Online Gatherings |
Livestream Recordings - November 2024
Gathering - 12 December 2024
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Sacred Bhutan Retreat
Ajahn describes his trip with Ajahn Nyaniko to the Kingdom of Bhutan Nov 23 - Dec 8, 2024.
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Gathering - 20 November 2024
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Q&A 20 November 2024
Q1: Dear Ajahn, I dreamt that I invited Luang Por Chah to my house to give a Dhamma talk, and he really came with one of his disciple. My brother and I were overjoyed when we received him at the door. My brother wanted to do a chant upon receiving him, but Luang Por said is was not necessary and he stepped into the house.
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When we all stepped into the house the place became a big hall filled with many people waiting for LP Chah to go on stage to give the Dhamma talk. This is the only scene I could remember after I woke up. I never met Luang Por Chah before and have only seen his picture on the internet and in books. Can Ajahn interpret this dream for me please?
Q2: Dear Ajahn. In Buddhism, there are many teachings about cultivating the mind and developing beneficial mental states. However, does Buddhism also highlight the importance of physical exercise and developing the body? I feel exercise is important not only for strengthening the body for daily tasks and to prepare for aging, but I've also found cardio exercise helpful in improving my mental states - it lifts my mood and reduces stress levels. Given these benefits, I'm curious why Buddhism is largely silent on the role of physical exercise, when having a body is a large part of the human experience. Thank you very much Ajahn for sharing your wisdom and helping us.
Q3: Dear Ajahn Achalo, I would like to ask what goes on inside your mind when you were in your meditation for 3000 hours (referring to Phra Ajahn's book: 3000 hours meditation)? Why when every time that I meditate, do I feel very sleepy at the end of the meditation? Is it because of a lack of effort and focus?
Q4: Does alms bowl symbolize the skull of the Buddha? May I seek your guidance to explain to us the history of using alms bowls?
Q5: Dear Ajahn, I was a shy lonely child, very self-conscious, especially of my appearance, and easily frightened of other children and people. I still have these feelings sometimes. How do I stop feeling self-conscious and practise Metta when I find some people so scary?
Q6: Dear Ajahn, thank you for your wisdom and comforting words. My son-in-law had made several suicide attempts, sadly four years ago he was successful, and he had practised the Dharma too. I regret not being aware of his tendencies and his most troubled mind, what will be the Karmic consequences of such an action and may I hope that he is in a better place now?
Q7: Dear Ajahn. What is the afterlife for a dog? My dog passed on in May this year, but I still miss her very much. Whenever I think or talk about her, my tears start to swell up and my heart aches. I feel very bad and guilty that I didn't provide her enough love and attention. I should have done better. On her death bed, I chanted Itipiso together with LP Anan’s audio on, and shortly she took her last breath and left us with tears rolling down from her eye. Am I doing the right thing? I've been wanting to know about her current condition.
Q2: Dear Ajahn. In Buddhism, there are many teachings about cultivating the mind and developing beneficial mental states. However, does Buddhism also highlight the importance of physical exercise and developing the body? I feel exercise is important not only for strengthening the body for daily tasks and to prepare for aging, but I've also found cardio exercise helpful in improving my mental states - it lifts my mood and reduces stress levels. Given these benefits, I'm curious why Buddhism is largely silent on the role of physical exercise, when having a body is a large part of the human experience. Thank you very much Ajahn for sharing your wisdom and helping us.
Q3: Dear Ajahn Achalo, I would like to ask what goes on inside your mind when you were in your meditation for 3000 hours (referring to Phra Ajahn's book: 3000 hours meditation)? Why when every time that I meditate, do I feel very sleepy at the end of the meditation? Is it because of a lack of effort and focus?
Q4: Does alms bowl symbolize the skull of the Buddha? May I seek your guidance to explain to us the history of using alms bowls?
Q5: Dear Ajahn, I was a shy lonely child, very self-conscious, especially of my appearance, and easily frightened of other children and people. I still have these feelings sometimes. How do I stop feeling self-conscious and practise Metta when I find some people so scary?
Q6: Dear Ajahn, thank you for your wisdom and comforting words. My son-in-law had made several suicide attempts, sadly four years ago he was successful, and he had practised the Dharma too. I regret not being aware of his tendencies and his most troubled mind, what will be the Karmic consequences of such an action and may I hope that he is in a better place now?
Q7: Dear Ajahn. What is the afterlife for a dog? My dog passed on in May this year, but I still miss her very much. Whenever I think or talk about her, my tears start to swell up and my heart aches. I feel very bad and guilty that I didn't provide her enough love and attention. I should have done better. On her death bed, I chanted Itipiso together with LP Anan’s audio on, and shortly she took her last breath and left us with tears rolling down from her eye. Am I doing the right thing? I've been wanting to know about her current condition.
