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63 events, 345 sessions, 2258 excerpts, 130:54:46 total duration

Most common topics:
Ajahn Chah (145)  Ajahn Pasanno (134)  Monastic life (127)  Mindfulness of breathing (94)  Suffering (70)  Happiness (68)  Proliferation (66)  Death (62)  Jhāna (62)  Self-identity view (61) 

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Brightening the Mind, Session 1: Brightening the Mind – Aug. 19, 2012

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1. “Could you expand about the layers of understanding of thought, perception, and dukkha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Discernment] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Perception] [Suffering] // [Proliferation] [Relinquishment]

Quote: “First you study the Dhamma, then you know the Dhamma, then you see the Dhamma, they you be the Dhamma.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma] [Progress of insight]

Commentary: Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 631: The highest level of understanding is giving up.


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2. Comment: Ajahn Chah said that Nibbāna is letting go, but this is difficult to do at deep levels. [Ajahn Chah] [Nibbāna] [Relinquishment] [Suffering]

Responses by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Self-identity view] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]


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3. Comment: In the practice, we use gladdening the mind to balance the perception of suffering. [Gladdening the mind] [Noble Truth of Suffering] [Cessation of Suffering] [Recollection]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Four Noble Truths]


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4. “What is the difference between mindfulness, bare attention, and clear comprehension? Can you flesh out the word understanding?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness] [Direct experience] [Clear comprehension] // [Right Effort] [Discernment] [Right Mindfulness] [Ardency] [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Greed] [Aversion]

Sutta: MN 118: Ānāpānasati Sutta


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5. “Sometimes you hear something...[audio unclear]....What is your opinion?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Gladdening the mind] [Discernment] [Release] [Cessation of Suffering]

Sutta: AN 8.19: “Just as the ocean has only one taste...” [Liberation]


Brightening the Mind, Session 2: Recollection of the Devas – Aug. 19, 2012

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1. “What would be a way to connect with the deva-like humans?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko. [Human] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas] // [Realms of existence]


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2. “What would be a way to connect with the devas if you were out walking by yourself...[audio unclear]?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko. [Culture/Natural environment] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas] // [Recollection/Buddha] [Spiritual search]


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3. “I’ve heard that devas and brahmas aren’t able to become enlightened. Is that right?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko and Ajahn Pasanno. [Liberation] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas] // [Delusion] [Heedlessness] [Sutta] [Great disciples] [Four Noble Truths]

Sutta: SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta

Story: Ajahn Sudanto’s pūjā on Mount Hood. [Pacific Hermitage] [Ajahn Sudanto] [Pūjā] [Culture/Natural environment] [Merit] [Goodwill]


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4. Comment: Contemplating the devas opens my mind to waking up. [Liberation] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas]

Response by Ajahn Yatiko. [Mindfulness] [Energy] [Proliferation] [Depression] [Sutta] [Culture/Natural environment]


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5. Comment: I ask myself, “Do I believe in Māra?” There’s no doubt. I try to balance this with the devas. [Māra] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas]

Response by Ajahn Yatiko. [Skillful qualities]


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6. “Are angels devas...[audio unclear]?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko. [Christianity] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas] // [God] [Delusion]


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7. Comment: Maybe recollection of the devas isn’t frequently taught because it could slip into a desire for heaven. [Craving for material existence] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas]

Response by Ajahn Yatiko. [Sutta] [Hell] [Kamma] [Delusion]


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8. Comment: For me it is a question of whether I can believe it or not. It depends on where I place my mind. [Faith] [Science] [Emptiness] [Proliferation] [Deva] [Recollection/Devas] [Dalai Lama] [Death]

Response by Ajahn Yatiko. [Doubt] [Trust] [Tranquility]


Brightening the Mind, Session 3: Generosity and Peace – Aug. 19, 2012

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1. “Could you speak more about the concept of relinquishment, giving up, and how it relates to giving?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Relinquishment] [Recollection/Generosity] [Generosity] // [Clinging]


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2. Comment: I’m looking at contemplating peace as opposed to grasping for peace as a result of aversion to dukkha. There’s not the same result. [Recollection/Peace] [Clinging] [Aversion] [Suffering]

Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Noble Truth of Suffering] [Craving not to become] [Relinquishment] [Kamma]


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3. Comment: So you maximize the internal benefit you receive...[audio unclear]? [Recollection/Generosity] [Generosity]

Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo, Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Faith] [Discernment] [Clinging] [Habits] [Proliferation] [Idealism]


The Gradual Training, Session 1 – Oct. 20, 2012

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1. Comment by Ajahn Yatiko: In the image of planting a seed (AN 1.314-315), for Dhamma practice it needs to be a seed that comes from the Buddha. [Similes] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Teaching Dhamma] [Gradual Teaching] [Buddha]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right View] [Christianity]


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2. “In the example you gave of the snake (MN 22), can you give an example of how the Dhamma can bite you?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Similes] [Gradual Teaching] // [Abhidhamma] [Conflict] [Meditation/Techniques] [Clinging] [Unwholesome Roots] [Right Intention] [Learning]

Story: The teachings of Dhammakaya. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Commerce/economics] [Nibbāna] [Generosity]

Story: An Abhidhamma teacher visits Ajahn Chah. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah]


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3. “How does one look at intention?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Volition] [Right Intention] // [Four Noble Truths] [Discernment] [Delusion]

Quote: “Sometimes you don’t want to look at intention too closely because you’ll convince yourself of anything.” — Ajahn Pasanno.


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4. “Can you talk about how ‘Aha!’ moments relate to the gradual path?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Liberation] [Gradual Teaching] // [Faculties]


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5. “When I read a story that someone has awakened, what does this mean? Does it mean that the practice continues on another level?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Liberation] [Gradual Teaching] // [Language] [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Faith] [Discernment]


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6. Comment: The simile of the snake (MN 22) describes my practice. I’ve been bitten quite a lot. [Similes] [Gradual Teaching]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Yatiko. [Suffering] [Humility]


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7. “In the West, there are so many religious practices from the East. How do we relate to them all.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Spiritual traditions] [Hinduism] [Gradual Teaching] // [Buddha/Biography] [Teaching Dhamma]

Sutta: MN 95: Caṅkī Sutta [Conditionality] [Faith]

Quote: “I’ve been an abbot for thirty years, and I’m quite happy. One of the reasons I’m happy is I don’t feel I have to go and convince anybody of anything.” — Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Monastic life] [Happiness] [Contentment]


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8. Comment: Your statement that faith comes from building confidence and confidence comes from direct experience is so true. [Faith] [Direct experience] [Conflict] [Gradual Teaching]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


The Gradual Training, Session 2 – Oct. 20, 2012

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1. “Could you elaborate on how the Four Foundations of Mindfulness are analogous to the first jhāna? How does this differ from second jhāna?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Mindfulness] [Jhāna] [Gradual Teaching] // [Directed thought and evaluation]


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2. “In the analogy of the accountant (MN 107), it seems that the training works linearly. Are there basic practices that are important to focus on in the beginning? Are there other practices which should not be attempted in the beginning?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Similes] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Gradual Teaching] // [Faith] [Kamma] [Unconditioned] [Learning] [Relinquishment] [Concentration]

Story: A monk carrying money asks to stay at Wat Pah Pong. [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Pong] [Not handling money]


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3. Comment: You spoke about suffusing the body with extreme well-being. But I’ve been in states like that and my body seems to disappear. [Jhāna] [Happiness] [Rapture] [Mindfulness of body] [Gradual Teaching] [Meditation/Unusual experiences]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.

Quote: “It isn’t so much the experience of extreme well-being that is the goal. It’s the ability to gain clarity and stability so that one can see through the experience as something that is uncertain or impermanent, has a changing nature. The mind often wants to disregard that. The tendency to identify self with experience on a refined mental level is tempered by the body experience.” [Clear comprehension] [Concentration] [Knowledge and vision] [Impermanence] [Delusion] [Self-identity view] [Relinquishment]

Follow-up: “Are you saying you can become attached to these states?” [Clinging]


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4. Comment: The descriptions in Mae Chee Kaew’s biography of how difficult it was for her to give up her experiences with the astral world speak to me. [Mae Chee Kaew] [Clinging] [Deva] [Gradual Teaching]

Reference: Mae Chee Kaew: Her Journey to Spiritual Awakening and Enlightenment by Ajahn Dick Sīlaratano

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] [Mindfulness of body]


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5. “In regards to the simile of the path to Rājagaha (MN 107), could you describe classic mistakes made by sincere beginning, intermediate and advanced practitioners?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Similes] [Gradual Teaching] // [Faith] [Doubt] [Truth] [Virtue] [Liberation] [Conditionality] [Christianity] [Suffering]


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8. “How do we know when to ask for directions on the path as opposed to just continuing farther? What would we ask?” Answered by Ajahn Yatiko. [Questions] [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma] [Gradual Teaching] // [Suffering] [Discernment] [Conditionality] [Faith]

Sutta: SN 12.23: Suffering is the cause of faith.

Follow-up: “What about when things are pleasant, but we’re not headed in the right direction?” [Happiness] [Mindfulness] [Deva] [Relinquishment]

Sutta: MN 75: Simile of the leper. [Similes]

Sutta: SN 56.35: Stream entry after 100 years. [Stream entry] [Four Noble Truths]


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9. “Can you speak more about the impermanence of goodness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Impermanence] [Virtue] [Gradual Teaching] // [Conditionality] [Happiness] [Compassion] [Fear] [Suffering] [Clinging]

Sutta: AN 8.39: Five great gifts which give freedom from fear. [Generosity] [Five Precepts]

Quote: “The basis of Right View is knowing that this cup is a broken glass.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Right View]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 5: Practicing in Accordance with Dhamma – Jan. 14, 2013

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1. “If starting each meditation session with five minutes of skeleton contemplation, do you have any suggestions, advice, cautions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unattractiveness] // [Disenchantment]

Quote: “They’ve brought their own skeleton to the monastery. Why are they shocked by seeing a skeleton in the cupboard?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah]


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2. “Sometime ill-will is diffuse and all-encompasing. Attempting to do metta when the mind is experiencing this seems to aggravate rather than soothe.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ill-will ] [Goodwill ] // [Bhante Gunaratana] [Conditionality] [Self-identity view] [Investigation of states]

Sutta: Snp 1.8: The Metta Sutta (Chanting Book translation).


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 10: Question and Answer 2 – Jan. 21, 2013

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1. “Could you give advice on how to practice Buddhānussati? Are there any suttas useful for working with this theme?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Buddha ] [Sutta] // [Learning] [Human]

Reference: Recollection of the Buddha, Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 4.

Sutta: MN 11: Cūḷasīhanāda Sutta.

Sutta: MN 74: Dīghanakha Sutta. [Views] [Great disciples] [Upatakh]

Sutta: MN 12.58: “You might think that the jujube fruit was bigger in those days...” [Buddha/Biography] [Humor]

Sutta: SN 17.5: Dung beetle on a ball of dung. [Gain and loss]


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2. “Can one use the subtle sensations of comfort and discomfort that accompany in and out breathing as a basis for insight? If so, how much thinking/nudging the mind is useful versus simple observation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of feeling ] [Insight meditation] [Directed thought and evaluation] // [Impermanence] [Not-self] [Suffering] [Right Effort]


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3. “Could you please speak about dhamma-vicaya and how to use it in meditation?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Investigation of states ] // [Factors of Awakening] [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities] [Characteristics of existence] [Appropriate attention] [Dispassion] [Aggregates]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 11: Satipaṭṭhana Overview Readings – Jan. 22, 2013

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1. “What does Ajahn Ṭhānissaro mean by stilling the breath sensations (The Wings to Awakening by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, p. 122).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Tranquility]

Sutta: MN 118: Ānāpānasati Sutta.


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2. “Do you have any thoughts about the two interpretations of ‘body of breath’ in MN 118?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body] [Meditation/Techniques] // [Tranquility] [Volitional formations] [Pāli]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 12: The Five Hindrances 1 – Jan. 23, 2013

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1. Comment: Sometimes pervading the body with rapture can take the mind away from the meditation object. Contributed by Ajahn Kaccāna. [Rapture] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Concentration]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Tranquility] [Volition] [Nature of mind] [Unification]

Reference: Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah, p. 309, “Tranquility and Insight.”


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2. Comments about translations of ekaggatā and ekodibhāvaṃ. Contributed by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Unification] [Translation] [Bhikkhu Bodhi] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Tranquility]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 13: The Five Hindrances 2 – Jan. 24, 2013

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6. “Do you have any thoughts about the cultivation of the later Factors of Awakening?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Rapture] [Conditionality] [Hindrances] [Factors of Awakening] // [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness] [Tranquility] [Skillful qualities]

Recollection: Ajahn Chah’s description of pīti. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 14: The Five Hindrances 3 – Jan. 25, 2013

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2. “What are other possible translations of the recurring question [in the suttas], ‘What do you think?’” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Pāli] [Translation] // [Questions]

Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 15: The Five Hindrances 4 – Jan. 28, 2013

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1. “What’s the difference between sleep and sloth and torpor?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sloth and torpor] // [Bhikkhu Bodhi] [Translation] [Devotion to wakefulness] [Craving not to become]

Story: Ajahn Pasanno’s first meditation retreat: “You’ve been stealing sleep!” [Ajahn Pasanno]

Story: After Ajahn Pasanno’s illness, he needs to sleep an hour more. [Sickness]


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2. “Is laziness more aversion than sloth and torpor?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aversion] [Sloth and torpor] // [Pāli] [Energy]


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3. “What is meant by ‘sees the range’ in AN 4.61?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Discernment] [Hindrances] [Commentaries]


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5. “What is the suitable basis in AN 5.23?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] // [Psychic powers] [Great disciples] [Jhāna]

Sutta: Ud 4.4: A yakkha clobbers Sariputta. [Non-human beings]

Commentary: The Visuddhimagga discusses training for psychic powers, Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, pp. 369-427.


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 16: The Five Hindrances 5 – Jan. 29, 2013

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3. “How does good conduct bring about the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in AN 10.61?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Virtue] [Right Mindfulness] // [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]


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4. “Could you elaborate on the difference between nutriment [AN 10.61] and the causal relationships in Dependent Origination?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Nutriment] [Dependent origination] [Conditionality] // [Commentaries] [Pāli] [Thai]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 17: The Five Hindrances 6 – Jan. 30, 2013

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1. “Do you have any advice on how to approach unwholesome habits that are based on hindrances?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Habits] [Unskillful qualities] [Hindrances] // [Conditionality] [Mindfulness of dhammas] [Self-identity view]

Sutta: MN 75: Māgandiya Sutta.


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2. “Would you say that clinging is around the senses and not the sensual desires?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Clinging] [Sense bases] [Sensual desire] // [Aggregates]

Follow-up: “How do we uproot clinging?” [Discernment]

Comment by Ajahn Ñāṇiko: One can only apply the concept of inverted perception from MN 75 to the other sense bases. [Delusion] [Perception] [Ajahn Khao]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno: Showeing after being exposed to poison oak. [Feeling]

Recollection: Ajahn Mahā Boowa perceived difficulty and problems as a whetstone for mindfulness. Recounted by Ajahn Pesalo. [Ajahn Mahā Boowa] [Mindfulness]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Four Noble Truths] [Conditionality]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 18: The Five Hindrances 7 – Jan. 31, 2013

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2. “Could you speak about disregarding the person as a strategy for working with resentment (AN 5.161)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ill-will] // [Aversion]


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3. “In the practice of removing resentment (AN 5.161), how does developing equanimity differ from reflecting on kamma?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Equanimity] [Kamma] [Ill-will] // [Divine Abidings] [Judgementalism]


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4. Question about the practice of metta in response to ill-will. Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Language] [Goodwill] [Equanimity] [Ill-will] // [Discernment]

Sutta: AN 5.161, “Removing Resentment (1).”


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6. “In the Five Hindrances, does ill-will apply only to people?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Aversion] [Ill-will] // [Similes]

Suttas: SN 46.55; MN 39.14.


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 19: The Five Hindrances 8 – Feb. 1, 2013

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1. Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: AN 7.61 is similar to the beginning of the Metta Sutta (Snp 1.8, Chanting Book translation). [Contentment] [Humility]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


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2. “Do you have any thoughts about how to discern neutral feeling?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Neutral feeling] [Feeling] // [Delusion] [Mindfulness] [Patience] [Restlessness and worry]

Sutta: AN 7.61.


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3. Comment by Ajahn Cunda about noticing restlessness even in peaceful meditation. [Restlessness and worry] [Tranquility]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Relinquishment] [Contentment] [Patience] [Impermanence] [Dispassion] [Cessation] [Mindfulness of dhammas]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 20: The Five Hindrances 9 – Feb. 2, 2013

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2. “How is sensual desire like being in debt (MN 39.14)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sensual desire] [Similes]


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4. Comment by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo: Reflecting on the results of good conduct is the basis for samādhi [in SN 42.13]. [Recollection/Virtue] [Concentration]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


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5. Comment by Ajahn Kaccāna: I’m puzzled why the lucky throw on both counts happens in both cases in SN 42.13. [Views]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Virtue] [Kamma]

Sutta: AN 3.65: Kālāma Sutta.


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 21: The Five Khandhas 1 – Feb. 5, 2013

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2. “How is nama-rupa usually defined?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Consciousness] [Aggregates] // [Volition]

Sutta: SN 12.67: Sheaves of reeds. [Similes]


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3. “Have any teachers explained the meaning of the questions in MN 109?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Questions] [Aggregates]

Commentarial explanation of the context of MN 109. [Teaching Dhamma] [Culture/India] [Views] [Culture/West] [Christianity]

Sutta: DN 1: Brahmajāla Sutta.


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4. “The obtuse bhikkhu who thought about what self is touched by the results of action (MN 109.14)—that’s the place where kamma comes into the question?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Self-identity view] [Kamma] [Aggregates] // [Views] [Middle Path] [Doctrine-of-self clinging] [Characteristics of existence]

Follow-up: “Right view talks about being being reborn. Is this a conventional use of language? It’s not talking about selves being reborn?” [Right View] [Rebirth] [Language]

Sutta: SN 5.10: Simile of the chariot. [Conventions]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 22: The Five Khandhas 2 – Feb. 6, 2013

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1. Comment: MN 64 speaks about the underlying tendencies even in infants, which goes against the idea of getting back to your childlike purity. [Fetters] [Children]

Responses by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Jotipālo.


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2. Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno: MN 64.9 explains how jhāna forms the basis for insight. [Jhāna] [Characteristics of existence] [Insight meditation] // [Formless attainments]

Follow-up: “Does that imply that insight is realized during that absorption?”


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 23: The Five Khandhas 3 – Feb. 7, 2013

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1. “What is your understanding of the moving picture show [in Ajahn Ṭhānissaro’s translation of SN 22.100]?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Similes] [Artistic expression] // [Culture/India]


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2. Comment: The only difference between the aggregates and the clinging aggregates in SN 22.48 is that the clinging aggregates are clingable. [Aggregates] [Clinging]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.

Sutta: SN 22.85.28: Yamaka Sutta: “...welfare and happiness for a long time.”


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3. Comment: Bhikkhu Bodhi’s new translation for practices and precepts is behaviors and precepts. [Attachment to precepts and practices] [Bhikkhu Bodhi] [Translation]

Note: See The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha p. 1882.

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Virtue] [Habits]


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4. “The Morning Chanting [in the old Abhayagiri Chanting Book] first translates upādāna as clinging, but when it goes to the various khandhas, the translation is identification. Could you reflect on clinging as identification?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Clinging] [Translation] [Aggregates] [Self-identity view] // [Sensual desire] [Attachment to precepts and practices] [Doctrine-of-self clinging] [Fetters]


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5. “How do you understand the description of fabrication in SN 22.79?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volitional formations] // [Aggregates] [Proliferation] [Ajahn Chah]

Reading: Bhikkhu Bodhi’s footnote to SN 22.79, The Connected Discourses of the Buddha p. 1071. [Translation] [Pāli] [Volition]


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 24: The Five Khandhas 4 – Feb. 8, 2013

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1. “Is there another place in the suttas (besides MN 44.24) where neutral feeling is pleasant when conjoined with mindfulness?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sutta] [Neutral feeling] [Happiness] [Mindfulness]


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3. “Is it significant that SN 22.79 describes perception in terms of color and consciousness in terms of taste?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Perception] [Consciousness] [Sense bases]


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4. “How is it that knowledge makes neutral feeling pleasant (MN 44.24)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Neutral feeling] [Happiness]


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5.MN 44.14 defines perception and feeling as mental formations. I thought those were just conditional arising on account of contact (MN 109.9)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Perception] [Feeling] [Volitional formations] [Conditionality] [Contact] // [Pāli]

Ajahn Buddhadasā‘s translation of the Ānāpānasati Sutta (MN 118; Chanting Book translation) translates cittasaṅkhāra as the mental conditioner. [Ajahn Buddhadāsa] [Translation] [Mindfulness of breathing]

Reference: Mindfulness with Breathing by Ajahn Buddhadāsa, p. 72.

Follow-up: “The bodily fabrication doesn’t seem to involve volition, but vitakka and vicāra do.” [Body/form] [Volition] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Aggregates]

Comment: In the Ānāpānasati Sutta, much of the practice is intentionally calming different saṅkhāras. [Tranquility] [Mindfulness of body]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 25: The Five Khandhas 5 – Feb. 9, 2013

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2. “In SN 22.2, Sāriputta equates unwholesome states with lust and attachment to the aggregates. What about ill-will and emnity?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Unskillful qualities] [Craving] [Clinging] [Aggregates] [Ill-will] [Aversion] // [Craving not to become] [Judgementalism]


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3. “In SN 22.2, Bhikkhu Bodhi translates displeasure, but our morning chanting has grief. Are they the same?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Grief] [Translation]


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4. “What does fever mean in SN 22.2?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli] // [Sensual desire]


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5. “Why does Sāriputta recommend teaching the aggregates to people who don’t know about Buddhism (SN 22.22)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Teaching Dhamma] [Aggregates] // [Questions] [Culture/India]


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6. “Was the word saṅkhāra used before the Buddha?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volitional formations] [Pāli] // [Language] [Teaching Dhamma] [Aggregates]


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7. “Did the paradigm of the khandhas exist before the Buddha’s time?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aggregates] [History/Indian Buddhism]

Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 26: The Five Khandhas 6 – Feb. 12, 2013

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2. “Have you contemplated the elements as a basis for contact?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Body/form] [Elements] [Contact] [Aggregates] // [Unattractiveness] [Not-self]


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3. Comment by Ajahn Kaccāna: In contrast to the commentary, Venerable Analayo describes the aggregates as a tool for getting free of suffering. [Commentaries] [Ven. Analayo] [Cessation of Suffering] [Aggregates]

Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo.


The Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, Session 27: The Five Khandhas 7 – Feb. 13, 2013

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3. Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: Most people would say that all the parts together comprise the chariot. [Similes] [Not-self] [Aggregates]

Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Cunda.


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4. “How do you contemplate the Five Aggregates in practice?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Cunda. [Recollection] [Aggregates] // [Not-self] [Characteristics of existence] [Direct experience] [Ageing]

Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).


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5. “If the task is to fully understand and you have an affinity for understanding form, does that affect how you understand the other aggregates?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Noble Truth of Suffering] [Body/form] [Aggregates] // [Thai Forest Tradition] [Mindfulness of body] [Insight meditation]

Sutta: AN 1.616: Mindfulness directed to the body and the deathless.


Right Livelihood, Session 1 – Apr. 21, 2013

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2. “Lottery numbers?...Is the problem that the monks have the right numbers so everyone flocks to them?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Psychic powers] [Right Livelihood]


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3. “Could you talk more about the particular professions that the Buddha laid out as wrong livelihood (AN 5.177)? Why is being in the military not on the list?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Work] [Military] [Right Livelihood ] // [Unskillful qualities] [Kamma] [Killing] [Intoxicants] [Rebirth]

Story: The widow of a wealthy man divests from Singha Beer. [Commerce/economics]


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4. “Is growing grapes right livelihood?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Intoxicants] [Commerce/economics] [Right Livelihood]

Story: The son of a winemaking family lives on the land but doesn’t participate in wine production. [Family]


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5. “Can you speak about the people who sell these things [intoxicants] versus those who make them?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Intoxicants] [Commerce/economics] [Right Livelihood] // [Kamma] [Volition]

Story: A clerk at an organic food store asks about selling wine. Told by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo.


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6. “If the person selling the product enjoys selling it and the person buying it enjoys the product, what is the unpleasant consequence?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Commerce/economics] [Sensual desire] [Kamma] [Right Livelihood] // [Unskillful qualities] [Intoxicants] [Crime] [Heedlessness]


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7. “What about people whose livelihood falls into one of these categories [AN 5.177] but they are convinced that it’s good for the world or that it had to be done?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] [Right Livelihood] // [Delusion]


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8. Comment about the nuances involved in the activities comprising wrong livelihood. [Intoxicants] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Unskillful qualities] [Community]


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9. “Is caffeine an intoxicant?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Intoxicants] [Right Livelihood] // [Medicinal requisites]


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10. Comments about meat eating. [Food] [Killing] [Craving] [Vegetarianism] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] [Human]


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12. “The Buddha taught the five forms of wrong livelihood [AN 5.177]. This is from the producer side. Is there a similar teaching from the consumer side?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Commerce/economics ] [Right Livelihood] // [Idealism] [Politics and society] [Buddha/Biography] [Skillful qualities]


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13. “What is the view on medical or pharmaceutical professions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Health care] [Medicinal requisites] [Right Livelihood]


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14. “What about things that have an ostensibly benign purpose, such as pesticides and fertilizers used for raising food, but then in fact have quite harmful effects?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Food] [Environment] [Right Livelihood] // [Commerce/economics] [Politics and society]


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15. “Is there any instruction from the Buddha about how to deal with profit-motivated pharmaceutical research decisions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha] [Health care] [Commerce/economics] [Right Livelihood]


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16. “Some people want to help but find themselves in situations in which profit dictates the priorities. How can they protect their integrity in such situations?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Compassion] [Health care] [Commerce/economics] [Right Intention] [Right Livelihood ] // [Education] [Idealism] [Requisites] [Happiness]

Story: Ajahn Karuniko studies engineering, then quits a job in the arms industry to become a monk. [Military] [Monastic life/Motivation]


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17. Comment by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo: It’s not easy giving up the things we’re used to in order to follow the path. [Renunciation] [Eightfold Path] [Clinging] [Happiness] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Suffering] [Commerce/economics]


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18. “When quitting a job, should you consider the welfare of the next person who will fill it?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Livelihood]


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19. Comment by Ajahn Yatiko: Right Livelihood isn’t about judging other people’s livelihood. [Judgementalism] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Eightfold Path] [Pāli] [Cessation of Suffering] [Happiness]


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20. Comments about Temple Grandon designing low-anxiety slaughterhouses. [Killing] [Food] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


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22. Comments about thinking versus feeling out the quality of the heart in decision making. [Directed thought and evaluation] [Mindfulness of mind] [Discernment] [Clear comprehension] [Right Livelihood]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno.


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25. “There are many people without access to resources for education or training without many choices. How does this all fit together?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Poverty ] [Learning] [Politics and society] [Right Livelihood] // [Buddha] [Idealism]

Sutta: DN 27: Agañña Sutta


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26. “In DN 31.26, what is investment versus savings?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Commerce/economics ] [Right Livelihood]

Comments by various participants about the nature of investment. [Unskillful qualities] [Greed] [Work]

Sutta: DN 31.32: Siṅgālasutta Sutta: Five duties of an employer to employees; interpreted in A Constitution for Living by P. A. Payutto, p. 7.


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28. “Do you know the qualities the employee is supposed to give the employer?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Work] [Right Livelihood]

Sutta: DN 31.32: Siṅgālasutta Sutta


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