Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Today's subject is "WHEN SPIRITUAL PRACTICE SEEMS DIFFICULT" and we draw on the Buddha's teaching to a young deva in the Kāmada Sutta (SN 2.6) for inspiration and encouragement.  

At different times, we have all experienced the thought or feeling that this spiritual path and practice is "too difficult" or "too hard" or even that "it's an impossible process". 

Our session today specifically focuses on learning from Kāmada's example and particular areas where he is going wrong, the importance of certain aspects of how we practice and develop the Noble Path.  

There are four key areas we look at (based on Kāmada's lamentation to the Buddha): 

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

To read the Kāmada Sutta (SN 2.6) - https://suttacentral.net/sn2.6/en/sujato

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=s1hmJtOeoVA AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this session we look into the Buddha's question to some young boys when he encounters them doing unskilful things: "ARE YOU AFRAID OF PAIN?" from the Kumāraka Sutta (Ud 5.4).  

What's interesting about this story and similar ones is the link between inflicting pain and being fearful or afraid of experiencing pain. 

We also look at the result of inflicting pain or harm on others and what the Buddha recommends as the means to eliminate fear and enmity, as well as mental pain and sadness.  

The questions we must ask ourselves after listening to the Buddha's words are the same one as Buddha asked the young boys: "Are we afraid of pain? Do we find it disagreeable to experience pain? Do we get uncomfortable or upset at even the idea of feeling any kind of pain or suffering?" If the answer is yes, then we must heed the Buddha's teaching and train ourselves in good conduct.

Suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include: 

To read the Kumāraka Sutta (Ud 5.4) - https://suttacentral.net/ud5.4/en/sujato

Bohoma pin to the people who have been fearless in acknowledging fear and asking questions on how to deal with and overcome fear.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRrxQCjROpw AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 75 - THE STORY OF SAMANERA TISSA, THE FOREST DWELLER and how he was devoted to solitude, instead of intimacy in the village and gain, honour and praise.  

Samanera Tissa is a good contrast to what we examined in the story of Devadatta, as part of looking at the danger of gain, honour and praise (in our most recent poya Dhamma session)  

In this session we look into honour, qualities of a good person, how to be more detached from the world, and the different types of solitude.  

The Buddha's words from Dhp 75:  

“Aññā hi lābhūpanisā,

“Knowledge is the means for worldly gain,

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=K2LVIKFJ3r0 AND on Spotify as a video podcast.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this session we look at "THE STORY OF THE WOODCUTTER'S SON" from Dhammapada Verse 296-301. The story about the young boy when he is left overnight by himself exposed to the elements, is one that all of us can probably relate to, in some way or another. And what is particularly helpful are the SIX THINGS the Buddha reminds us, that are protections from evil and danger that we can practise or remember, to overcome fear, anxiety and becoming overwhelmed.  

This is a timely teaching from the Buddha and will resonate with all of us as we try to navigate this uncertain world and challenging external conditions that can make us feel anxious, fearful, worried and stressed at times.  

If we can practise and train to be genuinely fearless, that can truly be an offering and a blessing to all the people around us - at school, college, work, home and wherever we go.  

Suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include: 

Bohoma pin to the people who have been fearless in acknowledging fear and asking questions on how to deal with and overcome fear.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va3txeVMVqU AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on UNDUVAP POYA (18 December 2021) via zoom on "THE DANGER OF GAIN, HONOUR & PRAISE - Obstacles on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path". In pali, this is lābhasakkārasiloka.

Throughout his teachings, the Buddha strongly cautions against becoming overwhelmed and obsessed with gain, honour and praise. He describes it as dreadful, bitter, vile and obstructive to realising the cessation of all suffering. The similes given by the Buddha are profoundly powerful and visual when contemplated. And the ruin and downfall of Devadatta, due in large part to his obsession with gain, honour and praise, provides a very good example for us to explore and investigate. 

Whether you are a lay practitioner or a monastic, the Buddha's teachings on gain, honour and praise are important and something for all of us to be mindful of in developing the Noble Eightfold Path. It's often easier to see these characteristics in someone else, than in ourselves, but we must hold up the mirror and look for blemishes.

In this Dhamma session, we cover:

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

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=7wVnFwkYaDQ AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

A question has been asked in regards to this Dhammapada verse and story:  

"May I ask, if we do something wrong like killing and we felt remorse about it, then is the vipaka [kamma] a lesser burden? Can you explain more about “remorse“ in this verse?”  

Dhammapada verse 157 is THE STORY OF PRINCE BODHI and his wife, who are unable to have children. He invites the Buddha for an alms-giving and learns of their past life transgressions that have resulted in this predicament.  

This teaching is particularly helpful in understanding that  

The Buddha's words from Dhp 157:  

"Attānañce piyaṁ jaññā,

“If one knows oneself as dear,  

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

To read the full chapter Atta Vagga (Dhp 157–166) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp157-166/en/anandajoti  

Much merit (bohoma pin) to the person who has asked this question.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_2CxbP8dgs AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is a part of a collection of gradual talks that will explore the Buddha's Teachings on Fear - the qualities we are encouraged to develop to overcome fear, how fear is constructed, the arising of fear, the dangers, challenges and the escape. We begin with shorter teachings from the Buddha and noble arahants, and eventually examine the longer teachings that will help to correct any wrong views and deepen our practice.

It is an encouragement towards standing firmly on the Dhamma to acknowledge, understand, deal with and overcome fear. The world presents us with external challenges and uncertainties, and we have the means to bear with these external difficulties as well as to work through internal fears with the Buddha's teachings.

In this session we look at "WHAT TO RECOLLECT TO ABANDON FEAR" from the Dhajagga Sutta (SN 11.3). The Buddha speaks to the monks about the battle between the devas and asuras and what Sakka advises the devas before battle when fear, trepidation and terror arises. The Buddha encourages the monks towards a different kind of recollection in order to abandon fear, trepidation and terror and gives reasons for his teaching. 

This is a timely teaching and good reminder for all of us who are walking the Buddha's Noble Path.

To read the Dhajagga Sutta (SN 11.3) - https://suttacentral.net/sn11.3/en/bodhi

Bohoma pin to the people who have been fearless in acknowledging fear and asking questions on how to deal with and overcome fear.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKC0KSRi-8Q AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is a part of a collection of gradual talks that will explore the Buddha's Teachings on Fear - the qualities we are encouraged to develop to overcome fear, how fear is constructed, the arising of fear, the dangers, challenges and the escape. We begin with shorter teachings from the Buddha and noble arahants, and eventually examine the longer teachings that will help to correct any wrong views and deepen our practice.

It is an encouragement towards standing firmly on the Dhamma to acknowledge, understand, deal with and overcome fear. The world presents us with external challenges and uncertainties, and we have the means to bear with these external difficulties as well as to work through internal fears with the Buddha's teachings.

In this first session we look at "WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE AFRAID?" - a question to the Buddha from deva or divine being in the Bhītā Sutta (SN 1.75). The Buddha's answer reminds us to cultivate good conduct, as well as standing on four good qualities, which will enable us to be unafraid or less afraid. It really reminds us of the core foundations of our spiritual practice in walking the Noble Eightfold Path.

Suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include:

To read the Bhītā Sutta (SN 1.75) - https://suttacentral.net/sn1.75/en/bodhi

Bohoma pin to the people who have been fearless in acknowledging fear and asking questions on how to deal with and overcome fear.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkcGPZ4CxgY AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This talk looks at the challenges we face in our practice when it comes to speculation about the world. It's far too easy to knowingly and unknowingly fall for worldly matters, which inevitably takes us down a variety of rabbit holes that are very difficult to climb out of. We trust a variety of sources without knowing if they are worthy, we pollute our minds, and as a result experience confusion, anxiety, fear and more. Many of us don't realise we are suffering from this, and veering onto the greed, hatred and delusion path.

Using the analogy of a non-stop train to Nibbāna and reference to some specific teachings of the Buddha, the encouragement is to renunciate and abandon these speculations - don't delay, waste time, or veer off the Noble Eightfold Path. 

The Buddha considers speculation about the world as an inconceivable thing that will lead to madness or frustration (Acinteyya Sutta, AN 4.77). Buddha also cautions about trusting people too easily, as they are hard to know by appearance and often deceivers who haven't penetrated the truth (Sattajaṭila Sutta, SN 3.11)

It is important to apply knowledge and wisdom from the Buddha's teachings and insight from our meditations to ensure we safeguard from these worldly matters and diversions, and if we can, to encourage our kalyanamittas to do the same.

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

Bohoma pin to the kalyanamittas who have engaged in Dhamma sākacchā (discussion) on this particular topic and their contribution to this talk.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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 SENSUAL heavenly realms, with other sessions to follow to describe the others.  

We explore some of the key aspects about these realms, their lifespan, notable inhabitants, and some of the distinguishing features of these realms from the suttas.  

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

Much merit (bohoma pin) to the people who made this request.  

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=_5BBTDr7Rg4

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai