• *EXTRACT* Buddha's qualities: "unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed" — THE EIGHT DIRECTIONS
    Sep 28 2024

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    A short extract from the FULL Dhamma live session on "The Buddha's advice on meditation practice for busy people" based on the Mahānāma Sutta (AN 11.11) on 20 July 2024.

    This extract is the explanation of the EIGHT DIRECTIONS that makes the Buddha the "unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed" or in pali "anuttaro purisadammasārathi".

    When we develop these eight directions, we see through the gross and subtle things that we attached to that bind us to suffering. We have learned most of this Dhamma through our sutta meditations in order to train. And by developing in these eight directions, we sharpen our spiritual faculties and would naturally incline towards Nibbana as our goal and Nibbana as our object.


    For the FULL Dhamma session - https://t.ly/j504j (video) OR https://t.ly/AyXKt (audio)

    To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

    Selected tables, slides and documents are shared via the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel - https://t.me/suttameditationseries

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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    19 mins
  • *EXTRACT* from The Third doorway to Nibbana — CONTEMPLATION OF MIND (cittanupassana)
    Sep 21 2024

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    A short extract from the FULL Dhamma session on "The Third Doorway to Nibbana" or Pleasant Practice with Slow Realisation on 5 October 2023.

    This extract is a brief explanation on the contemplation of mind (cittānupassanā), which is the third establishment of mindfulness as set out by the Buddha in the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10).

    The Buddha encouraged us to contemplate the mind as mind. It is fundamentally about understanding our mind states - how they come to arise and how they pass away. We have already learned enough from our sutta meditations to understand how to develop this practice. When we establish mindfulness regarding the mind and insight into the true nature of the mind, we would not cling to the mind.

    I referred to this Dhamma part in our recent live session on "How to be the best among the best" based on the Sekha-paṭipadā Sutta (MN 53), when we examined the good quality of mindfulness (one of the 15 caranadhamma) in the trainee's path of practice.


    For the FULL Dhamma session on the Third Doorway to Nibbana - https://tinyurl.com/yu52259m (video) or https://tinyurl.com/yem5zr2c (audio)


    To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

    Selected tables, slides and documents are shared via the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel - https://t.me/suttameditationseries

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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    14 mins
  • HOW TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST - Trainee's Mode of Practice (Binara livestream)
    Sep 17 2024

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    In this livestream Dhamma session on Binara full moon poya, we examine the "HOW TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST" based on the Venerable Ānanda's teaching in the Sekha-paṭipadā Sutta (MN 53).

    We begin with the verse:

    “The ruling elite is the best among people

    For those whose standard is the clan,

    But one accomplished in knowledge and conduct

    Is best among devas and humans.”

    and examine the full teaching in the Sekha-paṭipadā Sutta (MN 53) on a trainee's mode of practice to be accomplished in knowledge and conduct (vijjācaraṇasampanno), in other words "the best among the best".

    ― TIMESTAMPS ― 00:00 How to be the best among the best 03:16 Homage to the Triple Gem 03:37 What we'll cover 04:45 How to get the best out of this session 06:28 Verse uttered by Brahmā Sanaṅkumara 11:55 Why is this teaching beneficial? 14:12 Overview of the Sekha-paṭipadā Sutta 15:56 Who is a trainee (sekha)? 22:32 Introduction to the discourse 25:51 Perfect in true knowledge (3) and conduct (15) 30:26 Possessed of virtue (sīlasampanno) 39:50 Guards the doors to the sense faculties (indriyesu guttadvāro) 48:02 Moderate in eating (bhojane mattaññū) 57:37 Devoted to wakefulness (jāgariyaṁ anuyutto) 01:08:27 Intro to the seven good qualities 01:09:20 The Buddha's simile of the citadel 01:11:28 Conviction (saddho) 01:24:00 (Moral) Shame (hirimā) 01:32:50 Fear of wrongdoing (ottappī) 01:42:35 Learned (heard) much (bahussuto) 01:53:55 Energetic (āraddhavīriyo) 02:03:07 Mindfulness (satimā) 02:15:53 Wise (paññavā) 02:23:29 The Four Jhanas (catunnaṁ jhānānaṁ) 02:32:11 Simile of the hen with eggs 02:34:00 First True Knowledge 02:37:03 Second True Knowledge 02:41:38 Third True Knowledge 02:57:47 Sharing the merit and blessings

    **Much merit (bohoma pin) to the person who requested this sutta**

    The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://t.ly/7JfIy

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

    To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

    Selected tables, slides and documents are shared via the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel - https://t.me/suttameditationseries

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

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    2 hrs and 59 mins
  • BUDDHA'S ADVICE ON MEDITATION PRACTICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE (Esala livestream)
    Jul 20 2024

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    In this livestream Dhamma session on Esala full moon poya, we examine the "BUDDHA'S ADVICE ON MEDITATION PRACTICE FOR BUSY PEOPLE" based on the Buddha's teaching in the Mahānāma Sutta (AN 11.11).

    In this session:

    00:00 Start of the session

    06:25 Overview of the Mahānāma Sutta (AN 11.11)

    07:50 Why this teaching is beneficial and fruitful

    11:49 Similar teachings to monastic and lay disciples of the Buddha

    17:20 Who was Mahānāma the Sakyan?

    19:25 Mahānāma’s question to the Buddha and his brief response

    21:00 Establishing the five spiritual faculties

    24:05 The six things to be developed

    27:58 How it connects to noble attainment (path and fruit)

    31:31 “Deep dive” into the recollection of the Buddha

    38:07 What happens when we recollect the Buddha's qualities?

    40:05 Qualities of the Buddha - first three

    59:12 Qualities of the Buddha - middle three

    01:22:34 Qualities of the Buddha - last three

    01:27:41 Short meditation - recollection of the Buddha (10 mins)

    01:37:55 Deepening our understanding the meaning of "one who sees the Dhamma sees me"

    01:41:35 “Deep dive” into the recollection of the Dhamma

    01:53:44 Short meditation - recollection of the Dhamma (5 mins)

    01:59:38 “Deep dive” into the recollection of the Sangha

    02:02:25 Eight persons and Eight qualities

    02:11:44 Short meditation - recollection of the Sangha (5 mins)

    02:16:19 “Deep dive” into the recollection of our own virtuous behaviour

    02:24:49 Short meditation - recollection of our own virtuous behaviour (5 mins)

    02:30:21 “Deep dive” into the recollection of our own generosity

    02:40:25 Short meditation - recollection of our own generosity (5 mins)

    02:45:18 “Deep dive” into the recollection of the devas

    03:02:54 Short meditation - recollection of the devas

    03:07:23 Encouragement

    03:10:20 Sharing the merit and Blessings

    **Much merit (bohoma pin) to the person who requested this sutta**

    The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://t.ly/j504j

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

    To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

    Selected tables, slides and documents are shared via the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel - https://t.me/suttameditationseries

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

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    3 hrs and 11 mins
  • METTA LAB - Weekly Slow Session 10
    Jul 6 2024

    Welcome to Mettā Lab @suttameditationseries

    Mettā Lab is a weekly YouTube livestream Dhamma session on the Sutta Meditation Series channel to develop and intensify our loving kindness (mettā) practice.

    — Timestamp —

    00:00 Mettā Lab - First Doorway to Nibbāna - 6 July 2024

    04:00 Recap on the first four steps of Painful practice with slow realisation to reach the heavenly or divine abode

    19:58 First right striving (including the connection to Āneñjasappāya Sutta) to protect reaching the divine abode

    22:22 Thoroughly contemplating the Noble Truth of Suffering

    37:45 With the insight and wisdom up to this point, making the Determination for Truth (for Nibbāna)

    45:05 Fulfilling the Concentration due to Desire

    48:20 Why restraint of the sense faculties is needed to protect our mind and what we've developed in this insight pathway

    55:04 Connecting to the Karaṇīyametta Sutta at "controlled at the sense faculties" (santindriyo) to reach immeasurable loving kindness

    57:20 How a deeper understanding of the noble truth of suffering provides a strong foundation for the development of immeasurable loving kindness

    01:00:38 How to reach the Beautiful Liberation (subhavimutti) from immeasurable loving kindness

    01:01:15 Advice on developing the First Doorway to Nibbana or Painful Practice with Slow Realisation and other resources on Sutta Meditation Series

    01:04:33 Brief overview of the key inflection points in this insight pathway

    01:09:30 Revisiting the Dhammapada verse 40

    01:14:20 Taking a break from Mettā Lab weekly slow sessions to develop and practice these meditations (Karaṇīyametta Sutta and Painful Practice with Slow Realisation) towards immeasurable loving kindness

    01:16:03 Sharing the merit and blessings

    The focus is on developing *supramundane* loving kindness in accordance with the Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon.

    (1) We will begin with the Buddha's instructions on how to develop mettā in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (2) Then we will develop the First Doorway to Nibbana or Painful Practice with Slow Realisation which culminates in immeasurable mettā, based on the Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) and Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9). It also draws on what we learn in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (3) Then we will develop mettā with the seven enlightenment factors (bojjhangas), based on the Mettāsahagata Sutta (SN 46.54), which distinguishes the Buddha's teaching of mettā from all others. And liberation of mind by loving kindness (mettācetovimutti)

    These are purposely "slow sessions" to gradually learn (or revise), develop and practise each step of these sutta meditations. Each session will be 1 to 1.5 hours duration. And during the session there will be short meditation periods. It may take a few weeks to complete each sutta meditation.

    Mettā Lab is for beginners and meditators who wish to refresh and deepen their loving kindness practice. Everyone is welcome.

    To watch the YouTube livestream - https://t.ly/ZHHq3

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • THE WAY TO THE IMPERTURBABLE (Poson livestream)
    Jun 21 2024

    Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

    In this livestream Dhamma session on Poson full moon poya, we examine the Buddha's teaching in the Āneñjasappāya Sutta (MN 106) on the way to the imperturbable.

    — TIMESTAMPS —

    00:00 The Way to the Imperturbable

    01:40 What we'll cover

    04:11 What is “āneñja” and the context for this teaching?

    18:35 Examples of the Buddha and the imperturbable

    22:30 Overview of the Āneñjasappāya Sutta (MN 106)

    23:45 “Deep dive” into the Buddha’s teaching on sensuality

    46:04 "Deep dive" into the Buddha's teaching on the three ways directed to the imperturbable

    1:01:58 "Deep dive" into the Buddha's teaching on the three ways directed to the base of nothingness

    1:33:52 "Deep dive" into the Buddha's teaching on the three ways directed to the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception

    1:45:28 "Deep dive" into the Buddha's teaching on noble liberation

    2:00:35 Encouragement towards investigating

    2:03.38 Sharing the merit and blessings

    In this session we cover:

    — What is “āneñja” and the context for this teaching?

    — Examples of the Buddha and the imperturbable

    — Overview of the Āneñjasappāya Sutta (MN 106)

    — “Deep dive” into the Buddha’s gradual teaching on sensuality, the higher concentrations and noble liberation

    — Encouragement from the Buddha towards investigating

    Bohoma pin to the person who requested this sutta.

    The video of this talk has been published to the Sutta Meditation YouTube channel - https://t.ly/q3Bwi

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

    To find the YT Sutta Meditation Series playlists visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/SuttaMeditationSeries/playlists, or click on 'Playlists' in the top menu bar.

    Selected tables, slides and documents are shared via the Sutta Meditation Series Telegram channel - https://t.me/suttameditationseries

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

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    2 hrs and 5 mins
  • METTA LAB - Weekly Slow Session 09
    Jun 16 2024

    Welcome to Mettā Lab @suttameditationseries

    Mettā Lab is a weekly YouTube livestream Dhamma session on the Sutta Meditation Series channel to develop and intensify our loving kindness (mettā) practice.

    — Timestamp —

    00:00 Mettā Lab - First Doorway to Nibbāna - 15 June 2024

    03:32 Recap on the four profitable directions (modes of practice)

    09:30 Painful practice with slow realisation

    14:05 The five contemplations or profitable perceptions

    31:34 Activating or developing the noble eightfold path

    32:43 Fulfilling the first jhāna

    38:14 Buddha's simile for the first jhāna

    46:29 Context within higher training

    48:22 Short meditation

    1:01:07 First establishment of mindfulness

    01:03:24 Arising and passing away of form

    01:13:15 Heavenly abiding

    01:21:52 Sharing the merit and blessings


    The focus is on developing *supramundane* loving kindness in accordance with the Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon.

    (1) We will begin with the Buddha's instructions on how to develop mettā in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (2) Then we will develop the First Doorway to Nibbana or Painful Practice with Slow Realisation which culminates in immeasurable mettā, based on the Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) and Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9). It also draws on what we learn in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (3) Then we will develop mettā with the seven enlightenment factors (bojjhangas), based on the Mettāsahagata Sutta (SN 46.54), which distinguishes the Buddha's teaching of mettā from all others. And liberation of mind by loving kindness (mettācetovimutti)

    These are purposely "slow sessions" to gradually learn (or revise), develop and practise each step of these sutta meditations. Each session will be 1 to 1.5 hours duration. And during the session there will be short meditation periods. It may take a few weeks to complete each sutta meditation.

    Mettā Lab is for beginners and meditators who wish to refresh and deepen their loving kindness practice. Everyone is welcome.

    To watch the YouTube livestream - https://t.ly/SBjai

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • METTA LAB - Weekly Slow Session 08
    Jun 8 2024

    Welcome to Mettā Lab @suttameditationseries

    Mettā Lab is a weekly YouTube livestream Dhamma session on the Sutta Meditation Series channel to develop and intensify our loving kindness (mettā) practice.

    — Timestamp —

    00:00 Mettā Lab - Mettā Q&A - 8 June 2024

    04:43 Short meditation - Karaṇīyametta Sutta

    15:55 Mettā Q&A

    16:02 What meditations would you recommend to prepare the mind for loving kindness?

    23:56 What should I do if my mind wanders off while I am taking my own example?

    27:40 What's the best way to teach my children Buddha's loving kindness? Do they have to be a certain age to understand?

    34:28 Do you have any advice on how to overcome grudges as part of developing mettā?

    50:50 Can I spread loving kindness to a relative or friend who has passed away?

    53:30 Can you comment on the flow of how we're supposed to develop this Karaṇīyametta Sutta? How much time developing the qualities and then spreading loving kindness?

    56:54 When we develop mettā using this method (Karaṇīyametta Sutta) is it linked to the jhānas?

    1:03:50 First Doorway to Nibbāna - context and overview

    1:30:53 Sharing the merit and blessings

    The focus is on developing *supramundane* loving kindness in accordance with the Buddha's teachings in the Pali Canon.

    (1) We will begin with the Buddha's instructions on how to develop mettā in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (2) Then we will develop the First Doorway to Nibbana or Painful Practice with Slow Realisation which culminates in immeasurable mettā, based on the Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) and Suttavebhaṅgiya (Pe 9). It also draws on what we learn in the Karaṇīyametta Sutta (Snp 1.8)

    (3) Then we will develop mettā with the seven enlightenment factors (bojjhangas), based on the Mettāsahagata Sutta (SN 46.54), which distinguishes the Buddha's teaching of mettā from all others. And liberation of mind by loving kindness (mettācetovimutti)

    These are purposely "slow sessions" to gradually learn (or revise), develop and practise each step of these sutta meditations. Each session will be 1 to 1.5 hours duration. And during the session there will be short meditation periods. It may take a few weeks to complete each sutta meditation.

    Mettā Lab is for beginners and meditators who wish to refresh and deepen their loving kindness practice. Everyone is welcome.

    To watch the YouTube livestream - https://t.ly/NSZmV

    For all enquiries - suttameditationseries@gmail.com

    Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai

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    1 hr and 32 mins