Dhamma Audio

Sugata Vinayo
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Dhamma Audio built to provide education in Buddhism, the show offers study materials on Dhamma, Suttas, and Vinaya. We share the true Dhamma, the Buddha’s teachings, because learning the authentic Dhamma is essential for developing right understanding of life and for knowing how to live in accordance with the Dhamma.

  1. 1d ago

    How to Abandon Fear or Trepidation or Terror

    At Savatthi. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!” “Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, once in the past the devas and the asuras were arrayed for battle. Then Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the Tavatiṁsa devas thus: ‘Dear sirs, when the devas are engaged in battle, if fear or trepidation or terror should arise, on that occasion you should look up at the crest of my standard. For when you look up at the crest of my standard, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. “‘If you cannot look up at the crest of my standard, then you should look up at the crest of the deva-king Pajapati’s standard. For when you look up at the crest of his standard, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. “‘If you cannot look up at the crest of the deva-king Pajapati’s standard, then you should look up at the crest of the deva-king Varuṇa’s standard. For when you look up at the crest of his standard, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. If you cannot look up at the crest of the deva-king Varuṇa’s standard, then you should look up at the crest of the deva-king Isana’s standard. For when you look up at the crest of his standard, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned.’ “Bhikkhus, for those who look up at the crest of the standard of Sakka, lord of the devas; or of Pajapati, the deva-king; or of Varuṇa, the deva-king; or of Isana, the deva-king, whatever fear or trepidation or terror they may have may or may not be abandoned. For what reason? Because Sakka, lord of the devas, is not devoid of lust, not devoid of hatred, not devoid of delusion; he can be timid, petrified, frightened, quick to flee. “But, bhikkhus, I say this: If you have gone to a forest or to the foot of a tree or to an empty hut, and fear or trepidation or terror should arise in you, on that occasion you should recollect me thus: ‘The Blessed One is an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.’ For when you recollect me, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. “If you cannot recollect me, then you should recollect the Dhamma thus: ‘The Dhamma is well expounded by the Blessed One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.’ For when you recollect the Dhamma, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. “If you cannot recollect the Dhamma, then you should recollect the Saṅgha thus: ‘The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practising the good way, practising the straight way, practising the true way, practising the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals—this Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.’ For when you recollect the Saṅgha, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. “For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the Tathagata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One is devoid of lust, devoid of hatred, devoid of delusion; he is brave, courageous, bold, ready to stand his place.” This is what the Blessed One said. Having said this, the Fortunate One, the Teacher, further said this: “In a forest, at the foot of a tree, Or in an empty hut, O bhikkhus, You should recollect the Buddha: No fear will then arise in you. “But if you cannot recall the Buddha, Best in the world, the bull of men, Then you should recall the Dhamma, Emancipating, well expounded... The Buddha's words Dhajaggasutta SN 11.3 Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

    How to Abandon Fear or Trepidation or Terror

  2. Sep 5

    The Simile of the Mountain

    At Sāvatthi. King Pasenadi of Kosala sat to one side, and the Buddha said to him, “So, Great King, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?” “Sir, there are anointed aristocratic kings who are infatuated with authority, and obsessed with greed for sensual pleasures. They have attained stability in the country, occupying a vast conquered territory. Today I have been busy fulfilling the duties of such kings.” “What do you think, Great King? Suppose a trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the east. He’d approach you and say: ‘Please, Great King, you should know this. I come from the east. There I saw a big mountain that reached the clouds. And it was coming this way, crushing all creatures. So then, Great King, do what you must!’ Then a second trustworthy and dependable man were to come from the west … a third from the north … and a fourth from the south. He’d approach you and say: ‘Please, Great King, you should know this. I come from the south. There I saw a big mountain that reached the clouds. And it was coming this way, crushing all creatures. So then, Great King, do what you must!’ Should such a dire threat arise—a grim loss of human life, when human birth is so rare—what would you do?” “Sir, what could I do but practice the teachings, practice morality, doing skillful and good actions?” “I tell you, Great King, I announce to you: old age and death are advancing upon you. Since old age and death are advancing upon you, what would you do?” “Sir, what can I do but practice the teachings, practice morality, doing skillful and good actions? Sir, there are anointed aristocratic kings who are infatuated with authority, and obsessed with greed for sensual pleasures. They have attained stability in the country, occupying a vast conquered territory. Such kings engage in battles of elephants, cavalry, chariots, or infantry. But there is no place, no domain for such battles when old age and death are advancing. In this royal court there are ministers of wise counsel who are capable of dividing an approaching enemy by wise counsel. But there is no place, no domain for such diplomatic battles when old age and death are advancing. In this royal court there is abundant gold, both coined and uncoined, stored above and below ground. Using this wealth we can bribe an approaching enemy. But there is no place, no domain for such monetary battles when old age and death are advancing. When old age and death are advancing, what can I do but practice the teachings, practice morality, doing skillful and good actions?” “That’s so true, Great King! That’s so true! When old age and death are advancing, what can you do but practice the teachings, practice morality, doing skillful and good actions?” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say: “Suppose there were vast mountains of solid rock pressing against the sky drawing in from all sides and crushing the four quarters. So too old age and death advance upon all living creatures— aristocrats, brahmins, peasants, menials, corpse-workers, and scavengers. They spare nothing. They crush all beneath them. There’s nowhere for elephants to take a stand, nor chariots nor infantry. They can’t be defeated by diplomatic battles or by wealth. That’s why an astute person, seeing what’s good for themselves, being wise, would place faith in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. Whoever lives by the teaching in body, speech, and mind, is praised in this life and departs to rejoice in heaven.” The Buddha’s words Pabbatūpamasutta SN 3.25. Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato

    The Simile of the Mountain

  3. Aug 29

    The Discourse about the King

    THUS I HEARD: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Wood, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Then at that time the Kosalan King Pasenadi had gone to the top of the royal palace with Queen Mallikā. Then the Kosalan King Pasenadi said this to Queen Mallikā: “Is there anyone, Mallikā, you love more than yourself?” “There is no one, Great King, I love more than myself. But is there, Great King, anyone you love more than yourself?” “For me also, Mallikā, there is no one I love more than myself.” Then the Kosalan King Pasenadi having come down from the palace went to the Gracious One, and after going and worshipping the Gracious One, he sat down on one side. While sat on one side the Kosalan King Pasenadi said this to the Gracious One: “Here, reverend Sir, having gone to the top of the royal palace with Queen Mallikā I said this to Queen Mallikā: ‘Is there anyone, Mallikā, you love more than yourself?’ When that was said, Queen Mallikā said this to me: ‘There is no one, Great King, I love more than myself. But is there, Great King, anyone you love more than yourself?’ When that was said, reverend Sir, I said this to Queen Mallikā: ‘For me also, Mallikā, there is no one I love more than myself.’ ” Then the Gracious One, having understood the significance of it, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance: “Having gone around in all directions with the mind,
There is surely no one found who is loved more than oneself. “In the same way others each love themselves,
Therefore one who cares for himself should not harm another.” Piyatarasutta Ud 5.1. Translated by Bhikkhu Anandajoti

    The Discourse about the King

  4. Aug 20

    The Discourse on the Unrighteous

    The Discourse on the Unrighteous ‘‘Bhikkhus, when kings are unrighteous, at that time royal officials are also unrighteous. When royal officials are unrighteous, at that time brahmins and householders are also unrighteous. When brahmins and householders are unrighteous, at that time the people of the towns and countryside are also unrighteous. When the people of the towns and countryside are unrighteous, the sun and moon revolve irregularly. When the sun and moon revolve irregularly, the constellations and starry forms revolve irregularly. When the constellations and starry forms revolve irregularly, days and nights revolve irregularly. When days and nights revolve irregularly, months and half-months revolve irregularly. When months and half-months revolve irregularly, seasons and years revolve irregularly. When seasons and years revolve irregularly, winds blow irregularly, out of season. When winds blow irregularly and out of season, the devas become agitated. When the devas are agitated, the sky does not send down rain properly. When the sky does not send down rain properly, the crops ripen unevenly. Bhikkhus, when people consume crops that have ripened unevenly, they become short-lived, ill-favored, and greatly afflicted by disease. ‘‘Bhikkhus, when kings are righteous, at that time royal officials are also righteous. When royal officials are righteous, at that time brahmins and householders are also righteous. When brahmins and householders are righteous, at that time the people of the towns and countryside are also righteous. When the people of the towns and countryside are righteous, the sun and moon revolve regularly. When the sun and moon revolve regularly, the constellations and starry forms revolve regularly. When the constellations and starry forms revolve regularly, days and nights revolve regularly. When days and nights revolve regularly, months and half-months revolve regularly. When months and half-months revolve regularly, seasons and years revolve regularly. When seasons and years revolve regularly, winds blow regularly, in season. When winds blow regularly and in season, the devas do not become agitated. When the devas are not angered, the rain pours down properly. When the rain pours down properly, the crops ripen evenly. "Monks, when people consume crops that ripen evenly, they become long-lived, beautiful, strong, and free from illness." “If, among the cattle crossing a river, the leading bull goes crookedly, all of them go crookedly, when the leader has gone crookedly. "Even so, among humans, if one who is considered the best, if he practices unrighteousness, how much more will the other people do so; the entire realm suffers, if the king is unrighteous. "If, among the cattle crossing a river, the leading bull goes straight, all of them go straight, when the leader has gone straight. "Even so, among humans, if one who is considered the best, if he practices righteousness, how much more will the other people do so; the entire realm lives happily, if the king is righteous." The Buddha’s words adhammikasutta from Tipitaka Pali Reader

    The Discourse on the Unrighteous

  5. Aug 15

    Wheel-Turning

    Wheel-Turning “Bhikkhus, even a wheel-turning monarch, a righteous king who rules by the Dhamma, does not turn the wheel without a king above him.” When this was said, a certain bhikkhu said to the Blessed One: “But, Bhante, who is the king above a wheel-turning monarch, a righteous king who rules by the Dhamma?” “It is the Dhamma, bhikkhu,” the Blessed One said. “Here, bhikkhu, a wheel-turning monarch, a righteous king who rules by the Dhamma, relying just on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and venerating the Dhamma, taking the Dhamma as his standard, banner, and authority, provides righteous protection, shelter, and guard for the people in his court. Again, a wheel-turning monarch, a righteous king who rules by the Dhamma, relying just on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and venerating the Dhamma, taking the Dhamma as his standard, banner, and authority, provides righteous protection, shelter, and guard for his khattiya vassals, his army, brahmins and householders, the people of town and countryside, ascetics and brahmins, and the animals and birds. Having provided such righteous protection, shelter, and guard for all these beings, that wheel-turning monarch, a righteous king who rules by the Dhamma, turns the wheel solely through the Dhamma, a wheel that cannot be turned back by any hostile human being. “So too, bhikkhu, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the righteous king of the Dhamma, relying just on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and venerating the Dhamma, taking the Dhamma as his standard, banner, and authority, provides righteous protection, shelter, and guard in regard to bodily action, saying: ‘Such bodily action should be cultivated; such bodily action should not be cultivated.’ “Again, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the righteous king of the Dhamma, relying just on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and venerating the Dhamma, taking the Dhamma as his standard, banner, and authority, provides righteous protection, shelter, and guard in regard to verbal action, saying: ‘Such verbal action should be cultivated; such verbal action should not be cultivated.’ “Again, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the righteous king of the Dhamma, relying just on the Dhamma, honoring, respecting, and venerating the Dhamma, taking the Dhamma as his standard, banner, and authority, provides righteous protection, shelter, and guard in regard to mental action, saying: ‘Such mental action should be cultivated; such mental action should not be cultivated.’ “Having provided such righteous protection, shelter, and guard in regard to bodily action, verbal action, and mental action, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One, the righteous king of the Dhamma, sets in motion the unsurpassed wheel of the Dhamma solely through the Dhamma, a wheel that cannot be turned back by any ascetic, brahmin, deva, Māra, or Brahmā, or by anyone in the world.” Cakkavattisutta AN 3.14. Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi

    Wheel-Turning

  6. Aug 6

    Dependent Origination

    Dependent Origination. Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!” “Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, I will teach you dependent origination. Listen to that and attend closely, I will speak.”–“Yes, venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this: “And what, bhikkhus, is dependent origination? With ignorance as condition, volitional formations come to be; with volitional formations as condition, consciousness; with consciousness as condition, name-and-form; with name-and-form as condition, the six sense bases; with the six sense bases as condition, contact; with contact as condition, feeling; with feeling as condition, craving; with craving as condition, clinging; with clinging as condition, existence; with existence as condition, birth; with birth as condition, aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair come to be. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering. This, bhikkhus, is called dependent origination. “But with the remainderless fading away and cessation of ignorance comes cessation of volitional formations; with the cessation of volitional formations, cessation of consciousness; with the cessation of consciousness, cessation of name-and-form; with the cessation of name-and-form, cessation of the six sense bases; with the cessation of the six sense bases, cessation of contact; with the cessation of contact, cessation of feeling; with the cessation of feeling, cessation of craving; with the cessation of craving, cessation of clinging; with the cessation of clinging, cessation of existence; with the cessation of existence, cessation of birth; with the cessation of birth, aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.” This is what the Blessed One said. Elated, those bhikkhus delighted in the Blessed One’s statement.

    Dependent Origination

  7. Aug 6

    Nonanger

    Akkodhasutta Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi THUS HAVE I HEARD. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. There the Blessed One said this: “Bhikkhus, once in the past Sakka, lord of the devas, instructing the Tavatiṁsa devas in the Sudhamma assembly hall, on that occasion recited this verse: “‘Do not let anger overpower you; Do not become angry at those who are angry. Nonanger and harmlessness always dwell Within the hearts of the noble ones. Like a mountain avalanche Anger crushes evil people.’”

    Nonanger

  8. Jul 29

    The Discourse on the Uposatha with Nine Qualities

    The Discourse on the Uposatha with Nine Qualities “Monks, an Uposatha observed, endowed with nine qualities, is of great fruit, great benefit, great splendor, and great pervasiveness. How, monks, is an Uposatha observed, endowed with nine qualities, of great fruit, great benefit, great splendor, and great pervasiveness? Here, monks, a noble disciple reflects thus: ‘Throughout their lives, Arahants abandon the taking of life, abstaining from the taking of life, having laid aside stick and weapon, conscientious, compassionate, dwelling with sympathy for all living beings; today, for this night and this day, I too abandon the taking of life, abstaining from the taking of life, having laid aside stick and weapon, conscientious, compassionate, dwelling with sympathy for all living beings. By this quality, I emulate the Arahants; and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this first quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon taking what is not given, abstaining from taking what is not given, taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, and they dwell with a pure self, free from theft. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon taking what is not given, abstaining from taking what is not given, taking only what is given, expecting only what is given, and I dwell with a pure self, free from theft. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this second quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon unchastity, observing chastity, keeping aloof, abstaining from sexual conduct, the village custom. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon unchastity, observing chastity, keeping aloof, abstaining from sexual conduct, the village custom. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this third quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon false speech, abstaining from false speech, speaking truth, truthful in their words, firm, reliable, not deceiving the world. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon false speech, abstaining from false speech, speaking truth, truthful in my words, firm, reliable, not deceiving the world. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this fourth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon the taking of intoxicants, abstaining from the taking of intoxicants, which is a cause for heedlessness. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon the taking of intoxicants, abstaining from the taking of intoxicants, which is a cause for heedlessness. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this fifth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants eat once a day, abstaining from food at night, refraining from untimely meals. Today, for this night and this day, I eat once a day, abstaining from food at night, refraining from untimely meals. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this sixth quality. ‘As long as they live, Arahants abandon dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows; wearing garlands, perfumes, and ointments; and using ornaments and embellishments, abstaining from these. Today, for this night and this day, I abandon dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows; wearing garlands, perfumes, and ointments; and using ornaments and embellishments, abstaining from these. By this factor, I emulate the Arahants, and my Uposatha will be observed.’ He is endowed with this seventh quality. ‘Throughout their lives, Arahants abandon high and luxurious beds and seats, abstaining from high and luxurious beds and seats, and make low beds – on a couch or on a mat of grass; today, for this night and this day, I too abandon high and luxurious beds and seats, abstaining from high and luxurious beds and seats, and make a low bed... The Buddha' swords, Navaṅguposathasutta from Tipitaka_Pali_Reader

    The Discourse on the Uposatha with Nine Qualities
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Dhamma Audio built to provide education in Buddhism, the show offers study materials on Dhamma, Suttas, and Vinaya. We share the true Dhamma, the Buddha’s teachings, because learning the authentic Dhamma is essential for developing right understanding of life and for knowing how to live in accordance with the Dhamma.

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  • Creator
    Sugata Vinayo
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sugata Vinayo
  • Show Website
    Dhamma Audio