Sutta Meditation Series

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Sutta Meditation Series episodes

February 20, 20225.3 THE STORY OF BĀLANAKKHATTA FESTIVAL - Dhammapada verses 26-27 (YOUTH DHAMMA SESSION)
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 look at THE STORY OF BĀLANAKKHATTA FESTIVAL from the Dhammapada verses 26 - 27. Through this story the Buddha emphasises the important distinction between negligence and vigilance when it comes to knowing the danger in sensual pleasures, using the behaviour at the festival as the example. Negligence is for the foolish and vigilance is for the wise.
The focus of this session is to
— examine this story from the time of the Buddha and connect it with our modern times

— understand what the Buddha means by negligence vs vigilance

— recognise sense restraint as important when it comes to vigilance towards sensual pleasures

— learn about the proximate cause for sense restraint, being moral shame and fear of wrongdoing

— delving into moral shame and fear of wrongdoing to understand why the Buddha calls these two bright qualities that protect the world.
Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN35.97)

— Hirīottappa Sutta (AN 7.65)

— Cariya Sutta (AN 2.9)

— Vitthatabala Sutta (AN 7.4)

— Vitthatadhana Sutta (AN 7.6)
...
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=2Fr-l_87m5Q
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
41 min
February 16, 2022BENEFICIAL TALK (FULL DHAMMA SESSION, Poya)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on NAVAM POYA (17 January 2022) via zoom, on "BENEFICIAL TALK" that comes abandoning wrong speech to enter upon right speech. We examine the 10 beneficial topics of discussion that the Buddha encourages in the Paṭhamakathāvatthu Sutta (AN 10.69).
As we know, Right Speech is an important factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, that is the way out of suffering, leading to full awakening (nibbāna).
So, if you wonder why the mind wobbles, why it is unwieldy and non-compliant when you meditate... Why the mind doesn't easily enter concentration or jhāna..., then this Dhamma session on Beneficial Speech may offer some meaningful answers from the Buddha's teachings.
In this Dhamma session, we cover:
— Right Speech and the Noble Eightfold Path (mundane and supramundane)

— Wrong Speech that arises from Pointless Talk (tiracchānakathā)

— Fourfold Developments and the Profitable Directions

— Right Speech that arises from the ten topics of discussion (dasakathāvatthu)

— Benefits of engaging in Beneficial Talk — Venerable Mahākassapa, a role model
Some of the suttas covered directly or indirectly in this session:
— Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (MN 117)

— Tiracchānakathā Sutta (SN 56.10)

— Viggāhikakathā Sutta (SN 56.9)

— Halidakkani Sutta (SN 22.3)

— Rāja Sutta (Ud 2.2)

— Hārasampātabhūmi (Pe 7)

— Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)

— Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)

— Dutiyasekha Sutta (AN 5.90)

— Mahāsuññata Sutta (MN 122)

— Anumana Sutta (MN 15)

— Sallekha Sutta (MN 8)

— Vatthupama Sutta (MN 7)

— Sambodhi Sutta (AN 9.1)

— Dutiyakosala Sutta (AN 10.30)

— Paṭhamakathāvatthu Sutta (AN 10.69)

— Dutiyakathāvatthu Sutta (AN 10.70)

— Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

— Santuṭṭhitā Sutta (AN 6.114)

— Paṭhamahatthaka Sutta (AN 8.23)

— Santuṭṭha Sutta (SN 16.1)

— Paviveka Sutta (AN 3.93)

— Saṅgaṇikārāma Sutta (AN 6.68)

— Dhātusosaṁsandana Sutta (Iti 78)

— Pacalāyamāna Sutta (AN 7.61)

— Nagaropama Sutta (AN 7.67)

— Ākaṅkheyya Sutta (MN 6)

— Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN 35.97)

— Cūḷavedalla Sutta (MN 44)

— Dutiyavibhaṅga Sutta (SN 48.10)

— Upanisa Sutta (SN 12.23)

— Kimatthiya Sutta (AN 10.1)

— Paṭhamaupanisa Sutta (AN 10.3)

— Jiṇṇa Sutta (SN 16.5)

— Mahāgosiṅga Sutta (MN 32)
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=ldAwUOXe_kc
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
1 hr 42 min
February 10, 2022WHO ARE OUR ROLE MODELS? - Venerable Nanda Thera (foremost who guard the sense doors)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
Role models play an important part in all of our lives, whether we seek them out or not. And whether we walk the Buddhist Path or not, they can have the power to shape the direction we take and the ability to influence the decisions that follow on from there. For Buddhist practitioners, the Buddha is our most eminent role model, teacher and the Perfectly Enlightened One. And there are also many noble and great disciples of the Buddha.
In this session we delve into the story of Venerable Nanda, the Buddha's half-brother, who was troubled particularly by sensual lust and other defilements, but through associating with Buddha and other noble disciples, he eventually became foremost who guard the doors to the sense faculties (indriyesu guttadvārānaṁ) and realised full awakening.
Some of the suttas referred to in this Dhamma talk:
– Catutthavagga (AN 1.230)

– Nandattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 15)

– Nandakattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 408)

– Nandattheravatthu (Dhp 13-14)

– Nanda Sutta (Ud 3.2)

– Saṅgāmāvacarajātaka (Ja 182)

– Nanda Sutta (SN 21.8)

– Sugatacīvara (Pli Tv Bu Vb Pc 92)

– Nandattheragāthā (Thag 2.19)

– Nanda Sutta (AN 8.9)

– Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

– Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61)
In learning about such noble beings, we can delight in their lives and accomplishments; recognise the importance of seeing them as worthy role models; and use it as inspiration towards progress on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path.
The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1mFI0nS2tw
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
38 min
February 10, 20224.11 THE REALM OF NĀGAS - Dhamma Q&A (YOUTH DHAMMA SESSION)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
Another session to answer a question in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on Heavenly Realms:
“Do you have any information taken from the suttas about the ‘Nāga Loka’? The question that comes to my mind is they are supposed to have a lot of faith in Buddha and Dhamma but they cannot listen to Dhamma from their world, as it’s not accessible. Is this stated in the suttas?”
In answering this question, we take the opportunity to learn a little more about the nāgas, their realm, kingdoms, attributes, powers and more. They appear many times in the suttas, and most particularly in the Jatakas. Buddha as a bodhisatta had a past births as a nāga king.
Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Āṭānāṭiya Sutta (DN 14)

— Mahāsamaya Sutta (DN 20)

— Khaṇḍajātaka (Ja 203)

— Kulāvakajātaka (Ja 31)

— Bhūridattajātaka (Ja 543)

— Mahākhandhaka (Mv 1.12)

— Aggidattabrāhmaṇavatthu (Dhp 188-192)

— Vidhurajātaka (Ja 546)

— Ghatāsanajātaka (Ja 133)

— Uposatha Sutta (Ud 5.5)

— Pahārāda Sutta (AN 8.19

— Nāgā Sutta (SN 45.151)

— Himavanta Sutta (SN 46.1)

— Campeyyajātaka (Ja 506)

— Samuddakākajātaka (Ja 146)

— Bakajātaka (Ja 405)

— Paṇītatara Sutta (SN 29.2)

— Saṅkhapālajātaka (Ja 524)

— Mucalinda Sutta (Ud 2.1)

— Erakapattanāgarājavatthu (Dhp 182)

— Mahākhandhaka (Mv 1.49)

— Uposatha Sutta (SN 29.3-29.6)

— Khaṇḍa Jātaka (Ja 203)

— Uposathakkhandhaka (Pli Tv Kd 2)
Much merit (bohoma pin) to the person who asked this question.
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=MEGvU2w3gjs
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
19 min
February 06, 20225.2 REPROGRAMMING THE PLEASURE SEEKER (YOUTH DHAMMA SESSION)
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 okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ)
In this additional session, we look at the important area of REPROGRAMMING THE PLEASURE SEEKER. With a human body, we are born to seek pleasure through our sense faculties. And from the time we are babies, we trained to continue to seek pleasure in the same way.
It is only through the Buddha's Teachings that we are taught the danger of being pleasure seekers, the danger of strengthening and reinforcing longing, craving and indulgence through our senses. The Buddha teaches us that we will experience pain and sadness in this life if we keep following this tendency and conditioning; and it will inevitably lead to bondage that will keep us coming back to the sense realms in samsara.
The focus of this session is to really investigate the process of pleasure seeking through each sense faculty. To see the decline, decay in this process - that it is flawed. And then to look at some methods to reprogram this conditioning that is based on ignorance and craving.
Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Kammanirodha Sutta (SN 35.146)

— Kāmayoga Sutta (Iti 96)

— Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63)

— Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)

— Pariyesanā Sutta (AN 4.255)

— Āditta Sutta (SN 35.28)

— Dutiyacetanā Sutta (SN 12.39)

— Dutiyasatta Sutta (Ud 7.4)

— Dutiyasamugghātasappāya Sutta (SN 35.32)

— Bhaya Sutta (AN 6.23)
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=WUXGo54rSqQ
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
50 min
February 04, 2022 How do you start your day?
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
A question to contemplate when it comes to daily practice. Something so mundane, yet so important. How we start our day is all about what we lead with and the tone we set for the rest of the day.
Do we lead with what is wholesome (kusala), or do jump straight into the unwholesome (akusala)? What are our habit tendencies? It's important to do things consciously, knowingly.
Do we start with generosity? virtue? right view? wholesome actions by body, speech and mind?
The sutta mentioned in this session is the Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (MN 9)
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
16 min
February 02, 20225.1 STORIES ON WHAT IS BELOVED - Dhammapada verses 212-216 (YOUTH DHAMMA SESSION)
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 okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ)
In this additional session, we look at a collection of Sayings of the Buddha from the Dhammapada (piyavagga), with related stories that show how we create different kinds of bonds to sensual pleasures - what we take as beloved, affection, attachment, sensual longing, and craving.
Through these verses and stories in this session, we examine:
— the fragility of this existence and all that we hold dear;

— the bond of sensuality (re-linking to rebirth)

— the trouble we create by taking things as "me and mine"

— the link to sorrow and fear, and suffering; and

— the importance of the frequent contemplation recommended by the Buddha that 'we will be parted and separated from everyone and everything dear and agreeable' to us.
Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63)

— Aññatarakuṭumbika Vatthu (Dhp 212)

— Visākhā Vatthu (Dhp 213)

— Licchavī Vatthu (Dhp 214)

— Anitthigandhakumāra Vatthu (Dhp 215)

— Aññatarabrāhmaṇa Vatthu (Dhp 216)

— Yoga Sutta (AN 4.10)

— Loka Sutta (Ud 3.10)

— Assu Sutta (SN 15.3)

— Abhiṇhapaccavekkhitabbaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.57)
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=MlNtvr00DbY
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
29 min
January 31, 20225.0 BUDDHA'S GRADUAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LAY PEOPLE ON DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (YOUTH DHAMMA SESSION)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
This is the fourth module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series, focused on our younger audience looking into BUDDHA'S GRADUAL INSTRUCTIONS TO LAY PEOPLE ON DANGER IN SENSUAL PLEASURES (kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ)
This session links with the earlier sessions and confirms the importance of building a foundation of generosity and virtue, and Buddha's teachings on the heavenly realms in order to develop our Path and Practice. Kamma and Rebirth is a central part of all of these gradual teachings. The next talk in this series will build on top of this and move us further along.
In this session we look into:
— What does “kāmānaṁ ādīnavaṁ okāraṁ saṅkilesaṁ” mean?

— How should sensual pleasures be understood?

— What are the different types of sensual pleasures?

— What are the dangers of sensual pleasures ?

— Buddha’s similes for sensual pleasures

— What are some of the skilful things we can do?

— Sensual pleasures, desire and rebirth (importance of path and fruit)
Suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Aññatarabrāhmaṇa Vatthu (Dhp 216)

— Kāma Sutta (Snp 4.1)

— Kāmasuttaniddesa (Mnd 1)

— Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63)

— Mahādukkhakkhandha Sutta (MN 13)

— Dutiyayodhājīva Sutta (AN 5.76)

— Channa Sutta (AN 3.71)

— Anusota Sutta (AN 4.5)

— Sekha Pāṭipada Sutta (MN 53)

— Kāmayoga Sutta (Iti 96)

— Kāmasuttaniddesa (Mnd 1)
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
Bohoma pin to the people who have asked about gradual instructions for lay people over the past few months. There have been quite a few, so much merit to you.
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=cwpXIX5MwKQ
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
1 hr 5 min
January 28, 20224.10 DETAILS OF THE FORMLESS REALMS - Dhamma Q&A cont. (Youth Dhamma Session)
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
Another session to answer a question on DETAILS OF THE HEAVENLY REALMS, in regards to the Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on the HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ). This session is specifically on the FORMLESS REALMS (arūpa-loka).
We explore some of the key aspects about these realms, their lifespan, possible inhabitants from the time of the Buddha, the meditation attainments, and some of the distinguishing features of these realms from the suttas.
Understanding more about these heavenly realms helps us to recognise where we might have developed or are developing wrong views that may leads us to be reborn in one of these places still bound to samsara, and the context for the Buddha's teachings on the heavenly realms.
Some of the suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this session:
— Uposatha Sutta (AN 4.190)

— Āneñja Sutta (AN 3.116)

— Cetanā Sutta (AN 4.171)

— Pāsarāsi Sutta (MN 26)

— Nālaka Sutta (Snp 3.11)

— Paṭhamabhava Sutta (AN 3.76)

— Santatara Sutta (Iti 73)

— Moggallānavagga (SN 40.5-40.8)

— Saṅkhārupapatti Sutta (MN 120)

— Nirāmisa Sutta (SN 36.31)

— Bhava Sutta (SN 45.164)
Much merit (bohoma pin) to the people who made this request.
Much merit (bohoma pin) for the generous Dhamma dana contribution towards this talk
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
The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TreKSicViMc
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
41 min
January 25, 2022THE STORY OF NIGAMAVĀSITISSA THERA - Dhammapada verse 32
Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.
In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 32 - THE STORY OF NIGAMAVĀSITISSA THERA and how he approached spiritual practice with vigilance (appamada) and simplicity, being easily satisfied with little, which leads to realising fruits of the Buddha's Path.
In the Dhammapada commentary to this saying of the Buddha, there is also a story of the Parrot King that is also very useful to contemplate.
These teachings are very complementary to our recent Dhamma session on Happiness & Joy, as well as Dwelling with Vigilance. When we delight in vigilance by guarding our sense faculties and realise the danger of negligence, then we are incapable of decline in our spiritual practice, and we are in the vicinity of Nibbāna.
The Buddha's words from Dhp 32:
“Appamādarato bhikkhu,
pamāde bhayadassi vā;
Abhabbo parihānāya,
nibbānasseva santike.”
“A bhikkhu who delights in vigilance
realising the danger in negligence,
is incapable of falling away
and is close to Nibbāna”
Other suttas that are mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk:
— Cittakadharakummaṅgapañha (Mil 7.7.3)

— Uddhacca Sutta (AN 6.116)

— Devadaha Sutta (SN 35.134)

— Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN 35.97)

— Appamāda Sutta (AN 6.53)

— Patiṭṭhita Sutta (SN 48.56)

– UbhayatthaSutta (Iti 23)
The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJuHfyzaiCM AND as a video podcast on Spotify
Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai
28 min

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How to study the Buddha's Teachings and meditate on the insight pathways from the Theravada suttas.

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