Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts

Ajahn Dhammasiha presents the story of Ven Mahākassapa's first encounter with the Buddha.

[Saṃyutta Nikāya / Connected Discourses, 16. 'Kassapasamyutta', #11] 

While walking along the road from Rāja…

Mindfulness of Breathing, Ānāpāṇasati, was the Buddha's own favourite meditation. Ajahn Dhammasiha provides an introduction how to gradually settle our mind onto the breath:

• The past is gone. The futu…

Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on the Ādittapariyāya Sutta, the 'Discourse on Burning', known as the third formal teaching of the Buddha.

In this discourse, the Buddha challenges his audience wi…

The 'Discourse on Burning', also known as 'Fire Semon', is considered the third formal discourse of the Buddha. It is distinguished by the highest reported number of attainments:  1,000 monks attaine…

A crucial factor for progress and success in our meditation practice is learning to really enjoy meditating.

Curiously, we often neglect that aspect, and instead rely only on will power and persistan…

Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question in the audience: "How can we resist Desire?"  

• Is it enough to simply mindfully watch disire arising and passing away in our mind?
  
• And what if it does not …

This time we have included the full morning chanting we're doing for our regular Saturday Triple Refuge and Precepts Ceremony. Audio is improved (though still far from perfect ;-) and we think it wil…

One of the deepest delusions of all is the sense of 'Self' ('Attā'), 'I', 'me' and 'mine'. Whenever we identify with anything at all as I, me, mine or Self, it will inevitably lead to disappointment …

In this guided meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to use the breath as anchor for our awareness, and then to apply 'Anatta-Saññā' / 'Perception of Not-Self' to all the various thoughts, image…

Inspired by Ajahn Moneyyo's recent recitation of the Pārāyanavagga' (Chapter on Going to the Further Shore in Suttanipāta), Ajahn Dhammasiha offers reflections on verse #1054, 'Puṇṇaka's Question'.

I…

Ajahn Moneyyo recites the Pārāyana Vagga in the Sutta Nipāta (Verses 1038 ff), one of the oldest parts of the Pali Canon. 16 Brahmin spiritual seekers visit the Buddha and ask him profound questions …

This is a good quality stereo recording of the Chanting we do at the end of our Sunday afternoon session. Called "Verses of Sharing and Aspiration", you can find it in the Amaravati Chaning Book on p…

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 wil…

Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the power of Māra, 'The Evil One'. In Buddhist cosmology he is described as a powerful spirit, who is vehemently opposed to anyone attaining Nibbāna and thus escaping …

Often we struggle with doubts which teachings or meditation techniques are genuinely coming from the Buddha, and which ones may be later ideas and additions, or completely fake inventions.

Fortunatel…

The environment children grow up in at an early age has a huge impact on their psychological well being for their whole life. If they consistantly receive love, affection and care, they will develop …

At the beginning of the Rains Retreat period, it is advisable to establish a firm foundation in our meditative Practice. The Buddha beautifully summarized core foundational principals for meditation …

After the meditation session on Āsāḷhā Pūjā, Ajahn Dhammasiha shares some reflections on the 4 Noble Truths.

He puts special emphasis on the Fourth Noble Truth, i.e. the Noble Eightfold Path, also kn…

Āsāḷhā Pūja, also known as Dhamma Day, is one of Buddhism's most important festivals, celebrating the Buddha's first formal teaching, the "Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta" in the Deer Park ('Migadāya') a…

When we sit down to meditate, we often start with an attitude of trying to get something. To attain Samādhi. To get enlightened. Not surprising that we often run into trouble and difficulties in our …