Talks

Tahn Pamutto goes line by line explaining the Maṇgala Sutta, Kp 5, one of the most cherished and timeless short discourses of the Buddha.

‘Hirī-Ottappā’ Daylong Morning Session. Tahn Pamutto describes the twofold definition of ‘Conscience’ in Buddhism and how we might experience it. As opposed to western notions of afflictive shame and guilt, these are bright and wholesome states. Although uncomfortable sometimes, the experience of having a Conscience is the most direct way to know that our mind

Tahn Pamutto summarizes and explains MN 60, the ‘Incontrovertible Teaching’. In this sutta the Buddha talks to people who have no teacher and no faith in any doctrine, and shows how there are certain matters of view they have to decide on one way or the other in life. The choices are not equal. When

In the Pāli Canon, there are many sutta’s and even whole chapters, such as DN 14 or SN Ch 56, that deal with saṃsara. Tahn Pamutto reflects on this – the vastness of time and space, the rarity of taking human birth, and the unfathomably good fortune of being born in the extremely rare period

For the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto discusses MN 6, ‘If One Might Wish’, and how the answer for most of the goals we might set for ourselves spiritually is something we already know. It’s less a matter of getting new techniques and solutions and more a matter of diligently and faithfully understanding what we are working

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

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

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.

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.