When you see with discernment,
‘All fabrications are inconstant’–
you grow disenchanted with stress.
This is the path
to purity.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 20 'The Path', Verse 4. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe

It’s for you to strive
ardently.
Tathagatas simply
point out the way.
Those who practice,
absorbed in jhana:
from Mara’s bonds
they’ll be freed.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 20 'The Path', Verse 4. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Homage and respect to Luang Por Chah. Today marks the 30th year from his passing. A lovely tribute by Nalanda Buddhist Society. Ajahn Chah was truly a beacon for the world 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

The Padanagala Kuti. This kuti is located below the Gotabya Raja Maha Vihara. It is a mid kuti with no electricity. Monks are welcome to come here to meditate. One goes pindapata to the village outside the Temple. A wonderful opportunity. ... See more

What appears to be ancient Buddha images near the kuti.

An ancient sima or monastic boundary at the Temple. This may be as much as 1500 years old. It is about 9 x 6 meters. Inspiring to think of all the acts of the Sangha that would have been carried out there. ... See more

At the Padalangala Kuti with kappiya karus. The Temple above the kuti has three men living there full-time and many visitors. If one asks, one may hear inspiring stories of how the Temple has served as a place of refuge. ... See more

Following it,
you put an end
to suffering & stress.
I have taught you this path
having known
–for your knowing–
the extraction of arrows.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 20 'The Path', Verse 3. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe

Homage and respect to Ven. Nyanaramita. Ven. Nyanaramita was one of the most senior Western monks living in Sri Lanka. He passed away on January 1st at Belihuloya monastery. He was a contemporary of Nyanawimala Bhante and Nyanadipa Bhante. Ajahn Nissarano written an article with recollections of Ven. Nyanaramita here...

https://nbm.org.au/ven-nyanaramita/ ... See more

At the 'Padalangala Kuti'. This is a lovely kuti located below an ancient vihara in the village of Padanagala.

Heading out from the Udagoda Kuti.

An Inspiring Encounter:

After heading out from the Udagoda Kuti, I missed a road and ended up passing the Temple where had hoped to stay for the night. Decided to continue on and had several encounters in the road. As night began to fall it began to rain heavily. I stopped at a Temple at an intersection and was immediately given shelter for the night.

The chief monk at the Temple trains the young novices to go on pindapata. He also doesn't allow them to have more than four robes. The following day, he invited me to go on pindapata with the group. He received everything offered into his bowl, even yogurt and bananas (I accepted them in a bag). He shared some good Dhamma insights (paraphrased):

Regarding only allowing four robes: 'When we have too many things, the mind is unhappy.'

'This (Temple) isn't mine. It belongs to the Sangha. Any monk can come and stay here. I only lock the door to my room when I go out. My mind is not worried about the Temple.'

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 ... See more

Just this
is the path
–there is no other–
to purify vision.
Follow it,
and that will be Mara’s
bewilderment.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 20 'The Path', Verse 1. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more

On almsround. The closest house to a kuti tends to take a special role in caring for resident monks.

Wishing a happy new year. May the year bring much peace, happiness and progress in the Dhamma.

Of paths, the eightfold is best.
Of truths, the four sayings.
Of qualities, dispassion.
Of two-footed beings,
the one with the eyes
to see.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 20 'The Path', Verse 1. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luang Por 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe

A view around the 'Udagoda Kuti'. This kuti is on a hill near the village of Bandokyaya. It was built and is maintained by the villagers. Past the hill are farmers fields and houses. A few kilometers away, there is a partial ring of mountains. A wonderful practice opportunity. ... See more

Gathering water from the village well.

Sweeping the path to the 'Udagoda' Kuti.

Wishing a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate. May the day bring much peace and happiness.

Monk,
don’t
on account of
your habits & practices,
great erudition,
concentration attainments,
secluded dwelling,
or the thought, ‘I touch
the renunciate ease
that run-of-the-mill people
don’t know’:
ever let yourself get complacent
when the ending of effluents
is still unattained.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 16 'The Judge', Verse 14. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Homage and respect to the Vinaya
🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

On the full and new moon days, Theravada monks traditionally gather together for a recitation of the monastic rules. This past Thursday was the 2nd of 8 Uposathas in the cold season. Thought to do a short post on the Vinaya...

Nissaggiya Pacittiya 2: "When a bhikkhu has finished his robe and the frame is dismantled (his kaṭhina privileges are ended): If he dwells apart from (any of) his three robes even for one night—unless authorized by the bhikkhus—it is to be forfeited and confessed.."

"just as the ocean is stable and does not overstep its tideline; in the same way my disciples do not — even for the sake of their lives — overstep the training rules I have formulated for them... " [2]

1. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The Buddhist Monastic Code 1. The full text of the BMC is available at www.dhammatalks.org
2. Uposatha Sutta. Ud 5.5. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The full translation as available at www.accesstoinsight.org ... See more

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe

Bealavanagala Aranya has an older section within Udawalawala National Park. Monks can go to stay there, although a newer section has been built outside the park.

After the Panamura Pansala, arrived at the Bandokyaya solitary kuti. The villagers welcomed me and gave pindapata. Later, a gentleman and his son came to bring tea and water from the well. Seems a wonderful opportunity.

The Buddha laid down protocols when visiting monks arrive at a new dwelling. Generally, they are to clean the dwelling and set it in order..

"If the dwelling is unoccupied, then—having knocked on the door, having waited a moment, having unfastened the bolt, having opened the door—he should watch while standing outside [C: in case he sees the tracks of a snake or a non-human being leaving]. If the dwelling is dirty or bed is stacked up on bed, bench on bench, with the bedding and seats piled on top, then if he is able, he should clean them. [C: If unable to clean the whole dwelling, he should clean just the section he plans to live in." [1]

1. From the protocols section of BMC 2 by Thanissaro Bhikkhu ... See more

Not by harming life
does one become noble.
One is termed
noble
for being
gentle
to all living things.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 16 'The Judge', Verse 13. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Luang Por 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope this message finds you well. Thought to pass along a short ovada for the internet, just in case. Wishing all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe

Going along the road to Bambaragala Aranya. Carika can be roughly divided into two main types. The division is rough because the types often overlap. Onw type of carika can be called 'forest carika'. In this type of carika, one walks through the forest and camps out. Another type might be called 'road carika'. In this type of carika, one walks along roads and spends the night at village temples.

This has been my first solitary 'road carika'. On this type of carika, it seems that one meets more people. There can be interesting and inspiring encounters. One also seems to to be able to see more monasteries. An interesting and inspiring experience. ... See more

But whoever–wise,
as if holding the scales,
taking the excellent–
rejects evil deeds:
he is a sage,
that’s how he’s a sage.
Whoever can weigh
both sides of the world:
that’s how he’s called
a sage.

~Dhammapada, Chapter 16 'The Judge', Verse 12. Translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
~A full translation of the Dhammapada is available at www.dhammatalks.org ... See more

Thank you for this teaching, Phra Ajahn 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Warm greetings Everyone,

Hope that this finds you well. Thought to pass along a short Dhamma Discussion for the internet, just in case. Wishing you all the blessings of Dhamma practice.

With metta,

~Bhante Joe ... See more