Begins with a reading of SN 35.101, ‘What Isn’t Yours’. The theme of this sutta is Not-Self. Tahn Pamutto goes on to discuss how there is a natural order to the Three Characteristics of ‘Impermanence, Dukkha, and Not-Self’ and how each are ultimately working at freeing us from the notion of ‘I, Me, Mine’.
Tahn Pamutto discusses how we can find the right course of action without having to constantly refer back to long and complicated lists of factors and figure out how any given decision fits into the entire cosmology of Buddhism. The Buddha’s advice to Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī in AN 8.53 is an example of using simple guidelines
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Tahn Pamutto gives a dhamma reflection on the Uposatha about the value of slowing down and examining our Intention. If we put forth effort and it produces strain and obstruction, sometimes this is a symptom that we’ve skipped ahead to later factors of the Eightfold Path without first laying the groundwork of Right View and
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Opening talk for a daylong retreat focused on one task – reaching a state of comfortable, steady, unbroken mindfulness. Success is less a matter of technique and focus and more about what our intention is and how we balance relaxation and awareness.
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Tahn Pamutto describes the Theravādā definition of enlightenment – how one becomes an ‘ariyā’ or Noble Being, the fetters that need to be cut at each stage, and what visible effects cutting these fetters might have.
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On the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto discusses the important first stage of meditation – even before beginning the development of mindfulness. The Buddha describes this two ways – ‘Abandoning the Five Hindrances’, or ‘Abandoning Covetousness and Grief for the World’. They describe the same process – removing the obstacles of the mind keeping unwholesome mental states
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For the morning of the ‘Balance’ daylong retreat, Tahn Pamutto talks on the importance of finding the sweet spot in our meditative and contemplative practices. We’re not just striking a balance between restless, overactive energies and dull, listless mindstates, but between our desire for samādhi and stability vs. our interest and enthusiasm for the dhamma.
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These sutta’s were used as references for the ‘Balance’ daylong: AN 6.55 – Sona (and the Lute strings) AN 4.93 – Samadhi or Wisdom AN 4.94 – Finding the right Teacher SN 46.53 – Fire (Balancing Enlightenment Factors) AN 9.3 – Meghiya (Well-Rounded Practice) AN 8.2 – Wisdom (Conditions for Growth)
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From Tea Time Chat with Tahn Pamutto, February 25, 2026 Question: What about those deva’s who love to create? How do they get that way? Tahn Pamutto: There is one aspect of Samādhi that is very important: the third Noble truth, the realization of cessation, is something that we have to do. It’s something that
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The ‘Ratana Sutta’ or ‘Jewel Discourse’ is one of the most popular and widely recited Buddhist scriptures. Less than two dozen paragraphs and lacking the structure and depth of discourses on meditation or wisdom subjects, it still inspires the faith and devotion of those who invoke it. Traditionally used to ward off disaster, disease, and
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