind.

If we abandon craving, we can free our heart from all suffering, including old age death and rebirth, forever! This is the mindblowingly positive message the Buddha has for us: Total freedom from death and suffering can be realized!

However, it's so important to understand that the solution, namely abandoning craving, can not be implemented immediately, or by an act of will power. Abandoning craving is done by gradually training ourselves in developing the whole noble eightfold path.

We have to create good karma, accumulate puñña, to gradually fill our heart with more and more light and goodness.

We keep precepts, maintain these minimum ethical standards in all our actions by body and speech (including all forms of modern intenet communication like social media), to prevent any bad karma to weigh down our mind.

Only once this basis of goodness is firmly established, are we able to really train the heart in samādhī (concentration/unification of heart) and vipassana (insight/wisdom).

The tranquility and joy of samādhi weakens the defilements sufficiently that wisdom can finally reach deep enough into our mind to totally extirpate all craving and suffering, and the supreme release of Nibbāna is realized.

Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news

Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724

Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD

Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834

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