Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage

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:

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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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Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to the question how Karuṇā (Compassion) differs from Mettā (Loving Kindness).

Compassion is the wish for all beings to be free from pain and suffering in any form.

Loving Kindness is the wish for all beings to be happy and well.

Though both belong to the 4 'Divine Abidings' (4 Brahmaviharas), and are closely related, in actual experience they feel quite distinct when developing them:


Developing compassion retains a stronger awareness of suffering. It can be easier to 'switch' from developing compassion (which is a form of samatha/calmness meditation) to developing insight/vipassana, for example by contemplating the 4 noble truths
It may be subjectively easier to generate compassion than mettā in cases when we encounter abject suffering, like someone dying in pain without proper care or similar.
It's easier with mettā to get a bit too 'dewy-eyed', thinking everything is fine and everyone will be a darling if only we radiate loving kindness. We then may be shocked when 'bad' things still happen. With compassion one is less prone to fall into the delusion of 'it's all good', 'we're all fine', 'nothing to worry'.



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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Ajahn Dhammasiha encourages us to connect with nature, and to contemplate the 4 Great Elements externally as we experience them in the natural environment.


Earth Element (Hardness, Rocks, Stones, Sand, Feeling the Ground while Walking or Sitting)
Water Element (Wet soil or grass or sand or beach; Ocean; Rain; Streams/Rivers)
Fire/Heat Element (Sunshine, warm air, warm breeze)
Wind Element/Energy Movement (Wind, Energy of Rocks and Trees, 'Chi')

It's difficult to contemplate only in the abstract, something that we don't really feel or experience.

Once we can clearly feel and perceive these elements in our own direct experience, it's much easier to contemplate them as impermanent, unsatisfactory and not-self.

Once we can clearly feel and perceive these elements in our own direct experience externally, it's much easier to also feel and contemplate them internally.

Even apart from insight- ontemplation, just connecting with nature in direct experience is a grounding experience very helpful in itself, to balance our artificial live with its screens and virtual reality and internet, and bring consciousness back to physical reality in the here and now.

Pics from monks meditating on Mount Ngungun here:

https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net


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