Dhamma-Vinaya Patipadā Podcast

This ovāda discusses how to associate with solitary places. It was given at the ancient monastery of Situl Pawa inside Yala National Park.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"Is the mindfulness that recognizes the absence of pressure when it is absent, and the presence of pressure when it is present, without being deceived by it, that supreme peace?

Or something moving in that direction?"

Suttas Referenced:

-MN 137 (Equanimity based on multiplicity)

-MN 22 (Let go of what's not yours)

-SN 51:15 (Four bases of psychic power, desire allayed through desire)

Video Referenced:

Away From...

This ovāda discusses how all beings have happiness as their goal and gives some of the Buddha's strategies to achieve it.

This video is a sutta study evaluating whether the meditation method of intense focus on a single object, such as the breath, is recommended by the Buddha.

It is a follow-up to the video “Is Meditation Only for Stream Enterers or Those Who Are Close?” In particular, it builds on the points made in that video—that the Buddha did teach the Satipaṭṭhānas to laypeople, and breath meditation is part of that framework.

This Ovāda discusses how experienced practitioners can lose motivation in meditation and how to overcome it.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (condensed and paraphrased)...

'Bhante, thank you for giving me the chance to clarify my thoughts in writing—it’s something I rarely do.

When I refer to “‘the form (of the Satipatthanas) practiced’ today,” I mean the common methods most meditators now use, such as watching the breath for extended periods. I believe these approaches often address only the surface of suffering by temporarily “shutting down” the citta, rather than helping one truly understand and tame it through precepts and virtue first. As a result, som...

This ovāda discusses different levels of refuge and their effectiveness.

A Dhamma Discussion based on the question... "if thinking of samsara as a process or activity; is nibanna the only process or possibility other than samsara? I'm trying to understand nibanna and whether it is an eternal, unchanging state of peaceful existence, or an eternal state of nothingness. If it's not either of these things, what else is it? And specifically, I'm trying to make sense of what happens to an arahant after death of the body."

This ovāda discusses the role of effort and endurance as foundational elements of practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Often during meditation, I continuously experience a dreamy type of state when old memories become vivid and captivating. There is a level of comfort and warmth to this, but also some unease as I feel it's a distraction from my main object. I do my best to pull my mind out of these experiences, but they usually continue to come back moments later within the same sitting session. I've noticed that the less "rote" of a meditation technique I'm using, the less this occurs. But even with something like breath meditation when my...

This ovāda discusses the way that calm can arises if one perseveres beyond agitation in one's practice. It discusses how to see patterns in what gives rise to states of calm vs states of agitation. It also discusses how to use that knowledge to gain the confidence to step forward in one's practice and into the unknown.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I'm curious to confirm if the bliss referred to (as that which may lie behind the perception of mind), is that which is referred to in the Pali as *piti*. Often the English term "bliss" may be generally (mis)interpreted as intensely pleasurable feeling, like some hugely pleasant esctatic sensation.....perhaps like an overwhelmingly pleasant and long lasting dopamine rush. If intensely pleasurable sensations such as this arise in meditation, I understand this is not the same 'bliss' to which is referred to as that which may lie behind the perception of mind...

An ovāda based on the Dhammapada verse: All compounded things are impermanent When with wisdom this is seen (One) develops dispassion for the world This is the path to purity

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Bhante, can you please explain how anapanasati can develop insight or discernment, or to removal of the defilements? Do you think that the modern variations of mindfulness of breathing can lead to the same "great fruits and great benefits" as how the Buddha taught it?"

This ovāda discusses how overly-simplified and pre-planned paths of practice can be a hindrance

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "How do you balance practicing metta and asubha meditation?"

The ovāda touches on the extraordinary accomplishments of the foreign monks of the Island Hermitage in Sri Lanka. Using their examples, It discusses how practice can become powerful when all the aspects of life become turned towards the Dhamma.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I have a question about doubt in the practice. When I first started practicing I was quite enamored with (a certain monk's) work. I still am to a degree but after learning about the conflict of views between him and (another monk) in regards to ... "not self strategy". This back and forth writing of essays refuting each other's views has created a lot of doubt in my own practice. I am just curious how you deal with your own doubt in the practice in this day and age where there is no longer...

This ovāda discusses the role of patience, balance, and investigation in Buddhist practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I am struggling to control my anger in certain circumstances. I am able to control most of the time, however when certain situations arise in the family sometimes it becomes hard and I lose my temper. Despite my efforts in meditation, I feel like I have made little progress in this aspect of reducing anger. I would like some practical advice on how can I train my mind to remain calm and not let anger persuade me in difficult family circumstances. Thank You Venerable for your guidance 🙏🏼... Regarding this, I was under the impres...

This ovāda discusses the five topics for frequent recollection. In particular, it focuses on the reflection: "All that is mine, beloved, and pleasing will become otherwise; it will become separated from me." It explores how contemplating separation can serve as a path that leads beyond separation.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I wanted to share something interesting that happened and ask for clarifications. "Recently I've been having lots of dreams where in the dream I am doing chanting, meditating and in one dream I was paying respects to (a Venerable)... In another dream, I dreamt about another Buddhist monk from Romania... The dreams were very clear, detailed and I can remember them exactly which doesn't happen with me with other dreams. "Yesterday, a Venerable from a temple that I visited in North Italy in 2021 messaged me... interestingly just last week I was thinking to...

This ovāda discusses the seeming paradox of how the intense application of effort in practice can lead to almost immediate peace and ease.

Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I’ve recently come across a post by (a Venerable)... that has raised some concerns for me. In the post, he describes a growing “ultra-right extremist Buddhism” and characterizes a broad range of views—including "incel culture, anti-feminism, vaccine skepticism, fans of Jordan Peterson, opposition to bhikkhuni ordination, transphobia, homophobia, and climate change denial"—as part of this trend. He also criticizes the idea that Buddhists should focus solely on the Dhamma and avoid worldly concerns, labeling this perspective “elevationism” and equating it with covert support for right-wing ideologies. ... This raises a question for me: is such a...

This ovāda discusses the importance of staying in the present moment to give strength to one's practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the questions... 1. How do you get rid of arrogance? 2. How can you practice to be more humble? 3. How can you avoid feeling condescending toward people who are less spiritual?

This talk discusses the ways in which concentration and insight practices complement one another and when to switch between them

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... "I've had an experience where I just see things arising and passing away, but I don't know how to cross beyond that. Do you have any advice?"

This ovāda discusses the importance of staying with goodness during difficult times

A Dhamma discussion based on the questions... What is the citta nimitta? What are nimittas in general?

This ovāda discusses the importance of spontaneity in developing the Buddhist path

A Dhamma Discussion based on the question... "Something that I have struggled with for many years is the way practice bears so much fruit. The more... meditation I do the more energy and good ideas and better relationships I have get me caught up in the world, it can be a bit of a vicious cycle. Do you have any advice on how to balance practice with the energy for the world that it brings?"

This ovāda discusses how hatred arises in individuals, groups, and society. It explores the negative consequences of hatred and examines the benefits of seeking and practicing ways to escape it.

A Dhamma discussion based on the following questions (paraphrased)... What is the role of Samvega? Terror. Is that always a bad thing? Should one go towards it or should one go against it if one feels depression, despair, or terror?

This ovāda describes the cultivation of right view as something more than just the development of overt philosophies through thinking and pre-planning. It also emphasizes the more subtle levels of right view that one needs to cultivate by experimenting and training the mind to confront the defilements that cause suffering in real time. This is "right view of a warrior".

A Dhamma discussion revolving around kamma, free will, and determinism.

This ovāda uses refers to suttas and to living traditons to discuss how the fruit of stream entry is a sudden occurrence that leaves a lasting impression on the mind. It contrasts this with a trend in modern Western Buddhism in which the fruit of stream entry is presented as something gradual and almost indiscernible. -AN 3:12 -- To Be Remembered

A Dhamma discussion based on the topic (paraphrased): "I was discussing with my mother about the impermanence of the five khandhas. She could see how each of them were impermanent, except for consciousness. What proof is there, for example, that there isn't some little man hiding behind, in the mind, and observing everything? How can one contemplate consciousness as impermanent, since it's consciousness that observes? Do you have any advice on how I could answer her Bhante?"

This ovāda discusses the purpose one should have in meeting inspiring monks. It discusses how one should seek to meet inspiring figures to take on their good qualities. One shouldn't seek to meet them just to feel inspired.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Could you please say something about the preciousness of human rebirth. According to the scriptures it is very rare to be born in the human realm and we are very fortunate to be so. What are the causes of such a rebirth and what should we do to ensure that if we don’t reach awakening in this life, to be reborn again into the human realm."