Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session, we examine this timely teaching of the Buddha in the Adhammika Sutta (AN 4.70) on how a country (or world) becomes corrupt when the leaders are corrupt, and the misery and downfall that can be expected. We also examine when the leaders are righteous with integrity,  a country (or world) becomes righteous and prosperity and wellbeing can be expected. The Buddha also gives a wonderful simile of cattle crossing a ford to help us connect with this teaching.  Hopefully this session will give a better perspective (from the Buddha) on how we can understand what's happening in the world.

In this session we cover: 

• — Introduction to the Adhammika Sutta (AN 4.70)  
• — The Story of an Unrighteous King  
• — When the system becomes corrupt 
• — The result to be expected of crooked kamma 
• — Simile of the ripe fig  
• — The Story of Prince Temiya  
• — Understanding how integrity and Dhamma underpin prosperity 
• — The supramundane perspective  

If we take this teaching the right way, it can be a very empowering teaching. It's important to investigate where we may go wrong in following the wrong examples set by leaders (at all levels of society), and to see the importance of walking the Buddha's wholesome path, and by doing so, setting a good example for others.   

Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk: 

• — Gandhatindukajātaka (Ja 520)  
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) 
• — Mahāsupina Jataka (Ja 77) 
• — Cakkavatti Sutta (DN 26)  
• — Saṁsappanīya Sutta (AN 10.216)  
• — Abhiṇhapaccavekkhitabbaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.57) 
• — Sarāga Sutta (AN 4.66)  
• — Tesakunajātaka (Ja 521)  
• — Cakkavatti Sutta (AN 3.14) 
• — Dhammarājā Sutta (AN 5.133)  
• — Rājovādajātaka (Ja 334)  
• — Mūgapakkhajātaka(Ja 538)  
• — Paṭhamaadhamma Sutta (AN 10.113)  
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8) 
• — Mahāsāropama Sutta (MN 29)   

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this sutta.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bsS-EylAMA

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session, we take a closer look at the question on "WHO BENEFITS FROM OUR SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?" and a collection of teachings from Asuravagga (AN 4.95 - AN 4.99).  

The Buddha teaches about four kinds of persons in the world: 

We delve into the scale from lowest to highest of these four kinds of persons, the different qualities (or lack of) highlighted by the Buddha that differentiates them, and important aspects that can help our spiritual practice to develop and grow in line with Buddha's wholesome path.  

We also cross-reference some additional teachings from the Buddha on what is blameworthy vs praiseworthy, the types of persons who appear in the world for the benefit of many, Buddha's encouragement to teach Dhamma, and we highlight a good example who was praised by the Buddha for practising both for their own benefit and for the benefit of others.  

Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk: 

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this talk.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk045vCxBe0

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This question comes from the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on ESALA POYA (13 July 2022) via zoom on "REAL EMPTINESS" where we examined the Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121) and the Buddha's teaching on the gradual development of emptiness that culminates in the "emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed."

The question we examine in this short session is:

“What are other ways to reach the Dimension of Infinite Consciousness?

To listen to the full Dhamma session on "Real Emptiness" - https://bit.ly/3B1azvV or to watch on the YT channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5iS8TbpdsM

Suttas referred to directly or indirectly:

Bohoma pin to the person who asked this question.

A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ObpmnfYJGE

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This question comes from the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on ESALA POYA (13 July 2022) via zoom on "REAL EMPTINESS" where we examined the Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121) and the Buddha's teaching on the gradual development of emptiness that culminates in the "emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed."  

The question we examine in this short session is: 

"Can too much concern for others block the formless attainments?"  

The following extended Dhamma sessions, mentioned in this Dhamma Q&A, may also be helpful:

Suttas referred to directly or indirectly: 

Bohoma pin to the people who asked questions about getting stuck in the perception of village and human being as blocks to entering the formless attainments.

A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVAxHxiPuIo

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This question comes from the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on ESALA POYA (13 July 2022) via zoom on "REAL EMPTINESS" where we examined the Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121) and the Buddha's teaching on the gradual development of emptiness that culminates in the "emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed."  

The question we examine in this short session is: 

“What are other ways to reach the Dimension of Infinite Space?  

To listen to the full Dhamma session on "Real Emptiness" - https://bit.ly/3B1azvV or to watch on the YT channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5iS8TbpdsM 

Suttas referred to directly or indirectly: 

Bohoma pin to the person who asked this question.

A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3VNjMoXxSQ

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on ESALA POYA (13 July 2022) via zoom, on REAL EMPTINESS. 

We examine the Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121), which is an important teaching of the Buddha on the gradual development of emptiness that culminates in the "emptiness that is pure, superior, and unsurpassed".  

**Please note - we are examining this teaching from the Buddha with the aspiration for the supramundane development of the Noble Eightfold Path**  

In this Dhamma session, we cover: 

• — Overview and context to the Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121) 
• — Summary of insight pathway for developing real emptiness 
• — Buddha’s words on Nibbāna 
• — What is needed towards learning to do this meditation correctly? 
• — “Deep dive” into Buddha’s detailed teaching on developing emptiness  
• — Summary of the meditation  

Helpful to understanding the meditation steps needed to develop the insight (wisdom) pathway for this Cūḷasuññata Sutta (links are to previous YT videos, though also available on the podcast): 

• — Arising and Passing away of the Five Aggregates: https://bit.ly/3c6M7Pk
• — Understanding impermanence through arising and passing away: https://bit.ly/3nYQSx3
• — Four Nutriment (series of videos) including perversions: https://bit.ly/3ccM0BF
• — Dependent origination: https://bit.ly/3AMvqmE
• — Profitable Path meditation (Elements/Determination for Wisdom - timestamped): https://bit.ly/3nX73Lp 

Some of the suttas covered directly or indirectly in this session: 

• — Sattadhātu Sutta (SN 14.11) 
• — Paṭhamanibbāna Sutta (Ud 8.1) 
• — Piṇḍapātapārisuddhi Sutta (MN 151) 
• — Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5) 
• — Vipallāsa Sutta (AN 4.49) 
• — Dhātuvibhanga Sutta (MN 140) 
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN7) 
• — Vakkali Sutta (SN 22.87) 
• — Suññataloka Sutta (AN 35.85) 
• — Suññatasamādhi Sutta (SN 43.4)  
• — Nibbānarūpasaṇṭhānapañha (Mil 6.3.10) 
• — Āhāra Sutta (SN 12.11) 
• — Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1) 
• — Cunda Sutta (Ud 8.5) 
• — Anuruddhattheravatthu (Dhp 93)  

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this sutta.

A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5iS8TbpdsM

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session, we take a closer look at the Kāladāna Sutta (AN 5.36) and the Buddha's teaching on giving timely gifts and how the merit-making can be vast. 

The five timely gifts are:

We also cross-reference some additional teachings from the Buddha on gifts  of a good person, remind ourselves of the importance of letting go of stinginess, some advice on how to refine giving, as well as look into why giving to noble ones makes a gift fruitful, and who is considered the most worthy of offerings and gifts.  

Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk: 

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksu52jyTKZg

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this session we delve a little deeper into the Buddha’s teaching on giving, and more specifically into the gradual progression of giving as we practice and develop this quality on the Buddha's Path.

Giving is an important support or foundation for the spiritual path. It's fundamental to the non-greed path of the Buddha's teachings. As we refine how we give, correct wrong view with right view and we infuse our giving with wisdom, many parts of the Buddha's Path and Practice start to come together.

Some of the suttas referred to directly or indirectly:

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is an encouragement when one falls sick. To look at the aversion that can arise and what we can contemplate to overcome the aversion. Although the body may be afflicted with physical illness, the mind does not have to be afflicted.

Some of the suttas referred to directly or indirectly:

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the fifth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on THE BLESSINGS OF RENUNCIATION (nekkhamma ānisaṃsaṃ).

In this additional session, we examine RENOUNCING A SMALL HAPPINESS FOR A GREATER ONE and the story of how the Buddha came to be showered with lavish offerings, shown deep reverence and great devotion following his visit to help the people of Vesali and that it was because of a good deed (renunciation) performed in a past existence (Dhammapada verse 290).  

We can learn much from this teaching, and from the story of retold by the Buddha. What we have renounced in the past, is helping us towards the Dhamma Path today, and what we do now, will help us later - in developing further, in being of service to others, and towards the ultimate goal.

Suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session: 

If you have any questions or comments regarding this talk, please email them to suttameditationseries[at]gmail.com or leave a voicemail message via anchor.fm

A VIDEO of this FULL SESSION with presentation slides has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuyzPqgiouk

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai