Dhamma Talks, Chanting, Precepts and Meditation with Ajahn Dhammasiha and other experienced Senior Buddhist Monks in the Theravada Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. Recorded at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia. Our website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel, including regular live streams on the weekend "Dhammatalks at Dhammagiri": https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Our Spotify Playlists ...
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Enjoying Solitude is Necessary to Attain Nibbana | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Sutta Exploration AN 6.68
28:48
The Buddha explains in this short but powerful discourse:If we're trying to find all our happiness only in socializing and interacting with friends & family, we will not be able to enjoy the happiness of solitude.Without enjoying the happiness of solitude, we will never understand our own mind.If we don't understand our own mind, we can't realize s…
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Noble 8 Fold Path to Guide Our Life | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Middle Way | Ariyo Atthangiko Maggo
54:20
Ajahn Dhammasiha goes through the 8 factors of the Noble Eight Fold Path, and explains how they are relevant to guide our action and speech, both in daily life as well as in our formal meditation. The Noble 8-Fold Path Ariyo Aṭṭhangiko Maggo, also know as the 'Middle Way' Majjhimā Paṭipadā is one of the most fundamental teachings of the Buddha, men…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked by a newcomer to Buddhism for some advice how to get started with both study and practice of the Buddha's teaching. Dhammagiri Website Our Spotify Playlists Newsletter Dhammagiri Youtube Channel Pics #buddhism #dhamma #generosity #virtue #meditation…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha leads a guided meditation on Mettā, Loving Kindness, cultivating the intention of unconditional good will to all beings without distinction. In particular, he encourages us to 'get the feeling going, i.e. to not just 'think' about loving kindness, but to recognize and nurture the ulifting, joyful emotion we feel while practising me…
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Question & Answer session with Ajahn Amaro on the occasion of his first Australia visit at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Queensland, Brisbane. Ajahn Amaro is the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London, UK. Born in England in 1956, Ven. Ajahn Amaro received a BSc. in Psychology and Physiology from the University of London. Spiritual search…
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The Mind Like Fire Unbound | Fire Gone Out as Simile for Nibbana in Buddhism | Ajahn Dhammasiha
31:58
Although Nibbāna is beyond all description and can not possibly comprehended by the thinking mind through language and concepts, the Buddha still used various similes to convey some idea to us what Nirvāṇa is all about. In particular, many times he compared the eperience of Nibbāna to a fire gone out. However, there's a big problem with that simile…
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In this short guided meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to be aware of the breath, but also to be aware of not turning our meditation into an excercise of I-Making and Mine-Making ('Ahaṃ-Kāra' & 'Mamaṃ-Kāra'). By the way, our Spotify Playlists can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre Our Podcast is…
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Ajahn Amaro, Ajahn Dhammasiha and Ajahn Moneyyo recite the traditional Pali verses for sharing good karma with departed relatives, expressing their anumodanā (rejoicing) for all the kind support they received during Ajahn Amaros visit, and sending blessings to all beings. English Translation: As all the water in the streams is flowing to the boundl…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha quotes from the 2nd formal discourse of the Buddha, the Anattalakkana Sutta (Discourse on the Not-Self Characteristic): "N'etaṃ mama, N'eso'ham'asmi, Na me so atta'ti" This is not mine, this is not me, this is not my self." Ajahn offers reflections and similes how we can contemplate these instructions of the Buddha to reduce and ul…
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The Buddha encouraged us to cultivate both aspects of meditation: Samatha: Calm, tranquility, samādhi, concentration, blissful unification of the heart Vipassana: Insight, investigation, analysing, wisdom Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some reflections on this theme, emphasizing the importance of joy and happiness in our meditative practice. By the way, o…
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Q&A with Ajahn Achalo on an occasion when he was visiting Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage in his home town, Brisbane. He shares his memories of his first experiences of inner calm on the beach while listening to the waves and answers questions about the benefit of apirations and rituals and how merit (good actions) can brighten our mind.More teachings …
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During his visit at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage in Brisbane, Australia, Ven. Ajahn Amaro is leading our community in taking the Triple Refuge (Tisaraṇa Gamana), and the 5 or 8 precepts. Ajahn Amaro is the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London, UK. Born in England in 1956, Ven. Ajahn Amaro received a BSc. in Psychology and Physiology fro…
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There are two kind of people: Some that visit a Buddhist monastery, and some that don't. Among those that visit a Buddhist Monastery, there are to kinds of people... Dhammagiri Website Our Spotify Playlists Newsletter Dhammagiri Youtube Channel .
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A short Guided Meditation by Ajahn Amaro during his stay at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia. Ajahn Amaro is the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London, UK, the largest Western monastery in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Born in England in 1956, Ven. Ajahn Amaro received a BSc. in Psychology and Physiology from the University…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha compares the benefits of watching or even participating in the 2024 Olympics in Paris with the benefits of Dhamma practice. He also urges us to use the effort athletes are applying to make it to the Olympics as an encouragement for us to apply similarly singleminded effort in our bhāvanā (meditation), in particular as the benefits …
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In his Dhamma talk, Ajahn Dhammasiha emphasizes that the Buddha's teachings are applicable, practical, pragmatic (opanāyika). In particular, he reminds us of the duty the Buddha has pointed out for each of the 4 Noble Truths, what we actually have to do with them. Ajahn also responds to a question about bravery in our Dhamma practice, and how coura…
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First Teaching of the Buddha | Asalha Full Moon | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
38:39
On Āsāḷhā Full Moon, Ajahn Dhammasiha discusses the the first discourse of the Buddha, the sutta on 'Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma' (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta). In particular, he describes how the Buddha's teaching on the 4 Noble Truth is similar to the approach of a good doctor: A good doctor first has to assess the patients true conditi…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked how we can let go of attachments. He explains that letting go can not be done by an act of willpower. We need wisdom, insight, in order to let go. If we can see that anything that we are attached to will NOT give us lasting happiness, but ultimatley causes us disappointment and suffering, then the heart will let go automat…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about three main events in the Buddha's life that we commemorate on Āsāḷhā Full Moon Day: Teaching of the first formal discourse, the 'Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta' Conception of the Bodhisatta / Dream of Queen Mahāmāyā with the Bodhisatta approaching her in the form of a white elephant with 7 tusks and entering her body via h…
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When we stand barefoot with our feet in the water at the beach, we can notice how the waves are washing away the sand from under our feet. We don't stand on firm ground, the sand we stand on is constantly eroding, making our posture unstable, unreliable and impermanet. Ajahn Dhammasiha uses this experience as a simile for sankhārā ('conditioned phe…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked how much good karma we generate if we are doing the good action not voluntary, but we are forced to do it by external circumstance, like for instance a court order for 'community service'. Another question is about food offered at the monastery: Does it have any special qualities, different from food one would eat at a com…
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Dhammatalk by Ajahn Amaro about seeing impermanence and how it can help us to be liberated from self-view, on the occasion of his first Australia visit at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Queensland, Brisbane. Ajahn Amaro is the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London, UK, the largest Western monastery in the lineage of Ajahn Chah. Born in En…
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Q&A session with Venerable Ajahn Amaro during his visit to Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage, Brisbane, Australia. Tan Ajahn Ajahn is asked if it was tough for him in the beginning, when he was a newly ordained monk at Ajahn Chah's monastery in Thailand in 1979. Ajahn answers that he didn't find it difficult at all in the first year, but quite the opposi…
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We can train ourselves to enjoy meditation, or actually any kind of activity. Perception is not-self, it depends on conditions, and if we cultivate the right conditions, then our perception will change accordingly. The ability to turn ones perception around has been called 'Ariya-Iddhi' (Noble Psychic Power) by the Buddha. The enlightened Arahants …
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After his return to Dhammagiri, Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some experiences from his travels. Some photos can be seen here: https://travel-pics-ajahn-2.dhammagiri.net He first attended the huge event for Luang Por Sumedho's 90th birthday at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery near London. LP Sumedho is the most senior Western disciple of Ajahn Chah, and the …
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The term ‘bhikkhu’ is defined as ‘almsman’, or ‘mendicant’. One who depends on the generosity of others for his material needs. What kinds of requisits are buddhist monks allowed to have and how should they relate to them? Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcr Our P…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha compares spiritual practice and meditation with the task of cleaning to show how they are related to each other. Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcr Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just lis…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha explains about the various benefits of developing Metta (loving-kindness), especially to motivate ourselves. Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcr Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen …
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Sañña - The role of Perception in the Teaching of the Buddha | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri
42:36
Sañña, usually translated as perception, is one of the 5 Aggregates (Khandha), one of the central teachings of the Buddha. Learn more about the meaning of the Pali word and how it relates to the origination and cessation of suffering. Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0…
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What does it really mean "to take refuge in Sangha"?What if a very senior monk disrobes, how can we protect our mind from losing faith in such situations?Ajahn Dhammasiha points out that our refuge in terms of Sangha is:"...Yadidaṃ cattāri purisayugani, aṭṭha purisapuggala - Esa Bhagavato Sāvakasangho..."...Namely the four pairs of persons, the eig…
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A Dhammatalk by Ajahn Dhammasiha about the numerous benefits of associating with people who have noble qualities and realized awakening. Our Spotify playlists can be found on our Spotify Profile here: https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcr Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, j…
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AJAHN VAJIRO | Silence & Space, Clinging to Views and Opinions, Ovāda Pātimokkha & Mangala Sutta
22:14
Guided Meditation and Question & Answer session at Dhammagiri with Ajahn Vajiro, currently abbot of Sumedharama monastery in Portugal on Sunday, 25th February. Ajahn Vajiro first gives a short guided meditation. In the session afterwards he is answering questions on the topics of the meaning of the Ovāda Pātimokkha & Mangala Sutta, about Silence & …
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On occasion of Visākhā Pūjā, Ajahn Dhammasiha relates the events leading up to the Buddha's Supreme Awakening under the Bodhi Tree. Initially, the Bodhisatta practised extreme austerities in the believe that only through pain one can eradicate desire and attain perfect release. He fasted and tortured his own body until he almost died. When he colla…
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During his visit at Dhammagiri, Ajahn Vajiro responds to a question from the audience: What's the reason that apparently only so few practitioners actually succeed to attain Nibbana? Ven. Ajahn Vajiro was born in Malaysia in 1953 and has been a Buddhist monk for over 40 years. In 1979, he met Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Sumedho when they made a visit to H…
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Sangha Gains Strength from Gathering in Harmony | LP Sumedho 90th Birthday | Ajahn Dhammasiha
29:23
Before departure to the large gathering of Sangha at Amaravati Ajahn Dhammasiha shares reflections on the importance of Sangha meeting in harmony for the longevity of the Sasana. More than 140 monks are expected to gather on occasion of the Acariya Puja for Luang Por Sumedho's 90th birthday. Meeting frequently in harmony, conducting business in har…
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To commence free distribution of our Dhammagiri Tees 2nd batch, Ajahn Dhammasiha goes through the meaning of every symbol and writing on the shirt: 1. Twelve spoked Dhammacakka (Dhamma Wheel) 2. Tiratana (Three Jewels) with Trident symbolizing Triple Gem Vajira (Diamond/Thunder Bolt) symbolizing the power of wisdom that can cut defilements in the m…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question about the meaning of 'akāliko' (timeless). Timelessness is one of the qualities of the Dhamma, as described by the Buddha in the well known formula: "Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo, sandiṭṭhiko, akāliko, ehipassiko, opanayiko, paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhī'ti" "The Dhamma is well expounded by the exhaulted one, vis…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha explains 5 powerful benefits we can receive from the simple ceremony of Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha, together with committing to the 5 precepts: Taking Refuge reduces anxiety Taking Refuge uplifts our heart and protects us from feeling down and depressed Taking Refuge is an act generating heaps of good karma, if we rea…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question how we can develop gratitude methodically. Being grateful (Kataññū Katavedī) has been praised by the Buddha as belonging entirely to the sphere of a truly good person. However, he also pointed out that it is a rather rare character trait. Gratitude may not always come naturally, so we have to make a deliberat…
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This is the ceremony of taking refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by taking of the FIVE precepts. We do this ceremony at Dhammagiri: Every Saturday morning 07.30 am On the Sundays closest to the full moon at 09.00 am Requesting Triple Refuge & FIVE Precepts Mayaṃ Bhante, tisaraṇena saha pañca-sīlāni yācāma. Dutiyampi, m…
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This is the ceremony of taking refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by taking of the EIGHT precepts. We do this ceremony at Dhammagiri: Every Saturday morning 07.30 am On the Sundays closest to the full moon at 09.00 am Requesting Triple Refuge & 8 Precepts Mayaṃ Bhante, tisaraṇena saha aṭṭha-sīlāni yācāma. Dutiyampi, may…
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Don't Obsess about your Meditation Object | Cittanupassana | Mindful of Mind | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri
22:35
When cultivating bhāvanā (meditation), naturally we have to be mindful of and focussed upon our meditation object; for instance 'Buddho', or the breath, or mettā; and so on... However, if we try to exclusively focus only on the meditation object with all we've got, the effort quickly becomes ineffective, or even couterproductive. Instead, while med…
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Compassion 'Karuna': What's the Difference to Loving Kindness 'Metta'? | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Dhammagiri
29:45
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to the question how Karuṇā (Compassion) differs from Mettā (Loving Kindness). Compassion is the wish for all beings to be free from pain and suffering in any form. Loving Kindness is the wish for all beings to be happy and well. Though both belong to the 4 'Divine Abidings' (4 Brahmaviharas), and are closely related, in ac…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to connect with nature, and to contemplate the 4 Great Elements externally as we experience them in the natural environment. Earth Element (Hardness, Rocks, Stones, Sand, Feeling the Ground while Walking or Sitting) Water Element (Wet soil or grass or sand or beach; Ocean; Rain; Streams/Rivers) Fire/Heat Element (Suns…
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Ven Jinaratana There offers guidance how we can experience and contemplate the four elements ('Cātu-mahā-bhūtikā') in in our own bodies. Paṭhavī-dhātu = Earth Element /Solidity Āpo-dhātu = Water Element / Liquidity Tejo-dhātu = Fire Element / Heat (or lack of heat, i.e. cold) Vāyo-dhātu = Wind Element (energy movement) Bhante Jinaratana was born in…
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In this sutta, the Buddha compares the work of a goldsmith to the work of a meditator trying to purify their mind. Both have to pay attention to 3 qualities at the appropriate time, without overdoing any of them: Calming the mind with samādhi / cooling the gold in the smelter Arousing the mind with energetic effort / heating the gold Looking on wit…
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BHANTE JINARATANA | Starving the Hindrances | Dhammagiri | Buddhist Dhamma Talk on Panca Nivarana
44:45
Bhante Jinaratana explains how we can starve the 5 hindrances ('anāhāra pañca-nīvaraṇa') in order to gradually weaken and overcome their obstructive influence on our mental development. Like all sankhāras, the five hindrances are conditioned, i.e. they depend on some form of nutriment for their existence. If we reduce the nutriment that's feeding t…
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Ajahn Thee Sabbajayanto shares his experience of arriving in Australia at age 16 for school and further studies. He didn't know any English, and had to start learning it by 'being thrown in at the deep end'. Naturally, it wasn't easy, and although he liked Australia a lot, he had to work very hard to adjust to a language and culture very different …
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On occasion of Easter, Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about a subject that is common to virtually all religions: Loving Kindness. Loving Kindness, in Pali known as 'Mettā', is the intention of unconditional good will to all beings without exeception or discrimination. Whatever religion, or no religion at all, whatever race or nationality or sex or age or c…
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Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question on the meaning of Bhava Taṇhā & Vibhava Taṇhā. In the four Noble Truths, the Buddha explains three forms of craving (taṇhā): Sensual Craving (Kāma Taṇhā) Carving for Existence/Being/Becoming (Bhava Taṇhā) Craving for Annihilation/Non Existence (Vibhava Taṇhā) Craving is the cause of suffering, so we have to a…
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