23. “I have had more of a pedestrian view of the Dhamma, and for the first time I’m having trouble even referring to the Buddha as ‘the Lord’ (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 23). Can you review taking refuge in the Buddha? Likewise, who is Lord Sahampati in the chant of requesting a Dhamma talk (Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha] [Chanting] [Respect] [Three Refuges] [Brahma gods] // [Translation] [Culture/West] [Devotional practice] [Gratitude] [Recollection/Buddha] [Discernment] [Compassion] [Virtue]
Sutta: MN 26.20: The Brahma Sahampati invites the Buddha to teach. [Brahma gods] [Buddha/Biography] [Teaching Dhamma]
5. “Can you speak about why the number one god in the universe had to appeal to the Buddha to teach out of compassion (MN 26.20)?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Brahma gods] [Buddha/Biography] [Teaching Dhamma] [Compassion] // [Symbolism/metaphor]
2. “Did you just mention in The Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names that [Upaka] became an arahant on landing?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Non-return] [Arahant] // [Pure Land] [Rebirth] [Brahma gods]
Follow-up: “So people can get enlightened in different realms?” [Realms of existence] [Liberation]
3. “When Luang Por Sumedho talks about resting in awareness in which everything is included, is this connected to the subject part [of non-duality] or is this neither there nor in between (Ud 1.10)?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Sumedho] [Knowing itself] [Non-identification] [Equanimity] [Advaita Vedanta] // [Buddhist identity] [Not-self] [Language] [Ajahn Chah] [Wat Pah Nanachat] [Unestablished consciousness] [Brahma gods]
Recollection: When Ajahn Amaro first arrived at Wat Pah Nanachat, a monk recommended Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind. [Ajahn Amaro] [Zen]
4. “I’ve heard that to become a Buddha one must ask the blessing of an existing Buddha. Is this true?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Previous Buddhas] [Buddha] [Bodhisattva] // [Determination]
Story: The Brahmin Sumedha vows to become a Buddha (found in the Buddhavaṃsa and Jātaka tales).
Follow-up: “This makes it even more surprising that the Buddha doubted to fulfill his role (MN 26.19).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. [Buddha/Biography] [Doubt] [Brahma gods] [Teaching Dhamma] [Addiction]
Reference: Amaravati Chanting Book, p. 124: Dhamma talk request.
4. “One of the descriptions I’ve heard associated with stream entry is turning over or correcting something that was wrong....” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Stream entry] [Similes] // [Sutta]
Suttas: DN 10, MN 100, SN 7.22, AN 8.11, and many others end with: “...as if he were to place upright what was overturned....”
Follow-up: “Is there a description for the unfettering from sensual desire and ill-will?” [Non-return]
Responses by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Kaccāna. [Brahma gods]
Sutta: AN 7.55: Chip from a heated metal bowl.
1. “MN 49.26 says that the Buddha made himself invisible. Are the suttas always to be taken literally?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Buddha/Biography] [Psychic powers] [Tipiṭaka ] // [Brahma gods] [Culture/India] [Ven. Ananda Maitreya]
Vinaya: Mahāvagga 1.7.8: The Buddha conceals Yasa.
4. “In the mind of an arahant, are unwholesome states immediately seen through the filter of the Four Noble Truths so they are immediately let go?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Arahant] [Unskillful qualities] [Four Noble Truths] [Relinquishment] // [Māra]
Sutta: MN 49.29 [Brahma gods]