Sutta Meditation Series

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

As we come to the end of 2022, it's a good opportunity to reflect on how we've connected through the Buddha and his Teachings, and to honour the good friendship we've cultivated together.   

It's a time to express heartfelt gratitude and joy. (*Listen to the end if you can*)  

Blessings and good wishes, to all our brothers and sisters in Dhamma, as we close out the year and head into a new one.   

May the Noble Eightfold Path unfold with ease and safety. May your spiritual faculties continue to sharpen. May wisdom grow. May the Path bear fruit. May your aspirations be fulfilled.  

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

• — Samacittavagga (AN 2.32) 
• — Dutiyasiṅgala Sutta (SN 20.12) 
• — Upaḍḍha Sutta (SN 45.2) 
• — Kalyāṇamittādivagga (AN 1.71) 
• — Dovacassatā Sutta (AN 6.115) 
• — Dutiyasekha Sutta (Iti 17) 
• — Kalyāṇamitta Sutta (SN 45.63) 
• — Ādicca Sutta (SN 46.48) 
• — Kisāgotamītherīgāthā (Thig 10.1) 
• — Dhātuvibhaṅga Sutta (MN 140) 
• — Ṭhiti Sutta (AN 10.53)  

**Bohoma pin (much merit) to everyone who contributed and supported with this Dhamma dana**

The video of this Extract has also been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMduMK0Iytc

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 EXTRACT from the Full Unduvap Poya Dhamma session (on 7 December 2022) explaining the Buddha's teaching of the Seven Knowledges that arise from possessing the noble right view:

• making one ready to realise the fruit of Stream Entry, or 
• one has attained and is able to maintain the fruit of the attainment as a concentration.

Often people use this as a checklist to determine if they are ready to attain or have attained to fruit of the path. Or apply it as a basis for how to identify a stream enterer.  A table of these seven knowledges for easy reference has been posted to our YT Community page and to Telegram (https://t.me/suttameditationseries/633)

This follows on from an earlier Dhamma Q&A on "How can you identify a stream enterer?" - https://bit.ly/3Y5vtDe (video) or https://bit.ly/3UEDoVe (audio)

For the Full Unduvap Poya Dhamma session AND the list of sutta references (on 7 December 2022) - https://bit.ly/3h5EKue (YT video) or https://bit.ly/3VZmTUQ (audio)

The video of this Extract has also been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loKrTXAbY3s

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 UNDUVAP POYA (7 December 2022) via zoom, on "THE STRENGTH OF LIVING IN HARMONY AS SUPPORT TO DEVELOP THE NOBLE PATH".   

We examine the Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48) and the Buddha's teaching to the quarreling monks of Kosambi.  

The purpose of examining this particular teaching from the Buddha is to understand the importance of living in harmony if we wish to develop the non-greed, non-hate and non-delusion path, the Noble Eightfold Path. When we live in disharmony, we decline because we remain imbued with sensuality and unwholesome states (physical, verbal and mental) and we cultivate the wrong path. This makes it difficult and obstructive, to developing the Noble Path.   

In this Dhamma session, we cover: 

• — Overview of the Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48)  
• — “Deep dive” into the Buddha’s teaching in the Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48) and the advice on developing the six principles of cordiality
• — Overview of the fruit of stream entry – readiness to realise and to maintain 
• — Buddha’s verse with reference to the Kosambi monks from Dhammapada verse 6  

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

• — Kosambi Jātaka  (Ja 428) 
• — Kosambakakkhandhaka (Kd 10) 
• — Upakkilesa Sutta (MN 128) 
• — Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) 
• — Karaniyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8) 
• — Anumāna Sutta (MN 15) 
• — Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (MN 117) 
• — Dvedhāvitakka Sutta (MN 19) 
• — Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5) 
• — Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) 
• — Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9) 
• — Avijjā Sutta (AN 10.61) 
• — Thapati Sutta (SN 55.6) 
• — Pālileyyakagamanakathā (Kd 10.5) 
• — Kosambaka Vatthu (Dhp 6)

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3h5EKue

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.

As we come close to the end of the year, we can take the opportunity to do some self-examination of our spiritual practice, applying the Buddha's teaching from the Ṭhiti Sutta (AN 10.53). 

 The Buddha states at the opening of the discourse: 

"Bhikkhus, I do not praise even a standstill in wholesome qualities, much less decline. I praise only growth in wholesome qualities, not a standstill or deterioration."  

And lists seven qualities or characteristics against which to measure whether they have deteriorated, grown, or remain the same.  This self-examination can be done regularly, not just at the end of the year (as we are doing here).  

To read the Ṭhiti Sutta (AN 10.53) - https://bit.ly/3Uu3Lgq

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.

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 Jīvaka Komārabhacca, an accomplished lay disciple of the Buddha who was also the physician of the Sangha headed by the Buddha. Due to his skill as a doctor and other good qualities, he was foremost among the Buddha's lay followers who people had confidence in. He also realised the fruit of stream entry despite leading a very busy life.  

Jīvaka Komārabhacca's story is a very interesting one. He had plenty of encounters with wealthy merchants, families, kings, the Buddha and the Sangha. His story is inspiring for a number of reasons, including the qualities he demonstrated, his skill at healing, his devotion to the Triple Gem, his good fortune to regularly interact with the Buddha, his influence over some of the Vinaya rules, his Dhamma questions, and his attitude towards wealth. We can learn much from Jīvaka's wonderful example.   

Some of the suttas referred to in this Dhamma talk: 

• — Chaṭṭhavagga (AN 1.248–257) 
• — Sattavagga (AN 1.258-267) 
• — Sāmaññavagga (AN 6.128) 
• — Cīvarakkhandhaka (Kd 8) 
• — Mahakhandhaka (Kd 1) 
• — Khuddakavatthukkhandhaka (Kd 15) 
• — Sanjiva Jātaka (Ja 150) 
• — Saṅkicca Jātaka (Ja 530)  
• — Cūḷaseṭṭhi Jātaka (Ja 4) 
• — Sattigumba Jataka (Ja 503) 
• — Cullahamsa Jataka (Ja 533) 
• — Jīvaka Sutta (AN 8.26)  
• — Jīvaka Sutta (MN 55) 
• — Jīvakapañhavatthu (Dhp 90)  
• — Sāmaññaphala Sutta (DN 2),  
• — Cūḷapanthakavatthu (Dhp 25),   

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 (much merit) to the kalyanamitta who contributed towards producing this Dhamma session. Much mudita.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRqTMpdeq8

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 short session, we look at a question that has been asked:  

“A friend recently accused me of singing the Dhamma, rather than reciting it. We got into an argument about it, where he was saying “it’s in the suttas” and I was saying “I’m following what I’ve learned at the temple or monastery, and the chants that are on YouTube”. Could you offer some guidance on what the Buddha has recommended? What is wrong with singing the Dhamma?”  

To answer this question, we reference the Gītassara Sutta (AN 5.209) and its origin story from the Chapter on Short Topics in the Vinaya. We also connect with other teachings of the Buddha to help us understand the dangers of singing the Dhamma and how to discern the difference between reciting (chanting) and singing.  

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

• — Khuddakavatthukkhandhaka (Kd 15) 
• — Pamādavihārī Sutta (SN 35.97) 
• — Saṁvara Sutta (SN 35.98) 
• — Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9) 
• — Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) 
• — Saṁkhittūposatha Sutta (AN 8.41) 
• — Paṭhamadhammavihārīsutta (AN 5.73) 
• — Dutiyadhammavihārīsutta (AN 5.74) 
• — Vimuttāyatana Sutta (AN 5.26) 
• — Anathapindikaputtakala Vatthu (Dhp 178) 
• — Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)   

Bohoma pin (much merit) to the person who asked this question.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrad4J-pgo0

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.

As a follow up to the post on our community page about offering pahan (oil lamp/light) puja, we take a look at the fruit of offering lamps/lights to the Buddha (dīpadānassidaṁ phalaṁ).  

We examine the legends of the senior monks and nuns - Anuruddha Thera, Sakulā Theri, Pañcadīpa Thera, Araṇadīpiya Thera, Ajita Thera, Ekadīpiya Thera, and Pañcadīpadāyikā Theri. A great source of inspiration and encouragement. Following in the footsteps of the Buddhas, they are the "teachers, caravan-leaders, fault-abandoners, dispellers of darkness, light-bringers, makers of radiance, luminaries, torch-bearers, bringers of illumination, noble ones, possessors of vision.” They are worthy role models.

And we remind ourselves of the connection to the meditation on the perception of light and the development of knowledge and vision of divine eye. By developing the light of wisdom, we dispel the darkness of ignorance and other obscurations, towards the ultimate goal of Nibbāna.  

For the offering of pahan (oil lamp) puja, see — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U4nqISRydg 

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

• — Pajjota Sutta (AN 4.145) 
• — Pajjota Sutta (SN SN 1.26) 
• — Anuruddhattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 6) 
• — Sakulātherīapadāna (Thi Ap 24) 
• — Pañcadīpakattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 59) 
• — Padīpadāyakattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 266) 
• — Ajitattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 402) 
• — Ekadīpiyattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 418) 
• — Pañcadīpadāyikātherīapadāna (Thi Ap 9, 15) 
• — Pacalāyamāna Sutta (AN 7.61) 
• — Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (AN 4.41) 
• — Udāyī Sutta (AN 6.29) 
• — Sīlasampanna Sutta (Iti 104)

Bohoma pin (much merit) to all who enquired about offering pahan puja (lamps/light)

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_Pe766RK4

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 extended Dhamma session, we look to deepen our understanding and practice of the Vatthūpama Sutta (MN 7) by focusing on the skilled mental states that arise when we abandon these mental stains or defilements.   

*This Dhamma session is particularly beneficial for those who already know how to meditate on the Vatthūpama Sutta, and are seeking to enhance and deepen their understanding and practice*  

In this session, we also: 

• — connect and re-affirm how we activate the Noble Eightfold Path with this sutta meditation 
• — briefly touch on the link with the Anumāna Sutta (MN 15) and why the purifying process is important towards overcoming the challenges of being difficult to instruct 
• — take a closer look at each mental stain and how skilled states arise as we abandon the unskilled, and also how wisdom grows, including a greater understanding of our bigger predicament 
• — look at why this meditation is the pre-requisite for developing the brahmavihāras
• — examine the Buddha's words on developing confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha and having given up the mental stains, and his reference to "one bathed with inner bathing"
• — highlight important insight pathways to meditate on, to understand the links between the mental stains and how they arise and escalate.  

For the full introductory Dhamma session on the Vatthūpama Sutta, see https://bit.ly/3Oi1Wl4 (video) 

For the introductory guided meditation on the Vatthūpama Sutta, see https://bit.ly/3AqPtGd (video) or https://bit.ly/3Vaimys (audio)

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hEJwP4-t1c

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 ILL POYA (7 November 2022) via zoom, on "THE MAGNITUDE OF SAMSARA".

We examine the Anamataggavagga or Chapter of Linked Discourses on the Undiscoverable Beginning (Saṁyutta Nikāya 15).

The purpose of examining this particular chapter is to gain a stronger understanding of the bigger picture and context for the Buddha’s teachings. If we understand this aspect of saṁsāra, this infinite vastness conveyed by the Buddha, then we will also understand our bondage to infinite dukkha or suffering if we remain bound through our kamma to continued existence in saṁsāra. We connect to the Four Noble Truths, the development of wisdom and the link to dependent origination.

A real sense of urgency can arise, when we meditate on the powerful, and sometimes visceral similes taught by the Buddha in this chapter.

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

In this Dhamma session, we cover:

• — Introduction to Anamataggavagga (SN 15) including dependent origination and link to spiritual faculties
• — “Deep dive” into most of the Buddha’s similes 
• — Meditation in the Assu Sutta (SN 15.3) and Puggala Sutta (SN 15.10)
• — Verses of Sumedhā Therī

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

• — Gotama Sutta (SN 12.10)
• — Avijjā Sutta (SN 56.17)
• — Samādhi-bhāvanā Sutta (SN 22.5)
• — Āpaṇa Sutta (SN 48.50)
• — Byasana Sutta (AN 5.130)
• — Bhoga Sutta (AN 5.227)
• — Gavampati Sutta (SN 56.30) 
• — Dutiyasāriputta Sutta (SN 55.5)
• — Vipallāsa Sutta (AN 4.49)
• — Vitthāra Sutta (AN 4.162)
• — Saṁsappanīya Sutta (AN 10.216), 
• — Karaniyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)
• — Sumedhātherīgāthā (Thig 16.1)
• — Sumedhātherīapadāna (Thi Ap 1)

Bohoma pin (much merit) to the person who requested this sutta.

The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clGZ14xMOvc

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.

From the request to provide an EXTRACT from the Full Vap Poya Dhamma session (on 9 October 2022) on developing the three knowledges as highlighted in the Dvedhāvitakka Sutta (MN 19). The Buddha's instructions are explained and helpful sutta references are provided.  

**Please note - we are examining this teaching from the Buddha with the aspiration for the supramundane development of the Noble Eightfold Path**  

With the foundation of higher virtue and higher concentration from developing this sutta meditation, it is possible to train and develop these three knowledges (higher wisdom) that the Buddha refers to: 

• — knowledge of the recollection of past lives (pubbenivāsānussatiñāṇā) 
• — knowledge of the passing away and reappearance of beings (cutūpapātañāṇā) 
• —knowledge of the destruction of the taints (āsavānaṁ khayañāṇā)  

It's important to note that the Buddha has included training towards these accomplishments in knowledge are part of the trainee's mode of progress towards Nibbāna.  

For the Full Vap Poya Dhamma session AND the list of sutta references (on 9 October 2022) - https://bit.ly/3CLFXz8 (YT video) or https://bit.ly/3RNCGTW (audio)

Bohoma pin (much merit) to the person who made the request

The video of this Extract has also been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKKhW7b7Vgo

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]