Dhamma Teachings #1 |
Dhamma Talks at or for Mediation Centres / Meditation Groups
by Ajahn Achalo
BUBS Retreat - Session 7
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1.27 - BUBS Retreat - Session 7: Q&A
Q1 What should I do to stop wandering thoughts? Q2 If we can enter the stream by listening to dhamma, why then meditate? Can we enter sotapanna only by listening to the dhamma? |
Q3 Some say Jesus is the future Maitreya. What’s your opinion?
Q4 How does insight arise?
Q5 Kindly advise on the way to notice the breath.
Q6 Can you elaborate why Yasas’ story gives you hope?
Q7 How should we make effective aspirations to reach nibbana?
Q8 When a person realizes nibbana does it mean they are an arahant
Q9 Why are we not encouraged to send metta to our spouse/ close partner?
Q10 [Although I see many mental things arising and ceasing,] in life I still experience physical pain. Why is this?
Q11 Is the feeling of metta the same for everybody?
Q12 Where is the Buddha? Where are all the buddhas?
Q13 If there is no self, why does one have to liberate one’s self?
Q4 How does insight arise?
Q5 Kindly advise on the way to notice the breath.
Q6 Can you elaborate why Yasas’ story gives you hope?
Q7 How should we make effective aspirations to reach nibbana?
Q8 When a person realizes nibbana does it mean they are an arahant
Q9 Why are we not encouraged to send metta to our spouse/ close partner?
Q10 [Although I see many mental things arising and ceasing,] in life I still experience physical pain. Why is this?
Q11 Is the feeling of metta the same for everybody?
Q12 Where is the Buddha? Where are all the buddhas?
Q13 If there is no self, why does one have to liberate one’s self?
Bandar Usama Buddhist Society, Malaysia - 2024
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1.26 - BUBS Retreat - Session 6:
- The Nibbana Sutta - The Dhammachakka sutta |
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1.25 - BUBS Retreat - Session 5: Buddhanusati
Q1 Is there always a repetition of the same world system as we read in “The Chronicles of the Buddha”? Q2 We read that the whole world will be Buddhist when the Maitreya comes, so what is the purpose of having a samasambuddha at that time? |
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1.24 - BUBS Session 4: Q&A
Q1 How do we identify the breath energy? What does it look and feel like?
Q2 I notice that my mind tends to go towards negative thoughts in meditation rather than positive ones. Why and how to overcome this? |
Q3 We practice noble silence but it's the physical level of speech not at the mind level. The chatter goes on and on. What is the best way to tame this?
Q4 What is access concentration?
Q5 What is best way to tame the chattering mind?
Q6 What is access concentration? Once we reach this stage, what shall we work on?
Q6 During lying down meditation I experienced rapture.
Q7 [Yogi describes experience of metta meditation.] Can you tell me why this happened?
Q8 How can I overcome the habit of compulsively lying?
Q4 What is access concentration?
Q5 What is best way to tame the chattering mind?
Q6 What is access concentration? Once we reach this stage, what shall we work on?
Q6 During lying down meditation I experienced rapture.
Q7 [Yogi describes experience of metta meditation.] Can you tell me why this happened?
Q8 How can I overcome the habit of compulsively lying?
1.21 - BUBS Session 2: A Bright and Glad Mind as Foundation for Insight
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1.23 - BUBS Session 3: The Five Hindrances, Five Powers
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1.20 - BUBS Session 1: Sila with Guided Meditation
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1.22 - Evening Dhamma Talk at BUBS
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More Dhamma Talks at or for Mediation Centres / Groups:
1.19 - The Power of Kindness and Compassion
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An online talk to the Metta Centre in Sydney Australia, March 13, 2024
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1.18 - The Four Brahmavihara as a support to mental cultivation
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A talk with Q&A at the IBSC's Annual Meditation Retreat at Khao Kho - 30 November 2023
Q1 Our practice is about overcoming the 10 kilesas. Can you give a definition and explanation about these and the dark mental impurities? |
Q2 (a) Is it possible to gain enlightenment through the brama viharas without practicing vipassana? (b) Is there a practice of mahakaruna and mahamaitri in this tradition?
Q3 What is more important in life, maha sangha or kaliyanamita?
Q4 Sometimes when I sit I have pain that disturbs the mindfulness and sometimes I can no longer observe the pain. Then I use metta but sometimes I cannot even practice metta and I want to change the posture. Can you say what is the best way to practice to cultivate mindfulness when there is pain.
Q5 Regarding metta, I have understood that if we cannot cultivate peace and loving kindness in our mind, then we cannot spread it to others. When our parents face economic problems they may not be able to cultivate peace and loving kindness. However, they do want their children who may be living far away to have peace and to be free from danger. Is this wish also a practice of metta that can help?
Q3 What is more important in life, maha sangha or kaliyanamita?
Q4 Sometimes when I sit I have pain that disturbs the mindfulness and sometimes I can no longer observe the pain. Then I use metta but sometimes I cannot even practice metta and I want to change the posture. Can you say what is the best way to practice to cultivate mindfulness when there is pain.
Q5 Regarding metta, I have understood that if we cannot cultivate peace and loving kindness in our mind, then we cannot spread it to others. When our parents face economic problems they may not be able to cultivate peace and loving kindness. However, they do want their children who may be living far away to have peace and to be free from danger. Is this wish also a practice of metta that can help?
1.17 - Kathina talk to Malaysian Singaporean group
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Kathina talk to Malaysian Singaporean group
- 11 November 2023 |
1.16 - Patience in the Pali Buddhist Teaching
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Patience in the Pali Buddhist teaching with a special reference to the Visuddhimagga -
A presentation to the Pāli & Sanskrit International Buddhist Community - 17 June 2023 |
1.15 - Daily Devotion and Discipline
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Daily Devotion and Discipline -
A talk hosted in Singapore - 07 May 2023 |
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Q&A Singapore - 07 May 2023
Q1: If experienced meditators can control their entry into jhana at the time of death, does it mean they can choose their rebirth? Q2: When we transfer merit, does it really work given what the Buddha said about being the owner and benefactor of our kamma? |
Q3: Should we practice differently before we sleep and how? How can I deal with sloth and torpor?
Q4: What is the best thing to say to a loved one who is dying?
Q5: How do you know you are practicing well and yet encouraging yourself to commit to the practice? Is meditation always about the breath?
Q4: What is the best thing to say to a loved one who is dying?
Q5: How do you know you are practicing well and yet encouraging yourself to commit to the practice? Is meditation always about the breath?
1.14 - Breath Meditation for Liberation
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Breath Meditation for Liberation -
A talk hosted in Singapore - 06 May 2023 |
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Q&A Singapore - 06 May 2023
Q1: As I’ve grown older I feel very attached to my parents. How can I overcome this? Q2: Can you offer some guidance about the use of a cushion please? Q3: What time of the morning would you suggest for meditation? |
Q4: Often when we sit we tend to slouch. Are we supposed to be mindful of our back and keep it straight?
Q5: Can you explain what are vipassana and yoniso manasikara?
Q6: In the six elements chant, space is mentioned. Can you elaborate on what is meant by that?
Q7: I’d like to understand the difference between samatha and samadhi better.
Q8: When we are doing body contemplation, is it to think? For example about our hair turning white. Are we actually meditating at the same time?
Q9: In the anapanasati sutta, what is meant by gladdening the mind?
Q10: If energy is low with illness and fatigue, how do we press on to have a daily practice?
Q11: During meditation I feel myself in an empty room and feel lost as there is nothing in the room. Is this normal?
Q12: In your earlier sharing about a Thai person who died, and then was seen in his house again on the second day, was that a rebirth?
Q13: Can you share any comment about your receptiveness to all the main schools of Buddhism?
Q14: Is it right view to try not to incur the wrath of any one or not to make ourselves angry?
Q15: How can we stop rebirth?
Q16: As parents, how do we balance and manage our parental roles with [the need for] detachment?
Q17: During meditation, how do we handle the problems of itchiness and pain? Do we need just to endure it?
Q5: Can you explain what are vipassana and yoniso manasikara?
Q6: In the six elements chant, space is mentioned. Can you elaborate on what is meant by that?
Q7: I’d like to understand the difference between samatha and samadhi better.
Q8: When we are doing body contemplation, is it to think? For example about our hair turning white. Are we actually meditating at the same time?
Q9: In the anapanasati sutta, what is meant by gladdening the mind?
Q10: If energy is low with illness and fatigue, how do we press on to have a daily practice?
Q11: During meditation I feel myself in an empty room and feel lost as there is nothing in the room. Is this normal?
Q12: In your earlier sharing about a Thai person who died, and then was seen in his house again on the second day, was that a rebirth?
Q13: Can you share any comment about your receptiveness to all the main schools of Buddhism?
Q14: Is it right view to try not to incur the wrath of any one or not to make ourselves angry?
Q15: How can we stop rebirth?
Q16: As parents, how do we balance and manage our parental roles with [the need for] detachment?
Q17: During meditation, how do we handle the problems of itchiness and pain? Do we need just to endure it?
1.13 - Increasing Determination
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Increasing Determination -
An online Dhamma talk - 01 March 2023 |
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Consistent Commitment increases Capability -
A dhamma talk and Q&A to a Canadian group in Toronto Q1: We all often slip in the practice. What is the best way to get back into it?
Q2: How can we maintain mindfulness when we don’t accomplish what you set out to do? How can we not let that frustration set us further back? |
Q3: I’ve noticed a real cultural difference between the East and the West in the sense of guilt and shame. Can you comment?
Q4: During meditation what should I do to control my thoughts?
Q4: During meditation what should I do to control my thoughts?
1.12 - Ajahn Achalo at Bodhgaya 2022
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Ajahn gives a dhamma talk and answers questions at the 17th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony.
- 04 December 2022
Q1: On retreat I can sit for about 45 minutes before I have to move, but outslde retreat, I can sit still for only about 20-25 minutes. Can you advise me please? |
Q2: Can you clarify please – I read a translation that says one mark of awareness is “holding”. But my experience is that it is discernment or acknowledgement that is a mark.
Q3: I have read the word “feeling” being applied to the body and also “feeling” applied to the mind. But my understanding is that feeling is in the mind only and what the body experiences in called a sensation, not a feeling. Can you clarify this?
Q4: Why is “form” included in the 5 kandas / skandas? It seems I experience “feeling”, not form.
Q5: Can you please describe the 37 path factors? (Ajahn says he will address it in his talk on Dec 8th).
Q6: Regarding attachment, how can we relinquish attachments when we also want to live in a state of love and compassion with others? Is there not a conflict there?
Q7: We do meditation to empty our minds, but can we live in this world with an empty mind?
Q8: I am new at this and struggle to conduct a practice and not being imposed on by kalyanamitta who advise me not to meditate but only to serve.
Q9: (in view of your answer) Should we then practice alone and not have kalyanamitta? What is sangha then?
Q10: Is consciousness really conscious in itself or is it dependent?
Q3: I have read the word “feeling” being applied to the body and also “feeling” applied to the mind. But my understanding is that feeling is in the mind only and what the body experiences in called a sensation, not a feeling. Can you clarify this?
Q4: Why is “form” included in the 5 kandas / skandas? It seems I experience “feeling”, not form.
Q5: Can you please describe the 37 path factors? (Ajahn says he will address it in his talk on Dec 8th).
Q6: Regarding attachment, how can we relinquish attachments when we also want to live in a state of love and compassion with others? Is there not a conflict there?
Q7: We do meditation to empty our minds, but can we live in this world with an empty mind?
Q8: I am new at this and struggle to conduct a practice and not being imposed on by kalyanamitta who advise me not to meditate but only to serve.
Q9: (in view of your answer) Should we then practice alone and not have kalyanamitta? What is sangha then?
Q10: Is consciousness really conscious in itself or is it dependent?