Dhamma Talks

“Your Heart Was Made for This” | Oren Jay Sofer Q&A

“Your Heart Was Made for This” | Oren Jay Sofer Q&A

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Oren Jay Sofer on the topics (among others) of:
– his new book “Your Heart Was Made for This” (https://www.orenjaysofer.com/your-heart)
– insights to be gained by monastics from lay Dhamma teachers
– insights to be gained by lay Dhamma teachers from monastics
– structural sources of dukkha
– body contemplation as a lay practitioner
– advice for lay practitioners on how to deepen their practice

Dependent Origination, Thusness, & the Drum of the Deathless | Ajahn Nisabho

Dependent Origination, Thusness, & the Drum of the Deathless | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes the twelve links of Dependent Origination, or Paṭiccasamuppāda, the Buddha’s articulation of how we move from ignorance to suffering, and the sense of “Thusness” that emerges from its understanding. A description of the process, and of the “Orderliness of Dhamma” can be found in SN 12.20.

Why Buddhism Isn’t a Cult, Dhamma Parenting, & the University of Ordination | Ayyā Ahiṃsā Q&A

Why Buddhism Isn’t a Cult, Dhamma Parenting, & the University of Ordination | Ayyā Ahiṃsā Q&A

In this interview, Ayyā Ahiṃsā of the Canmore Theravada Buddhist Community speaks about leaving a fundamentalist religious community, falling in love with the spiritual path, Dhamma parenting, advice for women hoping to ordain, making one’s entire life one’s practice, rebirth, and… the nature of existence itself(?!)

Archive

Being Dhamma (with Tigers) | Ajahn Pasanno Q&A

Being Dhamma (with Tigers) | Ajahn Pasanno Q&AIn this Q&A session, Luang Por Pasanno speaks about his journey into robes and faith in Luang Por Chah, encounters with tigers, the path as a progression from "knowing" to "seeing" to "being" Dhamma, the Noble...

These Are a Few of My Favorite Buddhist Things | Ajahn Kovilo

These Are a Few of My Favorite Buddhist Things | Ajahn KoviloAjahn Kovilo makes a joke, and talks about a mnemonic device along the lines of "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music! Followed by Q&A with Ajahns Nisabho and Kovilo.

Non-Self vs. Nun-Self | Venerables Candā and Upekkhā Q&A

Non-Self vs. Nun-Self | Venerables Candā and Upekkhā Q&AIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Venerable Candā and Venerable Upekkhā of the Anukampā Bhikkhunī Project. For more information about the Anukampā Bhikkhunī Project visit:...

Neutral Feeling and Creativity | Ajahn Jotipālo

Neutral Feeling and Creativity | Ajahn JotipāloIn this talk, Ajahn Jotipālo, a monk of over twenty years ordained at Abhayagiri Monastery, speaks about the benefits of attending to neutral feeling, which comprises so much of our experience, and of pursuing the...

Advice for Ordination | Ajahn Nisabho

Advice for Ordination | Ajahn NisabhoIn this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about what one should consider when deciding if, when, and where to go forth as a monastic. Reflections can be applied to the lay life as well, and address the path as a whole.

Body Contemplation: A Core Teaching the West Forgot | Ajahn Nisabho

Body Contemplation: A Core Teaching the West Forgot | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes body contemplation, a practice emphasized throughout the suttas but neglected in the West. By using the calm mind to investigate the body in terms of the...

Wandering Tudong in California | Tan Jāgaro

Wandering Tudong in California | Tan JāgaroIn this session, Tan Jāgaro speaks about his wandering up the California coast on monastic "tudong", depending on the kindness of strangers for food and often the side of the road for rest. His stories inspire faith in the...

Guided Meditation: Breath as Nourishment | Ajahn Kaccāna

Guided Meditation: Breath as Nourishment | Ajahn KaccānaIn this meditation, Ajahn Kaccāna guides listeners through how to maintain awareness with breathing by finding pleasure in this simplest of activities. For more in-depth instructions, see Luang Por Sucitto's...

A Hierarchy of Blessings: The Mangala Sutta | Ajahn Kaccāna

A Hierarchy of Blessings: The Mangala Sutta | Ajahn KaccānaIn this talk, Ajahn Kaccāna speaks about the Mangala Sutta https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/khp/khp.5.nara.html which describes the various blessings or protections one may cultivate through...

Finding Faith in Nibbāna | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho

Finding Faith in Nibbāna | Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn NisabhoIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak about finding faith in Nibbāna. See Chapter 6 of P.A. Payutto's Buddhadhamma: https://buddhadhamma.github.io/nibbana-supreme-peace.html

How to Take the Monastery Back to Your Job | Clear Mountain Community

How to Take the Monastery Back to Your Job | Clear Mountain CommunityIn this Community Stories session, Mark, Mike, and Dennis speak about their path to the monastery and back to the world (for now), and what lessons they take with them. Steve reflects on the special...

5 Fantastic Theravāda Websites | Ajahn Kovilo

5 Fantastic Theravāda Websites | Ajahn KoviloIn this video, Ajahn Kovilo will give a guided introduction to five powerful online Sutta study resources:1) Reading Faithfully - readingfaithfully.org2) Access to Insight - accesstoinsight.org3) Sutta Central -...

How to Quit Your Job & Go to a Monastery | Clear Mountain Community

How to Quit Your Job & Go to a Monastery | Clear Mountain CommunityIn this Community Stories session, three community members, Xander, Adam, and Daniel, speak about the meaningful steps they have taken towards aligning their lives with Dhamma and possibly...

Is Buddhism True (And Which Sect)? | Ajahn Nisabho

Is Buddhism True (And Which Sect)? | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes the Buddhist conception of truth and means for discerning the path, especially as outlined in the Kalama Sutta (https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN3_66.html) and Canki Sutta...

Culture War Pacifism (The Dhamma of Dolly Parton) | Ajahn Nisabho

Culture War Pacifism (The Dhamma of Dolly Parton) | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how, like the uniquely politically-transcendent figure of Dolly Parton, we can become conscientious objectors in the culture wars. While we may engage in...

32 Marks of a Buddha Explained! Part 2 – The Face | Ajahn Kovilo

32 Marks of a Buddha Explained! Part 2 - The Face | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo will continue speaking on the 32 "Marks of a Great Person" (specifically those from the neck up) as discussed in the Lakkhaṇa Sutta (DN 30) and will suggest ways to make...

Stages of Awakening | Ajahn Nisabho

Stages of Awakening | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho details the stages of Awakening described by the Buddha, and emphasizes the importance of practicing for Stream Entry, the first stage of Enlightenment.

Arahant or Bodhisattva Path? | Q&A with Ajahn Nisabho

Arahant or Bodhisattva Path? | Q&A with Ajahn NisabhoIn this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the figures of the Bodhisattva and Arahant as presented in different traditions, and whether or not the two ideals can harmonize.

The Dhamma of George Constanza | Ajahn Nisabho

The Dhamma of George Constanza | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how practice involves a radical flip of our worldly perceptions, where we lean into suffering as a source of learning and difficulty as a ground for practice. Just like in the...

32 Marks of a Buddha Explained! Part 1 – The Body | Ajahn Kovilo

32 Marks of a Buddha Explained! Part 1 - The Body | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks on the 32 "Marks of a Great Person" (specifically those from the neck down) as discussed in the Lakkhaṇa Sutta (DN 30) and will suggest ways to make sense and use of...

Maraṇasati: Mindfulness of Death | Ajahn Nisabho

Maraṇasati: Mindfulness of Death | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho describes maranasati, or mindfulness of death, both as a clarifying recollection in one's daily life and a meditation object.

Line-For-Line: Ovāda-Pāṭimokkha | Ajahn Kovilo

Line-For-Line: Ovāda-Pāṭimokkha | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo continues to discuss the Buddhist holiday Māgha Pūjā or "Sangha Day" (Mach 6th, 2023) - commemorating when the Buddha taught the "Ovāda-Pāṭimokkha" to 1250 fully Enlightened disciples during...

How does Kamma Work? | Ajahn Nisabho

How does Kamma Work? | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how kamma works, and the Buddha's instructions on how we can cultivate that kamma which leads to the ending of all kamma.

Beautiful in the Beginning | Ajahn Kovilo

Beautiful in the Beginning | Ajahn KoviloIn this talk given on New Year's Eve 2022, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about three qualities that are especially helpful for new starts: 1) Saddhā (Faith)2) Dāna (Generosity)3) Sīla (Virtue)And how these qualities lead from being...

Is Rebirth Real? | Ajahn Nisabho

Is Rebirth Real? | Ajahn NisabhoSome resources for those who are interested in looking deeper into the issue: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/truth_of_rebirth.html https://www.amazon.com/Before-Childrens-Memories-Previous-Lives/dp/1250781779/...

Joy as Path – Pāmojja! | Ajahn Kovilo

Joy as Path - Pāmojja! | Ajahn KoviloOn the broad topic of the law of kamma as discussed in Chapter 5 of P.A. Payutto's Buddhadhamma, in this session, Ajahn Kovilo will speak on various "Paths to/through Pāmojja" or gladness/joy such as: 1) faith; 2) virtue; 3)...

Balance (Seven Factors of Awakening I) | Ven. Nisabho

Balance (Seven Factors of Awakening I) I Ven Nisabho In this talk, Tan Nisabho speaks about the Seven Factors of Awakening, focusing on how to balance the factors of investigation and equipoise using mindfulness.

Tales from Thailand and Bodh Gaya | Clear Mountain Pilgrims

Tales from Thailand and Bodh Gaya | Clear Mountain PilgrimsParticipants from the recent pilgrimage reflect on their experiences, sharing what they took from the journey to Thailand and India. Detailed reflections from the pilgrimage may be found on Clear Mountain's...

Doubt Intelligently | Ajahn Kovilo

Doubt Intelligently | Ajahn KoviloA Dhamma talk on doubting faith; faith in doubt; faith in faith; and faith in doubt by Ajahn Kovilo given on 12 Dec 2022 at Wat Marp Jan, Rayong, Thailand.

Māra | Ajahn Nisabho

Māra | Ajahn NisabhoIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about Māra, the Buddhist embodiment of death and spiritual stagnation, and how we can confront him in our lives and practice.

27 Topics of Animal Talk | Ajahn Kovilo

27 Topics of Animal Talk | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo will give a deep dive on 27 topics of conversation that the Buddha warned practitioners to be wary of. See the "Pointless Talk Sutta" (SN 56.10 https://suttacentral.net/sn56.10/en/bodhi).