Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session we take a look at the Buddha's answer, in the Paloka Sutta (AN 3.56), to a brahmin's question on why we see the number of people decline, why depopulation can be seen.

The Buddha gives three reasons for why we experience depopulation, and in his answer he emphasises what is driving these reasons. He explains that when the world is overpowered by illicit lust, rapacious greed and led by the wrong Dhamma (i.e. following the greed, hatred and delusion path) we can only expect downfall, decline and afflictions such as depopulation.  

We study this teaching not to focus on blaming and pointing at specific people or groups, but to look at how we can empower ourselves to do better - for ourselves, for each other, for the world.  

Suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session: 

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this Dhamma talk.

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=_4KjPKhbTx8

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma Session, we delve into the contemplation given by the on unfavourable (and favourable conditions) for spiritual practice from the Samaya Sutta (AN 3.54) and Dutiyaanāgatabhaya Sutta (AN 5.78).  These teachings are very beneficial and particularly timely for where we find ourselves with increasingly challenging conditions in the world.

The five unfavourable conditions that the Buddha asks us to contemplate, are when we are:  

Our main objective in contemplating these suttas is to rouse energy towards spiritual practice while we may still have favourable conditions, and to infuse our practice with a sense of urgency as these favourable conditions start to decline. 

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=tevlWK7eNfk

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Youth Edition of the Parābhava Sutta as requested.  

Slightly different perspective on the Buddha's teaching on "what brings downfall to a person" for our younger audience. For the younger generation there is an opportunity to pre-empt and prevent downfall by making wise choices once the Buddha's teaching is understood.  

What's really important is to contemplate the 12 actions or qualities explained by the Buddha to truly connect with this teaching.

Generosity, virtue (keeping precepts), abandoning the mental stains and developing wholesome actions by body, speech and mind are really important towards success, rather than failure (in this lifetime and beyond).  

Suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session: 

• — Sukhasomanassa Sutta (AN 6.78)  
• — Anumana Sutta (MN 15) 
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) 
• — Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 135)  
• — Duccaritavipāka Sutta (AN 8.40)  
• — Samacittavagga (AN 2.32)  
• — Brahma Sutta (AN 4.64)  
• — Dutiyaagārava Sutta (AN 5.10) 
• — Jigucchitabba Sutta (AN 3.27) 
• — Siṅgālovāda Sutta (DN 31) 
• — Vatapada Sutta (SN 11.11) 
• — Dīghajāṇu Sutta (AN 8.54)   

Bohoma pin to the person that requested this Youth Dhamma talk.

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=7-niAHVYddo

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session we examine the Buddha's teaching to the devas on "what brings downfall to a person?" from the Parābhava Sutta  (Snp 1.6). The Buddha outlines 12 actions or qualities that cause downfall or decline. Due to these factors a person cannot make progress of succeed.  

This session focuses primarily on the worldly or mundane perspective of the Buddha's teaching. As the world spins further into decline, we need to ask the question whether we wish to decline with the world. 

In another session we'll examine the supramundane perspective, how this affects spiritual progress, and link some of the important Dhammas.  

Suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session: 

• — Anusota Sutta (AN 4.5) 
• — Sukhasomanassa Sutta (AN 6.78)  
• — Dhammānudhammapaṭipanna Sutta (Iti 86)  
• — Parihāna Sutta (Iti 79)  
• — Anumana Sutta (MN 15) 
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) 
• — Tayodhamma Sutta (AN 10.76) 
• — Pasenadikosala Vatthu (Dhp 325)  
• — Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta (MN135)  
• — Duccaritavipāka Sutta (AN 8.40)  
• — Samacittavagga (AN 2.32)  
• — Brahma Sutta (AN 4.64)  
• — Dutiyaagārava Sutta (AN 5.10) 
• — Jigucchitabba Sutta (AN 3.27) 
• — Siṅgālovāda Sutta (DN 31) 
• — Ādiya Sutta (AN 5.41)  
• — Sappurisadāna Sutta (AN 5.148)  
• — Mahāsupina Jātaka (Ja 77) 
• — Vatapada Sutta (SN 11.11) 
• — Dīghajāṇu Sutta (AN 8.54)  
• — Niraya Sutta (AN 4.64) 
• — Kula Sutta (AN 4.258) 
• — Khattiya Sutta (AN 6.52)

Bohoma pin to the person that requested this Dhamma talk.

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=o-cVz-mwW8g

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

A short Dhamma talk on the Pathamasukha Sutta (AN 10.65), where Venerable Sāriputta answers a question from the wanderer Sāmaṇḍakāni on "What is happiness? What is suffering"  

The reference point for his succinct answer is in regards to rebirth (i.e. our bigger predicament). This teaching from Venerable Sāriputta is a very powerful one because he immediately addresses right view.   

In simple terms: 

In this short talk, we run through how to do this contemplation, drawing on our own direct experience. There are blessings in the meditation when you start contemplating by following Venerable Sāriputta's words or instructions.

With right view activated, it will lead to developing right concentration. What you gain as insight, happiness, calm and equanimity from this meditation will flow into daily life, which can be most helpful during these challenging times.

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=Z828TAaPEKg

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ)

In this session, we do a GUIDED MEDITATION together - SIMPLIFIED POTALIYA SUTTA - CONTEMPLATING EACH OF THE SIMILES FOR SENSUAL PLEASURES, which are: 

• — Meatless Bone (skeleton) 
• — Piece of Meat 
• — Blazing Grass Torch 
• — Charcoal Pit 
• — Dream 
• — Borrowed Goods 
• — Fruits on a Tree

NOTE - this is a simplified guided meditation of the powerful meditation that is given in the Potaliya Sutta

To begin, we clarify our intention with this meditation and rouse some energy through our conviction (saddha) towards the Buddha. Then we contemplate each of the similes in the sequence given in the Potaliya Sutta. We bring the Buddha's words to mind, meditate on that, then bring in our own examples to connect with this Dhamma. 

This guided meditation helps with learning how to correctly contemplate the similes for sensual pleasures to correct our view, and to gradually see the danger in our strong desire for sensual pleasures.

If we regularly practise this meditation, become skilled in it on our own, it can have a powerful effect not just in formal meditation, but also in daily life. And it is very good for developing more wisdom towards the Dhamma Path.

We can apply this meditation as we go about our daily lives and in all postures (sitting, walking, standing, wakefully lying down)

A VIDEO of this GUIDED MEDITATION has been published to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6PE8udI6Fg

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session we study the Mahāsupina Jataka (Ja 77), one of the birth stories, that goes into the 16 terrifying great dreams of King Pasenadi of Kosala.  

This is a powerful jataka story where we can draw parallels with what is, and has been, unfolding in the world.   

The key teaching that Buddha is drawing on is to correct our view. To ensure that we understand kamma - that our volitional actions will have results. Most of the time we find it difficult to understand what is happening in the world. Why the world seems to be imploding, declining, or hurtling from one disaster to the next. Why it seems we are seeing the downfall or increasing perversion of our society.  

Understanding the world is one of the inconceivable things that only a Buddha can fully know and understand. Through the Buddha's explanations of the dreams (from his knowledges and direct insight) we can learn a lot - the key thing is to ensure we develop the Noble Eightfold Path that begins with the right view.  

The key themes that the Buddha is teaching us include - the law of kamma, the importance of virtuous behaviour, the danger in sensual pleasures, the downfall of breeding defilements, the importance of spiritual faculties and good role models.  

To read the Mahāsupina Jataka (Ja 77) - https://suttacentral.net/ja77/en/chalmers or an alternative translation - https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/kawasaki/bl144.html#fn-1

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this talk.

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=m4QHc0sTDrE

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This Dhamma talk is encouragement towards protecting our minds during this heightened period of turbulence in this afflictive world. Knowing where the safety is - within our spiritual practice (internal) and not with the challenging and divisive conditions in the world (external).

Some of the suttas referred to directly or indirectly:

• — Tiracchānakathā Sutta (SN 56.10)
• — Khattiya Sutta (AN 6.52)
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)
• — Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (MN 9)

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ)  

In this additional session, we study the Buddha's teaching to householder Potaliya, who thinks he has cut off all his worldly affairs and learn HOW TO MEDITATE ON THE SIMILES IN THE POTALIYA SUTTA (MN 54) in a simplified way. the Buddha explains to Potaliya the true meaning of cutting off of affairs and teaches him how to contemplate the great suffering, great despair and great danger in sensual pleasures. This is important so we can acknowledge this danger, decline, and defilement in all sensual pleasures and start breaking the bonds we have towards them using effort, wisdom and direct understanding.   

NOTE - this is a simplified explanation of the powerful meditation that is given in the Potaliya Sutta  

In this session we give a brief overview of this sutta, then go through in more detail each of the seven similes taught by the Buddha, which are: 

• — Meatless Bone (skeleton) 
• — Piece of Meat 
• — Blazing Grass Torch 
• — Charcoal Pit 
• — Dream 
• — Borrowed Goods 
• — Fruit on a Tree  

A Guided Meditation will be published to go with this session, so we can practise how to meditate on this seven similes taught by the Buddha, in order to realise the truth of the danger in sensual pleasures and to then be able to choose more wisely.  

To read the Potaliya Sutta (MN 54) in full - https://suttacentral.net/mn54/en/bodhi 

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=vogWrLBkmiI

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ)  

In this additional session, we study the Buddha's teaching on SENSUAL PLEASURES, POVERTY & DEBT from the Iṇa Sutta (AN 6.45). This is a very powerful teaching from the Buddha, very practical in helping us to understand the bondage we can create with sensual pleasures, both in a worldly sense as well as spiritual one.  

The world we inhabit is built largely on debt and we are conditioned to take on more debt as we grow up and make a life for ourselves. The more we long for things, the more potential to take on debt and accrue interest, fees and more. We can acknowledge the pain and stress of having debt and not being able to repay. The same thing applies in a spiritual sense, when we don't develop good qualities and encourage misconduct by body, speech and mind, and accrue unwholesome kamma. So it's really good to heed the Buddha's advice on the different ways we become poor and indebted, so we don't find ourselves sinking into disaster, not just in this life, but well beyond.  

The focus of this session is on: 

• — how we suffer enjoying sensual pleasures using the Buddha's teaching on worldly poverty & debt and spiritual poverty & debt
• — understanding the debt to our parents and how we can repay it 
• — using the Buddha's example of worldly and spiritual debt to see the danger in any kind of strong attachment to sensual pleasures 
• — learning about the importance of wholesome qualities of conviction, moral shame, fear of wrongdoing, energy and wisdom 
• — recognising the links to other parts of the Buddha's gradual instructions, such as giving, virtue and heavenly realms  

Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session: 

• — Samacittavagga (AN 2.32) 
• — Hāliddikāni Sutta (SN22.3) 
• — Vitthata Sutta (AN 5.2) 
• — Kimatthiya Sutta (AN 11.1) 
• — Mahāassapura Sutta (MN 39)  
• — Ānaṇya Sutta (AN 4.62) 
• — Anumana Sutta (MN 15) 
• — Potaliya Sutta (MN 54) 
• — Vatthupama Sutta (MN 7)

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=MrKe6lnQPe0

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai