Sutta Meditation Series

Sutta Meditation Series

By Sutta Meditation SeriesReligion & SpiritualityBuddhism
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Sutta Meditation Series episodes

  • FIVE SUBJECTS WE MUST FREQUENTLY CONTEMPLATE

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    In this session, we examine the Buddha's teaching on FIVE SUBJECTS WE MUST FREQUENTLY CONTEMPLATE. 

    The session is broken into the following sections:

    • Introduction to Abhiṇhapaccavekkhitabbaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.57)
    • Finding support for this teaching - various suttas that support or intersect with this teaching
    • “Deep dive” into the five contemplations
    • Fruits of this Practice
    • Short instructions on how to meditate on this sutta

      • Suttas that are mentioned in this talk:

      • Vatthupama Sutta (MN 7) - The Simile of the Cloth
      • Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (MN 9) – Right View
      • Māgaṇḍiya Sutta (MN 75) – To Māgaṇḍiya
      • Assu Sutta (SN 15.3) – Tears
      • Jātidhammā Sutta (SN 35.33–42_ Subject to Birth
      • Dukkhatā Sutta (SN45.165) – Painful States
      • Jarādhamma Sutta (SN 48.41) – Old Age
      • Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (SN 56.11) - Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma
      • Devadūta Sutta (AN 3.36) – Messengers of the Gods
      • Sukhamāla Sutta (AN 3.39) – Delicate
      • Paṭhamabhaya Sutta (AN 4.119) – Fear 1st
      • Pāṭibhoga Sutta (AN 4.182) – Guarantee/Security
      • Pāṇātipātī Sutta (AN 4.224) – Killing Living Beings
      • Paṭhamamagga Sutta (AN 4.225) – The Path 1st
      • Pariyesanā Sutta (AN 4.255) – Searches
      • Alabbhanīyaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.48) – Things That Cannot Be Obtained
      • Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63) – Penetrative
      • Adhammacariyā Sutta (AN 10.220) – Unrighteous Conduct
      • Saṁsappanīya Sutta (AN 10.216) - Creeping
      • Pesakaradhita Vatthu (Dhp174) – Story of the Weaver Girl
      • Tayojanapabbajita Vatthu (Dhp209-12) - Story of Three Ascetics

        • To read the Abhiṇhapaccavekkhitabbaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.57) - https://suttacentral.net/an5.57/en/bodhi

        A VIDEO of this session with presentation slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW2nMLHP6rc AND on Spotify as a video podcast

        Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

        1 hr 38 min
      • Guided Meditation - EMBRACING OUR PARENTS

        Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

        This is a GUIDED MEDITATION ON EMBRACING OUR PARENTS - that contemplates our attitudes and actions towards them; the importance of their role and responsibilities, especially in our formative years; how we respond as they grow older; and how we can repay the debt.

        The Sabrahmaka Sutta (AN 3.31) on how parents should be respected like Brahmā and the Kataññu Suttas (AN 2.31 - 2.32) on gratitude to our parents underpin this guided meditation. 

        The Buddha says:

        • “‘Brahmā,’ bhikkhus, is a designation for mother and father. ‘First teachers’ is a designation for mother and father. ‘Giftworthy’ is a designation for mother and father. For what reason? Mother and father are helpful to their children: they raise them, nurture them, and show them the world.” - Sabrahmaka Sutta (AN 3.31)
        • "I tell you, monks, there are two people who are not easy to repay. Which two? Your mother & father. Even if you were to carry your mother on one shoulder & your father on the other shoulder for 100 years, and were to look after them by anointing, massaging, bathing, & rubbing their limbs, and they were to defecate & urinate right there [on your shoulders], you would not in that way pay or repay your parents." - Kataññu Suttas (AN 2.31 - 2.32) 

          • To read these suttas - https://suttacentral.net/an3.31/en/bodhi and https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an02/an02.031.than.html

          Theruwan saranai. Blessings of the Triple Gem.

          33 min
        • DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUTTA MEDITATION AND OTHER FORMS OF BUDDHIST MEDITATION? - Dhamma Q&A

          Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

          In this segment, we look at the question that has been asked "CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SUTTA MEDITATION AND THE MORE TRADITIONAL FORMS OF MEDITATION SUCH AS ĀNĀPĀNASATI MEDITATION, INSIGHT MEDITATION ETC.?"  

          To answer this question we  

          • - delve a little into how modern Buddhist meditation has evolved;  
          • - refer to the series on "Unlocking the Buddha's Code" that highlights sutta meditation and extracting the Buddha's instructions through insight pathways; and  
          • - examine metta meditation, insight meditation and anapanasati as three examples to elaborate on some of the differences.  

            • Suttas mentioned in this segment: 

            • — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn1.8) 
            • — Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 118) 
            • — Mahā Parinibbāna Sutta (DN 16) - specifically "Dhamma-Vinaya is the teacher" following the Buddha's passing 
            • — Sugatavinaya Sutta (AN 4.160) - what leads to the decline and discontinuation of the Buddha's True Teaching 
            • — Āṇi Sutta  (SN 20.7) - wanting to listen to charismatic teachers with poetic words, rather than the Buddha's words 
            • — Mahāpadesa Sutta (AN 4.180) - determine what is an authentic teaching of the Buddha
            • — Yuganaddhasutta (AN 4.170) - samatha and vipassana in conjunction
            • — Kevaddha Sutta (DN 11) - Buddha's miracle of instruction 
            • — Kalahavivāda Sutta (Sn 4.11) - insight pathway 
            • — Kalahavivādasuttaniddesa (Mnd 11) 
            • — Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60)   

              • Bohoma pin to the person who asked this Dhamma question.

              PLEASE NOTE - you can send in questions via the voice messaging feature on anchor.fm podcast app OR via email suttameditationseries[at]gmail.com.

              A VIDEO with presentation slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg74QxfzZPI

              1 hr 7 min
            • UNLOCKING THE BUDDHA'S CODE - Karaniyametta Sutta's Insight Pathway - Part 3

              Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

              This talk is part of a multi-part series titled "Unlocking the Buddha's Code", examining the importance of meditating on suttas, or the Buddha's specific instructions contained in the suttas. We look into the Buddha's instructions before he passed away; what he foretold when it comes to the decline and disappearance of the teachings; the unique method of instruction contained in the Pali Canon that unlocks the Buddha's code or insight pathway; why it's good to be "suvaco" or willing to follow instructions; and a glimpse at a few other useful things.

              To listen to part 1 - https://anchor.fm/suttameditationseries/episodes/56-UNLOCKING-THE-BUDDHAS-CODE---WHY-SUTTA-MEDITATION-eqolpf

              To listen to part 2 - https://anchor.fm/suttameditationseries/episodes/70-UNLOCKING-THE-BUDDHAS-CODE---Extracting-Insight-Pathways---Part-2-esmcpd

              In this talk we follow up by taking a closer look at: - Insight or knowledge pathway contained in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta  

              Suttas referred to in this talk: 

              • - Kalahavivāda Sutta (Sn 4.11) 
              • - Kalahavivādasuttaniddesa (Mnd 11) 
              • - Guhaṭṭhakasuttaniddeso (Mnd 2) 
              • - Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn 1.8)  

                • Bohoma pin to those who have requested and patiently waited for this talk (and multi-part series) and also those who have helped in bringing this talk to fruition.

                To access videos and shorter clips, you can go to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrSrkvP4mJRPWyPGliNDuA

                27 min
              • UNLOCKING THE BUDDHA'S CODE - Extracting Insight Pathways - Part 2

                Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                This talk is part of a multi-part series titled "Unlocking the Buddha's Code", examining the importance of meditating on suttas, or the Buddha's specific instructions contained in the suttas. We look into the Buddha's instructions before he passed away; what he foretold when it comes to the decline and disappearance of the teachings; the unique method of instruction contained in the Pali Canon that unlocks the Buddha's code or insight pathway; why it's good to be "suvaco" or willing to follow instructions; and a glimpse at a few other useful things.

                To listen to part 1 - https://anchor.fm/suttameditationseries/episodes/56-UNLOCKING-THE-BUDDHAS-CODE---WHY-SUTTA-MEDITATION-eqolpf

                In this talk we take a closer look at:

                • Insight or knowledge pathways (ñāṇapathā) as part of Buddha's method of instruction
                • an important reference to insight pathways in the Pali Canon
                • training in higher virtue (adhisīlasikkhā), higher thought (adhicittasikkhā) and higher wisdom (adhipaññāsikkhā)as the key ingredients in Buddha's insight pathways
                • some examples of insight pathways from the suttas
                • the importance of Buddha's method of instruction and gradual steps to developing wisdom and insight in our meditation/cultivation of the Noble Eightfold Path

                  • Suttas referred to in this talk:

                  • Dhammacakkappavattanasutta (SN 56.11)
                  • Kalahavivāda Sutta (Sn 4.11)
                  • Kalahavivādasuttaniddesa (Mnd 11)
                  • Guhaṭṭhakasuttaniddeso (Mnd 2)
                  • Sekha-Pāṭipada Sutta (MN53) 
                  • Samādhi-bhavana Sutta (SN 22.5)
                  • Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61)
                  • Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1)
                  • Kevaddha Sutta (DN 11) 
                  • Udāyī Sutta (AN 5.159)

                    • Bohoma pin to those who have requested and patiently waited for this talk (and multi-part series) and also those who have helped in bringing this talk to fruition.

                    To access videos and shorter clips, you can go to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwrSrkvP4mJRPWyPGliNDuA

                    56 min
                  • THE STRENGTH OF WAKEFULNESS (FULL DHAMMA SESSION, Poya)

                    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                    This session was conducted on POYA (28 March 2021) for a YOUNGER AUDIENCE (and their parents and grandparents) on the STRENGTH OF WAKEFULNESS (jāgariyaṃ).

                    We mainly focused on how to develop, train and maintain wakefulness, including understanding that it is an "active practice" to cleanse of hindrances and defilements (enemies of wakefulness) and to establish other qualities that support wakefulness.  

                    We also looked at how the sutta meditations we have previously studied in earlier poya sessions - Vatthūpama Sutta, The Five Hindrances, Karaṇīyametta Sutta (aka "Metta School") and the Perception of Light (alokasañña)) - all help to develop and maintain the quality of wakefulness. 

                     Suttas covered in this session: 

                    • – Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) 
                    • – MahāAssapura Sutta (MN 39) 
                    • – Anīvaraṇa Sutta (SN 46.38) 
                    • – Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn1.8) 
                    • – Jāgariya Sutta (Iti 47) 
                    • – Sekha-Pāṭipada Sutta (MN 53) 
                    • – Tuvataka Sutta (Sn 4.14) 
                    • – Aparihāniya Sutta (AN 4.37) 
                    • – Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61) 
                    • – Doṇapāka Sutta (SN 3.13)  
                    • – Sukhavihāra Sutta (Iti 29)  
                    • – Pasenadikosala Vatthu (Dhp 325) 
                    • – Pacalāyamāna Sutta (AN 7.61)

                      • A VIDEO of this session with presentation slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_f2C-1rPw8

                      1 hr 56 min
                    • TIPS FOR DEVELOPING METTA IN DAILY LIFE? - Metta Q&A

                      Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                      In this segment, we look at the question of "HOW CAN I DEVELOP METTĀ IN DAILY LIFE TO COMPLEMENT MY FORMAL MEDITATION PRACTICE OF KARAṆĪYAMETTA SUTTA? CAN YOU GIVE SOME TIPS?"

                      Suttas mentioned in this segment:

                      – Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn1.8)

                      Bohoma pin to the person/people who asked this Dhamma question.

                      A VIDEO of this Metta Q&A segment with presentation slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YA-tsAe568

                      38 min
                    • Guided Meditation - TAPPING INTO GRATITUDE & GOODNESS

                      Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                      This is a GUIDED MEDITATION on TAPPING INTO GRATITUDE & GOODNESS. We may currently be weighed down with frustration with our present situations, maybe financial burdens, hardship, difficulties and ever-challenging situations. This guided meditation seeks to tap into a source of wholesome and good. A reminder that there are moments of blessing, goodness, kindness and generosity that touch our lives.

                      Lifting our minds above negativity, aversion, fears, worries (all different kinds of mental blemishes) can help us to access gladness, calm, and concentrate our minds in order to access the Buddha's teachings.

                      Theruwan saranai. Blessings of the Triple Gem.


                      27 min
                    • IS IT EASIER FOR A MONASTIC TO CULTIVATE METTA THAN A LAY PERSON? - Metta Q&A

                      Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                      In this segment, we look at the question of "IS IT EASIER FOR A MONASTIC TO MEDITATE THAN FOR A LAY PERSON (SUCH AS IN THE CASE OF CULTIVATING METTĀ)? AND IF SO, ARE THERE THINGS THAT LAY PEOPLE NEED TO FOCUS ON (MORE THAN FOR MONASTICS) DUE TO THIS?"

                      Suttas mentioned in this segment:

                      – Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Sn1.8)

                      Bohoma pin to the person/people who asked this Dhamma question.

                      A VIDEO of this Metta Q&A segment with presentation slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YA-tsAe568

                      26 min
                    • Guided Meditation - COURAGE IN A POLARISED WORLD

                      Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

                      This is a GUIDED MEDITATION on having the courage to practise and manifest the Buddha's teachings on the Noble Eightfold Path in a world that is becoming increasingly polarised, hateful and divisive. The emphasis is on kusala or wholesome, with a focus on steering away from hateful/harsh and divisive speech, being cautious around information, interest, and situations that pull us into debates and taking hard-line positions that would compromise our practice, and to encourage non-hateful/non-harmful and non-divisive speech, and metta practice.

                      Theruwan saranai. Blessings of the Triple Gem.

                      30 min

                    About Sutta Meditation Series

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