Going Forth: A Year of Service
Ajahn Viradhammo talks about the commitment of a Year of Service offered by Anagarikas with the hope of understanding Sangha life and serving the Sangha on the occasion of David’s Anagarika ordination.… Read the rest
Ajahn Sucitto’s departing message – Winter Retreat 2017
As I’m writing this, I’m coming to the end of my (near) three-months’ stay at Tisarana. The time here has been idyllic, a very special occasion in this ongoing opportunity for simplicity, for discipline as a craft of the heart rather than blind conformity, and for meditation that is grounded rather than pie-in-the-sky. The elements that I appreciate in many monasteries of this lineage are all in place; brevity requires me to merely mention the fullness of the support from the lay people and their eagerness for Dhamma, apparent in those on site, but including those near and far who keep this place going. I hope I will never take this amazing heartfulness for granted. Also I only have space to make brief mention of the direct and down-to-earth warmth and helpfulness of all those in training here. It is gladdening to reflect that, as these virtues are manifesting in Canada as they are in Australia, Thailand, USA and Britain, they are universal and timeless. In the face of the corruptions and brutality that we read about in the news, we do need to remind ourselves of this beauty in others as in ourselves. Tisarana certainly provides an opportunity to witness and participate in that.… Read the rest
Resuming Our Regular Scheduled Events
Beginning Saturday, April 1st, we will resume our regular schedule. Therefore, our first Saturday meditation & Dhamma talk will be on April 1st at 1:30 PM. Please check the dates on the calendar for the regular weekly teachings on the Lunar Observance days. Luang Por Viradhammo will also be teaching in Ottawa (OBS – Quaker House) on Friday, April 7th.… Read the rest
Playing with Dominoes
Ajahn Viradhammo speaks about gratitude to one’s parents, and what to do if this gratitude is difficult to develop. He offers reflections in training the mind by repeatedly returning to the stillness of knowing, and through cultivating an awareness of the basic senses of listening and tactile sensations… Read the rest
Moral Boundaries and the Buddhist Precepts: Q & A
Ajahn Viradhammo answers questions about how to live a wholesome, productive life without getting caught in the trap of becoming. He speaks on the value of upholding the precepts and developing the parami, the Ten Perfections, as ways to develop skills without creating an ego around the skills. He also advises using meditation based on awareness of the breathing and the bodily posture as ways to gradually get more in touch with intense forms of suffering. He recommends an objective knowing of the khandas as a skillful way to deal with interpersonal conflict.… Read the rest
What’s on Netflix?
Ajahn Viradhammo speaks on Right Livelihood in three aspects, that of profit, skill and development of character. He points out how this character development can lead to a patience which is able to overcome greed, hatred and delusion.… Read the rest
What’s on Netflix? Guided Meditation
Ajahn Viradhammo leads a guided meditation, beginning with advice on sitting posture, and including tips on the four meditation postures of sitting, standing, walking and lying down.… Read the rest
The Mind is Burning
After a recitation of the Fire Sutta, Ajahn Viradhammo explains how a misunderstanding of conditioned existence can lead to grasping and suffering. He gives practical methods for noticing the unconditioned and letting go of desire, and discusses the value of the monastic conventions of repetition and renunciation. He points out how practicing with path factors such as Right Speech and Right Intention can develop this letting go.… Read the rest
Training in Non-desire
Ajahn Viradhammo discusses the need for a constant diligence in our mindfulness practice. He warns of the danger in doing a meditation practice with desire in order to become something, and recommends instead the practice of paying attention to vedana, sensations, in the body. He explains how practicing with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness is a skillful means leading towards samma-ditthi, Right View.… Read the rest
Beyond Duality
Ajahn Viradhammo reads a passage by Jean Klein, and explores the function of a contemplative mind in analyzing this passage. He discusses desire in relation to the Third Noble Truth, and how to cultivate a quality of attention which is both watchful and available. These form a basis for Right Effort and dhamma-vicaya, the investigation of phenomena.… Read the rest