Dhamma Talks

The Unshakeable Heart & Equanimity at the Sense Doors | Ven. Canda Bhikkhuni

The Unshakeable Heart & Equanimity at the Sense Doors | Ven. Canda Bhikkhuni

In this talk, Ven. Canda, an honored guest visiting from the U.K., speaks about how to develop equanimity by analyzing contact at the sense doors, and developing poise in relation to it. Understanding the conditioned nature of the experience allows us to dispel its power to push us into greed or aversion, and allows us to maintain a stance of gentle care towards the world.

To support and learn more about Ven. Canda and the Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Vihara, visit https://anukampaproject.org/

Beyond the Five Aggregates & the Vortex of Self | Ajahn Nisabho

Beyond the Five Aggregates & the Vortex of Self | Ajahn Nisabho

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the 5 Khandhas, or aggregates of clinging, described by the Buddha as the subjective constituents of our sense of self. Letting go of 1) form (rupa), 2) feelings (vedana) 3) perception/ cognition (sañña) 4) formations (sankhara) and 5) consciousness (viññana) allows one to touch a reality beyond them—”Nibbāna”.

Suttas referenced in the talk include the “Lump of Foam” Sutta and the “Discourse on Not-Self”

To Bow Like Ajahn Chah & Listen Like Guan Yin | Thanissara Q&A

To Bow Like Ajahn Chah & Listen Like Guan Yin | Thanissara Q&A

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview the Dharma teacher and founder of Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat Center, Thanissara. The session touches on Thanissara’s experiences with Luang Por Chah, her twelve years of experience as a nun, her practice of turning towards the transcendent, and Guan Yin.
To learn more about Thanissara, visit: https://www.dharmagiri.org/

Archive

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

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 -...

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).

Non-dual Theravada? | Ajahn Kovilo

Non-dual Theravada? | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks on the concept and practice of non-duality (advayaṃ) as it features in the Pāli Canon.

Loving-kindness, Wisdom, and Liberation | Tan Tejadhammo

Loving-kindness, Wisdom, and Liberation | Tan TejadhammoIn this talk, Tan Tejadhammo speaks about using the mind brightened through loving-kindness practice, to see into the not-self nature of the body, and move towards liberation.

Pilgrimage, Tudong, and Faith as Courage | Ajahn Ñāṇiko

Pilgrimage, Tudong, and Faith as Courage | Ajahn ÑāṇikoIn this interview, Ajahn Nyaniko, abbot of Abhayagiri, speaks about his experience developing faith as a faculty and power of the heart through pilgrimage and the practice of wandering tudong.

Chanting “Itipi So” – Introduction | Ajahn Kovilo

Chanting "Itipi So" - Introduction | Ajahn KoviloIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo gives an annotated introduction to the traditional "itipi so" chanting. This video references: The Dhajagga Sutta: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn11/sn11.003.than.html The...