Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

By Dhammagiri Forest HermitageReligion & Spirituality Buddhism

Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts episodes

November 18, 2021 "Marriage Means Commitment" - Ajahn Dhammasiha Shares Advice the Buddha Gave to Married Couples
Research has shown that the feeling of romantic love can be sustained only for a maximum of about 4 years (although it may well last much, much shorter!). On the other hand, marriage is meant to be a commitment for life. Children and their education, mortgages and so on are decades long investments. Consequently, romantic love is not a sufficient basis to sustain a marriage, and a more substantial foundation is required. Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections how to maintain a long lasting commitment in marriage. He also quotes the five duties mentioned by the Buddha for both husband and wife in their mutual relationship (Sigālovādasutta, Dīgha Nikāya/Long Discourses #31).Naturally, as these instructions were given by the Buddha for a very different culture some 2,500 years ago, one has to interpret them in light of modern conditions. Nevertheless, the spirit of the Buddha's advice remains timeless and independent from social conditions, like for example the crucial importance of mutual respect, and to avoid feelings of disregard or disdain.www.dhammagiri.netwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
42 min
November 16, 2021 Teaching Dhamma to Kids: Start Early, Even Before They're Born!
As a parent who wishes for the welfare and happiness of their child, the most valuable thing we can do for them is teaching them the Dhamma, encouraging them to practise generosity, virtue and meditation.We can not start that process too early: Even before birth the unborn child will be strongly influenced by all the emotions the mother experiences. If the mother feels a lot of anger or depression, the unborn child will become used to these emotions. If on the other hand she experiences faith in the Triple Gem, loving kindness and calm, the child will subconsciously learn to see these emotions as default position.An expecting mother will be more determined in her mental cultivation than ever before, as she's aware that she's now meditating for two persons, so to speak. Similarly, the father will be aware that whatever external events affect the mother, will indirectly also affect the child. He will provide comfort and protection to the mother, and an environment where she feels completely at ease and safe. If the mother doesn't have to worry about a thing as she knows the father always has her back, the child will experience this sense of calm, peace and safety as well.www.dhammagiri.netwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
45 min
November 16, 2021 Strengthening Our Buddhānussati ('Recollection of the Buddha')
Ajahn Dhammasiha offers some short reflections on Buddhānussati ('Recollection of the Buddha').Remembering the Buddha is one of the most common and easiest meditation objects. However, to deepen our meditation, we have to emotionally engage. Repeating a mantra like "Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho, Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā" is a means to arouse the joyous emotions of faith, devotion, conviction and affection towards the Buddha.www.dhammagiri.netwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive.
18 min
November 09, 2021 Creating Good Karma for Happiness | Robe Offering Ceremony at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage
The traditional ceremony of offering robes after the end of the Rains Retreat is considered one of the most auspicious time in the year for generating 'puñña' (good karma).Welcome and introductory remarks by senior monkRequesting the Triple Refuge & Five PreceptsCeremony of taking refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & SanghaCeremony of formally committing to the five preceptsDedication of OfferingsPresentation of Offerings to monksMonks silently contemplate Forest ClothAnumodanā (rejoicing in good karma being made) and BlessingDhamma Reflections on boundless qualities of Mettā (loving kindness), Karuṇā (compassion), Muditā (sympathetic joy) and Upekkhā (equanimity)Invitation to recite Paritta (protective chant in Pali language)Invitation to Devas (angels/spirits) to listen to ParittaParitta ChantingAs the event proceeds, Ajahn Dhammasiha explains how we can maximize the good karma we're generating at every step:We strengthen our faith and confidence in the Triple Gem and the efficacy of future karmic results by taking refuge in the Triple GemWe elevate the quality of virtue and purity in our heart by committing to the five preceptsWe form a strong intention to provide our offering to the sangha of the four quarters and past, present and futureWe rejoice in the good actions done by everyone else on the day, not only our own onesWe cherish the good friendship with our fellow Dhamma practitioners, and the harmony and concord created by the unifying wholesome intentions of everyone involvedwww.dhammagiri.netwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
1 hr 11 min
November 03, 2021 "Get Up Early and Meditate" | Ajahn Dhammasiha at Dhammagiri
Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some short reflections on skilfull means of finding time for formal meditation in our busy lifes:Get up one hour earlier than normal, and ,voilà, you've got one hour time to meditate :-)In order to manage to get out of bed one hour earlier, go to sleep one hour earlier!Switch on a bright light immediately on waking, and perhaps also switch on some loud and energizing audio with chantingWe have to train ourselves with effort and commitment to overcome the defilement of 'Thīna-middha' (sloth, laziness, tiredness, indolence), and instead develop a mind that is bright, clear, awake and radiant.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
17 min
October 27, 2021 Loving Kindness, Not Discrimination | Ajahn Dhammasiha
Almost 2 years into the pandemic, with disputes, conflict and discrimination increasing worldwide re lockdowns, masks and vaccinations, it's so important for us to remember the Buddha's instruction to develop Mettā ('Loving Kindness'):Unconditional, non-judgemental good will to all beings without distinction or discrimination.Whether others like us or don't like us, whether they agree with our views or totally reject them, whether they are 'vaccinated' or 'unvaccinated' or 'triple-boosted', we develop mettā to all of them, abundant, exalted, limitless, infinite, boundless. The Buddha was unambiguous in his teaching that anger is never 'justified'. Even if we disagree with others, we can disagree without the emotion of anger, and still cultivate loving kindness to those with opposing views and convictions.Mettā is an 'Appamañña-Vihāra', a limitless abode for the mind. It does not know any distinctions, there are no conditions anyone has to fulfill to receive our Mettā. We do not exclude or discriminate anyone.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
41 min
October 26, 2021 How to Develop Loving Kindness (Metta) | Ajahn Dhammasiha
We have all heard of Mettā ('Loving Kindness'), the teaching of the Buddha to feel unconditional, non-judgemental goodwill to all beings without distinction. But how to develop this quality?Ajahn Dhammasiha shares advice on skilfull means to cultivate the quality of Loving Kindness in our heart, and to make so strong so that it can be maintained even in challenging situations.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
34 min
October 22, 2021Compassion / Karuna | Guided Buddhist Meditation | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage
Compassion ('Karuṇā') is the wish for all beings to be free from suffering. In this guided meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha recommends to use a little Mantra either in English:
"May all beings be free from Suffering!"
Or else in Pali (or both, if you prefer 😊):
"Sabbe Sattā Dukkhā Pamuñcantu"
Additionally, we can focus on wishing to all beings to be free from the causes that are ultimately generating their suffering. If they can abandon the causes, their suffering will end as well:
"May all beings be free from Greed/Hatred/Delusion"

"Sabbe Sattā Lobhā/Dosā/Mohā Pamuñcantu"
Compassion is one of the four 'Divine Abidings' ('Brahmavihāra'), but curiously appears to be much more rarely practised in a formal way than Loving Kindness ('Mettā'). But in some situations, it may be a more skilfull approach than Mettā. E.g. when we are dealing with a very difficult person or group, who are causing great harm to us and others, it can be easier to develop compassion to them than Loving Kindness. In particular if we focus on wishing them to be freed from their hatred and delusion.

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43 min
October 21, 2021 Evening Chanting Pali Full Version | Buddhist Pali Chanting Dhammagiri
Usually, we only do a shortened version of the traditional Pali Evening Chanting, due to time limitations. However, here's the full thing, for a change, but without the additional English chants.
We play the freely available Amaravati recording in the background, to produce a much fuller and more sonorous sound: https://amaravati.org/audio/evening-chanting-pali-page-20-26/
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14 min
October 19, 2021 Inviting Admonition - Pavarana Ceremony End of Rains Retreat
On Pavāraṇā full moon in October, which traditionally ends the three months rains retreat period for the sangha, the monks conduct a beautiful ceremony of inviting each other for admonition:"Venerable Sirs, I invite the Sangha to point out to me anything [inappropriate] seen, heard or suspected. Out of compassion, may the Venerable Ones please speak and admonish me; when I see [the mistake], I will make amends."Ajahn Dhammasiha explains how this ceremony helps us to open up for advice and constructive criticism. Whether ordained or in lay life, the quality of 'suvaco' ('easy to admonish'/'amiable to training') is a fundamental quality to help us recognizing and correcting shortcomings in our virtue and behaviour, that we may not be able to see ourselves, and thus to make smooth progress in our spiritual development.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive.
26 min