I find this is useful for understanding the Buddha Sasana: "Impermanence is the nature of all conditioned phenomenon. They arise and pass away, again and again, with great rapidity. When sensations arise and are met with awareness/equanimity, their cessation brings true happiness." "A...

Nivarana - A Box of Desires is a good story with underlying themes and lessons of Dhamma. I recommend it to anyone. Better watch this than any Hollywood movie. Please watch it to support isi Dhamma so he can see the spread of his hard work. Another very good Dhamma themed movie is 'The Great Legacy'...

I believe Arahants dont distinguish between men and women. The Noble ones have the ability to perceive the ultimate reality even when not in Jhana consciousness. They its like the veil is transparent for them. Conventional and Ultimate reality unified. An Arahant experiences sense stimuli with perfe...

The Pali Cannon has 17,500 discourses which are the main body of Theravada Buddhism. For a beginner who wants the easily accessible "essence" of the teachings please study the Dhammapada. It can be found for free here http://www.buddhanet.net/dhammapada/" onclick="window.open(thi...

Hello everyone, I am pursuing concentration based on the first eight kasinas, namely: earth, water, fire, air, blue, yellow, red, and white. The Visuddhimagga is quite specific as to the construction of the learning disks, but some of the instructions are not practical for me. There are some things...

concentration meditation. Do you see a problem with this approach? Hello Friend, Ben's advice is spot on. However, I also see an opportunity to help you. Respectfully, try to reconceptualize the term "concentration meditation" as a practice from your vocabulary. Please do not misunderstan...

Venerable Dhammanando's list is great. If I may humbly add in direct reply to: most authoritative and closest to the Buddha or most essential to Theravada thought The Buddha himself, when referring to his own teaching called it Dhamma-vinaya . Scholars believe the oldest of all recorded Dhamma is in...

Hello friend, I understand your situation well. I too am still very much 'in the world' but training the mind to not be 'of the world'. As you say the 'woods' of romance and intimacy are precisely the focal point of our society. And it is extremely against the stream to voluntarily be celibate. If y...

Many vipassana teachers talk about the difference between concepts and ultimate reality. I.e when one holds a cup in their hands there are the concepts of "cup" and "my" "hands" ect. whereas in reality there is only rupa, cetasika, citta. The higher stages of insight c...

Sacca or truth is the constant faithfulness or concordance of the term which names a thing, to or with that thing’s intrinsic nature. It is of two kinds: 1.sammuti-sacca: conventional or relative truth; 2.paramattha-sacca: or ultimate truth. Puthujjana are lost in the flood of sammuti-sacca Arahant...

How do you describe consciousness. Is it form sphere or formless sphere? :thinking: Hey Friend! I will try my best to verbalize the description. This is not my invention, but an Abhidhamma topic. It is extremely tricky and if you can understand this for yourself, by yourself, Nibbana is yours. I am...

its simple yet complicated to explain. A few concepts needed for clarification: First, Sound is not the 'Ether' or Space element. In fact sound is not an element. It is aspecific form of Materiality (Rupa), comprised of specific type of transparent Rupa Kalapas [a Kalapa is a particle]. It is essent...

I understand where your coming from Sarath. I also find it difficult at times to "choose a side". I agree with Bhikkhu Pesala that if absolutely necessary to take a side, one should take the more moderate or tolerant one. Or more succinctly, the action that when carried out would lead to g...

Bows to you friend! :bow: It is rare for anyone to practice Dhamma in Alberta, North of Edmonton. (I have searched around a little). We are truly against the stream here, and hopefully more will learn of the benefits of practice. I hope to keep in touch with you. Welcome to contact me if you ever c...

Incredible Bhante! Thank you for your reply! Truly amazing story. I would certainly read your book if you ever wrote one. (Please do!) :anjali: Thank you aswell Alobha! :thumbsup: I will check out the book you mentioned. I am very interested in practical Tudong stories. As one day I would like to b...