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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
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Dharma Talks
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2025-04-30
Understanding and Responding to the World on the Basis of Core Teachings and Practices 1
63:13
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Donald Rothberg
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We first explore in general the relationship of core teachings and practices to the social and political dimensions of our lives. We see that Buddhist practice in the West has commonly emphasized meditation and inner practices, often neglecting or marginalizing the ethical training that traditionally is one of the three dimensions of training, even though the Buddha did often give social commentary (e.g., on the caste system) and at times social interpretations of the ethical precepts ("Let one not destroy life nor cause others to destroy life and, also, not approve of others’ killing. . . . Let one not cause to steal, nor approve of others’ stealing.'). We explore a vision of individual and collective awakening, inspired in part by more contemporary traditions of socially engaged Buddhism initially developed by pioneers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, A.T. Ariyaratne, Dr. Ambedkar, Joanna Macy, and Robert Aitken. Then we give some attention to how to connect inner and outer practices, particularly focusing, as we did in the guided meditation, on practicing with challenging emotions and thoughts, and clarifying ways to act in the world. The talk is followed by discussion and ends with the setting of intentions.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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2023-11-22
Practicing with Conflict: Foundations 3
66:27
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Donald Rothberg
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We start by reviewing briefly the two times' accounts of the foundations for practicing with differences and conflicts, first giving a definition of "conflict" as a difference of values, goals, or strategies, and not necessarily involving hostility or aggression. There's an invitation to focus on a conflict in one's life that is in the moderate range of difficulty, and bring this to mind as we work with ten foundations of skillful practice with conflict.
We look again briefly at the multiple reasons why bringing our practice to conflicts is often difficult, and then review the more "inner" four foundations of skillful practice with conflict (1-4). We then bring in six further foundations which are more "outer," including (5) developing guidelines and agreements, especially in groups or organizations, but also with individuals; (6) clarifying a vision of a "win-win" or "both-and" approach to conflicts that meet the underlying interests or needs of all concerned; and (7) developing empathy. We offer two brief empathy practices, including one done in the context of one's own conflict. Three further foundations are offered: (8) grounding in Buddhist ethics, particularly the precepts and the understanding that one should bring care and kindness to all, and that all have Buddha Nature; (9) skillful speech (part of ethical training); and (10) the bringing of these ethical dimensions into collective life, through nonviolent action and the concept, in Dr. King's work, of the beloved community. After the talk, there is a discussion.
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Spirit Rock Meditation Center
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Monday and Wednesday Talks
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Attached Files:
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Johan Galtung's Win-Win Model of Conflict Transformation
by Donald Rothberg
(PDF)
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Feelings Inventory from NVC
by NVC (added by Donald Rothberg)
(PDF)
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Needs Inventory from NVC
by NVC (added by Donald Rothberg)
(PDF)
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Empathy Map
by Donald Rothberg/Oren Jay Sofer
(PDF)
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2023-05-28
Selfless Drive to Nibbana
19:46
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Ayya Medhanandi
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We are travelling a spiritual highway. Our precepts are like safety belts – upholding the core of our humanity with moral restraints that serve as both compass and anchor. They also act like brakes on our Dhamma vehicle, safeguarding us through the wilderness of the world while grounding the mind in an integrity of presence. With pure awareness, we have a stethoscope of the mind, steering and balancing us joyfully on the path so that we can wake up out of the darkness. We carry the Buddha in our hearts like an imperishable lamp, a supremely compassionate parent, our wise and formidable shepherd to help us overcome every hardship. Yes, we’re in self-drive – selfless – crossing to the far shore, Nibbana.
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Satipanna Insight Meditation (SIMT)
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Uncompromising Nobility
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2023-05-12
Q&A
40:47
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Ajahn Sucitto
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00:18 Whenever I tell someone about my worries or problems I'll be told to think positive. Does positive thinking accord with the teaching of the buddha? 06:16 I've been practicing with the satipatana sutta, establishing mindfulness. Often I get confused with the words "externally and internally" parts of the awareness practice. Can you help please? 24:37 I'm working on opening, meeting and releasing with the sympathetic attitude. I've noticed some joy and yet in unexpected circumstances I've become defensive and angry and this leads to shame. What do you advise? 30:50 If I can't get to a center where there is a more authentically embodied practice, could I practice with traditions that are more disembodied? 33:20 You mentioned the Great Forty sutta (https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN117.html) regarding the basis of samadhi. Surely it needs the five precepts to be steadfast in right view etc? 37:44 As individuals we have creative potential, skills etc. Do we invite that unique particularity to manifest in our lives?
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Dhamma Stream Online Sessions
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2022-12-24
Inner sensitivity and the end of dukkha
53:22
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Ajahn Sucitto
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We express the precepts through our external behaviours and internally by how we react to the world. Gaining internal support for coolness and richness to discover our proper centre.
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Temple Forest Monastery
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2022-01-15
Commitment to Integrity
38:34
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Heart-mind will be shaped by whatever we put our attention into, so aim to shape it with supportive influences. A commitment to integrity will shape the mind to be steady, strong, confident, reliable. Shape it around refuges and precepts, for your own welfare and the welfare of others.
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Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
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Well-being Is the Shape of the Heart
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2021-06-01
Day 3 Q&A1
42:27
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Ajahn Sucitto
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How do I know if I have stream entry; how is fasting a benefit for practice; is body contemplation needed, how often; how to live with someone who lacks integrity; sāti and samādhi; experience of rapture during meditation; difficult to see dukkha in sense pleasures; observing eight precepts; keeping ‘not eating after noon’ based on which time zone; issue of entitlement; receiving guidance from a teacher; understanding causes and conditions for clarity.
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Cittaviveka
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Clearing the Floods - Dealing with Internal and External Overload
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2021-03-09
Refraining from Sexual Misconduct
35:21
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Shaila Catherine
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This talk addresses the third ethical precept — refraining from sexual misconduct. Practicing with the precepts involves becoming mindful of our actions, recognizing the effects that our actions have on ourselves and others, learning to respond to our thoughts and feelings with wisdom, kindness, and restraint, and honoring our commitments. This precept provides opportunities to work with the movement of sexual desire and sensual lust. The views of sexuality that were prevalent in ancient India differ from contemporary norms, however, we can apply the underlying intention toward non-harming to contemplate and purify our own conduct. Shaila Catherine offers suggestions forgiving past unskillful actions, and strengthening our capacity for restraint.
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Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
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In
collection:
Ethics, Action and the Five Precepts
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2021-01-03
The Basis for Our Happiness
4:41
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Ayya Medhanandi
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Take refuge and commit to ethical precepts to deepen the purification of virtue within us. This is the basis for true happiness. We take refuge in enlightened wisdom, and in our ability to awaken. We have faith that we can realize that Truth by ourselves – in this life; and we trust in this timeless teaching, worthy of our effort, worthy of our attention, worthy of our faith, and worthy of our refuge.
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Portland Friends of the Dhamma
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Ever Present Refuge
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2020-12-15
Sīla Practice
15:36
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Ajahn Sucitto
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Precepts are what most skillfully link citta to the world of sense contact. Without this ethical sense, citta runs out and gets into damaging circumstances. Precepts are the way you communicate the Dhamma through your actions into the world.
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Cittaviveka
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Living, Dying and Liberation
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2020-10-18
Kathina as the Occasion for Social Harmony
32:39
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Ajahn Sucitto
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This event of Kathina encapsulates the skillful qualities associated with social harmony and cohesion – qualities of generosity and sharing, precepts and virtue, gentle speech and service. Recollecting the goodness of such actions, the heart grows and is strengthened.
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Cittaviveka
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2020-02-12
Firm Center Open Heart
42:52
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Ajahn Sucitto
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On this retreat, practices for establishing a firm center and open heart will be presented. Openness can be too vulnerable, we need to know what to filter and what to linger in. Precepts offer a firm center of integrity. The body can be a source of steady and calm. We bring to heart and mind that which is beautiful and aspirational to shift agitated energies. These are our refuges.
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Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo, South Africa
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Ajahn Sucitto, Firm Centre Open Heart Retreat
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2019-12-13
Sīla – A Vehicle for Happiness
33:39
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Ajahn Sucitto
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When we make the intention to keep the precepts, we give ourselves the possibility to steer our own lives rather than being swept up in it. The basic principle is not fear and law but sensitivity and concern. We have the intention to live in an atmosphere of goodwill and respect for all sentient beings.
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Wongsanit Ashram, Thailand
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6-Day Residential Retreat with Ajahn Sucitto
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2018-10-13
Delusion is Not the Way Out
32:50
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Ayya Medhanandi
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How can we have compassion for others without falling apart? The Buddha's path of awakening teaches us how to disarm our internal armour, to be harmless. This will be for us a true basis for following precepts and thereby developing enough inner quiet to investigate ill-will. We begin to clearly see and understand our mind-states. This full presence enables compassion that is tireless and unconditional.
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Satipaññā Insight Meditation Toronto
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2018-02-25
Intro Sasanarakkha: Make your practice extensive, rather than intensive
62:12
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Ajahn Sucitto
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The essence of Buddhist practice is dealing with dukkha, unsatisfactoriness. While on retreat, observing precepts, making determinations and simplicity support our cultivation. So there’s always something you can be cultivating throughout the day. Meditation is just a support to Dhamma, Dhamma is the main thing. Cover it all. [40:36 Guided meditation] Settling practices, settling into space. Begins with feeling ground beneath, upright axis of spine, using wide visual field as a support.
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Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary
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Ajahn Sucitto Dhamma Retreat
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