{150} “In Bangkok, there is lots of news that makes people crazy and divisive. When you see this news, you feel upset and angry.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [News ] [Conflict] [Aversion] // [Right Speech] [Politics and society] [Proliferation]
Quote: “I don’t care. Not in the sense that I don’t think it’s serious or that it’s not a problem. But I don’t care in the sense that I don’t want to be getting involved in whatever side people are working themselves up about, because the problem is much deeper than that. We have to pay attention to the deeper problem, both in the human condition and politically.” [Human]
7. “Late night news, sports, and a sleeping pill. Any suggestions how my mind is going to be affected in the long run?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [News] [Media] [Devotion to wakefulness] // [Heedlessness] [Self-reliance]
5. “You said you have to adjust and think about contemplating. But how can you do that in your working time?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Effort] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Discernment] [Everyday life] // [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] [Happiness] [Recollection]
Quote: “In daily life, in contact with the world, do you still breathe?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Follow-up: “In Bangkok, there is lots of news that makes people crazy and divisive. When you see this news, you feel upset and angry.” [News ] [Conflict] [Aversion] [Right Speech] [Politics and society] [Proliferation]
Quote: “I don’t care. Not in the sense that I don’t think it’s serious or that it’s not a problem. But I don’t care in the sense that I don’t want to be getting involved in whatever side people are working themselves up about, because the problem is much deeper than that. We have to pay attention to the deeper problem, both in the human condition and politically.” [Human]
3. “There’s been a lot of discussion lately about how information sources cater to their own little niche. Do you have advice about information sources?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Media] [News] [Politics and society] // [Internet] [Commerce/economics] [Advertizing] [Non-profit organizations]
11. Ajahn Ñāṇiko responds to a long question about the situation in Burma/Myanmar. [Politics and society] // [News] [Buddha/Biography] [Māra] [Suffering] [Teaching Dhamma]
2. “I feel like people’s interaction with news and the news cycle is a continual drain on [their pool of gratitude]. How would you advise people to work with news and current events so that they can protect their practice and move from that place of gratitude?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [News] [Gratitude] // [Social media] [Abhayagiri] [Dhamma online]
10. “What are the words or practices to develop equanimity? In this difficult, divisive period, it’s helpful to have as much non-ill-will as possible.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Equanimity ] [Conflict] [Goodwill] // [News] [Kamma] [Conditionality]
Quote: “[News] is not there to inform you. It’s there to create a reaction. … Their job is to try to get click baits.” [News] [Internet] [Advertizing]
2. Comment: When I decide not to watch news about what is going on in the world, it ceases to stand out, to be a reality for me, and then there’s peace. [News] [Sense restraint] [Tranquility]
Response by Ajahn Amaro.
7. “We have the fifth precept about refraining from alcohol and drugs. Were there lots of alcoholics and drug addicts in the Buddha’s time? Can this be applied in 2025 to people struggling with addiction to watching news, mobile phones, or social media?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Intoxicants] [News] [Social media] // [Abhayagiri] [Suffering]
Quote: “We’re addicted to suffering.”