Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In today's session, we look at Dhammapada Verse 171 we look at the STORY OF PRINCE ABHAYA and his fall from celebrating victory to experiencing shock and distress.  He wisely visits the Buddha for advice and learns about what the Buddha teaches about the world.  

This particular story resonates on my levels with what we experiencing in the world today - when something shocking happens while we're attending a concert, sports event, or any kind of gathering, or see it unfold on TV, internet or social media...

In this session we look closer into Prince Abhaya's experience, the meaning behind Buddha's words and link it back to what we have already learned from the Buddha.  

The Buddha's words from Dhp 171:

“Etha passathimaṁ lokaṁ,

“Come, look at this world,

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

To read the full chapter Loka Vagga (Dhp 167–178) of the Dhammapada - https://suttacentral.net/dhp167-178/en/sujato

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt3byZPNUi8 AND on Spotify as a video podcast.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In answer to a variety of questions about meditation and the mind that wanders off or proliferates in meditation, Part 3 looks at how we consciously or unconsciously insult, disparage, and slander the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. 

This can be a huge obstruction to the Path, so it is very beneficial and important to acknowledge any shortcomings and ask forgiveness. This can then enable the pathways in meditation to be more easeful; for right concentration to develop; and wisdom to grow.

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

An electronic copy of the slide on "Asking forgiveness of the Triple Gem" has been posted (and pinned) to the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel (https://t.me/suttameditationseries/347).

Bohoma pin to those who have asked questions about these kinds of challenges arising in their meditation.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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 VIRTUE (sīlakathaṁ):  

“May I ask, with regards to the talks on virtue, can you explain about Cārittavāritta?  How should Cāritta be understood?”  

The answer to this question emphasises the foundation for (or what underpins) the Buddha's teachings and how we must develop the Path. We look at the translation for cārittavāritta, its meaning and application in the suttas.

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

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

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjD1OXi373k AND on Spotify as a video podcast. 

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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.

Today we will focus on male lay disciples of the Buddha, and one in particular, Hatthaka of Āḷavī, who was declared by the Buddha foremost among his male lay disciples who gather a following by means of the four bases of kindliness (catūhi saṅgahavatthūhi parisaṁ saṅgaṇhantānaṁ) - AN 1.251.

Hatthaka of Āḷavī is praised along with Citta the householder as the standard and measure for male followers and as role models for mothers who have sons. The Buddha tells the monks precisely how we should remember Hatthaka - as having 8 good qualities, some of which align with the trainee (sekha) qualities. He realised Path and Fruit of a non-returner, was reborn in Avihā (one of the five pure abodes) and we have a wonderful account of his visit to the Buddha as a young deva, where we learn some useful things. 

Suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include:

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.

Bohoma pin to the person who requested this talk.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BubToHGjqc AND on Spotify as a video podcast.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the third module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ). 

In this additional session, we look into the Buddha's teachings on THE MIND IS THE FORERUNNER, THE LEADER to help us understand what drives kamma, and to address some questions around what happens if we do something unknowingly that is unwholesome.  

In this short session we examine: 

Some of the 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=dP3FLkZPwH0 AND on Spotify as a video podcast.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the third module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ)

In this additional session, we delve into THE BENEFIT OF REGRET & ASKING FORGIVENESS as an answer to questions around what can we do if we've transgressed or undertaken wrongdoing and how to possibly neutralise some of the unwholesome kamma.

In this short session we examine:

• — the difference between a fool and a wise person when it comes to transgressions and wrongdoing
• — Buddha's teaching to Rahula of the importance of admitting wrongdoing, and a framework for doing so
• — the example of Venerable Sudhamma behaves poorly and must ask forgiveness of Citta, the Householder
• — how to ask forgiveness of the Triple Gem
• — as more of a preventative measure, developing the powers of shame (hiri) and fear of wrongdoing (ottappa)

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

• — Accaya Sutta (AN 3.4) 
• — Ambalaṭṭhikarāhulovāda Sutta (MN 61) 
• — Kusalākusalasamavisamapañha (Pli Tv Kd 11) 
• — Sukkadhamma Sutta (Iti 42) 
• — Vitthata Sutta (AN 5.2)
• — Anumāna Sutta (MN 15)
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn 1.8) 

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=ePt0fVI8ZVA AND on Spotify as a video podcast.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the third module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ)

In this additional session, we go a little deeper into the the Buddha's teachings on kamma to get a better understanding about THE COMPLEXITY OF KAMMA. There are certain aspects about kamma that we won't be able to know, as only a Buddha with special knowledge is capable of knowing. The encouragement is to lean towards the Buddha's teachings on kamma and to continue to train and develop the virtuous path.

In this short session we examine:

Some of the 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=6hSmm6NwOQE AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Another session to accompany the third module in the Youth Dhamma Gradual Teachings series looking into Buddha's Gradual Instructions to Lay People on HEAVENLY REALMS (saggakathaṁ)

In this additional session, we look in a little more detail at KAMMA & REBIRTH. The encouragement is to lean towards the Buddha's teachings on kamma and to continue to train and develop the virtuous path.

In this short session we examine:

Some of the 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=qZife3GwDA8 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 examine the Khattiya Sutta (AN 6.52) in order to further UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE WORLDLY PATH AND THE BUDDHA'S NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH.  

In most of our recent insight pathway meditations, we take up the Buddha's wholesome determinations, for Truth, Relinquishment, Wisdom and Calm, to overcome the worldly ones we have been taught or conditioned to have, as well as being deluded by.  The Khattiya Sutta (AN 6.52) is very useful in showing us where worldly objectives and inclinations differ from those of the spiritual path. Why one goes "with the stream" and another goes "against the stream". 

It can  help us understand why the Buddha encourages us in certain ways, and to know there are challenges when we attempt to reconcile lay life and spiritual practice.

In this session we: 

• — examine Jānussoni’s questions to the Buddha on the wishes, quest, determination, inclination and final goal of different groups of people in the world. 
• — define some of the terms to helps us understand the Buddha's meanings in this teaching 
• — use the teaching as a means to understand some of the challenges for lay people walking the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path, in contrast to those who ordain 
• — link this teaching with our recent meditations on Painful Practice with Slow Realisation, the Profitable Path (Cunda Sutta), and Halidakkani Sutta. 
• — look into the Buddha's definition of a samana 
• — end our session with some instructions for a powerful meditation that goes into wrong view vs right view relating back to supramundane right livelihood  

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

• — Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) 
• — Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) 
• — Cunda Sutta (Ud 8.5 
• — Hāliddikāni Sutta (SN 22.3) 
• — MahāAssapura Sutta (MN 39)  
• — Anusota Sutta (AN 4.5)

Bohoma pin to the people who have asked questions on this Dhamma topic.

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=tfZ-IafbP_0 AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This question was asked during the the FULL DHAMMA SESSION conducted on ILL POYA (18 November 2021) via zoom on "WHY IT'S DIFFICULT TO RENUNCIATE THE WORLD", how to contemplate the Hāliddikāni Sutta (SN 22.3).

The question:

"As a muni (sage) your mind is already content. With that contented mind you don't incline towards entertaining anyone or seeking out entertainment from anyone. This is natural progress on the spiritual path. As a result, a lot of family and friends fall away. Over time more and more. How do you explain this process and is there a way to understand it?"

Note - During the Dhamma session, we spoke about the qualities of a sage, the different kinds of sages (muni) and their behaviour being very upright in body, speech and mind.

Bohoma pin to the person who asked this question.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai