Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage

Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question about the meaning of 'akāliko' (timeless).

Timelessness is one of the qualities of the Dhamma, as described by the Buddha in the well known formula:


"Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo, sandiṭṭhiko, akāliko, ehipassiko, opanayiko, paccattaṃ veditabbo viññūhī'ti"


"The Dhamma is well expounded by the exhaulted one, visible here and now, timeless, inviting investigation, practicable, to be experienced for themselves by the wise."

There are two aspects of 'Timelessness' in regards to the Dhamma:


Regarding 'Dhamma' as conceptual teaching expressed in words, it's timeless in the sense that it just as valid and applicable now as it was 2,500 years ago at the time of the Buddha, and leading to the same results
Regarding 'Dhamma' as the state of freedom, Nibbāna, experienced internally in our heart as the result of liberating insight, it is timeless in the sense that Nibbāna totally transcends time. As there is nothing impermanent in the experience of the Deathless Element, there can't by any 'time'.

However, even though the supreme timelessness of Nibbāna is not easy to realize, we can get an idea of timelessness already on earlier stages of the path:


The experience of 'samādhi'/'jhāna' (blissful internal unification of mind; 'concentration') is largely timeless in the sense that there are no changes experienced as long as the state lasts. Someone experiencing 4th jhāna may sit for 12 hours, but on emerging from it, wouldn't know how long it lasted, as there are no changes to measure time in samādhi. They would have to check external clues like a clock or position of the sun to gauge the time passed. However, samādhi can't give us absolute timelessness, as the experince will end once the conditions sustaining it are exhausted

However, jhāna is also not exactly easy to experience for most. But we can get at least a whiff of timelessness already at a fairly basic level of Dhamma practice: Present Moment Awareness


If we simply observe whatever phenomenom arises in the present moment, we experience timelessness in the sense that all worries and concerns re past and future drop away. This is usually more than 90% of all our worries. Unless we experience physical pain right here and now, all our suffering tends to be memories of the past, or worries about the future.

Simply by staying pin-point right here in the presence, we can get a break from most of our suffering in the timeless experience of the here-and-now!



Our playlists of Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre⁠⁠



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast





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Ajahn Dhammasiha explains 5 powerful benefits we can receive from the simple ceremony of Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha, together with committing to the 5 precepts:


Taking Refuge reduces anxiety
Taking Refuge uplifts our heart and protects us from feeling down and depressed
Taking Refuge is an act generating heaps of good karma, if we really mean it and do it wholeheartedly. And the Buddha called good karma a synonym for happiness 😊
Taking Refuge helps us to develop wholesome self esteem. If we have nothing to look up to and revere, we actually feel miserable.That's why people always look for somthing to 'worship', even just celebrities, and sport/movie/pop stars (Taylor, we're looking at you 😉). If we express respect, reverence and devotion to the supreme being, the Buddha, the supreme teaching, the Dhamma, and the supreme community, the enlightened disciples of the Buddha, we feel inspired and respect ourselves
In a world of meaningless materialism, we find meaning for our life, we have a purpose, a goal in our life, we strive to avoid evil, do good and purify our mind

(Naturally, if suffering from anxiety of depressive disorders, it may not be possible to fully cure it by just taking refuge, you may wish to seek help from medical professionals as well.

However, taking refuge is very powerful to prevent the mind from mild anxiety or depression developing into serious health conditions preventatively, and to support any comprehensive treatment plan for those who already suffer from a major disorder)



By the way, we've got playlists of our Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre⁠⁠



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast





More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news



Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724



Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter



Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD



Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834





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Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question how we can develop gratitude methodically.

Being grateful (Kataññū Katavedī) has been praised by the Buddha as belonging entirely to the sphere of a truly good person. However, he also pointed out that it is a rather rare character trait.

Gratitude may not always come naturally, so we have to make a deliberate effort to develop that character trait.

For example, we can start doing Buddha Pujas with an emphasis on a feeling of gratitude to the Buddha for pointing out the way leading to the end of all suffering.

Another good exercise is simply writing down a list of all the things we have received in our life from others that were beneficial and helpful to us.

Of course, we could just as well keep a list of all bad things we had to endure. Both lists are 'objectively' valid.

But how does it make us feel to dwell on them?

How do we feel after thinking for an hour about anything bad anyone may have done to us?

How do we feel after thinking for an hour about all the good we have received?

Simply doing that much will show us how much more enjoyable, emotionally uplifting, and leading to a sense of contentment it is to dwell on the 'gratitude list', rather than the 'complaints' list 😊



Ajahn also responds to a question about the meaning of 'timeless' as an epithet of the Dhamma.

Like when we chant the fundamental qualities of the Dhamma:

"The Dhamma has been well expounded by the Exalted One, visible here and now, 'TIMELESS'..."



By the way, we've got playlists of our Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre⁠⁠



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast



More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/news



Our Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724



Our email Newsletter:

https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter



Our Podcasts on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0SHWfWEGkO8OAtSWNJlqyD



Our Podcasts on Apple/itunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dhammagiri-buddhist-podcasts/id1534539834





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This is the ceremony of taking refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by taking of the FIVE precepts.



We do this ceremony at Dhammagiri:


Every Saturday morning 07.30 am
On the Sundays closest to the full moon at 09.00 am



Requesting Triple Refuge & FIVE Precepts

Mayaṃ Bhante,
tisaraṇena saha
pañca-sīlāni yācāma.

Dutiyampi,
mayaṃ Bhante
tisaraṇena saha
pañca-sīlāni yācāma.

Tatiyampi,
Mayaṃ Bhante
tisaraṇena saha
pañca-sīlāni yācāma.



(English trsl., not chanted during session:

"Venerable Sir,

we request the Triple Refuge

together with the 5 precepts.

For the second time...

For the third time...")



Homage to the Buddha Recited by Monk 3x



Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!



Homage to the Buddha Repeated by Laity 3x



Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!



(English translation, not chanted during session:

"Homage to the Exhaulted, Noble, and perfectly enlightened one!" 3x)



Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha 3x

(recited line by line by monk, and repeated line by line by laity)

Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



Dutiyampi Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyampi Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



Tatiyampi Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyampi Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



(English translation, not chanted during session:

"I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dhamma.

I take refuge in the Sangha

For the second time, I take refuge...

For the third time, I take refuge...")



Taking the 5 Precepts

(recited line by line by monk, and repeated line by line by laity)


Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi



(English translation, not chanted during session:


"I undertake the training to abstain from killing any living beings.
... to abstain from stealing.
... to abstain from sensual misconduct.
... to abstain from lying.
... to abstain from alcohol or any other drugs that cause intoxication and heedlessnes.")



Monk Recites Blessing

Imāni pañca-sikkhāpadāni

sīlena sugatiṃ yanti,

sīlena bhogasampadā,

sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti -

tasmā sīlaṃ visodhaye!



(English translation, not chanted during session:

These five training steps

lead through virtue to a good rebirth,

lead through virtue to the acquisition of wealth,

lead through virtue to the extinction of suffering -

therefore, may your purify your virtue!)



By the way, we've got playlists of our Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre⁠⁠



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast⁠⁠⁠



More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠⁠⁠



Our Youtube Channel:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠⁠⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724



Our email Newsletter:

⁠⁠⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠⁠⁠



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This is the ceremony of taking refuge in the Triple Gem of Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, followed by taking of the EIGHT precepts.



We do this ceremony at Dhammagiri:


Every Saturday morning 07.30 am
On the Sundays closest to the full moon at 09.00 am



Requesting Triple Refuge & 8 Precepts

Mayaṃ Bhante,
tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha-sīlāni yācāma.

Dutiyampi,
mayaṃ Bhante
tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha-sīlāni yācāma.

Tatiyampi,
Mayaṃ Bhante
tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha-sīlāni yācāma.



(English trsl., not chanted during session:

"Venerable Sir,

we request the Triple Refuge

together with the 8 precepts.

For the second time...

For the third time...")



Homage to the Buddha Recited by Monk 3x



Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!



Homage to the Buddha Repeated by Laity 3x

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa!



(English translation, not chanted during session:


"Homage to the Exhaulted, Noble, and perfectly enlightened one!" 3x)



Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha 3x

(recited line by line by monk, and repeated line by line by laity)

Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



Dutiyampi Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyampi Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



Tatiyampi Buddhāṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyampi Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.



(English translation, not chanted during session:

"I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dhamma.

I take refuge in the Sangha

For the second time, I take refuge...

For the third time, I take refuge...")



Taking the 8 Precepts

(recited line by line by monk, and repeated line by line by laity)


Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Vikāla-bhojanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūkadassanā mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa-maṇḍana-vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi
Uccā-sayana-mahā-sayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

Imāni aṭṭha-sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi (3x)



(English translation, not chanted during session:


"I undertake the training to abstain from killing any living beings.
... to abstain from stealing.
... to abstain from non-celibacy.
... to abstain from lying.
... to abstain from alcohol or any other drugs that cause intoxication and heedlessnes.
... to abstain from eating at the wrong time (= eating only between dawn and solar noon).
... to abstain from dancing, singing, music, entertainments, garlands, perfumes, cosmetics, make-up, jewellery and adornments.
... to abstain from high and luxurious beds or resting places.

I undertake these eight training steps!")



Monk Recites Blessing

Imāni aṭṭha-sikkhāpadāni

sīlena sugatiṃ yanti,

sīlena bhogasampadā,

sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti -

tasmā sīlaṃ visodhaye!



(English translation, not chanted during session:

These eight training steps

lead through virtue to a good rebirth,

lead through virtue to the acquisition of wealth,

lead through virtue to the extinction of suffering -

therefore, may your purify your virtue!)



By the way, we've got playlists of our Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

⁠https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre⁠



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammag

When cultivating bhāvanā (meditation), naturally we have to be mindful of and focussed upon our meditation object; for instance 'Buddho', or the breath, or mettā; and so on...

However, if we try to exclusively focus only on the meditation object with all we've got, the effort quickly becomes ineffective, or even couterproductive.

Instead, while meditating, we always have to check out:


How our mind relates to the meditation object
How the mind relates to the process of meditating
How the mind feels while meditating
What effect meditation has on our mind: Do unwholesome states diminish, and wholesome states grow? Or does whatever I'm doing in my meditation actually cause unbeneficial mindstates to arise?

In other words, we always have to do Cittānupassanā ('Mindfulness of the Mind') to some extend, even if the primary focus of our meditation is an aspect of the body, or feelings, or some other kammaṭṭhāna (meditation object).



By the way, we've got playlists of our Visiting Teachers, Chanting, Guided Meditations and Sutta Explorations available on our Spotify Profile here:

https://open.spotify.com/user/8z4dmrysnbbnjtz9f0wzjgcre



Our Podcast is also available on our own Dhammagiri Website, no need for any special app, just listen in any browser:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast⁠



More about Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/news⁠



Our Youtube Channel:

⁠https://www.youtube.com/⁠@dhammatalksatdhammagiri8724



Our email Newsletter:

⁠https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter⁠









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