When a Monk Disrobes
On the occasion of Ajahn Yatiko’s leaving the robes (an Abhayagiri senior monk), Ajahn Vīradhammo expounds upon the merits of being a monk, whether it is for a period of time in one’s life or an entire lifetime.… Read the rest
Impulse, Habit, Personality, Destiny
This talk explains how to refrain from unwholesome reactions to experiences in the external world. We do this by paying attention to the movement of the mind in ordinary circumstances (much like we do with the movement of mind in formal meditation). In a sense we are learning to wait and pause around our experiences so we can identify how we move from impulse to habit to personality to destiny. This then allows us to break this repetitive cycle.… Read the rest
Tisarana Kathina Ceremony: Sunday, November 2nd, 10:00 am, Civitan Hall, Perth
This year’s Kathina will be held in Perth at the Civitan Hall:
6787, Highway 43 (Directions)
Each year since the time of the Buddha, at the end of the three-month Rains Retreat, lay people who support Buddhist monasteries have gathered to celebrate the completion of the retreat and offer the monastic community gifts of cloth and supplies that will be useful for the coming year. The cloth is cut, sewn and dyed by the monks that same day to make a robe to offer to a member of the monastic Saṅgha.
This 2,500-year-old tradition is still carried on here in the West, initiated by a lay supporter or group of supporters who request to organize the preparation and formal offerings. It’s a significant and joyful occasion that’s emblematic of the rich relationship between lay people and monastics, a relationship characterized by deep bonds of friendship and commitment to mutual support. All year round, the monastery functions solely on offerings from the lay community.
Programme for the Kathina Ceremony:
Please Note: Daylight Savings Time ends in the early morning before our Kathina. Clocks roll back one hour at 2:00 am, Nov. 2nd (very early on Sunday morning).
9:30 am: Arrival, preparation and receiving of food offerings
10:00 am: Opening Pūjā, Welcoming remarks from Ajahn Vīradhammo, Taking Five Precepts, Paritta Chanting
10:30 am: Formal offering of food to the Saṅgha
11:00 am: Chanting of Anumodanā and invitation of laity to join in the meal
1:00 pm (approximately): Opening remarks by Ambassador Pisan, Kathina Ceremony and Offering of Kathina Robes, Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Pasanno, Closing Remarks by Ajahn Vīradhammo
For more Information about Kathina offerings please go here.… Read the rest
Developing An Inner Vigilance: Q and A
Ajahn Vīradhammo answers a question from a concerned mother about her fears in regards to her children and another question from a woman trying to help family members, specifically her mother, learn about Buddhism.… Read the rest
Developing An Inner Vigilance
Ajahn Vīradhammo speaks about how we develop the contemplative life by watching our experiences and developing wholesome action. We do this in our daily lives by being a witness to our stream of consciousness and having an awareness of change.… Read the rest
Monastic Renunciation
During one of the Wan Prah vigils, Ajahn Vīradhammo speaks about the advantages and uses of renunciation and how the monastic form helps to encourage the use of this helpful tool.… Read the rest
Non-Grasping and Non-Attachment
Luang Por Vīradhammo speaks about the theme of grasping and how we can identify grasping in the mind. We learn non-grasping, not to become a better person, but to realize how we can let go of our attachment to ideals and the ways we think we should be, thus releasing ourselves from suffering and self-view.… Read the rest
Simplicity
On the afternoon of July 27th, 2014, in Toronto, Ajahn Vīradhammo leads a guided meditation and then answers questions from the group.… Read the rest
A Positive Approach To Life
On the morning of July 27th, 2014, in Toronto, Ajahn Vīradhammo leads chanting and gives an explanation for why we take the refuges and precepts (and offers the refuges and precepts). He then leads a guided meditation.… Read the rest
Perception and Recollection
On the afternoon of July 26th, 2014, Luang Por Vīradhammo gave a Dhamma talk with the group, Satipañña: Insight Meditation Toronto. The talk focuses on how to use perception and recollection in our practice. He also fields some questions from the group.… Read the rest