Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Following on from the unexpected visit to the hospital and taking the opportunity to contemplate the Dhamma, we now take a look at the importance of prioritising Dhamma, not Kamma.

Whether we know it or not, all of us spend the bulk of our time on kamma. Even when we think we're in Dhamma. 

Kamma keeps us bound to saṁsāra and this whole mass of suffering, while Dhamma (Buddha's true teachings and instructions) helps us to realise complete liberation.

Some of the suttas that are referred to:

• — Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) 
• — Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)Vitakka Sutta (Iti 80)
• — Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)
• — Khuddakavatthuvibhaṅga (Vb 17)
• — Haliddakāni Sutta (SN 22.3)
• — Candūpama Sutta (SN 16.3),
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8),
• — Samacittavagga (AN 2.33)
• — Khīra Sutta (SN 15.4)
• — Velama Sutta (AN 9.20)
• — Saṁvara Sutta (AN 4.14)

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

Sharing this morning's unexpected visit to the hospital and using the opportunity to contemplate the Dhamma and cultivate immeasurable mettā, immeasurable upekkhā and liberation of mind due to mettā.

The insight pathway applied is the Painful Practice with Slow Realisation (dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā), the first doorway to Nibbāna combined with the instructions for cultivating mettā in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta.

Some of the suttas that may be useful:

• — Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163)
• — Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)
• — Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)
• — Padhāna Sutta (AN 4.13)
• — Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta(MN 140)
• — Saṁvara Sutta (AN 4.14)
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

We live streamed this Dhamma session on our YouTube channel on 5 February 2023 for the uposatha, so that we could practise together. This is one of the most beneficial suttas to help us be in the right mind state to continuously learn and penetrate the Buddha's true teachings, but one we find most difficult to listen to and put into practise.

The format for the session:

1. Broad overview of the Anumāna Sutta (MN 15), including some references to other suttas 
2. Simple explanation of how to do this sutta meditation 
3. Meditate together on each quality that makes us "difficult to instruct" (duvaco) in order to purify the mind and remove any blocks
4. Sharing the merit and blessings

Reference was made to two previous Dhamma sessions:

• "Why we struggle to understand Dhamma" - https://bit.ly/3DFSQdN (audio) or https://bit.ly/3lgP5oP (video)
• "The Story of Radha Thera (Dhp 76) - https://bit.ly/3ld2PBc (audio) or https://bit.ly/3YeQxXK (video)

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/40zENAt

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on NAVAM POYA (5 February 2023) via zoom, on "SPIRITUAL PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENT"  

We examine the Sunakkhatta Sutta (MN 105) and the Buddha's teaching to  Sunakkhatta on true spiritual progress and attainment that is intent on complete liberation through a series of similes.  

**Much of what is referred to will make sense to advanced practitioners developing the Noble Eightfold Path, where one already sees the danger in sensual pleasures, practises the important sutta meditations covered on this channel, and can enter the form jhānas and formless attainments with no trouble or difficulty, and understands how to enter them and what makes them cease.**

In this session, we cover: 

• — Overview of the Sunakkhatta Sutta (MN 105) 
• — Who is Sunakkhatta? 
• — Contemplation of Buddha’s similes on how we should practise and train as we progress and attain on the Noble Path  
• — Understanding the distinction between those who have attained to stream entry, once-return and non-return VS arahants, including the danger that is still present for those yet to attain to the fruit of arahantship 
• — Why one attained up to the fruit of non-return still can't afford to be negligent, and it is impossible for an arahant to be negligent
• — Seeing sense restraint as associated with happiness and integral to guarding skilled states and attainment

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

• — Pāthika Sutta (DN 24) 
• — Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (MN 12) 
• — Anupubbanirodha Sutta (AN 9.31)  
• — Āneñjasappāya Sutta (MN 106)  
• — Culasuññata Sutta (MN 121) 
• — Cunda Sutta (Ud 8.5) 
• — Dhātuvibhanga Sutta (MN 140) 
• — Suññataloka Sutta (AN 35.85) 
• — Santatara Sutta (Iti 73) 
• — Anusaya Sutta (SN 45.175)  
• — Kīṭāgiri Sutta (MN 70)  
• — Mettagū Sutta (Snp 5.4) 
• — Mettagūmāṇavapucchāniddesa (Cnd 8) 
• — Pamādavihāri Sutta (SN 35.97)  
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)  

The video of this talk will be published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3mcOsh1

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this Dhamma session, we complete our study of the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) and the Buddha's teaching to venerable Pukkusāti on the six elements, six bases of contact, eighteen mental explorations and four determinations.  

For Part 1 - https://bit.ly/3Gf539O (video) or https://bit.ly/3XYlFdy (audio)

In this session (part ii), we cover: 

• — How does one preserve truth? - developing the supreme determination for truth 
• — How does one cultivate relinquishment? - developing the supreme determination for relinquishment 
• — How does one train for peace? - developing the supreme determination for peace 
• — Summarising the key verse on developing the Four Determinations 
• — Understanding what it means to be called a "Sage at Peace" 
• — Understanding Venerable Pukkusāti's transgression and why he asked for forgiveness from the Buddha and what we can learn from this 
• — Venerable Pukkusāti's attainment and how we can follow in his footsteps  

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

• — Dhātu Sutta (SN 27.9) 
• — Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121) 
• — Vakkali Sutta (SN 22.87) 
• — Cunda Sutta (Ud 8.5) 
• — Caṅkī Sutta (MN 95) 
• — Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (SN 56.11) 
• — Mettagū Sutta (Snp 5.4) 
• — Mettagūmāṇavapucchāniddesa (Cnd 8) 
• — Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48) 
• — Ghaṭīkāra Sutta (SN 1.50)  

To read the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) - https://suttacentral.net/mn140/en/bodhi 

Bohoma pin (much merit) to those that requested this sutta.  

The video of this talk will be published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/408wA66

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This short extract is from discussion around identifying and abandoning unwholesome verbal conduct and mental stains in the meditation and then seeing that they arose as a result of spending time clicking through a variety of things on the internet, as well as indulging in frivolous talk. 

This has been edited from a Dhamma session held via zoom on "DEVELOPING IMMEASURABLE LOVING KINDNESS", based on the Buddha's teaching in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8).

This is encouragement towards developing and experiencing the happiness of meditation/higher concentrations, over what we are highly conditioned to gravitate towards in the world. Wisdom over ignorance and delusion. 

Pali references:

• "samphappalāpā" = frivolous talk (rooted in delusion)
• "upakkilesa" = defilements, mental stains (unskilled states we abandon in our meditation)
• "atta" = me and mine, sense of self
• "sukha­vi­hārā" = dwelling in happiness

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is an edited version of a Dhamma session held via zoom on "DEVELOPING IMMEASURABLE LOVING KINDNESS", based on the Buddha's teaching in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8), emphasising the supramundane practice that leads to the fruit of non-return.

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

• — Anumāna Sutta (MN 15)
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)
• — Kummopama Sutta (SN 35.240)

Bohoma pin (much merit) to the kalyanamittas who requested this Dhamma session.

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

A short extract from our Full Duruthu Poya Dhamma session (on 6 January 2023) explaining the connection between the Four Noble Truths and having the Four Determinations as taught by the Buddha in the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140), that lead to the four concentrations.

This gives a broader picture of what underpins the verse "One should not neglect wisdom, should preserve Truth, should cultivate relinquishment and should train for peace"

The Buddha give very clear and sequential instructions in his teaching to venerable Pukkusāti about -  

• not neglecting wisdom (which means being vigilant in actively developing wisdom), 
• preserving Truth (about Nibbāna), 
• cultivating relinquishment (of all acquisitions), and 
• training for peace (pacification from lust, hatred and delusion). 

It's important to see the link between having these Determinations based on understanding dukkha, wishing to abandon craving, realising cessation and fully developing the Noble Eightfold Path. And to see how they lead to the four developments and concentrations, inclining towards Nibbāna.

In the FULL session, we start to go into the sequential and powerful instructions of the Buddha in the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140):

• To watch the full session (video) - https://bit.ly/3Gf539O
• To listen to the full session (audio) - https://bit.ly/3XfsqqV

The video of this Extract has also been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3GvBwZV

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

A short extract from our Full Duruthu Poya Dhamma session (on 6 January 2023) explaining the context for Buddha's exposition of the six elements in the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) - Why the Buddha is offering this particular teaching to venerable Pukkusāti and why it is applicable to us.  

We reference the Dhātu Sutta (SN 27.9) to understand the mental corruption of the six elements and the danger it poses.

In the FULL session, we start to go into the sequential and powerful instructions of the Buddha in the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140):  

• To watch the full session (video) - https://bit.ly/3Gf539O
• To listen to the full session (audio) - https://bit.ly/3XfsqqV

The video of this Extract has also been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3ZnokyO

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

This is the FULL DHAMMA SESSION, conducted on DURUTHU POYA (6 January 2023) via zoom, on "THE EXPOSITION OF THE ELEMENTS" - PART ONE.

We examine the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) and the Buddha's teaching to venerable Pukkusāti on the six elements, six bases of contact, eighteen mental explorations and four determinations.

The key verse is: "One should not neglect wisdom, should preserve truth, should cultivate relinquishment, and should train for peace"

*Note - the two meditation periods have been excluded or cut from this recording.*

In this session (part i), we cover:

• Overview of the sutta, including architecture, links to other suttas and context for this teaching
• Examine the meeting between the Buddha and venerable Pukkusāti, the Buddha's summary and brief explanation 
• Briefly explain how the Four Determinations fit into the Four Profitable Directions and the Four Noble Truths
• Deep dive into the "How does one not neglect wisdom?" and what it really means to make the Determination for Wisdom (paññādhiṭṭhāna)
• Understanding the links in dependent origination - six sense bases, contact and feeling

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

• — Dhātu Sutta (SN 27.9)
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7)
• — Cūḷasuññata Sutta (MN 121)
• — Saḷāyatanavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 137) 
• — Cunda Sutta (Ud 8.5)
• — Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33)
• — Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9)
• — Āneñja Sutta (AN 3.116)
• — Nibbānarūpasaṇṭhānapañha (Mil 6.3.10)
• — Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta (SN 12.1)
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

To read the Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) - https://suttacentral.net/mn140/en/bodhi

Bohoma pin (much merit) to those that requested this sutta.

The video of this talk will be published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3Gf539O

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

For all enquiries - [email protected]