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Living With the Cobra
20-02-24

Living With the Cobra

Ajahn Chah

A brief talk given as final instruction to an elderly Englishwoman who spent two months under the guidance of Ajahn Chah at the end of 1978 and beginning of…

Reading the Natural Mind
10-02-24

Reading the Natural Mind

Ajahn Chah

An informal talk given to a group of newly ordained monks after the evening chanting, middle of the Rains Retreat, 1978 …) Our way of practice is looking…

Buddhism and Sex
01-02-24

Buddhism and Sex

M.O’C. Walshe

This is the third, further revised version of the original Sangha Guide on Buddhism and Sex published by the English Sangha Trust, Dhammpadipa, London NW3.

Just Do It
20-01-24

Just Do It

Ajahn Chah

A lively talk, in Lao dialect, given to the Assembly of newly-ordained Monks at Wat Pah Pong on the day of entering the Rains Retreat, July 1978 .

A Gift of Dhamma
10-01-24

A Gift of Dhamma

Ajahn Chah

A discourse delivered to the assembly of Western monks, novices and lay-disciples at Bung Wai Forest Monastery, Ubon, on the 10th of October, 1977.

The Elimination of Anger
10-12-23

The Elimination of Anger

Piyatissa Thera

The ultimate goal of Buddhism is the deathless condition of Nibbana, the sole reality. Hence, one who aspires to that state should renounce mundane pursuits and…

Samatha Meditation and ‘Mindfulness’
01-12-23

Samatha Meditation and ‘Mindfulness’

The Editors

The word ‘mindfulness’ as an indication for a meditation system found its entry in the west when John Kabat-Zinn started his program of ‘Mindfulness-Based…

Purification of Mind
20-11-23

Purification of Mind

Bhikkhu Bodhi

An ancient maxim found in the Dhammapada sums up the practice of the Buddha’s teaching in three simple guidelines to training: to abstain from all evil…

The Guardians of the World
10-11-23

The Guardians of the World

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Like the Roman god Janus, every person faces simultaneously in two opposite directions. With one face of our consciousness we gaze in upon ourselves and become…

Two Faces of the Dhamma
01-11-23

Two Faces of the Dhamma

Bhikkhu Bodhi

On first encounter Buddhism confronts us as a paradox. Intellectually, it appears a freethinker’s delight: sober, realistic, undogmatic…

The Origin and Essence of Yoga and its Relation to Buddhism
20-10-23

The Origin and Essence of Yoga and its Relation to Buddhism

The Editors

Nowadays you can take a yoga class in almost every city and there are numerous online channels that make it easy to practice yoga at home.

Samatha vs Vipassanā
10-10-23

Samatha vs Vipassanā

The Editors

Vipassanā means as much as ‘insight’ and is often translated as insight meditation. Sometimes this is seen as a separate form of Buddhist meditation.

The Road to Nirvana Is Paved with Skillful Intentions
01-10-23

The Road to Nirvana Is Paved with Skillful Intentions

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

There’s an old saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but that’s not really the case. The road to hell is paved with intentions that are…

Sīsapāvana Sutta: The Simsapa Grove
20-09-23

Sīsapāvana Sutta: The Simsapa Grove

Bhikkhu Bodhi

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Kosambi in a siṁsapa grove. Then the Blessed One took up a few siṁsapa leaves in his hand and addressed the…

The Path of Concentration & Mindfulness
10-09-23

The Path of Concentration & Mindfulness

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Many people tell us that the Buddha taught two different types of meditation — mindfulness meditation and concentration meditation. Mindfulness meditation…

Ethical Conduct Is the Essence of Dharma Practice
01-09-23

Ethical Conduct Is the Essence of Dharma Practice

The 14th Dalai Lama

Buddhists accept that human life has a deeper purpose than sensual enjoyments, wealth, power, social status, and praise gained in this life…

Advice to Rāhula: Four Discourses of the Buddha
20-08-23

Advice to Rāhula: Four Discourses of the Buddha

Nyanaponika Thera

“A son has been born to thee, O prince!” this was the message that reached Prince Siddhattha when returning from a drive through the city of Kapilavatthu and a…

Dhamma Without Rebirth?
10-08-23

Dhamma Without Rebirth?

Bhikkhu Bodhi

In line with the present-day stress on the need for religious teachings to be personally relevant and directly verifiable, in certain Dhamma circles the time…

The Five Spiritual Faculties
01-08-23

The Five Spiritual Faculties

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The practice of the Buddha’s teaching is most commonly depicted by the image of a journey, the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path constituting the royal…

Association with the Wise
20-07-23

Association with the Wise

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The Maha-mangala Sutta, the Great Discourse on Blessings, is one of the most popular Buddhist suttas, included in all the standard repertories of Pali…

Abhaya Rāja-kumāra Sutta: To Prince Abhaya (On Right Speech) 
10-07-23

Abhaya Rāja-kumāra Sutta: To Prince Abhaya (On Right Speech) 

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

In this discourse, the Buddha shows the factors that go into deciding what is and is not worth saying. The main factors are three: whether or not a statement is…

Samatha Meditation on Buddho
01-07-23

Samatha Meditation on Buddho

The Editors

In the practice of samatha meditation the mind is focused on a specific object. The Buddha taught 40 such meditation objects. He never said that one object is…

Chiggala Sutta’s: Yoke with a Hole
20-06-23

Chiggala Sutta’s: Yoke with a Hole

Bhikkhu Bodhi

“Bhikkhus, suppose a man would throw a yoke with a single hole into the great ocean, and there was a blind turtle which would come to the surface once every…

The Agendas of Mindfulness
10-06-23

The Agendas of Mindfulness

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

The Pāli term for meditation is bhāvanā: development. It’s a shorthand word for the development of skillful qualities in the mind. Bhāvanā is a type of karma…

Singala Sutta: Advice to Sigālaka
01-06-23

Singala Sutta: Advice to Sigālaka

Bhikkhu Sujato

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time the householder’s son…

Freedom from Buddha Nature
20-05-23

Freedom from Buddha Nature

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

“What is the mind? The mind isn’t ‘is’ anything.” — Ajahn Chah “The mind is neither good nor evil, but it’s what knows good and knows evil. It’s what does good…

Guided Meditation: The Risks and Limitations from a Buddhist Perspective
10-05-23

Guided Meditation: The Risks and Limitations from a Buddhist Perspective

The Editors

Guided meditation has become increasingly popular in recent years, mainly through meditation apps, YouTube channels and other (impersonal) online content.

The Path of Samatha Meditation
01-05-23

The Path of Samatha Meditation

The Editors

When practicing samatha meditation, at first it may seem as if the mind is only becoming more restless. This is because you look at your mental processes with…

On Words, Concepts and Insight
20-04-23

On Words, Concepts and Insight

Guy E. Dubois

The essence of our practice must be founded in understanding the Dhamma. In understanding the teaching. By ­gaining – with clear understanding – deep insight…

What is Vipassana?
14-04-23

What is Vipassana?

The Editors

The word vipassanā is composed of two parts: vi, which means ‘clear’, and passanā, which means ‘to see’. Vipassanā therefore means ‘to see clearly’ or rather…

Vibhanga-Sutta: Analysis
10-04-23

Vibhanga-Sutta: Analysis

Bhikkhu Bodhi

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you the Noble Eightfold Path and I will analyse it for you. Listen to that and attend closely, I will speak.” “Yes…

Mindfulness Defined
01-04-23

Mindfulness Defined

The Editors

What does it mean to be mindful of the breath? Something very simple: to keep the breath in mind. Keep remembering the breath each time you breathe in…

Not Pained by Pain
20-03-23

Not Pained by Pain

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

When the Buddha teaches how to focus on feelings as you meditate, there are four steps: Focused on the breath, you learn how to breathe in a way that gives rise…

Parabhava Sutta: Downfall
10-03-23

Parabhava Sutta: Downfall

Narada Maha Thera

While the Mangala Sutta deals with the way of life conducive to progress and happiness, the Parabhava Sutta supplements it by pointing out the causes of…

Sīha Sutta: The Fruits of Giving
01-03-23

Sīha Sutta: The Fruits of Giving

Bhikkhu Bodhi

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. Then Sīha the general approached the Blessed One…

The Perfection of Giving
20-02-23

The Perfection of Giving

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The perfection of giving is to be practiced by benefiting beings in many ways — by relinquishing one’s happiness, belongings, body and life to others…

Karma and Rebirth in Buddhism
10-02-23

Karma and Rebirth in Buddhism

The Editors

The doctrine of karma (kamma) and rebirth is often misunderstood. You sometimes hear people say rather fatalistically “it’s my karma” or with the desire to give…

One Tool Among Many: The Place of Vipassanā in Buddhist Practice
01-02-23

One Tool Among Many: The Place of Vipassanā in Buddhist Practice

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

What exactly is vipassanā? Almost any book on early Buddhist meditation will tell you that the Buddha taught two types of meditation: samatha and vipassanā.

Mangala Sutta: Discourse on Blessings
20-01-23

Mangala Sutta: Discourse on Blessings

Piyadassi Thera

Thus have I heard: On one occasion the Blessed One was living near Savatthi at Jetavana at Anathapindika’s monastery. Now when the night was far advanced…

Paticcasamuppāda: Dependent Origination
10-01-23

Paticcasamuppāda: Dependent Origination

The Editors

If we look at the cause of unsatisfactoriness, the second Noble Truth the Buddha taught, we see that the Buddha mentions desire as the big problem.

Generosity: The Inward Dimension
01-01-23

Generosity: The Inward Dimension

Nina van Gorkom

As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made, even so many good deeds should be done by one born a mortal (Dhammapada verse 53). The giving away of useful…

Karaniya Metta Sutta: Loving-Kindness
20-12-22

Karaniya Metta Sutta: Loving-Kindness

Acharya Buddharakkhita

Who seeks to promote his welfare, Having glimpsed the state of perfect peace, Should be able, honest and upright, Gentle in speech, meek and not proud.

From Stream-enterer to Arahant: The Four Stages of Liberation
10-12-22

From Stream-enterer to Arahant: The Four Stages of Liberation

The Editors

Achieving the ultimate complete liberation from unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) is a gradual process consisting of four stages. In the time of the Buddha there were…

Introduction to the Abhidhammattha Sangaha
01-12-22

Introduction to the Abhidhammattha Sangaha

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The nucleus of the present book (A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma: The Abhidhammattha Sangaha of Acariya Anuruddha) is a medieval compendium of Buddhist…

Satipatthana Vipassana
20-11-22

Satipatthana Vipassana

Mahasi Sayadaw

On the personal request of the Honorable U Nu, Prime Minister, and Thado Thiri Thudhamma Sir U Thwin, President of the Buddha Sasananuggaha Association…

Giving from the Heart
10-11-22

Giving from the Heart

M.O’C. Walshe

Giving comes very naturally to some people — they enjoy giving and are unhappy if they cannot do so. And though it is obvious that one can give foolishly…

Samsāra & Nirvana
01-11-22

Samsāra & Nirvana

The Editors

You could argue that Buddhism is about freeing yourself from samsāra and reaching nirvana (nibbāna). But what do samsāra and nibbāna really mean?

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma
20-10-22

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Thus have i heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Baraṇasi in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus of the…

Anicca, Dukkha, Anattā: The Three Characteristics of Existence
10-10-22

Anicca, Dukkha, Anattā: The Three Characteristics of Existence

The Editors

The Buddha taught three characteristics (ti-lakkhaṇa) that apply to all existence in Samsāra, namely impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) and non…

Alin-Kyan: The Manual of Light
01-10-22

Alin-Kyan: The Manual of Light

Ledi Sayadaw

This treatise begins by pairing the five great forms of ignorance with the five types of light needed to destroy them. Take ignorance of the Dhamma.

Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing
20-09-22

Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Sāvatthī in the Eastern Park, in the Palace of Migāra’s Mother, together with many very well…

Giving in the Pali Canon
10-09-22

Giving in the Pali Canon

Lily de Silva

Dana, giving, is extolled in the Pali canon as a great virtue. It is, in fact, the beginning of the path to liberation. When the Buddha preaches to a newcomer…

Free Inquiry
01-09-22

Free Inquiry

Guy E. Dubois

Regardless of his past, the dhammanuvatti remains personally responsible for his liberation. The Buddha encourages each practitioner to examine the object of…

Regard All Experiences with Equanimity
20-08-22

Regard All Experiences with Equanimity

Guy E. Dubois

Equanimity is the apotheosis of the brahmavihāra’s. It is the nec plus ultra among the ‘Four Divine Abodes’. The first three ‘Immeasurables’ all still show a…

Dukkha: The Unsatisfactoriness of Existence
10-08-22

Dukkha: The Unsatisfactoriness of Existence

The Editors

One of the keywords in Buddhism is dukkha, often translated as suffering. In everyday life, dukkha is most easily perceived as suffering, and that is why that…

Vijjāmagga Dīpanī: Manual of the Path to Higher Knowledge
01-08-22

Vijjāmagga Dīpanī: Manual of the Path to Higher Knowledge

Ledi Sayadaw

What is written in this text by the Ledi Sayadaw might almost read like a fairy tale, something far away from what is held to be possible and true in our…

The Buddha on Wisdom and Consciousness
20-07-22

The Buddha on Wisdom and Consciousness

Guy E. Dubois

A kalyānamitta (a good companion, a spiritual friend) recently asked me how many people manage to experience insight into reality as it really is (yathā bhūta…

The Khandha’s: The Five Processes of Which We are Composed
10-07-22

The Khandha’s: The Five Processes of Which We are Composed

Guy E. Dubois

Khandha literally means: heap, stack. A synonym for the term khandha in the Dhamma context is: pañcupādānakkhandhā → pañca + upādāna + khandha: pañca = five…

The Practice of Giving
01-07-22

The Practice of Giving

Susan Elbaum Jootla

Giving (dana) is one of the essential preliminary steps of Buddhist practice. When practiced in itself, it is a basis of merit or wholesome kamma.

Introduction to Dāna (Giving)
01-06-22

Introduction to Dāna (Giving)

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The practice of giving is universally recognized as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one’s humanity and one’s…

Expansion of the Digital Theravāda Library and Authors Page
19-05-22

Expansion of the Digital Theravāda Library and Authors Page

The Editors

Over the past few months, we have been working hard to expand our digital Theravāda Buddhist library. It contains a handpicked selection of books by renowned…

Verify for Yourself
28-04-22

Verify for Yourself

Guy E. Dubois

“Verify for yourself,” the Buddha said to his followers, “whether what I teach corresponds with the truth.” He condensed this into one word: Ehipassiko – ‘Come…

The Blind Spot
07-04-22

The Blind Spot

The Editors

Talking about how to live a good life is easy, actually living it is difficult. Anyone can use terms like “enlightened,” “awakened,” or “liberated…

Vipassana: The Developement of Insight
17-03-22

Vipassana: The Developement of Insight

Guy E. Dubois

Vipassanā literally means: ‘seeing things as they really are’. This ‘seeing’ requires clear understanding of the three characteristics (tilakkhaṇa) of all…

Ānāpāna Dīpanī: Manual of Meditation on Breathing
24-02-22

Ānāpāna Dīpanī: Manual of Meditation on Breathing

Ledi Sayadaw

Below is a translation of the Ānāpāna Dipani, a treatise on meditation on breathing in order to reach enlightenment, written by Ledi Sayādaw…

Udayabbaya – the Experience of Arising and Decay
03-02-22

Udayabbaya – the Experience of Arising and Decay

Guy E. Dubois

In deep concentration we experience that the phenomena arise and decay so quickly that we cannot grasp them. That they completely escape our mind. That we can’t…

The Life of the Buddha
20-01-22

The Life of the Buddha

The Editors

For more than 2,500 years, people have followed the path to liberation as taught by the Buddha. For just as long, the Buddha’s life story has had a powerful…

The Pali Canon: How We Know What the Buddha Taught
20-01-22

The Pali Canon: How We Know What the Buddha Taught

The Editors

When we talk about Buddhism, we are talking about the teachings of the Buddha, but the Buddha himself did not write anything down. So, you might wonder: how do…

Theravāda Buddhism
20-01-22

Theravāda Buddhism

The Editors

Theravāda Buddhism is a Buddhist school that came to prominence during the reign of king Asoka the Great around 250 BC, after the purification of the Sangha…

The Arrows of Thinking: Papañca & the Path to End Conflict
13-01-22

The Arrows of Thinking: Papañca & the Path to End Conflict

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

In a striking piece of poetry (Sn 4:15), the Buddha once described the sense of saṁvega — terror or dismay — that inspired him to look for an end to suffering.

Buddha Statues: History, Use & Meaning
16-12-21

Buddha Statues: History, Use & Meaning

The Editors

When did the use of statues in Buddhism begin? What did the Buddha himself advise on their use? And wat do the various Buddha statues mean? In this text we…

Selected Verses from the Dhammapada
28-10-21

Selected Verses from the Dhammapada

The Editors

The Dhammpada is a true gem of the ancient Buddhist scriptures (the Pali Canon) of Theravada Buddhism and probably one of the oldest Buddhist texts…

Preface to the Manual of Abhidhamma
07-10-21

Preface to the Manual of Abhidhamma

Narada Maha Thera

Abhidhamma, as the term implies, is the Higher Teaching of the Buddha. It expounds the quintessence of His profound doctrine. The Dhamma, embodied in the Sutta…

Kalyāna Mitta: A True Friend
26-08-21

Kalyāna Mitta: A True Friend

Sayadaw U Pandita

What advice would you give to western dhamma teachers and to those who may come to them for guidance as they continue in their own ways to spread the Dharma in…

The Best Meditation-App and a Free Alternative
12-08-21

The Best Meditation-App and a Free Alternative

The Editors

If you want to start meditating, you will soon come across meditation apps. But do you really need an app to meditate? And which one is best?

Thank You for Your Support & Changes on the Website
29-07-21

Thank You for Your Support & Changes on the Website

The Editors

About 8,000 people now visit our websites (buddho.nl and buddho.org) every month and new people subscribe to our newsletter almost every day…

What is Meditation?
08-07-21

What is Meditation?

The Editors

In essence, meditation is focusing your attention on a specific object. Your mind then gradually becomes clean and clear. A clean and clear mind forms the…

Buddha’s wisdom
24-06-21

Buddha’s wisdom

Guy E. Dubois

The Buddhasāsana deals with “seeing”. With “looking.” With ‘seeing’ and ‘knowing’ (janami passami). Not with the ordinary, everyday, sensory gaze of a…

Anattalakkhana Sutta: The Characteristic of Nonself
10-06-21

Anattalakkhana Sutta: The Characteristic of Nonself

Bhikkhu Bodhi

thus have i heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Baraṇasi in the Deer Park at Isipatana. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus of the…

In the Eyes of the Wise: The Buddha’s Teachings on Honor & Shame
27-05-21

In the Eyes of the Wise: The Buddha’s Teachings on Honor & Shame

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Several years back, I led a retreat in Santa Fe on the topic of karma. One of the readings was a passage in which the Buddha teaches his seven-year-old son…

Samma Samadhi: Detachment Within Activity
13-05-21

Samma Samadhi: Detachment Within Activity

Ajahn Chah

Take a look at the example of the Buddha. Both in his own practice and in his methods for teaching the disciples he was exemplary. The Buddha taught the…

The Buddhist Path: Sila, Samādhi, Paññā
29-04-21

The Buddhist Path: Sila, Samādhi, Paññā

The Editors

I am sitting in front of my meditation teacher Ahba, a Burmese Buddhist monk who fled Myanmar in the 1980s. After walking hundreds of kilometers through the…

Dhamma is Spontaneous
01-04-21

Dhamma is Spontaneous

Guy E. Dubois

Spontaneous is the antonym of ingrained. The opposite of conditioned. Of manipulated. Spontaneous leaves nothing standing of what the dhammanuvatti [1]…

Still, Flowing Water
18-03-21

Still, Flowing Water

Ajahn Chah

Now please pay attention, not allowing your mind to wander off after other things. Create the feeling that right now you are sitting on a mountain or in a…

Adittapariyaya Sutta: The Fire Sermon
04-03-21

Adittapariyaya Sutta: The Fire Sermon

Bhikkhu Bodhi

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Gaya, at Gaya’s Head, together with a thousand bhikkhus. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus…

On Perception and Reality
04-02-21

On Perception and Reality

Guy E. Dubois

The life of the Buddha has been described extensively and with a great deal of devotion in the suttas. Siddhartha’s odyssey comes down to this: he was born in…

Factors for Awakening Part 10: Toward Release
21-01-21

Factors for Awakening Part 10: Toward Release

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Practicing mindfulness means keeping something in mind. Practicing right mindfulness means keeping in mind two activities that we’ll be doing here as we…

Factors for Awakening Part 9: Skills for Awakening
07-01-21

Factors for Awakening Part 9: Skills for Awakening

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

We often come to the meditation to gain a sense of peace and calm, to find some rest. And it is important that we gain these things from the meditation: We…

Factors for Awakening Part 8: Equanimity
17-12-20

Factors for Awakening Part 8: Equanimity

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

When the Buddha lists the factors for awakening, equanimity comes at the end of the list, which gives the impression that it’s the highest of the list.

Factors for Awakening Part 7: Concentration
10-11-20

Factors for Awakening Part 7: Concentration

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Focus your attention right here. The mind will be creating other “heres” to carry you away from right here. But you don’t have to go with them.

Factors for Awakening Part 6: Calm
05-11-20

Factors for Awakening Part 6: Calm

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

As we meditate, we try to bring the mind to a state of calm. But you notice, if you look at the Buddha’s explanations for the factors for awakening…

Factors for Awakening Part 5: Rapture
31-10-20

Factors for Awakening Part 5: Rapture

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Take a few deep, long in-and-out breaths and think of the breath energy filling the body. When we talk of the breath energy being full, it’s not a matter of…

Factors for Awakening Part 4: Persistence
23-09-20

Factors for Awakening Part 4: Persistence

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

The Buddha says that three factors of the path hover around all the other factors. There’s right view, which helps you to know what’s, say…

Factors for Awakening Part 3: Analysis of Qualities
03-09-20

Factors for Awakening Part 3: Analysis of Qualities

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

We all come to the practice with doubts and questions. But we don’t get past our doubts by not asking questions. We do it by learning how to ask the right…

Factors for Awakening Part 2: Mindfulness
13-08-20

Factors for Awakening Part 2: Mindfulness

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

When the Buddha lists the factors for awakening, he says that there are some that are appropriate when the mind is sluggish. Those factors are analysis of…

Factors for Awakening Part 1: Introduction
23-07-20

Factors for Awakening Part 1: Introduction

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

Several years back, I was asked to give a talk on the factors for awakening: mindfulness, analysis of qualities, persistence, rapture, calm, concentration…

Pictures of Ahba in Myanmar Around 1978
09-07-20

Pictures of Ahba in Myanmar Around 1978

The Editors

These are some pictures of Ahba from old. They are slides made in Myanmar around 1978, taken by Jaap and Maria Guijt. You can see pictures of Ahba in his…

Thanks for Your Support & New Features
02-07-20

Thanks for Your Support & New Features

The Editors

Every month more than two thousand people visit our website, including many returning visitors. We are touched by the donations and positive reactions we have…

Serenity and Insight in the Nikāyas
25-06-20

Serenity and Insight in the Nikāyas

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Below is a selection of texts from the Nikāyas (ancient Buddhist scriptures) on samatha (calmness) and vipassanā (insight) chosen by Bhikkhu Bodhi as an…

A Short Introduction to Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi
11-06-20
460 mins

A Short Introduction to Buddhism by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Bhikkhu Bodhi

These videos by Bhikkhu Bodhi include a short introductory course to Buddhism. The course took place in the summer of 2018 at Woo Ju Memorial Library…

Daily Meditation: How to Keep It Up
28-05-20

Daily Meditation: How to Keep It Up

The Editors

One of the hardest things for meditation practitioners, whether you’re a beginner or quite experienced, is to have the discipline to meditate every day.

Initiation of the Relics in Wat Ratanawan
07-05-20
8 mins

Initiation of the Relics in Wat Ratanawan

The Editors

At the invitation of Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Nyanadhammo (also in this video) Ahba has blessed the relics of the new hall in Wat Ratanawan in 2012.

Bhikkhu Bodhi Speaks about the Abhidhamma
30-04-20
50 mins

Bhikkhu Bodhi Speaks about the Abhidhamma

Bhikkhu Bodhi

In 2012 Bhikkhu Bodhi taught the Abhidhamma at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center for the Dedicated Practitioners Program. Listen here to these valuable lessons…

Taking Care of the Mind with Sati and Samadhi
16-04-20
6 mins

Taking Care of the Mind with Sati and Samadhi

The Editors

A short dhamma-talk from Ahba about the importance of sati (mindfulness) and samadhi (concentration) to protect the mind and develop wisdom.

Two Styles of Insight Meditation
02-04-20

Two Styles of Insight Meditation

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Today the practice of insight meditation has gained global popularity, yet in achieving this success it has undergone a subtle metamorphosis.

The Dhajagga-paritta Chant (Iti pi so…)
12-03-20
2 mins

The Dhajagga-paritta Chant (Iti pi so…)

The Editors

Prior to the group meditation, and for those who wish to do so prior to the daily meditation at home, we chant ‘iti pi so’. In this chant you reflect on the…

A Look at the Kalama Sutta
20-02-20

A Look at the Kalama Sutta

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Here I will take a fresh look at an often quoted discourse of the Buddha, the Kalama Sutta. The discourse has been described as “the Buddha’s Charter of Free…

Kalama Sutta: The Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry
30-01-20

Kalama Sutta: The Buddha’s Charter of Free Inquiry

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

I heard thus. Once the Blessed One, while wandering in the Kosala country with a large community of bhikkhus, entered a town of the Kalama people called…

Arahants, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas
09-01-20

Arahants, Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas

Bhikkhu Bodhi

The arahant ideal and the bodhisattva ideal are often considered the respective guiding ideals of Theravāda Buddhism and Mahāyāna Buddhism.

The 9 Qualities of the Buddha
19-12-19

The 9 Qualities of the Buddha

The Editors

Samatha meditation on buddho is a form of buddhānussati, meditation focused on the qualities of the Buddha. In this method, the meditation object (the object…

Anicca Vata Sankhāra
28-11-19

Anicca Vata Sankhāra

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Anicca vata sankhara — “Impermanent, alas, are all formations!” — is the phrase used in Theravada Buddhist lands to announce the death of a loved one…

Videos of Ahba’s New Uposatha Hall
14-11-19
9 mins

Videos of Ahba’s New Uposatha Hall

The Editors

A year ago, Ahba announced the construction of a new Uposatha Hall. This hall would be entirely built in Burmese style, with a central Buddha statue in the…

Mindfulness According to the Buddha
07-11-19

Mindfulness According to the Buddha

The Editors

At home through an app, at your yoga class or at work, mindfulness ‘without Buddhism’ can be found everywhere these days. Usually it is taught as a form of…

Jhana Not by the Numbers
17-10-19

Jhana Not by the Numbers

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

When I first went to study with my teacher, Ajahn Fuang, he handed me a small booklet of meditation instructions and sent me up the hill behind the monastery to…

Short Message from Ahba About Meditation
04-10-19
4 mins

Short Message from Ahba About Meditation

The Editors

In this video Ahba talks briefly about meditation. He emphasizes the importance of daily practice, limiting yourself to one meditation system and keeping the…

Our Real Home
10-09-19

Our Real Home

Ajahn Chah

A Dhamma-talk by Ajahn Chah to an aging lay disciple approaching death, translated from the Thai by the Sangha at Wat Pah Nanachat: Now determine in your mind…

Meditation Retreat: Deepen Your Practice
29-08-19

Meditation Retreat: Deepen Your Practice

The Editors

The word “retreat” means as much as “withdrawing yourself” and, in a narrower sense in this context, withdrawing yourself from everyday life for spiritual or…

Lifestyles and Spiritual Progress
08-08-19

Lifestyles and Spiritual Progress

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Newcomers to Buddhism often ask whether a person’s lifestyle has any special bearing on their ability to progress along the Buddha’s path…

Subrahma’s Problem
26-06-19

Subrahma’s Problem

Bhikkhu Bodhi

Today, in both East and West, a general breakdown of law and order has planted in us an implacable sense of uneasiness that creeps up on us on the streets…

Thoughts on the Dhamma
28-05-19

Thoughts on the Dhamma

Mahasi Sayadaw

While the present book was in preparation, its author, the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma, passed away at the age of 78. Thus, unexpectedly — as death so…

Saddhā, Viriya, Sati, Samādhi, Paññā, Khanti and Mettā
25-04-19

Saddhā, Viriya, Sati, Samādhi, Paññā, Khanti and Mettā

The Editors

When it comes to practicing samatha meditation on buddho, Ahba regularly speaks about the series saddhā, viriya, sati, samādhi, paññā and overarching khanti and…

Dhamma and Non-duality
21-03-19

Dhamma and Non-duality

Bhikkhu Bodhi

One of the most challenging issues facing Theravada Buddhism in recent years has been the encounter between classical Theravada vipassana meditation and the…

What is the Abhidhamma?
13-03-19

What is the Abhidhamma?

The Editors

Those who like it can study the Abhidhamma as an addition to the meditation. The prefix ‘abhi’ means ‘transcending’ or ‘higher’; in this case the word ‘dhamma’…

What is Buddhism?
12-03-19

What is Buddhism?

The Editors

Two thousand five hundred years ago, underneath the Bodhi tree in northern India, Siddhartha Gautama understood reality and became a Buddha, a ‘awake’ or…

Are All Boeddhists Vegetarian?
14-02-19

Are All Boeddhists Vegetarian?

The Editors

The Buddha advised five moral precepts (pañca-sīla) for the development of morality (sīla). The first of these precepts is ‘abstaining from killing’.

The 5 Precepts: Buddhism and Morality
30-01-19

The 5 Precepts: Buddhism and Morality

The Editors

In essence Buddhism is all about liberating the mind. To accomplish this, the Buddha taught his path of morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi) and wisdom…

The Teacher-Disciple Relationship Must Be 100% Safe
12-12-18

The Teacher-Disciple Relationship Must Be 100% Safe

The Editors

Anyone who meditates daily, year after year, anyone who regularly does long retreats, knows that a meditation teacher is indispensable.

Ajahn Suwat on Right Concentration
14-11-18

Ajahn Suwat on Right Concentration

Ajahn Suwat

In general terms, Right Concentration means establishing the mind rightly. On one level, this can apply to all the factors of the path. You have to start out by…

Meditation Without Desire
20-10-18

Meditation Without Desire

The Editors

Meditation is not a fast process. It is important to continue to make patient efforts without desiring anything. The Buddha once gave the example (in SN 22.101)…

Exploring Reality with Samādhi
15-10-18

Exploring Reality with Samādhi

The Editors

When the Buddha talks about meditation in the suttas (sutras), he almost always talks about samādhi. The word samādhi has many nuances. The essence of samādhi…

The 5 Hindrances that Hinder Progress in Meditation
20-09-18

The 5 Hindrances that Hinder Progress in Meditation

The Editors

The Buddha taught with great regularity that concentration (samādhi) is a cornerstone of the path to liberation from suffering. On this path, sooner or later…

Sexual Abuse by Buddhist Teachers
07-09-18

Sexual Abuse by Buddhist Teachers

The Editors

Sexual abuse plays a role in an unacceptably high percentage of the member organizations of the Buddhist Union of the Netherlands (BUN).

A Buddhist Perspective on the Problems in the World
20-07-18

A Buddhist Perspective on the Problems in the World

The Editors

In the West, we live in a time of unparalleled material prosperity, rellative world peace (never before has there been as little war as today), security…

Origin and Use of the Mālā (Meditation Beads)
06-07-18

Origin and Use of the Mālā (Meditation Beads)

The Editors

Mālā is the Sanskrit word for chain or necklace. Specifically, it refers to the beaded necklace that is often used during meditation. The moment man began to…

Buddhist Schools: Theravada, Mahayana & Vajrayana
30-06-18

Buddhist Schools: Theravada, Mahayana & Vajrayana

The Editors

Since the death of the Buddha in present day India in the 5th B.C., Buddhism has spread around the world. It is not surprising that it has changed over time by…

The 16 Best Books on Buddhism & Meditation
07-06-18

The 16 Best Books on Buddhism & Meditation

The Editors

You started meditating, for whatever reason. Maybe it’s a way to relax a bit more, to let go of stress, or to make suffering that you have experienced more…

Metta: The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love
20-05-18

Metta: The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love

Acharya Buddharakkhita

The Pali word metta is a multi-significant term meaning loving-kindness, friendliness, goodwill, benevolence, fellowship, amity, concord…

7 Practical Meditation Tips
10-05-18

7 Practical Meditation Tips

The Editors

If you start with samatha meditation on buddho, or any other meditation object, it may well be that after a short time you notice that it is quite difficult to…

Ahba Speaks About Meditation, Mindfulness and Patience
27-04-18
50 mins

Ahba Speaks About Meditation, Mindfulness and Patience

The Editors

In this Dhamma talk Ahba answers some questions asked by two Dutch disciples during their visit to his monastery. We realize that Ahba can be difficult to…

Devotion in Buddhism
05-04-18

Devotion in Buddhism

Nyanaponika Thera

The Buddha repeatedly discouraged any excessive veneration paid to him personally. He knew that an excess of purely emotional devotion can obstruct or disturb…

Venerable Empty-Scripture
04-03-18

Venerable Empty-Scripture

Ajahn Chah

There are two ways to support Buddhism. One is known as āmisapūjā, supporting through material offerings. These are the four requisites of food, clothing…

Questions & Answers on Meditation
16-01-18

Questions & Answers on Meditation

Ajahn Chah

One of the most delightful ways to receive instruction from Ajahn Chah is to sit at his cottage and listen as he answers questions for the monks of the…

New Years Resolutions
29-12-17

New Years Resolutions

The Editors

The new year is coming and many people are thinking about what they will do differently the coming year. This often results in intentions to refrain from…

The Cognitive Process According to the Abhidhamma
13-12-17

The Cognitive Process According to the Abhidhamma

The Editors

Words like citta (consciousness) or cetasika (mental factor) can be quite abstract (see also Ultimate Reality and Ethical Quality in the Abhidhamma).

A Short Demonstration of Samatha Meditation on Buddho
22-10-17
6 mins

A Short Demonstration of Samatha Meditation on Buddho

The Editors

A short demonstration of the samatha meditation on the word buddho, as taught by Ahba (Luang por Opart). The volume and pitch used here are just an example…

Meditation on Buddho
10-09-17

Meditation on Buddho

Ajahn Thate

When you go to study meditation with any group or teacher who is experienced in a particular form of meditation, you should first make your heart confident that…

The Mayahana Shurangama Sutra Explained
15-08-17

The Mayahana Shurangama Sutra Explained

The Editors

According to the Mahāyāna-tradition, the Buddha has told the Shūraṅgama Sutta especially for Ananda, who at that time already was a Sotāpanna (a person who…

Images of the Bodhgaya Temple Opening Ceremony
21-06-17

Images of the Bodhgaya Temple Opening Ceremony

The Editors

The Maha Bodh Chedi (also called Bodhgaya temple) is a 1:1 replica of the temple with the same name in Bodhgaya India, erected on the spot where the Buddha…

Pali chanting: Anumodana, Paritta and More
20-05-17
50 mins

Pali chanting: Anumodana, Paritta and More

The Editors

Ahba has indicated that chanting Pali is beneficial. The chanting of Pali texts that one does not know by heart can even promote concentration because one has…

Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life
07-05-17

Samaññaphala Sutta: The Fruits of the Contemplative Life

Thānissaro Bhikkhu

This discourse is one of the masterpieces of the Pali canon. At heart, it is a comprehensive portrait of the Buddhist path of training…

Opening Ceremony of the Dhammacakka-hall in Australia
07-05-17

Opening Ceremony of the Dhammacakka-hall in Australia

The Editors

Here are images of the opening ceremony of the Dhammacakka-hall in Australia, in Ajahn Kalyano’s monastery. Ajahn Kalyano invited Ahba to oversee this ceremony.

Ahba’s Chant and Dhamma talk in Australia
09-04-17
80 mins

Ahba’s Chant and Dhamma talk in Australia

The Editors

Ajahn Kalyano, himself a pupil of the famous meditation teacher Ajahn Anan, in the tradition of Ajahn Chah, invited Ahba to oversee the opening of the…

Ajahn Sao’s Teaching on Meditation
30-03-17

Ajahn Sao’s Teaching on Meditation

Ajahn Sao

In our day and age, the practice of going into the forest to meditate and follow the ascetic dhutanga practices began with Phra Ajahn Sao Kantasilo…

Blessing of the Ground for the Bodhgaya Temple
12-03-17
8 mins

Blessing of the Ground for the Bodhgaya Temple

The Editors

In 2012 the ground in Ahba’s monastery was blessed for the construction of the Maha Bodhi Chedi (also called Bodhgaya Temple), a 1:1 replica of the temple in…

Ahba’s Paritta Chant in Wat Ratanawan
28-02-17
54 mins

Ahba’s Paritta Chant in Wat Ratanawan

The Editors

At the invitation of Ajahn Sumedho and Ajahn Nyanadhammo (also pictured) Ahba gave his blessing by means of an extensive paritta chant (in Burmese style) during…

Reality and Ethics in the Abhidhamma
14-02-17

Reality and Ethics in the Abhidhamma

The Editors

The second paragraph in the first chapter of the Abhidhammattha Sangaha by Acariya Anuruddha reads: “In the ultimate sense, the Abhidhamma speaks of four…

The Mindful Way – Ajahn Chah
18-01-17
19 mins

The Mindful Way – Ajahn Chah

The Editors

This short documentary, made in 1977, shows the daily life in the main monastery of Ajahn Chah, Wat Pah Pong in Ubon Rachathani, Thailand. The highlights of the…

Frequently Asked Questions
05-01-17

Frequently Asked Questions

The Editors

By now you can find a lot of information on our website. That in itself is very nice, but if you came to our website with a specific question it can be quite…