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Stephen Batchelor's Dharma Talks
Stephen Batchelor
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2007-10-24 #5 The Undeclared & The Declared 58:37
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A reflection on the nature of KAMMA in which the Buddha recognises that numerous conditions are responsible for our experience in this life. This is followed by an analysis of the ten UNDECLARED questions (is the world eternal, etc.) in terms of the Buddhist rejection of metaphysics in favour a pragmatic and therapeutic approach to living life in this world here and now.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat
2007-10-23 #4 Fully Knowing Dukkha 60:07
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An examination of the four ENNOBLING truths as a process of re9rienting one's perspective on life in a conditioned world. Fully knowing dukkha - in all its aspects - leads naturally to a falling away of craving, which culminates in moments of STOPPING, in which the path opens up, i.e., one enters the stream.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat
2007-10-22 #3 Turning The Wheel Of Dhamma 59:54
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A reflection on the COUNTER-INTUITIVE nature of the Buddha's teaching - how the Dhamma goes against deeply seated intuition, e.g., that there is something permanent in this impermanent world. This is followed by a reading of and reflection on the first discourse the Buddha gave, which outlines the middle way and the four ennobling truths. To be followed in talk #4 by a detailed reading of the four truths as four injunctions rather than four things to believe.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat
2007-10-21 #2 Going Against The Stream 56:31
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A continuation of the study of the Buddha's account of his awakening in the ARIYAPARIYESANA SUTTA (M.26). Mindfulness as the way to GROUND oneself in the GROUND of Conditional Arising. the subjective pole of this ground is the stopping of greed, hatred, delusion. The Buddha was reluctant to teach because what he had awoken to "WENT AGAINST THE STREAM". The talk concludes with several passages from the UPANISHADS to illustrate this.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat
2007-10-20 #1 The Groundless Ground 59:27
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What did the Buddha teach that was distinctively his own view? This talk attempts to answer this question. I start to define three cardinal tenets of the Buddhist teachings: the Principle of Conditionality; the Process of the Eightfold Path, and the Practice of Mindfulness. I then examine a passage from the Ariyapariyesana Sutta in which the Buddha describes his awakening as a shift from a Place to a Ground. NOTE: The quality of the recording of this talk may be improved after 11/15
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Meditation and Study Retreat
2007-07-14 Go Forth into the World 60:40
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Having entered the stream of the eightfold path, one becomes 'independent of the views of others'. This autonomy is the ground for a new way of being with oneself and the world. It deepens insight and expands empathy, leading to compassion and social engagement.
Gaia House :  Awareness, Questioning, and the Path of Compassion
2007-07-12 Rembrandt's Eyes 64:12
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Rather than four propositions to believe, the four enobling truths are to be seen as injunctions on which to act: Fully know suffering, Let go of craving, Experience cessation, and Creatre a path. Awakening is not, therefore, a 'state', but an ongoing process.
Gaia House :  Awareness, Questioning, and the Path of Compassion
2007-07-10 Turning the Wheel 59:31
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Although initially reluctant to teach, the Buddha goes to Benares and explains to five of his former companions what he has realized. This first sermon, Turning the Wheel of Dhamma (Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta), expands the principle of conditioned arising into the practice of 'four enobling truths'.
Gaia House :  Awareness, Questioning, and the Path of Compassion
2007-07-08 The Groundless Ground 60:34
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Who was Siddhattha Gotama and what did he awaken to? A reflection on his own account of the awakening as found in his discourse The Noble Quest (Ariyapariyesana Sutta), which identifies 'conditioned arising' as the foundational insight for an awakened life.
Gaia House :  Awareness, Questioning, and the Path of Compassion
2007-04-12 Ten Pictures of Zen 40:03
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Gaia House :  Zen Meditation

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