Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

Responding to a question from the audience, Ajahn Dhammasiha offers some reflection on the meaning of 'Ignorance', in Pali language expressed by the terms 'Avijjā' and 'Moha'.Ignorance is not simply not knowing, but it is knowing wrongly. In other words, we have no awareness of being ignorant; we're actually convinced that we do know perfectly well. But unfortunately, our supposed 'knowing' is deeply distorted and false due to defilments that effect all our perceptions, thoughts and views.In particular, ignorance means ignorance of the 4 Noble Truths. We experience suffering, and we think it's due to some outside cause, we're convinced it's always someone else who's at fault for our suffering: Perhaps we think we suffer because of our tough boss, or because of our mother in law, or because of lying politicians, and so on...But truly knowing the first Noble Truth means understanding that our suffering is ultimately caused inside our mind, and has craving and attachment as it's origin.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks

Ajahn Dhammasīha and Dr Gamini share memories from the difficult but inspiring early days of Dhammagiri.

When we acquired the property in 2007, there was no power, no water, and no buildings except for one gigantic but empty water tank. Almsfood was offered out in the open, unprotected from sun or rain, and teachings/meditations were conducted in a tent without heating or air conditioning...

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Ajahn Dhammasīha relates the story how the Jetavana Monastery was offered to the Buddha by Anāthapiṇḍika.

This is the monastery where the Buddha spent some 25 rains retreats, and where so many of his discourses were delivered.

Anāthapiṇḍika, later the foremost male disciple in generosity, feels spontaneous faith just on hearing the word 'Buddha'. He leaves the city in the darkness before dawn to meet the Buddha personally. But suddenly he is overcome by fear.

Fortunately, a benevolent spirit encourages him to overcome his anxiety:

"Move on, please move on, do not turn back!"

He takes heart, continues on his way, and is soon welcomed by the Buddha...

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On occasian of 'Australia Day', Ajahn Dhammasiha offers some reflections on the 'Pioneering Spirit' which pervaded early Australian society, and which is still noticable today.

Similar, when establishing the Sāsana in a Western, non-Buddhist country; or starting a new Forest Monastery, we have to develop the typical qualities of a pioneer to be successful: Fearlessness, courage to forge ahead in the face of uncertainty and risk, willingness to let go of conveniences and security of our old home, and so on...

We can see that very fearlessness & courage in all the great Krooba Ajahns, and in the monks that were leading the establishment of the forest tradition in the West, like Luang Por Sumedho.

Finally, we all need the fearless pioneering spirit in our internal meditation: Ultimately, we have to let go of all conditioned phenomena and cross the ocean of Saṃsāra to the unknown land, the further shore known as Nibbāna.

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Asked what meditation technique he's teaching, Ajahn Chah once famously answered:

“I'm teaching torture” ('toroman' in Thai)

Of course, this is not meant literally, as someone with profound insight and great compassion like Luang Por Chah would never act motivated by cruelty. So what did he actually mean?

Ajahn Dhammasīha offers some reflections how we can interpret Ajahn Chah's “torture”, and how being “tortured” can lead us to develop wisdom, insight and letting go of all dukkha.

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16 January is the death anniversary of Ajahn Chah, the founder of our lineage in the Theravada Forest Tradition, which has now spread to many Western counries. Traditionally, a one week long remembrance festival is held at his monastery Wat Nong Pah Pong on the occasion. Hundreds of monks and thousands of laity gather to practise meditation and listen to Dhamma, and on the last day a huge procession circumambulates Luang Por Chah's stupa to express their gratitude, respect and devotion. Ajahn Dhammasiha offers some reflections on the exceptional 'Pāramī' ('Spiritual Perfections') Ajahn Chah had cultivated, which are outstanding even among the great Krooba Ajahns. www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks

Even if our physical body is confined in our house or appartment during the COVID lockdown, our mind still has the freedom to dwell in Loving Kindness ('Mettā'). The 'Divine Abode' of loving kindness is located internally in our consciousness. Thus it remains accessible, right inside our own heart, never mind where our physical body may be located.Ajahn Dhammasiha reminds us that, rather than getting upset or depressed in lockdown, we can decide to dwell in the bright, beautiful and joyful 'Divine Abode' of unconditional, universal loving kindness, easily accessible in our own consciousness.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks

In this guided meditation, Ajahn Dhammasīha points out that the location of our physical body does not necessarily have to be where our mind is located.Even if our physical body is confined in a lockdown, our mind can dwell in the divine abode of infinite, unconditional loving kindness to all beings.We repeat:"In gladness and in safety, may all beings be at ease"continuously in our mind like a little mantra, consistently and mindfully. As we're repeating these words, we put our heart into it, we really mean it, and we mindfully notice how the intention of non-judgemental, unconditional good will naturally arises. We also notice that this intention is connected with an exquisite happiness, a buoyant emotion of calmful joy, which we fully relish and allow to unfold until it suffuses our whole body & mind.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks

Ajahn Dhammasiha asks the audience: Imagine someone paid you $100 each time you bowed to the Buddha - how many times a day would you bow?They all admit that they would bow so often that their back starts hurting.But each time we bow with a genuine emotion of faith, confidence, respect and devotion, we generate good karma ('puñña') worth much more than $100! And we will not even loose that good karma when we die, but take it with us to our next life!Therefore, once we understand how much karmic benefit we receive from a simple act as bowing, we will do it a lot. Once we understand how much good karma we make by simply thinking many times: "May all beings be happy and at ease!", we will try to think such thoughts all the time.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks

As part of our New Year's Eve Program at Dhammagiri, we conducted a ceremony of asking forgiveness from Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. Ajahn Dhammasiha recites the traditional verses both in Pali and English translation, and the whole community repeats line by line after him. This simple ritual is deeply meaningful and so helpful for overcoming feelings of guilt."By body, speech, or mind,For whatever wrong action I have committed towards the Buddha,May my acknowledgement of fault be acceptedThat in future there may be restraint regarding the Buddha"In the end, it's not so much about whether the Buddha forgives us (in his infinite compassion, he certainly does do so in any case). Instead, the crucial question is whether we can forgive ourselves. Even if others forgive us, it wouldn't really help as long as we continue beating ourselves down due to feelings of guilt. But when we ask forgiveness from the Triple Gem wholeheartedly again and again, it triggers something in our own mind, ond the heart opens up and we can gradually grant full forgivenss to ourselves and let go.Of course, for this to work, it's also necessary to stop doing the harmful actions that cause us to feel guilt, and to set up a firm resolution to never do it again.www.dhammagiri.org.auwww.facebook.com/dhammagiri-forest-hermitagewww.tinyletter.com/dhammagiri/archivewww.vimeo.com/dhammatalks