An ovāda based on the Dhammapada verse: All compounded things are impermanent When with wisdom this is seen (One) develops dispassion for the world This is the path to purity

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Bhante, can you please explain how anapanasati can develop insight or discernment, or to removal of the defilements? Do you think that the modern variations of mindfulness of breathing can lead to the same "great fruits and great benefits" as how the Buddha taught it?"

This ovāda discusses the seeming paradox of how the intense application of effort in practice can lead to almost immediate peace and ease.

Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I’ve recently come across a post by (a Venerable)... that has raised some concerns for me. In the post, he describes a growing “ultra-right extremist Buddhism” and characterizes a broad range of views—including "incel culture, anti-feminism, vaccine skepticism, fans of Jordan Peterson, opposition to bhikkhuni ordination, transphobia, homophobia, and climate change denial"—as part of this trend. He also criticizes the idea that Buddhists should focus solely on the Dhamma and avoid worldly concerns, labeling this perspective “elevationism” and equating it with covert support for right-wing ideologies. ... This raises a question for me: is such a far-left perspective, as expressed in (the Venerable's) post, supported by the Dhamma and the EBTs? Or does it represent an external political ideology influencing parts of the Buddhist community? I wish to ask this in the most respectful manner possible, thank you."

This ovāda discusses the importance of staying in the present moment to give strength to one's practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the questions... 1. How do you get rid of arrogance? 2. How can you practice to be more humble? 3. How can you avoid feeling condescending toward people who are less spiritual?

This talk discusses the ways in which concentration and insight practices complement one another and when to switch between them

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... "I've had an experience where I just see things arising and passing away, but I don't know how to cross beyond that. Do you have any advice?"

This ovāda discusses the importance of staying with goodness during difficult times

A Dhamma discussion based on the questions... What is the citta nimitta? What are nimittas in general?

This ovāda discusses the importance of spontaneity in developing the Buddhist path

A Dhamma Discussion based on the question... "Something that I have struggled with for many years is the way practice bears so much fruit. The more... meditation I do the more energy and good ideas and better relationships I have get me caught up in the world, it can be a bit of a vicious cycle. Do you have any advice on how to balance practice with the energy for the world that it brings?"

This ovāda discusses how overly-simplified and pre-planned paths of practice can be a hindrance

This ovāda discusses how hatred arises in individuals, groups, and society. It explores the negative consequences of hatred and examines the benefits of seeking and practicing ways to escape it.

A Dhamma discussion based on the following questions (paraphrased)... What is the role of Samvega? Terror. Is that always a bad thing? Should one go towards it or should one go against it if one feels depression, despair, or terror?

This ovāda describes the cultivation of right view as something more than just the development of overt philosophies through thinking and pre-planning. It also emphasizes the more subtle levels of right view that one needs to cultivate by experimenting and training the mind to confront the defilements that cause suffering in real time. This is "right view of a warrior".

A Dhamma discussion revolving around kamma, free will, and determinism.

This ovāda uses refers to suttas and to living traditons to discuss how the fruit of stream entry is a sudden occurrence that leaves a lasting impression on the mind. It contrasts this with a trend in modern Western Buddhism in which the fruit of stream entry is presented as something gradual and almost indiscernible. -AN 3:12 -- To Be Remembered

A Dhamma discussion based on the topic (paraphrased): "I was discussing with my mother about the impermanence of the five khandhas. She could see how each of them were impermanent, except for consciousness. What proof is there, for example, that there isn't some little man hiding behind, in the mind, and observing everything? How can one contemplate consciousness as impermanent, since it's consciousness that observes? Do you have any advice on how I could answer her Bhante?"

This ovāda discusses the purpose one should have in meeting inspiring monks. It discusses how one should seek to meet inspiring figures to take on their good qualities. One shouldn't seek to meet them just to feel inspired.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "Could you please say something about the preciousness of human rebirth. According to the scriptures it is very rare to be born in the human realm and we are very fortunate to be so. What are the causes of such a rebirth and what should we do to ensure that if we don’t reach awakening in this life, to be reborn again into the human realm."

This ovāda discusses developing resilience by cultivating both rational and intuitive faith.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (punctuation and line breaks added)... Bhagyawathun Wahansa said, "Let go of the past—because it has already happened. Let go of the future—since it has not yet arrived and is full of uncertainty." So, this means we only have the present moment to come to and practice Dhamma (Sutha, Dhatha, Wachasa Parichitha). And also, Bhagyawathun Wahanse said, "Sankiththena Pancha Upadanskandha Dukka." So, this means I only have this exact present moment to have awabodhaya about Pancha Upadanskandha. So Bhanthe, I would like to know how one should look at Pancha Upadanskandha in the present moment. Much anumodana for the Dhamma, Bhanthe.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "How do you balance practicing metta and asubha meditation?"

This ovāda explores the practice of finding balance and skillfulness in various situations. It discusses how to navigate the intersection of what's right—the rules and guidelines that apply in a given context—with what's true -- the broader principles of the Dhamma.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... 'Suffering is an underlying attitude of resistance to the way things are / wanting things to be different which again leads to disappointment, frustration, more bad feeling?

Our life is made up of many moments that lend significance and give us a sense of time. These milestones can include things like the first day of school, winning an award, getting a first job, receiving a promotion, getting married, and so on. These events and their significance form what we might call the background of our life. However, when a person begins to practice the Dhamma and devotes more of their time to meditation, the things that lead up to these small milestones—such as parties, the development of relationships, etc.—start to fade away. As this happens, our life may seem boring from the outside. However, what we're actually doing is stilling the background so that we can focus on what's happening in the foreground of our life—our thoughts, perceptions, desires, and attachments to all these external things. When we still the background and the foreground becomes more prominent, we gain a greater opportunity to see what we're doing to cause ourselves happiness and what we're doing to cause ourselves suffering.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... 'How can I see clearly which lifestyle or hobbies or engagement as a lay person is not harming to others or oneself on a very subtle level?'

This ovāda compares 'bhava' or 'becoming' to a cyst. It’s something that starts small but grows and spreads. This is one of the meanings of the word 'papancha'—expansion or proliferation. In our meditation practice, we sometimes need to act like surgeons, removing the cyst of becoming. We take out what is harmful and leave behind what is good. Ultimately, however, our skills as surgeons must lead us to remove all forms of becoming to discover something beyond.

In Sri Lanka, there is a strong cultural memory of the existence of large numbers of arahants. There is a folk tale that so many arahants used to fly through the sky at a monastery in the south of Sri Lanka that farmers found it hard to grow crops in the vicinity. The existence of large numbers of Sinhalese arahants is now a thing of the past. What caused the loss of living arahants in ancient Sri Lanka? What can we do to prevent such a thing from happening again in the future? In this session, we will explore these questions. To answer them, we will travel back to an ancient event, which would have catastrophic consequences for the entire Theravada world. *Translation credits for the 'Atthakatha debate' to Ven. America Indavamsa

India was the birthplace of the Buddha. It gave rise to the Buddhist religion. The Buddha and his greatest disciples lived and taught there. How did Buddhism disappear from its homeland? What can we learn from Buddhsim's fate in India? In this talk, we will explore these questions to find out what lessons history holds for our own practice.

In some cases, one needs to practice with difficulty in order to progress. In fact, these situations can be among the most important for advancement in the path. However, it's important to know the difference between practice that is painful and advancing, and practice that is painful and heading towards an injury. In this discussion, we address some of the issues around progressing with pain.

The Buddha taught a path of renunciation. To create space in the mind, one must give things up. To achieve the highest goals of one's practice, one must be prepared to relinquish everything.

A Dhamma discussion with the Dhamma Vijaya community, given on the weekend of Poson Poya in Sydney, Australia.

The ovāda touches on the extraordinary accomplishments of the foreign monks of the Island Hermitage in Sri Lanka. Using their examples, It discusses how practice can become powerful when all the aspects of life become turned towards the Dhamma.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question .. "How should one practice the Paramis ( also a way to develop wholesome mind states I would think). Should one concentrate on a few of them and develop say a couple throughout life or try and fulfill all ten of them in one go. I like to practice dana and mettā, which resonates with me."

This ovāda discusses how practice can build through consistent effort. At a certain point, however, acute effort may be required. If one puts forth intense effort at the right times, one can gain significant breakthroughs in one's practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... "How does the intellectual framework of the Four Noble Truths apply to practice?'

This ovāda compares the use of different meditative strategies to different types of warfare. In particular it contrasts, meditation techniques and stately warfare with rules, with total warfare and the skills that experienced meditators are required to develop.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)... "What's the best way to give dāna?"

This ovāda discusses the importance of developing contentment in a balanced way

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased) ... "How can I overcome a fear of ghosts?"

This ovāda discussion the importance of associating with others to develop a lifestyle.

This talk discusses finding a good place to practice and the qualities one should aim to develop in going there

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "How does one discern when to listen to those (anxious) thoughts, and when to just ignore them. For there may be instances that require one to act on those thoughts. So in a way, it becomes a fear of not making the right decision in regards to those thoughts."

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "I have a question about doubt in the practice. When I first started practicing I was quite enamored with (a certain monk's) work. I still am to a degree but after learning about the conflict of views between him and (another monk) in regards to ... "not self strategy". This back and forth writing of essays refuting each other's views has created a lot of doubt in my own practice. I am just curious how you deal with your own doubt in the practice in this day and age where there is no longer one recitation of the Buddha's teachings making it very difficult to know what is true and what is counterfeit dhamma."

A discussion based on the question (paraphrased and generalized)... 'How do I stop escalating negative mental behaviors from tipping over to the point where they make it hard to function?'

This ovāda discusses strategies for taking on the larger dirty areas in one's mind

A Dhamma discussion based on the question... "How can we be more aware of identifying with thoughts of me and mine when the body is experiencing chronic pain that is crippling and then adds more pain (2nd arrow).? I do practice when calm, but some days the entire body starts up and the mind melts down, gets hijacked." For an authoritative talk on practicing with pain, see the talk 'Arahattamagga' in the link below... https://forestdhamma.org/ebooks/english/pdf/Arahattamagga_-_Arahattaphala.pdf For an excellent talk on practicing with pain see: https://youtu.be/UlWrEW5LlD0?si=bEQqQtWV6OKdj4Xn

This ovāda discusses some of the historical trends that led to the decline of Buddhism in India. It discusses some of the causes of this decline and how we can abandon them in our own practice.