Category: Dharma

  • Listening to the Dhamma can suppress the hindrances

    Sa.myuttanikaaya S46.38 Without Hindrances (อาวรณานีวรณสูตร นิวรณ์ ๕ เป็นอุปกิเลสของจิต) When bhikkhus, a noble disciple listens to the Dhamma with eager ears, attending to it as a matter of vital concern, directing the whole mind to it, on that occasion the five hindrances are not present in him; on that occasion the seven factors of enlightenment go…

  • Benefits from regular observance of eight precepts

    A10.47 Sakya Sutta (The Sakyans and the Eight Precepts) paraphrased from The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara Nikaaya) vol. 2, translated by F.L. Woodward by MK.   [Thanissaro Bhikkhu‘s translation] [Sister Upalavanna’s translation] [สักกสูตร] The Blessed One asks some Sakyans at Kapilavatthu whether they practice the eight precepts every Uposatha Day. [The Sakyans are a…

  • If you pentetratively study the Dharma but die confused….

    [Sotaanugata sutta paraphrased from The from The Book of the Gradual Sayings (Anguttara Nikaaya) vol. 2 (Anguttara Nikaaya) vol. 2, translated by F.L. Woodward.  This is an old translation. I am looking forward to the forthcoming new translation by Bhikkhu Bodhi of the entire Anguttara Nikaaya. So many good suttas in the Anguttara Nikaaya!  The…

  • Skillful Giving

    One of the most convenient ways of developing wholesome mental states is to give or donate to others. However, the benefits accruing from donating, both for the donor and the recipient will vary depending on each side’s virtue or spiritual development. Anguttaranikaaya  AN 6.37   PTS: A iii 335 Dana Sutta: Giving translated from the Pali…

  • Qualities of a Dharma Teacher on the Path

    Since I exited the eight week retreat at Section 5, Wat Mahadhatu, I’ve been spending a lot of time there in the afternoons and evenings helping Pi Yai teach meditation and answer questions about Buddhism. I regard teaching as a big responsibility.  I need to take great care. I am still learning so much myself.…

  • Moral Conduct as the Basis for Spiritual Development

    Buddhist suttas-discourses are translated into English in various ways. Ven. Thanissaro Bhikkhu translates satipa.t.thaana as “the four frames of reference.” Others translate it as the four establishments of mindfulness or the four foundations of mindfulness. I prefer “the four establishments of mindfulness” or to just leave it in the Paali as satipa.t.thaana. This is the…

  • Mirror of the Dhamma – Four things Posssessed by Sotapannas

    This list is from the Sa.myutta Nikaaya, Mahavagga, SN.V.55.8. confirmed confidence in the Buddha confirmed confidence in the Dhamma confirmed confidence in the Sangha of Ariyapuggala (noble ones – enlightened beings) possess the virtues (Siila) dear to the noble ones, unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled, freeing, praised by the wise, ungrasped, leading to concentration.

  • Factors for Sotapanna

    This list is from the Sa.myutta Nikaaya, Mahavagga, SN.V.55.5. Association with superior persons (Ariyapuggala) Hearing the true Dhamma Careful attention – Yoniso Manasikaara Practice in accordance with the Dhamma

  • Ten Bases for Meritorious Deeds

    The following list of ten bases for meritorious deeds (pu~n~nakiriyavathu) shows ten ways to develop wholesome karma for the sense sphere (kammavacarakuala.m). I believe this list is from a commentary on the Dharma. I strongly recommend everyone memorize this list and make strenuous efforts to put the list into practice. This will be for your…

  • Nine ways to Sharpen the Controlling Faculties – Indriyas

    I copied/paraphrased these nine ways from two different English language translations of Ven. Sayadaw U Kundala’s Burmese language transcriptions of Dhamma talks. I’m sorry I don’t have the citation details since I left the books in Yangon. These nine ways are also in the Visuddhimagga (The Path of Purification) by Ven. Buddhaghosa, in the section…