Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

By Dhammagiri Forest HermitageReligion & Spirituality Buddhism

Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts episodes

May 28, 2021 Canda Paritta/Moon Protection Recitation at Lunar Eclipse Dhammagiri | Buddhist Pali Chanting
Live Recording (4min 36sec) of Ajahn Dhammasiha, Ajahn Moneyyo and Ven Dantacitto chanting 'Canda Paritta' ('Moon Protection') right at the maximum of the Vesak total lunar eclipse. The mood was really magic, you can hear the insects chirping in the background.
In Buddhist mythology, an eclipse means that the moon deity Candimā is swallowed by the demon Rāhu. The Pali Chanting relates how Candimā takes refuge in the Buddha in his distress. The Buddha chants one gāthā pointing out that the moon deity has taken refuge, and Rāhu finds it impossible not to quickly let go of Chandimā.
Of course, astronomically an eclipse has nothing to do with the moon being 'swallowed'. But that's not the point, what counts is the symbolic meaning: The real battle of good and evil takes place in our mind. We can see Rahu as representing the forces of darkness, and the moon as a symbol of light and goodness. If we truly take refuge in the Buddha, the forces of darkness will not be able to 'swallow' our heart, and 'seize' us in gloomy states of anxiety and depression. Instead, our mind will rise above evil, our light will shine forth again like the moon freed from the eclipse.
You can read more about the symbolic meaning of this Protective Chant, including full text in Pali and English here: https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/letters/dhammagiri-news-92-vesak-lunar-eclipse-defeating-the-forces-of-darkness
The full live program of during lunar eclipse, with guided meditation and Dhamma encouragement how to lift our mind out of darkness, can be watched on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=184j0XvdpjI
May all of humanity emerge from the great pandemic and anti-pandemic measures into health and well being; may our hearts rise above all dark states of depression, anxiety and anger, and shine again bright like the moon in the night sky!
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5 min
May 27, 2021 "Delivering Our Heart from Darkness" - Live Vesak Lunar Eclipse Program at Dhammagiri
Live recording of our program at Dhammagiri during the total lunar eclipse on Vesak Full Moon:00 to 15.19: Evening Chanting15.20: Recitation of the Buddha's First Words after Enlightenment, "Housebuilder Verse", Pali & English17.05 Welcome by Ajahn Dhammasiha and Intro into symbolic meaning of ceremony: When we take refuge in the Buddha, our mind can't be seized by the forces of darkness, but will break free and shine bright again.26.05 Guided Meditation: Buddhanussati/Recollection of the Buddha, by repitition of Mantra 'Buddho';43.43 Ajahn Dhammasiha reads English translation of 'Canda Paritta' ('Moon Protection Chant'), and explains metaphorical meaning50.14 Recitation of "There is One Person...", Anguttara/Numerical Discourses Ones #13.155.03 Chanting of 'Canda Paritta' ('Moon Protection Chant') at Bodhi Tree during maximum of eclipse01.10.50 Final Aspiration for Release from pandemic and all dark mindstates for all of HumanityYou can read more about the uplifting symbolic meaning of Canda Paritta, including complete text in Pali & English, here:https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/letters/dhammagiri-news-92-vesak-lunar-eclipse-defeating-the-forces-of-darknesswww.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJw.
1 hr 13 min
May 20, 2021 Vesak Lunar Eclipse - Defeating the Forces of Darkness
This year, we will experience a full lunar eclipse at the Vesak Full Moon night Wed 26 May. At Dhammagiri, we will chant the 'Canda-Paritta' ('Moon-Protection'), as the eclipse is fully visible in Brisbane with maximum at 09.16pm.The moon deity Candimā is swallowed by the demon Rāhu, and then takes refuge in the Buddha in his distress. The Buddha chants one gāthā pointing out that the moon deity has taken refuge, and Rāhu finds it impossible not to quickly let go of Chandimā.Of course, astronomically an eclipse has nothing to do with the moon being 'swallowed'. But that's not the point, what counts is the symbolic meaning:Ajahn Dhammasiha explains that we can see Rahu as representing the forces of darkness, and the moon as a symbol of light and goodness. If we truly take refuge in the Buddha, the forces of darkness will not be able to 'swallow' us into gloomy states of anxiety and depression, they will not be able to hold our mind in darkness, our light will shine forth again.You can read more about the struggle between the Moon and Rahu in our latest newsletter here:https://tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/letters/dhammagiri-news-92-vesak-lunar-eclipse-defeating-the-forces-of-darknesswww.dhammagiri.org
39 min
May 19, 2021 AJAHN MONEYYO: Identity View and it's Cessation
Ajahn Moneyyo offers reflections on the theme of 'Sakkāya-Diṭṭhi' (Identity View) and it's abandonment.Identity View is the first of the 10 Fetters that tie us into the endless circle of death and rebirth, and is abandoned at the experience of stream entry, the first stage of awakening, after which the final experience of Nibbāna will occur with necessity within maximum 7 lifetimes.
44 min
May 17, 2021 AJAHN MONEYYO: The 4 Bases of Power ('Iddhipada')
Ajahn Moneyyo discusses the four 'Iddhipāda' ('Bases of Power'/'Pathways to Success').The Basis of Power of Desire leading to Samādhi and Accompanied by Formations of StrivingThe Basis of Power of Energy leading to Samādhi and Accompanied by Formations of StrivingThe Basis of Power of Intent leading to Samādhi and Accompanied by Formations of StrivingThe Basis of Power of Investigation leading to Samādhi and Accompanied by Formations of StrivingThough much more rarely talked about than the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness, or the Noble 8fold Path, the Bases of Power are actually of similar fundamental importance, and can serve as the main driving force of our Dhamma practice.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
36 min
May 14, 2021 Gratitude & Appreciation on Mother's Day - Ajahn Dhammasiha
On occasion of Mother's Day, Ajahn Dhammasiha reminds us about the great value the Buddha has placed on the quality of gratitude, especially gratitude to parents.Gratitude and appreciation are qualities that brighten our heart, and we are ourselves the first to benefit from being grateful and appreciative.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
39 min
May 06, 2021 Fear when Contemplating Impermanence
A questioner mentions that contemplation of impermanence ('anicca') can arouse strong feelings of anxiety. Ajahn Dhammasiha suggests skilfull means to conquer that fear:Conviction that we can move beyond all impermanent, conditioned phenomena and realize the unconditioned freedom of nibbānaEven if we do not realize nibbāna yet, we strengthen out conviction that death is not elimination, but that consciousness will be estabished in a new rebirth according to our karmaStrengthening our base of calm/samādhi before contemplating impermanenceNot giving in to the fear, but confronting it with courage and pressing on in our insight contemplation www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
51 min
May 05, 2021 Best Meditation Posture - Ajahn Dhammasiha
After a meditator went through a lot of pain in the one hour meditation session, Ajahn Dhammasiha explains some basics about suitable posture and dealing with pain in meditation:It may be more beneficial to mindfully change posture, rather than to push for maximum sitting timeIt doesn't have to be Full Lotus Posture. Other options are Half Lotus; Both feet on floor in front; Stool; Chair (Yes, it's possible to meditate on a chair!)It's much more important to sit with the back upright, than to sit cross-leggedIt doesn't have to be sitting meditation. It's perfectly fine to do mostly walking meditation (or standing meditation)A lot of the 'discomfort' is actually in the mind, not in the body. If we really enjoy our meditation, we naturally can sit much longer without much painwww.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
27 min
April 29, 2021 Dhamma Radiography - Looking Deep into the Body
Two visitors in the audience work as radiographers, taking X-ray and CT scans and so on. Ajahn Dhammasiha uses the opportunity to remind us that meditators should all be "Radiographers" as well:We have to go deeper than the superficial and attractive surface of our body.We have to contemplate what's inside our body: Bones, Blood, Organs, tissue, ligaments, flesh.The Buddha taught us to develop the perception of the internal body parts whenever we look at attractive bodies, so that we can overcome desire, lust and attachment to the body.If we can overcome attachement, identification, desire and lust for the physical elements that constitute our body (and others' bodies), we've already accomplished the major part of our journey to enlightenment and freedom.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
37 min
April 27, 2021 Death
We often try to deny the basic fact of our own mortality. Death is something that happens to others, old people and sick people, but not to ourselves. But denial is no solution, because in the end death will always get us. And deep down we know anyhow we're all mortal, and then the suppressed fear of death will manifest in all kinds of anxieties.Rather than denying death, the Buddha urges us to contemplate death deliberately ('Maraṇussati'). Not to resign ourselves to dying, but to follow the Buddha on the Noble Eight Fold Path that will ultimately lead us beyond death. Ajahn Dhammasiha reminds us that we all can defeat death and realize the same Deathless State of Nibbāna that the Buddha realized meditating under the Bodhi Tree.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.youtube.com/channel/UCJINt0JJBfFm_x0FZcU9QJwwww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archive
31 min