Keep an eye on Unproductive Kammax at the bottom of the main page and at Dhamma Comics for some beautiful renderings of famous teachings, including A Taste of Freedom by Ajahn Chah and a visual tour of the Pali Canon!
A Visual Taste of Freedom Read More »
This last Wednesday we had a lively conversation around the topic of our mental landscape – small worldly concerns becoming massive mental hindrances. Sometimes we make a decision and we don’t get to know if it was the right one, and we can agonize and worry and dwell on what could have been. It’s amazing
Coming to terms with Uncertainty Read More »
In this Uposatha reflection, Tahn Pamutto discusses in depth the Second Noble Truth – that of the Origin of Suffering, namely Craving. It takes wisdom and investigation to see how this seemingly innocuous force in our daily lives, the gross or subtle wanting that drives us into situations, is in fact the requisite condition for
Talk: The Second Noble Truth Read More »
Meditation: We started with a meditation. First we calmed ourselves, slowing down from the activity before. Listening to the house we were in, and getting quiet enough to hear it creak and gurgle. Things are always changing! Then we suggested a few scenarios that were a little silly but would be dukkha for someone in
Family Group: The First Noble Truth Read More »
On the Uposatha with a group online and in-person, Tahn Pamutto reflects on the First of the Four Noble Truths. These foundational teachings are not just true, in that they apply to all people, but they are ennobling – they allow us to be better, happier, and to suffer less. The first noble truth is
Talk: The First Noble Truth Read More »
(This story and reflection come from a session of Upavana’s online “Lay Sangha Chat”, held on the first and last quarter Moon, open to all and hosted by Upavana sangha members.) “So I bought the chocolate bar. And ate it.” He shrugged his shoulders with a good-humored expression of “I tried not to, but
The Chocolate Hindrance Read More »
The family group has collectively decided to take a look at one of the quintessential buddhist teachings: the Four Noble Truths. This is not an easy topic to cover, and even those who have devoted their whole lives to buddhist practice have not exhausted their exploration of the topic. But at its core the Four
Introduction to the Four Noble Truths Read More »
This week the Santigama family group got back together after a long summer hiatus, and we finished our look at the Ten Paramī’s with the final paramī of Dānā, or Generosity. We started with a Meditation: Imagine a friend or family member. Now imagine that they need something. This could be that they or hungry
Family Group: Dānā Paramī Read More »
Tahn Santi, who recently visited in Shelburne and offered the reflection on Renunciation for Uposatha night, has had an article published in Tricycle magazine. It can be found here: Putting Away the Books
Essay: Putting Away the Books Read More »
We had a great turnout for the daylong retreat, looking at one of the less exciting and more essential factors of growth on the eightfold path – Sense Restraint. The bulk of instruction came before the morning and afternoon sits, both of which were recorded and are on the “Innovative Dhamma” YouTube channel at: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhHe4p1yupnvhtp0Bu25wx4NgtkANOcrs
Playlist: Sense Restraint Daylong Read More »
