Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
-
India, Kolkata, Bodhgaya, Gaya, Rajgir
I arrived safe and well in Kolkata, India on Thursday, 3 December 2009. I stayed my first night at a reasonably good hotel – Dee Empresa Hotel. http://www.deeempresa.com/ The room rate was about US$50 per night including breakfast. It was relatively expensive for my usual budget but I felt it was necessary to help me…
-
Wat Pa Nanachat – International Forest Monastery
I came to Ubon Ratchathani for a short visit to the International Forest Monastery (Wat Pa Nanachat). Despite 27 years visiting Thailand this is the first time I’ve been to this famous monastery. I am glad to have finally made it. The community at the monastery is preparing for an important meeting of senior…
-
Wat Pa Nanachat – International Forest Monastery
I came to Ubon Ratchathani for a short visit to the International Forest Monastery (Wat Pa Nanachat). Despite 27 years visiting Thailand this is the first time I’ve been to this famous monastery. I am glad to have finally made it. The community at the monastery is preparing for an important meeting of senior…
-
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…
-
Photos in Yangon 2009
1. I am squatting in front of a row of Theravada Buddhist monks from three different countries (China, Thailand and Laos). We were visiting the International Buddhist Missionary University in Yangon. Behind us in the photo is the main administration building. I am wearing a longyi, the traditional sarong of Myanmar. 2. Sri Lankan yogi…
-
Eight Week Retreat Over
On Tuesday, 3 Nov. this week, I finished an eight week retreat that began when I returned from the visa run to Laos. Eight Week RetreatPeople have asked me what I gained from the vipassana retreat or what did I learn or what seems different now and so on. The changes seem subtle though generally…
-
Vientiane Visa Run
I’m at Vientiane. I am very comfortable and well. Thai VisaI was doing a vipassana meditation retreat at Section 5, Wat Mahadhatu and the date for my Thai visa came up (after 30 days). I didn’t plan much beforehand so on Thursday, 3 Sept, I did some research by Internet and took a taxi to…
-
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.
Got any book recommendations?