Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inviting Feeback | Learning from Criticism | Pavarana Full Moon | End of Vassa | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 29 Oct 2026 | 00:45:31 | |
At the pavāranā full moon completing the annual rainy season retreat, the monks are instructed by the Buddha to mutally invite each other for critical feedback regarding their conduct. The ceremony is to remind us how important it is for our own growth in the Dhamma to get and be able to receive and process critical feedback. It's difficult to see one's own shortcomings, as the faculty of delusion is hiding them from us. But others can recognize them much easier, just like we can easily see the character flaws and mistakes in others. If we have a knowledgable spiritual friend, who based on kindness and compassion points out our mistakes, and we're able to take it on board, we can overcome our delusion and progress in improving our conduct and character. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #dhammatalk #dhamma #criticism #feedback #selfimprovement #buddhistteachings . | |||
| Balancing Calm, Effort & Equanimity in Our Meditation | 3 Nimittas | Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Dhammasiha | 26 Oct 2026 | 00:29:27 | |
In Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses, Threes No 103, the Buddha explains that for progress in one's meditation, we have to give attention to three qualities ('nimittas'): 1. Samādhi Nimitta: Calm, Tranquility, Unification of Mind, Concentration 2. Paggaha Nimitta: Effort, Striving, Exertion 3. Upeakkha Nimitta: Equanimity, careful observation without reacting or interfering, equipoise We have to use wisdom and mindfulness to understand at what time we have to focus on which quality, depending on how our mind is developing, and what defilements and wholesome qualities are present in the heart. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #samadhi #insight #vipassana #meditation #buddhistmeditation #dhammatalk #upeksha #equanimity | |||
| Letting Go of Everything | Detachment from 6 Sense Spheres & 5 Groups of Clinging | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 22 Oct 2026 | 00:30:46 | |
Ajahn Dhammasīha reminds us that the ultimate end of our whole Dhamma practice is letting go. Letting go of what? Letting go of everything! Everything means all sankhāras, all conditioned phenomena. Once the heart lets go of all conditioned phenomena, it realizes the Unconditioned Deathless Reality, Nibbāna. 'Everything' (the Universe, the All) in the teaching of the noble ones is the six sense spheres, the 6 internal sense faculties and their external objects ('Saḷāyatana'):
'Everything' can also be expressed by the 'Five Groups of Clinging' ('Pañcupādānakkhandhā'):
The 5 Gourps of Clinging in particular constitute 'All' that can be misappropriated to support the illusion of Entity View/Self (Sakkāya-diṭṭhi/Attavādupādāna). We have to observe and investigate these 6 sense sphere & 5 groups to understand their impermanent, unsatisfactory and not-self nature, in order to let go of them and experience the deathless reality free from all suffering. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #lettinggo #senses #identity #detachment #dhamma | |||
| AJAHN DIPAKO: Spiritual Friendship | Recollection of Sangha | Sanghanussati and Kalyanamittata | 19 Oct 2026 | 00:29:48 | |
Dhamma talk and discussion with Ajahn Dīpako at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage. Ajahn introduces the audience to the meditation object of 'Recollection of Sangha' (Sanghānussati), and emphasizes the importance of 'Spiritual Frienship' (Kalyānamittatā): When we associate with admirable friends, who have a strong foundation in generosity, virtue and meditation, we will gradually acquire these qualities ourselves. Ajahn also talks a bit about his life story, growing up in France and gaining faith in the Dhamma, which ultimately led him to ordain as a monk. Ajahn Dīpako is a French-Cambodian monk with 11 vassa. He was born in Rennes, Brittany, France, and ordained at Amaravati in 2013, where he trained for approximately 6 years.
Ajahn Dīpako later lived around 4 years in Thailand, primarily practising near Ajahn Jayasaro's hermitage in Phak Chom and at Wat Pah Nanachat. Returning to Europe, he spent half a year on solitary retreat in Santaloka, a retreat Kuti in the Italian alps, and resided at Panyagiri Monastery, Spain, during Vassa 2025. Ajahn Dīpako has visited Dhammagiri in 2023/2024 for a few months, when he helped us looking after Luang Por Vajiro: https://2024-pics.dhammagiri.net/ After a three months stay at Vimutti monastery in New Zealand, Ajahn Dipako has returned to Dhammagiri for vassa 2026. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #goodfriendship #goodfriends #spiritualfriends #sangha . | |||
| Christa Pike Survives Execution Protected by Loving Kindness | Metta vs Poison | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 12 Oct 2026 | 00:30:27 | |
Recently the case of Christa Pike's "botched execution" in Tennessee went viral, as she is apparently the first person ever in the US to survive an "execution" after the poison (pentobarbital) was administered. In fact, after the first "lethal" dose failed to kill her, a second "lethal" dose was given to her. When she was still alive an hour after that second injection, an ambulance was called to get her into intensive care at a nearby hospital. Christa remained unconscious and intubated on a ventilator for several days. Apparently, she was considered "brain dead" by October 5, and it was planned to disconnect Christa's life support on October 6. However, to everyone's surprise and consternation, on the day of the planned termination of life support, Christa suddenly regained consiousness and started speaking. Although still very ill, she made progress in her recovery, and was transferred back from hospital to the prison on October 10. What's rarely mentioned in the media reports is the fact that CHRISTA PRACTISED LOVING KINDNESS (METTĀ) DURING THE "EXECUTION"! Her Buddhist spiritual advisor explained in an interview that Christa has been practising Mettā for more than two years. She went into the execution chamber radiating unconditional Loving Kindness to everyone, including herself, the persons who were "executing" her, and even those behind the viewing window who wanted her dead and specially came to personally watch her being killed - she even included those in her Mettā! Ajahn Dhammasīha points out that the Buddha mentioned 'Protection from Poison' as one of the benefits of Loving Kindness. Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, Book of Elevens No 15 'Mettānīsamsa Sutta / Benefits-of-Loving-Kindness Sutta: https://suttafriends.org/sutta/an11-15/ Ajahn Dhammasīha considers it highly likely that Christa's diligent practice of Mettā is a crucial factor in her unprecedented survival of two lethal doses of pentobarbital. Christa's case also highlights the cruel and degrading nature of "capital punishment", which will hopefully contribute to increasing awareness of the unacceptable ethical, moral, spiritual, social and practical implications of the "death panelty", and ultimately lead to the global abandonment of all executions. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #capitalpunishment #metta #mettameditation #lovingkindnessmeditation #poisoning #buddhism #buddhistmeditation | |||
| AJAHN MONEYYO | Pali Recitation: Buddha's Enlightenment to First Discourse | Vinaya Mahavagga 1. 1-6 | 09 Oct 2026 | 00:40:54 | |
Ajahn Moneyyo recites the first chapters of the Vinaya Piṭaka, Mahāvagga 1. 1. to 1.6. in the original Pali language. These passages are the oldest and most authentic record of the events from the Buddha's supreme awakening (Sammā-sambodhi) under the Bodhi Tree at Uruvela (now Bodh Gaya) near the river Nerañjana, until the Buddha reunites with his first five disciples (Pañca-vaggiyā Bhikkhū) at the Deerpark near Vārānasī. Nowadays, these passages are rarely memorised and recited by monks; and even less known in the lay community, due to their inclusion in the Vinaya Pitaka, the part of the Tipitaka concerned with monastic discipline. However, they are truly inspiring, as they are providing the earliest record of the events directly following the Buddha's supreme enlightenment, in his own words. Fortunately, Ajahn Moneyyo has committed these passages to heart as part of his Dhamma practice in this year's vassa, and shared them with the other residents at Dhammagiri one morning, when we also did this recording. You can read an English translation, that also provides the original Pāli side-by-side here: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/Mv/MvI.html#burmese1 Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhistchanting #palichanting #palirecitation #buddha #awakening #buddhastory #lifeofbuddha #vinaya | |||
| How to Overcome Bad Karma | Diluting Unwholesome Kamma with Powerful Good Actions | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 04 Oct 2026 | 00:47:16 | |
Ajahn Dhammasīha talks about the power of Good Karma (Puñña) to to weaken and dilute even extremely bad old karma. The Buddha explained the process with the simile of drinking salty water: 🚰💧 The good, healthy spring water is the good karma we create. 🧂 Loads of salt mixed into the water is the bad karma we create. 🫗 Drinking the mix is experiencing the results of the karma we've created. 🤮 If there's lots of salt in the water (lots of bad karma), the experience is very unpleasant. Naturally, we can't take the salt out of the water. So what to do?
This way, we can weaken the bad karma so much that even the results of very evil actions may be experienced and exhausted with just a few days of headache. The story of Angulimāla, who killed 999 humans but later completely reformed on meeting the Buddha, became a monk, and experienced enlightenment, can be found here: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN86.html Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #karma #kamma #badkarma #transformation #redemption #goodkarma #buddhism #buddhistwisdom | |||
| Walking with Awareness | Luang Por Liem's Guide for Walking Meditation | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Cankama | 01 Oct 2026 | 00:26:06 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha reads Luang Por Liem's little booklet on Walking Meditation (Jongrom / Cankama / Sakman Bhāvanā), translated by late Ajahn Thaniyo. You can read and download the booklet here: https://www.abhayagiri.org/media/books/liem_walking_with_awareness.pdf Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #meditation #buddhistmeditation #walking #walkingmeditation #awareness #dhamma #buddhistmonk . | |||
| Walking Meditation: Apply 16 Stages of Breath Meditation to Walking Cankama | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:40:29 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha suggests to use the same instructions the Buddha has given us for Breath Meditation in our Walking Meditation. The 16 stages of breath meditation have been expounded by the Buddha in great detail, for example in the Ānāpānasati Sutta, Majjhima Nikāya No 118 = Mindfulness of In and Out Breath, Middle Length Discourses No 118: English Version: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN118.html English & Pali Line-by-Line Version: https://ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Anapanasati/Anapanasatisuttam.pdf Divided into four groups of four ('4 Tetrads'), the 16 instructions cover all four Satipatthāna (4 Foundations of Mindfulness), four steps for each of the four foundations:
If we simply transfer the same instructions to the experience of walking, we can apply the same thorough guidance to our walking meditation. For example: 'Mindfully one breathes in, mindfully one breathes out' becomes 'Mindfully one steps with right leg, mindfully one steps with left leg'. 'Breathing in long/short, one knows "I'm breathing in long/short"' becomes 'Stepping long/short, one knows "I'm taking long/short steps" '. 'One trains oneself "I breathe in/out feeling the whole body" ' becomes 'One trains oneself "I step right/left feeling the whole body" '. 'One trains oneself "I breathe in/out joyfully" ' becomes 'One trains oneself "I step right/left joyfully" ' . and so on... Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #meditation #buddhistmeditation #walking #walkingmeditation #breathmeditation #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation | |||
| Sense Restraint | Self Control | Indriya Samvara | AN Eights #9 'Nanda Sutta'| Ajahn Dhammasiha | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:27:01 | |
The Buddha's half-brother Venerable Nanda was the foremost bhikkhu disciple in terms of sense restraint. He was attractive, handsome, strong and had a natural inclination to intense sensual desire, which caused him major struggles in the beginning of his monk's life. He overcame his difficulties through:
Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourse, Eights, No 9 'Nanda Sutta' See also: Saṃyutta Nikāya / Collected Discourses 21.8 'Nanda Sutta' Udāna / Inspired Exclamations No 22 'Nanda Sutta' Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #senses #mindfulness #dhammatalk #selfcontrol #selfdiscipline | |||
| Don't Neglect Walking Meditation! | Cankama Bhavana | Dhamma Talk | Jongrom | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 18 Sep 2026 | 00:41:53 | |
Walking meditation is in no way inferior to sitting meditation. In fact, for many of us in modern society it can be a more suitable posture than sitting crosslegged (or even full lotus). The way we grow up, always sitting on chairs, we're often not flexible enough for sitting crosslegged. Therefore, walking can help us to continue our meditation for a much longer time. It's also excellent for excercise, and to keep us fit and healthy. Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the many benefits of walking meditation, and also suggests to apply the well known 16 steps of breath meditation to our walking meditation. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #walking #meditation #buddhistmeditation #walkingmeditation #cankama #mindfulness #sati | |||
| Buddhist Chanting: Why We Do It | Benefits of Dhamma Recitation | Chant by Heart | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 14 Sep 2026 | 00:48:33 | |
Chanting is an essential part of meditative practice in virtually all Buddhist traditions, and also in other religions. Ajahn Dhammasiha explains the powerful benefits we receive from diligently learning Buddhist chants by heart, from listening to them, and from reciting them regularly. Chanting the teaching of the Buddha develops samatha (tranquility) and samādhi, due to the calming and uplifting effect on our mind. If we understand the meaning of what we're chanting, it can also lead to profound insight (vipassana). Monks have attained enlightenment while chanting, teaching or listening to Dhamma. At the same time, chanting is also beneficial at the basic, beginning stages of our meditative practice. If we're in danger to be overwhelmed by unwholesome emotions like anger, sadness or intense desire, chanting may succeed in overcoming the crises when other other more refined meditative tools don't work. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #chanting #buddhistchanting #palichanting #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk #recitation #samatha #vipassana | |||
| Transcendental Dependent Origination | Faith is the Bridge from Suffering to Joy | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 10 Sep 2026 | 00:33:43 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about Saṃyutta Nikāya / Connected Discourses 12.23 'Upanisā Sutta' / 'Origin Sutta' In his discourse, the Buddha expands the usual links of Dependent Origination / Paṭicca Samuppāda in a revolutionary way, moving from Suffering to Faith to Joy:
The crucial step here is our response to suffering. It is here where we either descend into more and more misery, or we can use faith to guide us to joy and the way to transcend suffering: Whenever we experience pain and disappointment, we remember that this is exactly what the Buddha talked about, and we remember that he has also taught us the way how to get out of all this mass of misery. Thus the experience of suffering actually strengthens our confidence in the Buddha. At that moment we experince joy, just like a very ill person finallly meeting a doctor they are confident in that he can cure them. Bhikkhu Bodhi has written a helpful article about the Upanisā Sutta: https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/wheel277.html Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #suffering #dukkha #joy #happiness #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk | |||
| Retraining the Faultfinding Mind | Focus on Joyful Events to Counter Depression | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:40:01 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha explains how the faultfinding mind can deprive us of happiness, and even drive us into depression. If we're stuck in the negative feedback loop of complaining and faultfinding, we have to gradually but consistently reeducate our mind to pay attention to good and uplifting events. What we pay attention to ('yoniso manasikāra') is so important. We have a choice where to direct our attention. However much evil is happening in the world, there's still so much goodness as well. We can focus on beautiful and inspiring actions, acts of generosity, kindness, virtue and sacrifice, and we will discover an endless source of joy and happiness. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #depression #faultfinding #joy #happiness #buddhism #dhamma #positivethinking #dhammatalk | |||
| Nirvana is NOT Nothing | There IS an Unborn, Uncreated, Unconditioned | Nibbana | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 31 Aug 2026 | 00:26:50 | |
The final goal of Dhamma practice, what it's all about, is to realize Nibbāna (Sanskrit: Nirvāṇa ). It's important to have an accurate understanding of our final objective, otherwise it would be difficult to develop our mind in the right direction. However, as Nibbana / Nirvana is totally beyond all concepts, words, notions and thoughts, even the Buddha can not possibly describe it accurately by means of language. He can only provide similies to inspire us, or he describes what Nibbāna in NOT. For example, the Buddha has stated many times that Nibbana is the end of birth, ageing and death; Nibbana the cessation of suffering; Nibbana is the end of greed, hatred and delusion. Unfortunately, in our modern materialist society, these 'negative' descriptions of Nibbana easily get misinterpreted as meaning that Nibbana is simply nothing. This is false and misleading. Ajahn Dhammasiha therefore quote a statement directly from the Buddha that makes it unambiguously clear that Nibbāna should NOT be understood as 'nothing' - Udāna No 73 (Inspired Exclamations No 73): “There is, monks, an unborn, unbecome, uncreated, unconditioned. ("Atthi bhikkhave ajātaṁ abhūtaṁ akataṁ asaṅkhataṁ.) If, monks there were not that unborn, unbecome, uncreated, unconditioned, (No ce taṁ bhikkhave abhavissā ajātaṁ abhūtaṁ akataṁ asaṅkhataṁ,) you could not know an escape here from the born, become, created, and conditioned. (na-y-idha jātassa bhūtassa katassa saṅkhatassa nissaraṇaṁ paññāyetha.) But because there is an unborn, unbecome, uncreated, unconditioned (Yasmā ca kho bhikkhave atthi ajātaṁ abhūtaṁ akataṁ asaṅkhataṁ,) therefore you do know an escape from the born, become, made, and conditioned.” (tasmā jātassa bhūtassa katassa saṅkhatassa nissaraṇaṁ paññāyatī ti.") You can read and download this quote (and all other 'Inspired Exclamations') in the translation of Ajahn Geoff Thanissaro for free here: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/thanissaro/udana.pdf Or a more literal line by line translation giving also the Pali text: https://ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Udana/Exalted-Utterances.pdf Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #nibbana #nirvana #awareness #enlightenment #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk . | |||
| Knowing, Not Interfering | Insight through Awareness | Vipassana | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 28 Aug 2026 | 00:22:17 | |
To develop insight, vipassana, we have to learn to observe uninterested. We have to be like an objective researcher. We know what we experience, without reacting, interfering and manipulating. We shift our identification towards the 'Knower', rather than the 'Doer'. What we take up as object of our observation, we no longer identify with. We just mindfully know the emotion we're experiencing, we don't have to react to it. It's like watching a movie, and knowing that we're watching a movie. We're not getting sucked into the action, we're aware that we're just looking at images of actors projected onto a screen. We don't take it for real. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #meditation #awareness #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation #dhammatalk #observing | |||
| Remember Your Good Actions! | Recollection of Generosity | Caganussati | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:29:09 | |
Some people think: "When I do something good, I just do it and then forget about it. That's what the Buddha would want us to do." No, this is not what the Buddha teaches! The Buddha teaches the exact opposite: We should remember our good actions, we should recollect our generosity, we should be mindful of our virtue. Ajahn Dhammasiha explains why. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #meditation #generosity #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation #dhammatalk | |||
| What is Dear to Us will Bring us Suffering | Attachment is the Cause of Our Pain | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:26:01 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about one of the more challenging teachings of the Buddha: "Grief, pain, sorrow, frustration, depression and despair are born from what is dear to us, they originate from what we love." You can find the sutta Ajahn mentions in his talk at:
Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #attachment #clinging #grief #dhamma #dhammatalk #buddhism | |||
| Starting Dhammagiri 20 Years Ago | First Forest Monastery in Brisbane | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:31:23 | |
20 years ago on 13 August 2006, Brisbane Buddhist Vihara Inc (BBV) decided at a Special General Meeting to invite Ajahn Dhammasiha, to start a Forest Monastery associated with the tradition of Ajahn Chah in the Brisbane area. The next day on 14th August 2006, Dr Gamini Jayasinghe (President of BBV Inc) called Ajahn Dhammasiha to formally extend this invitation to him, and Ajahn accepted. Dr Gamini, his wife Rukmani, and the community of BBV made a very courageous decision with that invitation, as Ajahn had only 11 rains as a monk, was not well known at all, and lived at Vimokkharam, a small hermitage that was also quite unknown. BBV Inc would go on to sell their 3 acres large suburban property with nice house and granny-flat, and buy the property at 30 Ben Varden, which then would become Dhammagiri. This poperty had no water, no power, no sewage connection and no buildings, except a huge empty watertank (half million litres!). Only through the courage, determination, generosity and great faith of the very small group of early supporters could Dhammagiri be founded and ultimately flourish. In this podcast, Ajahn shares some stories of the early days... 14 August 2006 Ajahn Dhammasiha accepts the formal invitation by Dr Gamini, President of Brisbane Buddhist Vihara Inc, to lead the establishment of a Forest Monastery in the Brisbane area, associated with the lineage of Ajahn Chah 09 March 2007 Settlement of Purchasing Contract for Dhammagiri Property 30 Ben Varden Avenue, Kholo 15 March 2007 Luang Por Plien of Wat Aranyavivek, Chiang Mai, visits Dhammagiri property 30 Ben Varden Ave, und provides advice and encouragement (We will commemorate the 20th anniversary of this event on Sun 14 February 2027, together with our visiting guest Luang Por Vajiro) 28 & 29 April 2007 Moving to Dhammagiri property 30 Ben Varden Ave, and celebration of Vesak next day (We're planning the main event of our 20th Anniversary Celebrations for the weekend 15th & 16th May 2027. That's the weekend right before Vesak, just like we moved to Dhammagiri right before Vesak 20 years ago) Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhistmonk #buddhistmonastery #buddiststory #dhamma #dhammagiri #foresttradition | |||
| Letting Go of Illusion of Ownership | Abandoning Mine-Making | Nekkhamma | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:34:51 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about Nekkhamma = Letting Go To truly renounce, to truly let go, we have to investigate the process of attachment happening in our mind. We can observe and investigate this process everytime when we're shopping. For example, if we buy a new phone, or any other object. The moment we pay and take the phone, our mental attitude changes profoundly. Mine-making happens. We suddenly regard the phone as 'mine'. It's exactly the same phone, nothing has changed in the object after we bought it. But what has changed is our mental attitude, we now regard it as 'our possession', we cling and attach to it. However, if we clearly see with wisdom how this 'mine-making' actually leads to our pain & suffering (e.g. the phone breaks or malfunctions or gets stolen), we will abandon or at least weaken our sense of ownership. Ajahn also gives examples how ownership implies permanent possession. If we can't keep it forever, it's only 'rented', we don't really own it. But can we keep our body permanently, or is it just 'rented' from nature (earth, water, fire, wind) for a while? How about our feelings and emotions? Can we keep them forever? If not, why do we think we own them? Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #ownership #clinging #attachment #minemaking #dhammatalk #letinggo | |||
| Enjoying Life in Italy vs Getting Out of Samsara | Zest for Life vs Disenchantment | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 31 Jul 2026 | 00:29:39 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha shares how much he liked Italy and Rome at his recent visit to Santacittarama Monastery in Sabina, Italy. He was surprised how easy it is to get lost in 'Lebenslust' / 'Cheerful Enjoyment of Life', despite the fact that death is closing in on all of us, and that no safe place can be found in Samsāra. If we truly want to transcend all conditioned phenomena and experience Nibbāna, we have to cultivate 'sabba-loke-anabhirata-saññā' (perception of non-delight in the whole world) and 'sabba-sankhāresu-anicchā-saññā' (perception of non-desire towards all conditioned phenomena) Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #lebenslust #JoieDeVivre #zestforlife #nibbida #viraga #disenchantment #dhammatalk | |||
| 4 Noble Truths | First Teaching of Buddha | Entry to Rains Retreat | Dhammacakka | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 27 Jul 2026 | 00:53:38 | |
The full moon in July marks one of the most important dates in the Buddhist calendar: Asalha Puja (Esala), the start of the Rains Retreat / Vassa for the Buddhist monastic Sangha, and the day when the Buddha delivered his first formal discourse, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ('Discourse on Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma'). This date is also known as 'Dhamma Day'. Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the meaning of Vassa / Rains Retreat, and encourages us all to dedicate ourselves to enhanced practice for these three months. In particular, we can use the Four Noble Truths, as explained by the Buddha in his first formal teaching, for contemplation to:
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| Yourself and Dhamma is Your Only Refuge | Attadipa Viharatha | Dhamma Talk | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 24 Jul 2026 | 00:26:19 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha quotes and shares reflections on Samyutta Nikāya 22.43 (Connected Discourses of the Buddha, 22.43): "Attadīpā, bhikkhave, viharatha attasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā, dhammadīpā dhammasaraṇā anaññasaraṇā!" "Bhikkhus, live with yourself as an island, live with yourself as a refuge, with no other refuge; live with the Dhamma as an island, live with the Dhamma as your refuge, with no other refuge!" See also Dhammapada Verse #160: "Attā hi attano nātho, ko hi nātho paro siyā. Attanā hi sudantena, nāthaṃ labhati dullabhaṃ." We have to be our own saviour, How could anyone else be our saviour? If we train ourselves well, we gain a saviour that is hard to find. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #selfreliance #dhamma #selfcare | |||
| Harmony | Letting Go of Preferences to Preserve Concord | Samaggi | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:36:27 | |
One of the most important conditions for progress in one's Dhamma practice and bhavana is harmony in the community one is living in, whether it's the monastic sangha, a lay family, or a work environment. The negative effects of conflicts on our own mind and meditative progress are so severe that it's worthwhile to make major sacrifices to preserve harmony. In particular, letting go of our preferences is often key to reduce conflicts and maintain concord. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #harmony #preferences #concord | |||
| Feeling the Whole Body in Breath Meditation | Anapanasati | Mindfulness of Breathing | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:21:59 | |
In the Buddha's own instructions for Breath Meditation (Anapanasati), the third step is: "Sabba-kaya-patisamvedi assasissami/passasissamit ti sikkhati" "One trains oneself to breathe in/out feeling the whole body" Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on the meaning of this step, and how to cultivate it in one's own meditation. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #meditation #buddhistmeditation #anapanasati #samadhi #samatha | |||
| Protection against Snake Bite | Loving Kindness to Snakes | Khandhaparitta | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:43:29 | |
The Buddha has given a special Pali Recitation to protect the monks (or anyone) against snake bite, the Khandhaparitta. The power of this protection rests mostly on developing loving kindness (Metta) to all the various kinds of snakes, and to all other animals and beings in general. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #snakes #lovingkindness #metta . | |||
| Contentment is the greatest wealth - Dhammapada Verse 204 | Teachings of the Buddha | Ajahn Moneyyo | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:34:56 | |
A teaching on Dhammapada Verse 204 of the Buddha: Contentmet is the greatest wealth.How can we relate to our material posessions in a skillfull way, so that we use them for a good purpose rather than increasing our defilements?No matter how much you have - you can always want more and have the feeling that you haven't enough yet, even if you already have $ 1 billion. While someone with relatively simple material posessions can feel happy and content already. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 | |||
| Ven. Maha Moggallana - The Master of Psychic Powers - Great Disciples of the Buddha | Early Buddhism | 16 Jun 2026 | 01:09:09 | |
The Buddha says that every perfectly awakened one has a pair of monk disciples who are the most outstanding among all the several thousand Arahants (completely liberated disciples). The Buddha calls them "the pair of chief disciples, an excellent pair". For our Buddha the pair of chief disciples were Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Mahamoggallana.This is a Dhamma-Talk recollecting the life and the outstanding qualities of the disciple of the Buddha foremost in psychic powers, Ven. Maha Moggallana. The Buddha is teaching about psychic powers not as something mysterious, but as a part of his knowledge of the causality of the Universe and the citta (heart/mind) that he realized at his awakening. He is teaching how to develop them systematucally as part of his gradual training in Virtue, Samadhi (unification of the citta) and Wisdom. To do so one has to gradually develop the citta to a very high level of purity and peace. If you would like to know what your mind is capable of if you train it systematically - then this talk is for you... "The Great Disciples of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvyy3PUJe7FdOInpkw_3R8bu "The Life of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our emailNewsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our YoutubeChannel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 | |||
| Great Disciples of the Buddha - Introduction - The benefits of recollecting the Sangha | Meditation | Ajahn Moneyyo | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:38:16 | |
The Buddha was not only perfect in knowledge and conduct and developed supreme purity, compassion, wisdom and liberation but he was also the unsurpassable trainer of trainable people and teacher of gods and humans and as supreme teacher he had the ability to guide others to awakening. Just like the sun is not only bright and radiant only for itself, but also provides the energy for the entire ecosystem of the planet earth and all beings living on it - so too the Buddha didn't realize awakening just for his own benefit but illuminated the life of countless beings and lead them to liberation. During the 45 years when the Buddha was teaching he led several 1000 people to the realization of Arahantship - the highest spiritual attainment and the same liberation that the Buddha himself had realized and he led several 10000 people to the first stage of awakening, after which they were secure to realize the goal in at least 7 more lifetimes (streamentry). Also after the Buddha had passed away already his disciples continued to practice and realize his teaching in the last 2500 years up to the present day.Among all these noble disciples the Buddha mentions 41 monks, 13 nuns and 20 male and female lay disciples as so called "great disciples" with special outstanding qualities and encourages us to emulate them. By recollecting them we can gain a deeper understanding what it means "to practice well", why they are worthy of respect, we can get to know their qualities, follow their example and enter into the stream of Dhamma and become noble disciples ourselves. “Then there is the case where you recollect the Sangha: ‘The Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples who have practiced well… who have practiced straight-forwardly… who have practiced methodically… who have practiced masterfully—in other words, the four types (of noble disciples) when taken as pairs, the eight when taken as individual types—they are the Sangha of the Blessed One’s disciples: deserving of gifts, deserving of hospitality, deserving of offerings, deserving of respect, the incomparable field of merit for the world.’ At any time when a disciple of the noble ones is recollecting the Sangha, his mind is not overcome with passion, not overcome with aversion, not overcome with delusion. His mind heads straight, based on the Saṅgha. And when the mind is headed straight, the disciple of the noble ones gains a sense of the goal, gains a sense of the Dhamma, gains joy connected with the Dhamma. In one who is joyful, rapture arises. In one whose mind is enraptured, the body grows calm. One whose body is calmed experiences ease. In one at ease, the mind becomes concentrated.“Of one who does this, Mahānāma, it is said: ‘Among those who are out of tune, the disciple of the noble ones dwells in tune; among those who are malicious, he dwells without malice; having entered the stream of Dhamma, he develops the recollection of the Saṅgha.’"- The Buddha in Anguttara Nikaya 11:12 "The Great Disciples of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvyy3PUJe7FdOInpkw_3R8bu "The Life of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 | |||
| Ven. Sariputta - The Greatest Disciple of the Buddha foremost in wisdom | Great Disciples of the Buddha | 03 Jun 2026 | 01:02:32 | |
The Buddha says that every perfectly awakened one has a pair of monk disciples who are the most outstanding amongall the several thousand Arahants (completely liberated disciples). The Buddha calls them "the pair of chief disciples, an excellentpair". For our Buddha the pair of chief disciples were Ven. Sariputta and Ven. Mahamoggallana. This Dhamma-Talk by Ajahn Moneyyo is recollecting the life and the outstanding qualities of the greatest disciple of the Buddha foremost in wisdom, Ven. Sariputta. Also called "The Dhamma-General" due to his great ability to teach, he exceeded in subtle insight into views and causality, in mastery of his mind and being able to enter deep stages of meditative absorption. For more than 40 years he helped the Buddha by teaching the Dhamma to monastics and laypeople, by guiding the community of monks and by being a noble friend, teacher and example for them. "As Sariputta is supreme in wisdom, virtue and in peace, even a monk who has gone beyond at best can only equal him." - The Buddha in Samyutta Nikaya 21:3 "The Great Disciples of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvyy3PUJe7FdOInpkw_3R8bu "The Life of the Buddha" Series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbxbuMjfRsvxKRNGf2OpxFD322oyZzfWk Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 | |||
| Thinking in Meditation | Vitakka & Bhavana | Buddhist Meditation and Thoughts | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 25 May 2026 | 00:26:00 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about thoughts coming up while we're meditating. How can we abandon unwholesome thoughts, and can we perhaps even use thoughts to further our meditation if they are of a wholesome nature. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhammatalk #meditation #buddhistmeditation #thoughts #thinking #samadhi #samatha #insight | |||
| Faith Follower vs Wisdom Follower | Saddhanusari vs Dhammanusari | Noble Disciples | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 18 May 2026 | 00:29:55 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the meaning of Saddhanusari and Dhammanusari. Both are considered 'Noble Individuals' by the Buddha, although they have not yet attained stream entry. However, their spiritual faculties have matured so much that they will definitely experience sotāpatti in this life, at the latest at death. Their distinction is that one has an emphasis on the faith faculty ('saddh'indriya'), whereas the other one has wisdom ('paññ'indriya') as the driving force.
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| Ajahn Dhammasiha Visiting Monasteries in Europe | Buddhist Monasteries in the Tradition of Ajahn Chah | 11 May 2026 | 00:47:06 | |
Ajahn Dhammasīha describes monasteries of the Ajahn Chah tradition that he's going to visit on his travels from 13 May to 21 June. Talking about the 'Incineration Toilets' they have installed at Skiptvet Monastery in Norway leads Ajahn onto a little sidenote about 'Asubha Bhāvanā', contemplating the unattractive nature of the human body. Asubha is a very important meditation object, menitoned by the Buddha for example in the first section of the famous Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta (Sutta on the Foundations of Mindfulness), i.e. Kāyānupassana = Contemplation of the Body. You can find Ajahn Dhammasīha's full travel schedule, and links to the monasteries he visits, here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/ajahn-dhammasiha-travel-itinerary Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Travel Photos Ajahn Dhammasiha https://travel-pics-ajahn-2.dhammagiri.net/ Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #travel #buddhistmonasteries #buddhistmonk #ajahnchahtradition #buddhismineurope | |||
| Breath Meditation: Gently Nudging Perception to Develop Contentment & Joy | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Anapanasati | 08 May 2026 | 00:24:35 | |
There is no objectively 'right' of 'wrong' way how we perceive and experience the breath in Ānāpānasati (Mindfulness of In & Out Breath) meditation. Perception of internal phenomena is entirely subjective. However, there are ways of perceiving and feeling the breath that are conducive to deepening our samādhi & insight, and there are other ways of perceiving that have the opposite effect. Therefore, when doing breath meditation, we deliberately cultivate those perceptions and feelings that are helpful for us to deepen the meditiaton. The Buddha in particular advised to feel and experience our whole physical body when doing Anapanasati, and to cultivate contentment, gladness, joy, rapture, bliss and happiness with every inbreath and every outbreath. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #breath #breathmeditation #anapanasati #meditation #buddhistmeditation #mindfulness #samadhi #samatha | |||
| Stuck in Conventions | Transcending Social Conditioning to Realize Enlightenment | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 04 May 2026 | 00:32:24 | |
Have you ever deliberately broken social conventions to follow your own true conviction? We can't realize awakening by just following the norms and expectations of society. Enlightenment, realizing the Dhamma, is a complete flip-over of all conventionality. We have to become aware how much we're conditioned by what's conventionally expected from us by society and family. Only once we're aware how much of our life we're doing not out of real conviction, understanding or insight, but simply due to following conventions, will we be able to transcend that conditioning and realize the Dhamma. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #awakening #enlightenment #awareness #conditioning #socialconditioning #mindfulness #insight | |||
| Entity View | Identity Formation | Anatta | Not Self | Sakkaya Ditthi | Asmi Mana | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 01 May 2026 | 00:39:10 | |
Ajahn Dhammasīha cites the following short Pali quote at the beginning of his Dhamma Talk : "Yena yena hi maññanti, tato taṃ hoti aññathā." "By whatever they conceive, that is becoming otherwise." = "Whatever they use as support for their illusion of identity, that is all changing and becoming otherwise" (Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses #113, "Sappurisa Sutta" / "Discourse on the Authentic Person") In order to build up and maintain an illusion of self ('Entity View'/'Sakkāyadiṭṭhi'), we need prop ups. The self illusion has to be based on some foundation. In a profound sense, we try to make the five groups of clinging the foundation for our illusionary sense of self. On a more basic level, we use our name, title, degree, address, status symbols, knowledge, clothing, possessions, and so on as prop ups for our supposed identity. But whether on the profound level, or in the more basic manifestations, all these prop ups are actually impermanent and unsatisfactory themselves, and thus any self illusion based on them is unstable and liable to collapse as well, leading to constant anxiety (vicikicchā saṃyojana) and desperate attempts to stabilize and sustain the delusion against the onslaught of impermanence. Which necessarily leads to a whole lot of suffering. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #self #anatta #nonself #illusion #delusion #conceit #attachment #upadana #clinging #ego #identity | |||
| Illusion of Self | Attachment to Identity | Entity View | Sakkayaditthi | Upadana | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 27 Apr 2026 | 00:42:17 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked to give examples of attachment to Self, clinging to the illusion of an identity, called Sakkāyadiṭṭhi = Entity View by the Buddha. The quote Ajahn mentions: "Yena yena hi maññanti, tato taṃ hoti aññathā." "By whatever they conceive, that is becoming otherwise." = "Whatever they use as support for their illusion of identity, that is all changing and becoming otherwise" (Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses #113, "Sappurisa Sutta" / "Discourse on the Authentic Person") In other words, the prop ups we're using to build our delusion of entity will always fail, causing a threat to the illusion, and thus leading to anxiety, fear, worry and suffering, as we're deperately trying to maintain the illusion, despite its foundation crumbling right in front of us. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #self #anatta #nonself #illusion #delusion #conceit #attachment #upadana #clinging #ego #identity | |||
| Knowing Your Phone vs Knowing What Your Phone Does To Your Mind | Social Media Addiction | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 24 Apr 2026 | 00:51:58 | |
Our education system is set up to learn almost exclusively about external processes. But we don't learn about what's going on in our mind internally, we don't understand all these different feelings and emotions, we're not educated how to become aware or them and how to deal with them. For example, most people have a good knowledge how to use their mobile phone. They know how to use Youtube, how to publish a reel on Insta, how to upload a TikTok video, how to post on facebook, and so on... But are they aware what is the effect on their mind when they do all of the above? Do they understand their internal feelings and emotions that are caused by their posting & liking & disliking; and being liked & shared & going viral; or being disliked & staying unpopular and obscure? The quote Ajahn mentions in his talk is from the 'Xin Xin Ming' ('Faith in Mind'), the famous verses attributed to the Third Patriarch of the Chinese Chan (Zen) School, Jianzhi Sengcan . It opens with the well known first two lines: "The Perfect Way is easy for those who who not pick and choose; Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear..." Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #internet #mobilephone #onlineaddiction #socialmedia #liking #rating #disliking #dhammatalk | |||
| AJAHN MEDHINO | Cleanliness as Way of Life | Guided Meditation & Final Instructions for One Day Retreat | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:49:38 | |
This is the concluding session of our 1 Day Meditation Retreat at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage with Ajahn Medhino.
Venerable Ajahn Medhino has been ordained as a bhikkhu for 33 years. Originally from the Netherlands, he received his ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand. However, for the last 12 years he has lived in Sri Lanka, where he has established a hermitage in Badulla district, at Udakiruwa Forest, located roughly between Bibile and Monaragala. Ajahn plans to develop the hermitage into a full fledged monastery that will be called Mahāvana Aranya Senasanaya / Wat Pa Mahavana. Luang Por Medhino speaks fluent English, Sinhala and Thai; and also some French and German (and native Dutch, of course 😉). Luang Por has kindly agreed to our invitation to visit Dhammagiri from 31 March to 07 April 2026, including leading a One Day Retreat on Easter Sunday 05 April. Details of Ajahn Medhino's program at Dhammagiri can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/ajahn... Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #retreat #buddhistretreat #meditationretreat #vipassana #mindfulness #samadhi #samatha #awareness #dhammatalk | |||
| AJAHN MEDHINO | Bringing the Mind Back to the Body | Instructions for One Day Meditation Retreat | 17 Apr 2026 | 01:13:53 | |
This is the initial session of our 1 Day Meditation Retreat at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage with Ajahn Medhino. Ajahn explains the program and provides instructions for meditation, including a guided meditation. He also leads the community in taking the Triple Refuge and the five or eight precepts. Venerable Ajahn Medhino has been ordained as a bhikkhu for 33 years. Originally from the Netherlands, he received his ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand. However, for the last 12 years he has lived in Sri Lanka, where he has established a hermitage in Badulla district, at Udakiruwa Forest, located roughly between Bibile and Monaragala. Ajahn plans to develop the hermitage into a full fledged monastery that will be called Mahāvana Aranya Senasanaya / Wat Pa Mahavana. Luang Por Medhino speaks fluent English, Sinhala and Thai; and also some French and German (and native Dutch, of course 😉). Luang Por has kindly agreed to our invitation to visit Dhammagiri from 31 March to 07 April 2026, including leading a One Day Retreat on Easter Sunday 05 April. Details of Ajahn Medhino's program at Dhammagiri can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/ajahn... Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #retreat #buddhistretreat #meditationretreat #vipassana #mindfulness #samadhi #samatha #awareness #dhammatalk | |||
| How to Develop Vipassana after Samadhi | 5 Groups of Clinging vs 4 Foundations of Mindfulness | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:23:57 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha explains suitable meditation objects for investigation (vipassana/insight/wisdom) that we can direct our attention to, after the mind emerges from Samatha/Samādhi meditation. Samādhi/Concentration imbues the mind with calm, tranquillity, hightened mindfulness, brightness and radiant awareness, as well as wholesome joy, rapture and bliss. At the same time, the five hindrances of sensual desire, aversion, laziness, restlessness and doubt are suppressed (or at least reduced). Of course, all these things are desirable and very pleasant to experience in and by themselves. However, even more important is that they provide the conditions for profound insight to arise. Whenever our mind has developed a certain level of calm/samatha, we should these mental qualities to develop insight/vispassana. We're not merely enjoying the bright and blissful qualities of samādhi, we're using them to do the work of developing wisdom, to see things as they really are (yathā-bhūta-ñāṇadassana), to investigate and analyse. So what are the areas of investigation the Buddha recommended for that purpose? And how are we to investigate them, in which way should we contemplate them? In this reflection, Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the 5 groups of clinging (pañcupādānakkhandhā) as suitable objects for profound insight contemplation:
Ajahn also mentions the four foundations of mindfulness, which are highly suitable meditation objects for developing insight as well, and which tend to be easier to contemplate than the 5 groups of clinging. | |||
| BHANTE ARIYANANDA | Contemplating Death & Impermanence in Beginningless Samsara | Dhamma Talk | 10 Apr 2026 | 01:03:17 | |
Venerable Ariyananda Thero explains fundmental Buddhist contemplations. We have been circling through Saṃsāra, the wheel of repeated death and rebirth, since beginningless time. We don't know where we came from (what was our last rebirth?), we don't know where we're going (what will be our next rebirth?), and still we pretend everything's fine and try to be merry. Instead, the Buddha ecourages us to contemplate death and impermanence, so that we don't get lost in negligence, but make the effort to escape the round of death and birth through practising the Buddha's teaching and realizing the supreme securtity from bondage, the Deathless Element, Nibbāna. Venerable Angulgamuwa Ariyananda Mahāthera is the abbot of Na Uyana Aranya, the largest forest monastery in Sri Lanka: He has kindly accepted our invitation to visit Dhammagiri from 2nd to 4th April. You can find all details of his program with us here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/visiting-senior-monk-at-dhammagiri-buddhist-monastery Bhante will be accompanied by Bhante Pāsādika Thera (abbot of Dhamsuwa Forest Monastery near Melbourne), Bhante Buddhavihārī Thera, and Bhante Jinaratana Thera. Bhante has been a monk for 33 years. He has visited Dhammagiri once before in November/December 2010, giving special blessings to our newly arrived main Buddha statue. This visit was actually the first time Bhante Ariyananda gave formal teachings in English ourside of Sri Lanka. Bhante Ariyananda and Ajahn Dhammasiha have known each other for 31 years. Bhante has been a true Kalyāna Mitta to Ajahn Dhammasiha during his arrival at Nissaraṇa Vana: preparing him for ordination, helping him with his visa, teaching him some Sinhala, and introducing him to his Upajjhāya, Most Venerable Kadawedduwe Jinavaṃsa Mahāthera. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk #buddhistmonk #buddhistmeditation #meditation #death #impermanence | |||
| BHANTE ARIYANANDA THERO | Abbot Na Uyana Aranya | The Buddha's Scientific Approach to Meditation | | 06 Apr 2026 | 01:05:16 | |
Ven. Ariyananda Thera explains fundmental priciples of Buddhist meditative practice, emphasising that the Buddha uses a scientific method that doesn't require belief based on pure faith, but that is open to and actually inviting investigation. Venerable Angulgamuwa Ariyananda Mahāthera is the abbot of Na Uyana Aranya, the largest forest monastery in Sri Lanka: He has kindly accepted our invitation to visit Dhammagiri from 2nd to 4th April. You can find all details of his program with us here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/visiting-senior-monk-at-dhammagiri-buddhist-monastery Bhante will be accompanied by Bhante Pāsādika Thera (abbot of Dhamsuwa Forest Monastery near Melbourne), Bhante Buddhavihārī Thera, and Bhante Jinaratana Thera. Bhante has been a monk for 33 years. He has visited Dhammagiri once before in November/December 2010, giving special blessings to our newly arrived main Buddha statue. This visit was actually the first time Bhante Ariyananda gave formal teachings in English ourside of Sri Lanka. Bhante Ariyananda and Ajahn Dhammasiha have known each other for 31 years. Bhante has been a true Kalyāna Mitta to Ajahn Dhammasiha during his arrival at Nissaraṇa Vana: preparing him for ordination, helping him with his visa, teaching him some Sinhala, and introducing him to his Upajjhāya, Most Venerable Kadawedduwe Jinavaṃsa Mahāthera. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #science #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk #buddhistmonk #buddhistphilosophy | |||
| AJAHN MEDHINO | Life as Buddhist Hermit Monk in Sri Lanka | Solitary Dhamma Practice in the Jungle | 03 Apr 2026 | 00:39:36 | |
Venerable Ajahn Medhino has been ordained as a bhikkhu for 33 years. Originally from the Netherlands, he received his ordination as a Buddhist monk at Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand. However, for the last 12 years he has lived in Sri Lanka, where he has established a hermitage in Badulla district, at Udakiruwa Forest, located roughly between Bibile and Monaragala. Ajahn plans to develop the hermitage into a full fledged monastery that will be called Mahāvana Aranya Senasanaya / Wat Pa Mahavana. Luang Por Medhino speaks fluent English, Sinhala and Thai; and also some French and German (and native Dutch, of course 😉). Luang Por has kindly agreed to our invitation to visit Dhammagiri from 31 March to 07 April 2026, including leading a One Day Retreat on Easter Sunday 05 April. Details of Ajahn Medhino's program at Dhammagiri can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/ajahn... Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddhistmonk #hermit #srilanka #buddhiststory #dhammatalk #buddhisthermit | |||
| 10 Powers of the Buddha | Sutta Exploration MN 12 | Tathagata Dasabala | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:37:15 | |
In response to a question about the supernatural psychic powers and unique knowledge of the Buddha, Ajahn Dhammasiha examines a passage from 'Mahā Sīhanāda Sutta' ('The Greater Discourse on the Lion's Roar'), Majjhima Nikāya / Middle Length Discourses No 12. In this passage on the 'Tathāgata Bala' , the Buddha himself describes 10 powers he is endowed with, and 4 unshakeabilities. You can read and download the whole sutta in English here: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN12.html Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #buddha #buddhism #sutta #sutra #suttaexploration #palicanon #majjhimanikaya | |||
| Preparing the Mind to Listen to Dhamma | Buddhist Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Dhammasiha | 27 Mar 2026 | 00:29:56 | |
With the visit of Bhante Ariyananda coming up, Ajahn Dhammasiha reminds us all: When it comes to listening to Dhamma, it's not about quantity of input. It's about quality, and in particular about the quality of the mind of the listener. Many of us have heard the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (First Discourse of Buddha) receited many times. But did we have the vision of Dhamma arising, did we attain stream entry like Ven. Aññā Kondañña did while listening to it only once? All the listening and reading and studying will not lead to awakening if the mind is not ready. We have to reduce the hindrances/defilements (nīvaraṇā), and increase the spiritual faculties (indriya), to boost our pāramī up to a level sufficient that we can realize the Dhamma we hear of contemplate. Like a 3G phone will not be able to connec to 5G signals, we won't be able to comprehend the Dhamma on a deep level if the foundations are still too week. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #dhammatalk #listening #spriritualteacher #buddhism #dhamma #buddhistmonk | |||
| AJAHN NYANADIPO | Dhamma Discussion at Dhammagiri | Subhadda Cetiya | Stories of Krooba Ajahns | 23 Mar 2026 | 00:51:45 | |
Ajahn Nyanadipo is the abbot of Bodhipala monastery, the Ajahn Chah monastery near Adelaide. https://www.bodhipalamonastery.org He has recently passed the formal Thai examinations to qualify as an upajjhāya (preceptor who can ordain monks), being only the second foreign monks to do so. Ajahn shares inspiring stories of his monastic life, in particular meeting senior monks of our tradition and attending the Ajahn Chah commemoration at Wat Nong Pah Pong. Ajahn also talks about the large stupa project that he's overseeing: the construction of the 'Subhadda Cetiya', a 15 meter high stupa dedicated to Ajahn Chah, at Bodhipala monastery. Ajahn has visited Dhammagiri before, for instance in March 2021 he joined us for Magha Puja, when he gave the following Dhamma Talk Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #dhammatalk #buddhistmonk #stupa #ajahnchah #buddhiststory #buddhistwisdom #buddhism | |||
| Cultivating Metta Meditation | Tips & Tricks to Strengthen Our Loving Kindness | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 20 Mar 2026 | 00:35:43 | |
After our guided mettā meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some strategies how to overcome typical difficulties in our development of Loving Kindness, and to deepen our meditation. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #metta #lovingkindness #meditation #buddhistmeditation #empathy #compassion | |||
| True Hero's Never Kill | Courage to Keep Precepts when It's Hard | Non-Violence | Ajahn Dhammasiha | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:44:05 | |
Ajahn Dhammasiha praises participants of our One Day Meditation Retreat for their commitment to virtue and unshakable ethical principles. By committing ourselves, without any if or when, to non-violence; to commit ourselves to abstain in all possible circumstance from any act of killing, we're making a powerful statement against war, and remove ourselves from any participation in war and violence. By developing bhāvanā to weaken and ultimately abandon greed, hatred and delusion, we work on removing the deep causes of any forms of war and violence. Ajahn shares several stories of persons who decided not to kill/not to shoot in very challenging situations, some of them possibly even saving the world from global nuclear war through their courageous decisions. These heros of not-killing and non-violence are unfortunately much less famous and much less appreciated than "heros" who receive the Victoria Cross and similar medals of "bravery" for killing. Often their steadfastness in obeying their conscience goes completely unnoticed, or worse, it may even lead to them being denigrated and attacked. Similar for those who dare to state the truth in challenging circumstances. Stating a simple truth, though it is disagreeable to those in power, can be a truly heroic act with far-reaching consequences. It may break the spell of false narratives and propaganda, and be of great long term benefit to many beings, even though the truth tellers may be attacked, or may even end up sacrificing their life for their act of truthfulness. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #nonviolence #precepts #notkilling #commitment #ethics #buddhism #compassion | |||
| AJAHN MONEYYO | Abandon Defilements, Like a Snake Shed's it's Worn Out Skin | SUTTA EXPLORATION, Uraga Sutta, Suttanipāta 1.1 | 13 Mar 2026 | 00:27:32 | |
Ajahn Moneyyo discusses the very first Sutta in Suttanipāta: "The Snake" / "Uragasutta". Snakes regularly have to shed their old skin, as it becomes too restrictive for their growing body. In the wilderness, one can sometimes find this old, worn out skin, left behind by the snake. The Buddha uses this process as a simile for a monk who abandons anger, desire and delusion, leaving all mental defilements behind, just like the snake leaves behind it's old skin. Naturally, abandoning defilements is no easy task, just as he snake has to struggle quite a bit to wriggle out of the old skin. But it is possible, it can be done. Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage: https://www.dhammagiri.net/news Our email Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Latest Photos https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724 #suttanipata #uragasutta #snake #serpant #buddhism | |||