New to Buddhism - How to Start | Ajahn Dhammasiha | Buddhist Practice for Newcomers
- Author
- Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage
- Published
- Mon 25 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dhammagiri/episodes/New-to-Buddhism---How-to-Start--Ajahn-Dhammasiha--Buddhist-Practice-for-Newcomers-e37a9v8
Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question by someone just getting started in their Dhamma practise.
Ajahn talks about karma, generosity and kindness; and the future results of our karma.
He mentions rebirth, the fact that our mind doesn't just vanish at death, but will connect with a new body in one of the different realms of existence, according to our karma and attachments.
Ajahn recommends to go back to what the Buddha himself actually taught, and explains that in the oldest part of the Theravada Pali Canon we can find the most authentic record of the Buddha's own words.
He passes on two books summarizing the Noble Eight Fold Path based on these early suttas:
- Venerable Nyanatiloka, 'The Word of the Buddha', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, 'The Noble Eightfold Path'
Ajahn also recommends to establish a little shrine, and to keep that area 'sacred', by not doing any other activity than chanting and meditation there.
He recommends to start a regular practice of Buddhist Chanting, and passes on our Amaravati Chanting Book, that includes both Pali and English Chants:
Ajahn encourages the newcomer to regularly continue his practice of Ānāpānasati (Meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing'), that he has already gathered some experience with.
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