Winter Retreat, Jan. 5, 2016 to Mar. 29, 2016
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, California
34 sessions, 116 excerpts, 12:00:12 total duration
Show featured excerpts (4)
Mindfulness of dhammas as described in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (MN 10) encompases the Five Hindrances, Five Aggregates, Six Sense Bases, Seven Factors of Awakening and the Noble Eightfold Path. Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Karuṇadhammo, and Ajahn Jotipālo take turns reading suttas and teachings about these subjects.
External websiteSession 1: Establishing Mindfulness
Session 2: The Five Hindrances
Session 3: Relinquishing the Hindrances
Session 4: Carefully Attending to the Object
Session 5: Practicing in Accordance with Dhamma
Session 6: Mindfulness Directed at the Body
Session 7: Readings on Ajahn Chah Day
Session 8: Kor Wat as a Basis for Practice
Session 9: The Four Noble Truths
Session 10: Question and Answer 2
Session 11: Satipaṭṭhana Overview Readings
Session 12: The Five Hindrances 1
Session 13: The Five Hindrances 2
Session 14: The Five Hindrances 3
Session 15: The Five Hindrances 4
Session 16: The Five Hindrances 5
Session 17: The Five Hindrances 6
Session 18: The Five Hindrances 7
Session 19: The Five Hindrances 8
Session 20: The Five Hindrances 9
Session 21: The Five Khandhas 1
Session 22: The Five Khandhas 2
Session 23: The Five Khandhas 3
Session 24: The Five Khandhas 4
Session 25: The Five Khandhas 5
Session 26: The Five Khandhas 6
Session 27: The Five Khandhas 7
Session 28: The Five Khandhas 8
Session 29: The Five Khandhas 9
Session 30: The Five Khandhas 10
Session 31: The Five Khandhas 11
Session 32: The Five Khandhas 12
Session 33: The Five Khandhas 13
Session 34: The Five Khandhas 14
[Session] Dhamma talk: Ajahn Pasanno reflects at the beginning of the retreat on what is helpful to establish in the mind during a period of formal practice. Drawing on the distinction of wholesome and unwholesome dhammas he brings together the topics of the Five Hindrances, Mindfulness, Clear Comprehension, and the putting forth of effort. [Right Mindfulness]
[Session] Dhamma talk: The attention to bringing the mind to the freeing of the hindrances is essential. Ajahn Pasanno reflects on the Five Hindrances and recalls various metaphors and tools the Buddha suggests for understanding and working with the hindrances. [Hindrances]
[Session] Dhamma talk: Bringing the theme of the Five Hindrances to focus again, Ajahn Pasanno offers more advice for working with the hindrances and focuses on the positive qualities that we can turn to to enable relinquishing of the hindrances. [Hindrances]
[Session] Dhamma talk: Beginning with the Buddha’s metaphor of the skilled cook (SN 47.8) who carefully watches what his king prefers in order to gain favor. Ajahn Pasanno relates the importance and methods of relating to the meditation object in the framework of what works and what doesn’t work.
[Session] Dhamma talk: Ajahn Pasanno reflects on the importance of practicing dhamma in accordance with dhamma and how this subtle, but important shift in our intention is a key to right practice. [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]
1. “If starting each meditation session with five minutes of skeleton contemplation, do you have any suggestions, advice, cautions?” [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]
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.” [Ill-will ] [Goodwill ] // [Bhante Gunaratana] [Conditionality] [Self-identity view] [Investigation of states]
Sutta: Snp 1.8: The Metta Sutta (Chanting Book translation).
[Session] Dhamma talk: Ajahn Pasanno explains the Buddha’s similes for spreading well-being and awareness throughout the body and describes mindfulness of breathing in terms of inclusive awareness. [Mindfulness of body]
[Session] Dhamma talk: To commemorate the Ajahn Chah’s 21st death anniversary, Ajahn Pasanno reads three talks on meditation from Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah: “Tranquility and Insight”, “The Path in Harmony”, and “The Place of Coolness.”
[Session] Dhamma talk: Reflecting on a question, Ajahn Pasanno talks about the usage of Kor Wat, translated “protocols” or ways of relating to requisites and the community, as a basic tool for training mindfulness and circumspection. [Protocols]
[Session] Dhamma talk: Ajahn Pasanno reflects on the basic teaching of the Four Noble Truths and how investigating and contemplating dukkha enables us to see our habits and conditioning and the obstacles to practice. [Four Noble Truths]
1. [0:03] “Could you give advice on how to practice Buddhānussati? Are there any suttas useful for working with this theme?” [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]
2. [13:45] “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?” [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of feeling ] [Insight meditation] [Directed thought and evaluation] // [Impermanence] [Not-self] [Suffering] [Right Effort]
3. [20:46] “Could you please speak about dhamma-vicaya and how to use it in meditation?” [Investigation of states ] // [Factors of Awakening] [Skillful qualities] [Unskillful qualities] [Characteristics of existence] [Appropriate attention] [Dispassion] [Aggregates]
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: MN 10: Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta. [Right Mindfulness]
The Wings to Awakening by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, passages from the satipaṭṭhāna section.
1. [24:12] “What does Ajahn Ṭhānissaro mean by stilling the breath sensations (The Wings to Awakening by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, p. 122).” [Mindfulness of breathing] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Tranquility]
Sutta: MN 118: Ānāpānasati Sutta.
2. [26:20] “Do you have any thoughts about the two interpretations of ‘body of breath’ in MN 118?” [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body] [Meditation/Techniques] // [Tranquility] [Volitional formations] [Pāli]
[Session] Readings:
Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization by Venerable Analayo, pp. 182-187. [Hindrances]
Sutta: MN 39: Mahā-Asupura Sutta.
1. [38:58] 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.”
2. [44:25] Comments about translations of ekaggatā and ekodibhāvaṃ. Contributed by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Unification] [Translation] [Bhikkhu Bodhi] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Tranquility]
[Hindrances] [Factors of Awakening]
1. [0:00] Teaching: The relationship between the Five Hindrances and the Seven Factors of Awakening. // [Mindfulness of dhammas] [Āgama] [Abhidhamma]
2. [5:43] Reading: SN 46.38, Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta, “Without Hindrances.”
Reflection: The value of listening to Dhamma. [Hearing the true Dhamma] [Stream entry]
Sutta: AN 5.26: Listening to Dhamma is one of five situations that can lead to liberation.
3. [9:18] Reading: SN 46.39, Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta, “Trees.”
4. [13:51] Reading: SN 46.40, Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta, “Hindrances.”
Sutta: SN 56.11: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Chanting Book translation)
5. [16:00] Reading: SN 46.55, Bojjhaṅgasaṁyutta, “Saṅgārava.” [Similes]
6. [28:49] “Do you have any thoughts about the cultivation of the later Factors of Awakening?” [Rapture] [Conditionality] // [Investigation of states] [Mindfulness] [Tranquility] [Skillful qualities]
Recollection: Ajahn Chah’s description of pīti. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]
1. [0:55] Reading: SN 3.24, Kosalasaṁyutta, “Archery.” [Generosity]
2. [10:19] “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).
3. [12:54] Reading: SN 47.5, Satipaṭṭhānasaṁyutta, “A Heap of the Wholesome.”
4. [15:29] Reading: SN 47.12, Satipaṭṭhānasaṁyutta, “Nālandā.” [Faith]
5. [25:33] Reading: MN 108: Gopakamogallāna Sutta.
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 54.12, Ānāpānasaṁyutta, “In Perplexity.”
Sutta: AN 4.61, “Worthy Deeds.”
1. [14:12] “What’s the difference between sleep and sloth and torpor?” [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]
2. [22:32] “Is laziness more aversion than sloth and torpor?” [Aversion] [Sloth and torpor] // [Pāli] [Energy]
3. [23:47] “What is meant by ‘sees the range’ in AN 4.61?” [Discernment] [Hindrances] [Commentaries]
4. [25:35] Reading: AN 5.23, “Defilements.” [Hindrances] [Similes]
5. [32:35] “What is the suitable basis in AN 5.23?” [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.
1. [0:00] Reading: AN 6.27, “Occasion.”
2. [4:07] Reading: AN 10.61, “Ignorance.” [Ignorance] [Nutriment]
3. [13:24] “How does good conduct bring about the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in AN 10.61?” [Virtue] [Right Mindfulness] // [Practicing in accordance with Dhamma]
4. [14:39] “Could you elaborate on the difference between nutriment [AN 10.61] and the causal relationships in Dependent Origination?” [Nutriment] [Dependent origination] [Conditionality] // [Commentaries] [Pāli] [Thai]
5. [18:54] Reading: AN 10.95, “Uttiya.” [Views]
[Session] Reading: MN 75: Māgandiya Sutta.
1. [32:07] “Do you have any advice on how to approach unwholesome habits that are based on hindrances?” [Habits] [Unskillful qualities] [Hindrances] // [Conditionality] [Mindfulness of dhammas] [Self-identity view]
Sutta: MN 75: Māgandiya Sutta.
2. [35:06] “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]
1. [0:00] Reading: AN 5.161, “Removing Resentment (1).”
2. [2:49] “Could you speak about disregarding the person as a strategy for working with resentment (AN 5.161)?” // [Aversion]
3. [3:57] “In the practice of removing resentment (AN 5.161), how does developing equanimity differ from reflecting on kamma?” [Equanimity] [Kamma] // [Divine Abidings] [Judgementalism]
4. [7:05] Question about the practice of metta in response to ill-will. [Language] [Goodwill] [Equanimity] // [Discernment]
Sutta: AN 5.161, “Removing Resentment (1).”
5. [11:00] Readings: AN 5.162, “Removing Resentment (2);” AN 7.64, “Anger.”
6. [30:07] “In the Five Hindrances, does ill-will apply only to people?” [Hindrances] [Aversion] // [Similes]
[Session] Reading: AN 7.61, “Dozing.” [Sloth and torpor]
reflects on the qualities described in the lesser-known second half of this sutta. [Contentment] [Seclusion] [Relinquishment]
Sutta: MN 118: Ānāpānassati Sutta.
1. [14:02] 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.
2. [15:09] “Do you have any thoughts about how to discern neutral feeling?” [Neutral feeling] [Feeling] // [Delusion] [Mindfulness] [Patience] [Restlessness and worry]
Sutta: AN 7.61.
3. [20:34] 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]
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: AN 4.128, “Astounding (2).”
Sutta: MN 23: Vammika Sutta.
Sutta: SN 42.13, Gāmaṇisaṁyutta, “Pāṭaliya.”
1. [12:18] Discussion of the symbolism in MN 23. [Symbolism] // [Sensual desire] [Hindrances] [Thai] [Doubt]
2. [16:06] “How is sensual desire like being in debt (MN 39.14)?” [Sensual desire] [Similes]
3. [46:14] Reflections on SN 42.13: The Buddha’s clarity with definitions and bringing doubts about views back to conduct. [Teaching Dhamma] [Doubt] [Views] [Virtue]
4. [48:22] 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.
5. [48:56] 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.
[Session] Reading: MN 109: Mahāpuṇṇama Sutta.
1. [16:09] Reflections on MN 109: The danger in clinging to khandhas. [Clinging] [Self-identity view]
Reference: Reflection on dukkha from the Morning Chanting.
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
2. [23:02] “How is nama-rupa usually defined?” [Consciousness] // [Volition]
Sutta: SN 12.67: Sheaves of reeds. [Similes]
3. [24:38] “Have any teachers explained the meaning of the questions in MN 109?” [Questions]
Commentarial explanation of the context of MN 109. [Teaching Dhamma] [Culture/India] [Views] [Culture/West] [Christianity]
Sutta: DN 1: Brahmajāla Sutta.
4. [31:20] “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?” [Self-identity view] [Kamma] // [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]
[Session] Reading: MN 64: Mahāmālunkya Sutta and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s footnote explaining the Majjhima Nikāya Commentary.
1. [18:37] 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.
2. [22:36] Teaching: 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?”
3. [27:25] Discussion of formless attainments and awareness of body. [Formless attainments] [Mindfulness of body]
[Session] Readings from A Burden off the Mind by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, pp. 14-17:
§5: SN 22.100, Khandhasaṁyutta, “The Leash.”
§6: SN 22.48, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Aggregates.”
§7: excerpt from SN 22.79.
1. [5:00] “What is your understanding of the moving picture show [in Ajahn Ṭhānissaro’s translation of SN 22.100]?” [Similes] [Artistic expression] // [Culture/India]
2. [9:07] 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.”
3. [11:47] 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]
4. [13:18] “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?” [Clinging] [Translation] [Aggregates] [Self-identity view] // [Sensual desire] [Attachment to precepts and practices] [Doctrine-of-self clinging] [Fetters]
5. [20:25] “How do you understand the description of fabrication in SN 22.79?” [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]
[Session] Readings from A Burden off the Mind by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, pp. 17-20:
§8: excerpt from MN 28: Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta.
§9: excerpt from SN 22.57.
§10: excerpt from MN 44: Cūḷavedalla Sutta.
§11: excerpt from SN 22.57.
§12: excerpt from SN 22.57.
§13: excerpt from Sangīti Sutta (DN 33).
§14: excerpt from MN 44: Cūḷavedalla Sutta.
§15: excerpt from SN 22.57.
§16: excerpt from SN 22.57.
§17: excerpt from MN 109: Mahāpuṇṇama Sutta.
Sutta: SN 22.1, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Nakulapitā.”
1. [5:38] “Is there another place in the suttas (besides MN 44.24) where neutral feeling is pleasant when conjoined with mindfulness?” [Sutta] [Neutral feeling] [Happiness] [Mindfulness]
2. [6:51] The meaning of perception. [Perception] // [Sense bases] [Thai] [Memory]
Sutta: SN 22.79.
3. [8:34] “Is it significant that SN 22.79 describes perception in terms of color and consciousness in terms of taste?” [Perception] [Consciousness] [Sense bases]
4. [13:36] “How is it that knowledge makes neutral feeling pleasant (MN 44.24)?” [Neutral feeling] [Happiness]
5. [14:33] “MN 44.14 defines perception and feeling as mental formations. I thought those were just conditional arising on account of contact (MN 109.9)?” [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.
6. [20:43] Discussion about different meanings and contexts of saṅkhāra. [Pāli] [Volitional formations] // [Nibbāna] [Meditation] [Ven. Analayo]
1. [0:00] Reading: SN 22.2, Khandhasaṁyutta, “At Devadaha” and Bhikkhu Bodhi’s footnote on p. 1045.
Reflection: This is a nice snapshot of the Saṅgha at the time of the Buddha. [Saṅgha] [Buddha/Biography] [Great disciples]
Simile: Sāriputta as a midwife (MN 141.5).
2. [12:03] “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]
3. [16:48] “In SN 22.2, Bhikkhu Bodhi translates displeasure, but our morning chanting has grief. Are they the same?” [Grief] [Translation]
4. [17:39] “What does fever mean in SN 22.2?” [Pāli] // [Sensual desire]
5. [18:51] “Why does Sāriputta recommend teaching the aggregates to people who don’t know about Buddhism (SN 22.22)?” [Teaching Dhamma] [Aggregates] // [Questions] [Culture/India]
6. [21:38] “Was the word saṅkhāra used before the Buddha?” [Volitional formations] [Pāli] // [Language] [Teaching Dhamma] [Aggregates]
7. [24:08] “Did the paradigm of the khandhas exist before the Buddha’s time?” [Aggregates] [History/Indian Buddhism]
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
8. [25:46] Reading: SN 22.3, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Hāliddakāni (1)” and Snp 4.9 (Dr. Saddhatissa translation).
9. [26:11] Explanation of “The Questions of Māgaṇḍiya” (Snp 4.9) and Dr. Saddhatissa’s translation of the Sutta Nipāta. [History/Early Buddhism] [Dr. Saddhatissa] [Translation] // [Great disciples] [Pāli] [Culture/Sri Lanka]
Story: Ajahn Chah tells Ajahn Sumedho to take Dr. Saddhatissa as the Saṅgharāja of England. [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Study monks]
10. [39:01] Reflection: In SN 22.3, Venerable Mahākaccāna extrapolates from the literal to the figurative. [Great disciples] [Teaching Dhamma] [Symbolism] // [Commentaries] [Aggregates] [Sense bases] [Proliferation]
[Session] Readings:
Satipaṭṭhāna: The Direct Path to Realization by Venerable Analayo, pp. 202-207.
Sutta: SN 22.5, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Concentration.”
Sutta: SN 22.29, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Delight.”
Sutta: SN 5.1, Bhikkhunīsaṁyutta, “Āḷavikā.”
Sutta: SN 5.9, Bhikkhunīsaṁyutta, “Selā.”
1. [0:40] Reading: Footnote in Satipatthana inferring that the concept of the Five Aggregates predated the Buddha. [History/Early Buddhism]
2. [9:33] “Have you contemplated the elements as a basis for contact?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Jotipālo. [Body/form] [Elements] [Contact] // [Unattractiveness] [Not-self]
3. [19:05] 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]
Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo.
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 45.159, Maggasaṁyutta, “The Guest House.”
Sutta: SN 5.10, Bhikkhunīsaṁyutta, “Vajirā.”
The Questions of King Milinda, I.i, “No Person is Found,” p. 29-32 (Milindapañha 25).
1. [3:32] SN 45.159 relates the Five Aggregates to the First Noble Truth, which must be understood. [Noble Truth of Suffering] // [Characteristics of existence]
2. [9:11] Introduction to The Questions of King Milinda. [History/Early Buddhism] [Sutta]
3. [17:54] Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: Most people would say that all the parts together comprise the chariot. [Similes] [Not-self]
Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Cunda.
4. [20:55] “How do you contemplate the Five Aggregates in practice?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Cunda. [Recollection] // [Not-self] [Characteristics of existence] [Direct experience] [Ageing]
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
5. [24:26] “If the task is to fully understand and you have an affinity for understanding form, does that affect how you understand the other aggregates?” [Noble Truth of Suffering] [Body/form] // [Thai Forest Tradition] [Mindfulness of body] [Insight meditation]
Sutta: AN 1.616: Mindfulness directed to the body and the deathless.
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 22.26, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Gratification (1).”
Sutta: SN 22.27, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Gratification (2).”
Sutta: SN 22.28, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Gratification (3).”
Sutta: SN 22.96, Khandhasaṁyutta, “A Lump of Cowdung.”
1. [8:40] Gratification, danger, and escape in regard to the Five Aggregates. [Aggregates] [Aspects of Understanding] [Gratification] [Drawbacks] [Escape]
2. [10:18] Comment: Downside might fit the context [of SN 22.26-28] better than danger. [Drawbacks] [Translation]
Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno.
3. [11:27] “Why does SN 22.26 say both impermanent and subject to change?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Impermanence] // [Sutta] [Abhidhamma] [Translation] [Ajahn Ṭhānissaro] [Teaching Dhamma] [Language]
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
4. [24:31] Comment by Ajahn Kaccāna: In SN 22.96, the Buddha implies that universal impermanence may be a good thing.
Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno.
Follow-up: “What’s ‘individual existence’ in Pāli?” [Translation] [Becoming]
5. [25:46] Discussion of the concept of eternity in SN 22.96. [Impermanence] [Time]
6. [26:49] “Is there any significance to the names of the steed and the chariot in SN 22.96?” [Lunar observance days]
Sutta: MN 37.8 mentions Sakka’s Vejayanta Palace.
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 22.99, Khandhasaṁyutta, “The Leash (1).”
Sutta: SN 22.85, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Yamika.”
1. [19:53] “Can you clarify the simile of the khandhas as a murderer in SN 22.85?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo, Ajahn Pasanno and the Abhayagiri Saṅgha. [Similes] [Drawbacks] // [Gratification] [Self-identity view] [Commentaries] [Clinging] [Dependent origination]
2. [25:56] Recollection: Ajahn Chah used the description of what happens to an enlightened being after death from SN 22.85. Recounted by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Arahant] [Death]
[Session] Reading: MN 35: Cūḷasaccaka Sutta.
1. [29:04] Comment: MN 35 demonstrates how the Buddha asks questions to elicit people’s reactions and train them. [Buddha/Biography] [Questions] [Teaching Dhamma]
Reference: Skill in Questions by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro.
2. [29:56] “Why do the Buddha’s listeners immediately reply that what is impermanent is suffering?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Questions] [Impermanence] [Suffering] // [Translation]
Sutta: SN 22.59 Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (Chanting book translation).
3. [31:35] Comment by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno: The conclusion that what is not under our control can’t be self isn’t immediately obvious. [Volition] [Not-self]
Follow-up: “How have you come to understand this over time?” [Self-identity view] [Feeling]
Follow-up: “How does the chant, ‘I am the owner of my kamma’ relate to this?” [Kamma] [Language] [Conventions]
Sutta: AN 5.57 Five Recollections (Chanting Book translation).
Comment by Ajahn Jotipālo: The suttas are summaries rather than transcripts. [Sutta] [Teaching Dhamma]
4. [32:16] “What is the term ‘Agivessana’?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Pāli]
5. [40:38] Comment: When people at work ask me about not-self, I say, ‘Can you tell your body not to get old?’ [Not-self] [Ageing]
Sutta: MN 35: Cūḷasaccaka Sutta.
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 22.102, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Perception of Impermanence.”
Sutta: SN 22.95, Khandhasaṁyutta, “A Lump of Foam.”
Sutta: SN 22.33, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Not Yours (1).”
1. [4:43] Reflection: The way to develop the perception of impermanence is seeing all of the khandhas individually just as they are. [Impermanence] [Knowledge and vision] // [Patience] [Determination]
2. [6:58] “Do you have any suggestions for contemplating the origin of the body?” [Body/form] [Birth]
3. [17:36] “Is there a special meaning for which simile is compared to which khandha in SN 22.95?” [Similes] // [Impermanence] [Body/form] [Feeling] [Perception] [Volitional formations] [Consciousness]
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 22.87, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Vakkali.”
Sutta: SN 22.86, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Anurādha.”
1. [9:42] Reflection: Venerable Vakkali (SN 22.87) used pain to impel himself towards insight. [Great disciples] [Pain] [Sickness] [Progress of insight] // [Aggregates] [Arahant] [Suicide]
2. [12:15] Comment by Ajahn Kaccāna: Venerable Vakkali had immense respect for the Buddha and the Dhamma. [Great disciples] [Respect] [Buddha] [Dhamma]
Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Faith]
3. [13:13] “Are there other stories similar to Vakkali asking to die outside (SN 22.87)?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Great disciples] [Death] [Culture/Natural environment] // [Perception of a samaṇa]
Story: Ajahn Mun chooses the place of his death. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Mun] [Funerals]
Story: Ajahn Chah chooses a convenient time to die. Told by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah]
4. [22:38] Reflection: SN 22.86 is a classic exposition of the unapprehendability of the Tathāgata at death. [Buddha] [Death] [Non-identification] // [Right View] [Aggregates] [Teaching Dhamma]
5. [25:45] “How would you answer the questions in SN 22.86 for a puthujjana (a person who has not entered the stream of Dhamma)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Death] [Aggregates] [Clinging] // [Kamma] [Views]
Sutta: SN 44.9: Flame blown by the wind. [Rebirth] [Similes]
[Session] Readings:
Sutta: SN 22.89, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Khemaka.”
Sutta: SN 22.49, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Soṇa (1).”
1. [13:42] “Is there another sutta not spoken by the Buddha in which as many people become enlightened as SN 22.89?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Great disciples] [Teaching Dhamma] [Liberation]
2. [14:20] Reflection: SN 22.89 spells out the difference between the conceit ‘I am’ and sakkāyaditthi. [Conceit] [Self-identity view]
3. [15:22] “What is the difference between someone who has broken through fetters (self-identity view, etc.) and someone who hasn’t as discussed in SN 22.89?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Fetters] [Self-identity view] [Conceit] [Aggregates] [Similes] // [Perception] [Not-self]
4. [21:23] Comments by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno: The source for the nine kinds of conceit. [Conceit] [Sutta] [Abhidhamma]
5. [26:06] Comment by Ajahn Cunda: The Buddha’s description of a monk who ‘does not laud himself and disparage others’ (e.g. AN 4.28) sounds similar to SN 22.49. [Conceit] [Humility]
Response by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo.
6. [27:17] “Does volition differ from intention?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Pasanno. [Volition] // [Pāli] [Translation] [Kamma] [Self-identity view] [Skillful qualities]
Follow-up: “When we talk about effort, intention, and result in the Vinaya, is cetanā the word for intention?” [Vinaya]
Follow-up: “Saṅkhāra is sometimes translated as volitional formations. How does this differ from cetanā?” [Volitional formations]
Sutta: AN 6.63.33: “Kamma is volition.”
7. [35:59] “When Ajahn Chah uses the expression, ‘the mind is no longer moving forward, moving backward, nor standing still,’ how does this relate to volition?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Nature of mind] [Volition] // [Self-identity view] [Conditionality]
1. [0:00] Readings: Background information about the bhikkhu Channa: [Buddha/Biography] // [Commentaries] [Disciplinary transactions] [Vinaya]
Vinaya: Bhikkhu Pācittiyā 12 origin story, Buddhist Monastic Code Vol. 1, p. 419.
Vinaya: Bhikkhu Pācittiyā 71 origin story.
Vinaya: Bhikkhu Saṅghādisesā 12 origin story, Buddhist Monastic Code Vol. 1, p. 222.
2. [5:36] Reading: SN 22.90, Khandhasaṁyutta, “Channa.”
3. [14:49] Reflection on SN 22.90: Seeing all the khandhas as dukkha. [Aggregates] [Suffering] [Not-self]
4. [16:40] Comment by Ajahn Pasanno: A critical part of SN 22.90 is Ānanda giving Channa the confidence to believe in himself. [Great disciples] [Faith] // [Geography/India]
Responses by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo, Ajahn Cunda, Ajahn Jotipālo and Ajahn Kaccāna. [Rapture]
5. [19:16] “In SN 12.15, when it says, ‘the world depends on a duality,’ is that the process of [audio unclear]?” [Views] // [Self-identity view] [Ignorance]
6. [21:42] “Is there any significance to the elders Channa initially approaches in SN 22.90?” [Great disciples] // [Commentaries]