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Dependent Origination as a Skillful Perception

Ajahn Viradhammo describes how to use the law of dependent origination as a skillful method for perceiving our experiences. Instead of habitually grasping at our khandas (aggregates) we can develop a view that sees conditions which simply cause phenomena to arise and cease.… Read the rest

Our Use By Date – Luang Por Liem

Ajahn Thaniyo translates a talk given by Luang Por Liem. He covers many themes including mindfulness, generosity, sacrificing, not to be a slave to the worldly Dhammas and conditioned things, and seeing the nature of our bodies as impermanent and not self. This allows us to experience dispassion, helping us to put forth effort more easily so that wisdom can arise. He also answers two questions about desire and death.… Read the rest

I get by with a little help from my kalyāṇa-mitta . . .

If you have ever wondered how the Tisarana free distribution books are produced, here is a description by Lisa explaining the process. It also illustrates how the life of Tisarana Monastery is made possible by an extended family of volunteers . . .

In October of 2013, Philip and I began our “special volunteering project” for Tisarana Buddhist Monastery. At that time, its abbot, Luang Por Viradhammo, was contemplating publishing his second collection of Dhamma reflections based on 10 of his recorded Dhamma talks that had already been transcribed by a friend in the U.S. into a tentative essay format. But the abbot was still in need of two editors to steward these written texts into a publishable form. So Philip and I happily agreed to embark on the great – if not formidable – adventure of creating a new book for the author of these talks.

The creation of this book, which is now entitled The Contemplative’s Craft: Internalizing the Teachings of the Buddha, took place over the course of about 20 months. Needless to say, there were numerous steps involved in the completion of this project. First, my co-editor and I had to determine which of these 10 talks were (to our way of thinking) most worthy of publication.… Read the rest

Effort and Suitable Conditions – Luang Por Liem

On Tuesday, June 23, Ajahn Thaniyo translated Luang Por Liem’s Observance Day Dhamma talk in English (first 30 seconds in Thai). Luang Por encouraged the community to put forth right effort and take advantage of our suitable conditions so we can make progress in our practice.… Read the rest

Seclusion of Body, Mind, and Heart – Luang Por Jundee

A very short talk given by Luang Por Jundee about the seclusion of body and mind (kāya viveka, citta viveka, and upadhi viveka). He explains the difference between bodily seclusion and the refined difference between being secluded from unpeaceful mind states and being completely secluded from all defilements within the mind.… Read the rest

Schedule Updates and the Noble Eightfold Path Study Group

We would like to update you with the following Tisarana schedule changes:

1) The Tisarana Kathina will take place on Sunday, November 8th at Tisarana Monastery

2) Teachings on the Noble Eightfold Path and the Satipatthana Sutta will be offered once a month by Ajahn Viradhammo and other monks at Tisarana Monastery in the outdoor tent.

Program:
11:00 am Dana (Potluck lunch)
1:00 pm Chanting and meditation
1:50 pm Dhamma talk on chosen theme
2:45 pm Break (those who have just come for the talk can leave)
3:00 pm Q&A
4:00 pm Finish with the five precepts

These special Saturday study groups are open to the public on these dates and with these themes:

July 11th: Right Effort

August 15th: Satipatthana – Mindfulness of the Body

September 12th: Satipatthana – Mindfulness of Feeling

October 10th: Satipatthana – Mindfulness of the Mind

November 7th: Satipatthana – Mindfulness of Mind Objects

December 12th: Right Concentration… Read the rest

Hitting Your Brick Wall

This is the first talk from the 2015 winter retreat. Ajahn Viradhammo speaks about right effort and how to maintain awareness as the five hindrances arise.… Read the rest

Developing the Wholesome – Luang Por Liem

This is the English translation by Ajahn Thaniyo of a short Dhamma talk offered by Luang Por Liem on Sunday, June 21, during the inauguration of the Dhamma hall project. LP Liem encourages us to take care of the health of our minds as well as our physical bodies. We do this by utilizing the internal and external conditions around us to increase the wholesome aspects of our lives and let go of that which is unwholesome.… Read the rest