Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

In this guided meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to use the breath as anchor for our awareness, and then to apply 'Anatta-Saññā' / 'Perception of Not-Self' to all the various thoughts, images, worries, phantasies bubbling up in our mind.  

Whatever distracts us from the breath, whether it's plans for the future or little traumas from the past, whether it's sensual images or restless thinking, we do not fight with them, we do not try to suppress them. Instead, we just see them as:

We can apply not-self even to the process of meditation:

If we are not the meditator, not the one 'doing' the meditation, suddenly meditating becomes so easy, we're cruising along smoothly 😊

More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

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

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

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Inspired by Ajahn Moneyyo's recent recitation of the Pārāyanavagga' (Chapter on Going to the Further Shore in Suttanipāta), Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on verse #1054, 'Puṇṇaka's Question'.

In this verse, the Buddha provides his answer to Puṇṇaka's question:

"Saṅkhāya lokasmi paroparāni,

"Having contemplated all the highs and lows in this world,

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

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Ajahn Moneyyo recites the Pārāyana Vagga in the Sutta Nipāta (Verses 1038 ff), one of the oldest parts of the Pali Canon. 16 Brahmin spiritual seekers visit the Buddha and ask him profound questions in verse about bondage  and liberation.  

The unifying theme is going beyond, or crossing over – Crossing the  floods (of sensuality, becoming, views and ignorance), crossing over  birth and old age, crossing over attachment to the world – With the  purpose to instruct and inspire us to do the same.  

The Pārāyana Vagga – “The Chapter on the Way to the Beyond” already existed as collection during the time of the Buddha and was memorized  and chanted by monastics and laypeople, for eg. by Nandamātā, the Buddha's foremost female lay disciple in deep meditation.

Sometimes monks would discuss the meaning of the Verses, give different  interpretations and then go to ask the Buddha about it:

Sometimes the Buddha would quote some of the Verses and give a detailed explanation himself:

A free translation of the whole Sutta Nipāta is available here:

https://www.dhammagiri.net

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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

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

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This is a good quality stereo recording of the Chanting we do at the end of our Sunday afternoon session. Called "Verses of Sharing and Aspiration", you can find it in the Amaravati Chaning Book on page 33 ("Through the Goodness that arises from my practice...").

It's the Amaravati English translation of the traditional Pali chant known as "Uddissanādhiṭṭhāna-Gāthā" ("Iminā Puññakammena..."), used to share whatever good karma one has generated in the preceding meditation/puja/Dhamma reflections. We're actually playing the Amaravati version in the background on loudspeaker, to make the sound a bit fuller.

We have also included the traditional Pali verses recited when bowing to the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha at the very end of the session.

In the background, you can hear our cockatoos 🦜  apparently interested in joining the chant - apologies, they're not quite pitch perfect 😉

"(Now let us chant the verses of sharing and aspiration)

Through the goodness that arises from my practice,

Through the goodness that arises from my practice,

The Buddha is my excellent refuge,

"(Arahaṃ) Sammāsambuddho Bhagavā

(Svākkhāto) Bhagavatā Dhammo

(Supaṭipanno) Bhagavato Sāvakasaṅgho

Amaravati Chanting Book is available here:

https://www.dhammagiri.net

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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

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

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Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the power of Māra, 'The Evil One'. In Buddhist cosmology he is described as a powerful spirit, who is vehemently opposed to anyone attaining Nibbāna and thus escaping from his influence. Somewhat similar to the concept of the 'devil' in Western/Christian mythology.

Ajahn explains that despite all his power, Mara can not overrule the effects of Karma. If we keep precepts, practise generosity, have faith in the Triple Gem, and conviction in the efficacy of good and bad actions causing rebirth according to our karma, Mara can not cause us any harm.

If we can unify our mind in Samādhi, he is blindfolded and can't even see us any more.

If we attain Nibbāna, he is defeated forever.

Ajahn also talks about the 'judgment scene' after death described in the religions and mythologies of so many different cultures, and also reported in some 'Near Death Experiences' of those who were resuscitated after clinical death occured. He points out that there are both the external aspect, and the internal psychological reality. If internally we are harsh in condemning others, we may experience a very strict and mercyless 'judge' externally as well. If we have completely filled our heart with loving kindness and compassion, not applying any judgement and condemnation to any being at all, we may not experince any external judgement scene after death, but go straight to Brahmaloka (very high heaven beyond sensuality).

https://www.dhammagiri.net

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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

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

Often we struggle with doubts which teachings or meditation techniques are genuinely coming from the Buddha, and which ones may be later ideas and additions, or completely fake inventions.

Fortunately, the Buddha himself has given us guidance on how to recognize the quality, the 'flavour', that proves to us that some teaching or method is real, authentic Buddha-Dhamma. He is actually advising his own step mother Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī, who was ordained by him as the first Bhikkhunī (Buddhist Nun). Shortly after her ordination she asks the Buddha for concise instructions how to practise. The Blessed One explains to her 8 criteria to identify dinky-di Dhamma - All teachings or techniques that are true Dhamma & Discipline & Dispensation of the Buddha will lead in the following direction:

The quote can be found at:

https://www.dhammagiri.net

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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

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

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This is a stereo recording of our regular Sunday afternooon chanting, which we do at the start of every Sunday afternoon session, before the meditation.

Our Sangha of 4 bhikkhus and the lay community are chanting together, with the Amaravati version of the chants playing additionally on loudspeaker in the background. With this stereo recording, if you use good 'around-the-ears' headphones, or decent loudspeakers (especially with 'surround sound' activated), you should be able to have quite an immersive audio experience. (Naturally, some limitations remain, due to true live recording, and not all our chanters being 100% perfect in pitch 🎵 and time ⏲ keeping 😉)

Due to time constraints for the 2 hour session including meditation & Dhamma reflections, and to have enough time left to include English chants, we have abbreviated the texts slightly: We only include 'Recollection of the Buddha/Dhamma/Sangha', leaving out the sections 'Supreme Praise of the Buddha/Dhamma/Sangha'.

The text for the first part of our chanting, in Pali language, is therefore as follows:

Dedication of Offerings

[Yo so] bhagavā arahaṃ sammāsambuddho

[Arahaṃ] sammāsambuddho bhagavā

[Svākkhāto] bhagavatā dhammo

[Supaṭipanno] bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho

Primary Homage

[Handa mayaṃ buddhassa bhagavato

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa (×3)

Recollection of the Buddha

[Handa mayaṃ buddhānussatinayaṃ karomase]

Taṃ kho pana bhagavantaṃ evaṃ kalyāṇo

Recollection of the Dhamma

[Handa mayaṃ dhammānussatinayaṃ karomase]

Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo

Recollection of the Saṅgha

[Handa mayaṃ saṅghānussatinayaṃ karomase]

Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho

You can read the full text for our chanting in the Amaravati Chanting Book Vol 1 (pages 18ff, 37ff & 33ff) here: https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/30/Chanting-Book-Vol-1-Web.pdf

www.dhammagiri.net

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

www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

www.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri

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The environment children grow up in at an early age has a huge impact on their psychological well being for their whole life. If they consistantly receive love, affection and care, they will develop healthy self esteem, and the ability to give love and affection to others.  

This process starts already during pregnancy. In the video, Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages a young pregnant woman to be particularly diligent with her Dhamma practice, because everything she does is directly experienced by the unborn child as well. If she bows to the Buddha, the child bows as well. If she chants and does Buddha Puja, the child hears the chanting as well. If she develops loving kindness consistently, that wholesome emotion will be established in the child as 'default emotion' in his mind, it becomes 'normal' for the child to have that emotion of good will and friendliness in the background all the time.  

The influence of the father is also very important. If he looks after and cares for the mother, and provides a very safe, protected and comfortable environment for her, she will feel really at ease, and so will the child.  

As the topic of abortion has recently become a highly emotional and controversial topic again in all media, Ajahn Dhammasiha uses the opportunity to remind everyone that according to the Buddha, an unborn child (embryo/foetus) is a human being. It is not just a 'lump of cells', but it has consciousness connected to it, without which it could not develop. The Buddha is unambiguously in his teaching: The first precept, to abstain from intentionally killing living beings, does include to abstain from intentionally killing an unborn child through abortion.

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www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

www.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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At the beginning of the Rains Retreat period, it is advisable to establish a firm foundation in our meditative Practice. The Buddha beautifully summarized core foundational principals for meditation in the famous verses of the "Bhaddekaratta" Sutta, Majjimanikāya/Middle Length Discourses #131. These instructions are of such primary importance, that they are repeated again in the following 3 suttas, with the verses repeated literally, and only slight variations in setting and persons in the remainder.

As it's so fundamental, here's first the full Pali text of the verses, followed by an English translation:

"Atītaṃ nānvāgameyya,

Nappaṭikaṅkhe anāgataṃ.

Yadatītaṃ pahīnaṃ taṃ

Appattañca anāgataṃ.

Paccuppannañca yo dhammaṃ,

Tattha tattha vipassati.

Asaṃhīraṃ asaṃkuppaṃ,

Taṃ vidvā manubrūhaye.

Ajjeva kiccamātappaṃ, 

Ko jaññā maraṇaṃ suve.

Na hi no saṅgaraṃ tena,

Mahāsenena maccunā.

Evaṃ vihāriṃ ātāpiṃ,

Ahorattamatanditaṃ.

Taṃ ve bhaddekarattoti

Santo ācikkhate muni”

One Auspicious Day

Don't keep hanging on to the past

Don't set your hopes on the future.

The past is over, gone,

The future has not yet come.

Whatever arises in the mind here and now,

Right there we wisely observe with clear awareness.

Understanding that, we persistently develop our meditation

Unshaken, indomitable.

The work has to be done today,

Who knows if we're still alive tomorrow?

You can't make a deal

With Death.

If someone lives like that, ardent,

Diligently striving all day and night,

Then the peaceful sage declares:

"They truly spent an auspicious day!"

A translation of the whole sutta, including the interpretation of the verses by the Buddha himself, can be found here:

https://www.dhammagiri.net

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive

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After the meditation session on Āsāḷhā Pūjā, Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some reflections on the 4 Noble Truths.

He puts special emphasis on the Fourth Noble Truth, i.e. the Noble Eightfold Path, also known as the 'Middle Way' ('Majjhimā Paṭipadā'). With the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha has given us a tool that we can apply virtually any time throughout our life, whether ordained or in lay life.

Meditation ('Bhāvanā') is not only sitting crosslegged. We practice 'bhāvanā', mental cultivation, whenever we're putting forth effort to apply any of these 8 path factors:

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw

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