Ajahn Dhammasīha reminds us that the ultimate end of our whole Dhamma practice is LETTING GO. Letting go of what? Letting go of EVERYTHING! Everything means all sankhāras, all conditioned phenomena. Once the heart lets go of all conditioned phenomena, it realizes the Unconditioned Deathless Reality, Nibbāna. 'Everything' (the Universe, the All) in the teaching of the noble ones is the six sense spheres, the 6 internal sense faculties and their external objects ('Saḷāyatana'): 1. Eye and Forms 2. Ear and Sounds 3. Nose and Fragrances 4. Tongue and Flavours 5. Body and Bodily Sensations/Feelings 6. Mind and Mental Objects/Ideas/Thoughts 'Everything' can also be expressed by the 'Five Groups of Clinging' ('Pañcupādānakkhandhā'): 1. Form/Body (Rūpa) 2. Feeling (Vedanā) 3. Perception (Saññā) 4. Intention/Volition (Cetanā) 5. Consciousness (Viññāṇa) The 5 Gourps of Clinging in particular constitutes 'All' that can be misappropriated to support the illusion of Entity View/Self (Sakkāya-diṭṭhi/Attavādupādāna) We have to observe and investigate these 6 sense sphere & 5 groups to understand their impermanent, unsatisfactory and not-self nature in order to let go of them and experience the deathless reality free from all suffering. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast Pics https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #dhammatalk #lettinggo #senses #identity #detachment #dhamma .

Dhamma talk and discussion with Ajahn Dīpako at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage. Ajahn introduces the audience to the meditation object of 'Recollection of Sangha' (Sanghānussati), and emphasizes the importance of 'Spiritual Frienship' (Kalyānamittatā): when we associate with admirable friends, who have a strong foundation in generosity, virtue and meditation, we will gradually acquire these qualities ourselves. Ajahn also talks a bit about his life story, growing up in France and gaining faith that ultimately led him to ordain as a monk. Ajahn Dīpako is a French-Cambodian monk with 11 vassa. He was born in Rennes, Brittany, France, and ordained at Amaravati in 2013, where he trained for approximately 6 years. Ajahn Dīpako later lived around 4 years in Thailand, primarily practising near Ajahn Jayasaro's hermitage in Phak Chom and at Wat Pah Nanachat. Returning to Europe, he spent half a year on solitary retreat in Santaloka, a retreat Kuti in the Italian alps, and resided at Panyagiri Monastery, Spain, during Vassa 2025. Ajahn Dīpako has visited Dhammagiri in 2023/2024 for a few months, when he helped us looking after Luang Por Vajiro: https://2024-pics.dhammagiri.net/ After a three months stay at Vimutti monastery in New Zealand, Ajahn Dipako has returned to Dhammagiri for vassa 2026. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #dhammatalk #goodfriendship #goodfriends #spiritualfriends #sangha .

Skiptvet Buddhist Monastery (Skogskloster), also known as Lokuttara Vihara, is a Norwegian branch of the tradition of Ajahn Chah/Wat Nong Pah Pong, located about an hour's drive south of Oslo. The monastery was founded in 2015, with Ajahn Kalyano (from Amaravati, UK) leading the project for the first 8 years. In 2023, Ajahn Kongrit Ratanavanno has been invited to take on the role of abbot, and has served in that position for the last three years. https://www.skogskloster.no/ Set in the natural beauty of the scandinavian forest, the main buildings are in traditional Norwegian style painted in brght, friendly colours. The main meditation hall and the kutis (meditation cabins) are modern architecture, specially designed to provide insulation and suitable conditions for a meditative lifestyle in the cold Norwegian winter. Ajahn Dhammasiha first shows us the approach to the monastery and the central buildings, with the shrine room and eating hall and facilities for monks and laity, and then takes us to the meditation hall deeper into the forest. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #buddhistmonk #norway #oslo #ajahnchah .

Recently the case of Christa Pike's "botched execution" in Tennessee went viral, as she is apparently the first person ever in the US to survive an "execution" after the poison (pentobarbital) was administered. In fact, after the first "lethal" dose failed to kill her, a second "lethal" dose was given to her. When she was still alive an hour after that second injection, an ambulance was called to get her into intensive care at a nearby hospital. Christa remained unconscious and intubated on a ventilator for several days. Apparently, she was considered "brain dead" by October 5, and it was planned to disconnect Christa's life support on October 6. However, to everyone's surprise and consternation, on the day of the planned termination of life support, Christa suddenly regained consiousness and started speaking. Although still very ill, she made progress in her recovery, and was transferred back from hospital to the prison on October 10. What's rarely mentioned in the media reports is the fact that CHRISTA PRACTISED LOVING KINDNESS (METTĀ) DURING THE "EXECUTION"! Her Buddhist spiritual advisor explained in an interview that Christa has been practising Mettā for more than two years. She went into the execution chamber radiating unconditional Loving Kindness to everyone, including herself, the persons who were "executing" her, and even those behind the viewing window who wanted her dead and specially came to personally watch her being killed - she even included those in her Mettā! Ajahn Dhammasīha points out that the Buddha mentioned 'Protection from Poison' as one of the benefits of Loving Kindness. Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, Book of Elevens No 15 'Mettānīsamsa Sutta / Benefits-of-Loving-Kindness Sutta: https://suttafriends.org/sutta/an11-15/ Ajahn Dhammasīha considers it highly likely that Christa's diligent practice of Mettā is a crucial factor in her unprecedented survival of two lethal doses of pentobarbital. Christa's case also highlights the cruel and degrading nature of "capital punishment", which will hopefully contribute to increasing awareness of the unacceptable ethical, moral, spiritual, social and practical implications of the "death panelty", and ultimately lead to the global abandonment of all executions. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #capitalpunishment #metta #mettameditation #lovingkindnessmeditation #poisoning #buddhism #buddhistmeditation .

Dhammapala Buddhistisches Kloster is the Swiss monastery in the tradition of Ajahn Chah. It is located in the Berner Alps, at the southern end of the Kandertal, surrounded by postcard-perfect views of mountains reaching to over 3,000 m high. Eiger (3,967 m) with its legendary North Face, Mönch (4,110 m) & Jungfrau (4,158 m) peaks are near the monastery, and the famous Oeschinensee (alpine lake) is in walking distance. The monastery doesn't have Kutis (meditation cabins). Instead, they provide a large number of rooms for monks and lay guests in a traditional Swiss style rural building, that used to be a guesthouse/hotel. It's very pretty with the customary timber cladding, and flowers on the balconies. Ajahn Khemasiri took over duties of abbot from Ajahn Tiradhammo in 2005, until passing on his responsibilities to Ajahn Abhinando in 2018. https://dhammapala.ch/ Ajahn Dhammasiha shows us a 360 degree view of the Swiss landscape around the monastery, with the lush green madows and the alpine peaks reaching to over 3,000 m altitude. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhistmonastery #switzerland #kandersteg #buddhistmonk #buddhism

Ajahn Dhammasīha talks about the power of Good Karma (Puñña) to to weaken and dilute even extremely bad old karma. The Buddha explained the process with the simile of drinking salty water: 🚰💧 The good, healthy spring water is the good karma we create. 🧂 Loads of salt mixed into the water is the bad karma we create. 🫗 Drinking the mix is experiencing the results of the karma we've created. 🤮 If there's lots of salt in the water (lots of bad karma), the experience is very unpleasant. Naturally, we can't take the salt out of the water. So what to do? 1. Certainly, not to put even more salt! (Don't make more bad karma) 2. Add loads of fresh water to DILUTE the salt, until it's barely noticable 😊 (Create heaps of good karma) This way, we can weaken the bad karma so much that even the results of very evil actions may be experienced and exhausted with just a few days of headache or similar. The story of Angulimāla, who killed 999 humans but later completely reformed on meeting the Buddha, became a monk, and experienced enlightenment, can be found here: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN86.html AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #karma #kamma #badkarma #transformation #redemption #goodkarma #buddhism #buddhistwisdom

Dhammapala Buddhistisches Kloster is the Swiss monastery in the tradition of Ajahn Chah. It is located in the Berner Alps, at the southern end of the Kandertal, surrounded by postcard-perfect views of mountains reaching to over 3,000 m high. Eiger (3,967 m) with its legendary North Face, Mönch (4,110 m) & Jungfrau (4,158 m) peaks are near the monastery, and the famous Oeschinensee (alpine lake) is in walking distance. The monastery doesn't have Kutis (meditation cabins). Instead, they provide a large number of rooms for monks and lay guests in a traditional Swiss style rural building, that used to be a guesthouse/hotel. It's very pretty with the customary timber cladding, and flowers on the balconies. Ajahn Khemasiri took over duties of abbot from Ajahn Tiradhammo in 2005, until passing on his responsibilities to Ajahn Abhinando in 2018. https://dhammapala.ch/ Ajahn Dhammasiha shows us around the building with the external Buddha statue in walking posture, the eating hall with three large seated Buddharūpas, and the shrine room on the top floor with large standing Buddha statue, and views from the balcony into the Swiss alps. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhistmonk #buddhisttemple #ajahnchah #swissalps #kandersteg #switzerland #buddhism

Ajahn Dhammasiha reads Luang Por Liem's little booklet on Walking Meditation (Jongrom / Cankama / Sakman Bhāvanā), translated by late Ajahn Thaniyo. You can read and download the booklet here: https://www.abhayagiri.org/media/books/liem_walking_with_awareness.pdf AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #meditation #buddhistmeditation #walking #walkingmeditation #awareness #dhamma #buddhistmonk

Ajahn Dhammasiha suggests to use the same instructions the Buddha has given us for Breath Meditation in our Walking Meditation. The 16 stages of breath meditation have been expounded by the Buddha in great detail, for example in the Ānāpānasati Sutta, Majjhima Nikāya No 118 ( Mindfulness of In and Out Breath, Middle Length Discourses No 118): English Version: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN118.html English & Pali Line-by-Line Version: https://ancient-buddhist-texts.net/Texts-and-Translations/Anapanasati/Anapanasatisuttam.pdf Divided into four groups of four ('4 Tetrads'), the 16 instructions cover all four Satipatthāna (4 Foundations of Mindfulness), four steps for each of the four foundations: 1. Body 2. Feelings 3. Mind 4. Dhamma If we simply transfer the same instructions to the experience of walking, we can apply the same thorough guidance to our walking meditation. For example: 'Mindfully one breathes in, mindfully one breathes out' becomes 'Mindfully one steps with right leg, mindfully one steps with left leg'. 'Breathing in long/short, one knows "I'm breathing in long/short" ' becomes 'Stepping long/short, one knows "I'm taking long/short steps" ' 'One trains oneself "I breathe in/out feeling the whole body" ' becomes 'One trains oneself "I step right/left feeling the whole body" ' 'One trains oneself "I breathe in/out joyfully" ' becomes 'One trains oneself "I step right/left joyfully" ' and so on... AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #meditation #buddhistmeditation #walking #walkingmeditation #breathmeditation #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation .

Paññāgiri Monasterio budista is a recently established Buddhist monastery in the tradition of Ajahn Chah in Spain. Located at Aiguafreda about an hours drive from Barcelona, Catalonia, is is the only Theravada Buddhist monastery or temple in Catalonia, and as I'm told, apparently the only one in all of Spain. Ajahn Nyanadassano is leading the project of building the monastery physically, and developing the monastic and lay community, under the guidance of Ajahn Amaro, Amaravati. https://panyagiri.org/en/pannagiribuddhist-monastery/ The monastery's main buildings have been originally established in the 17th century (on foundations reaching back to the middle ages). Everything looks very beautiful, as it's built entirely in stone masonry, with huge stone serving as door lintels, and true arched vaults formed by large stones. The views to the surrounding countryside and cliffs across the valley are also spectacular, as are the walks in the surrounding hills. Fortunately, the previous owner has already done extensive renovations, but a lot of work will still need to be done. More photos here: https://travel-pics-ajahn-2.dhammagiri.net AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://photo-albums.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhistmonastery #buddhistmonk #buddhisttemple #barcelona #spain #buddhism

The Buddha's half-brother Venerable Nanda was the foremost bhikkhu disciple in terms of sense restraint. He was attractive, handsome, strong and had a natural inclination to intense sensual desire, which caused him major struggles in the beginning of his monk's life. He overcame his difficulties through: 1. Sense Restraint (Indriya Saṃvara) 2. Knowing the right amount when eating (Bhojanasmiṃ Mattaññutā) 3. Dedication to Wakefulness (Jāgariyaṃ Anuyutta) 4. Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension (Sati Sampajañña) Anguttara Nikāya / Numerical Discourse, Eights, No 9 'Nanda Sutta' https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN8_9.html See also: Saṃyutta Nikāya / Collected Discourses 21.8 'Nanda Sutta' https://accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn21/sn21.008.wlsh.html Udāna / Inspired Exclamations No 22 'Nanda Sutta' https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/KN/Ud/ud3_2.html AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #senses #mindfulness #dhammatalk #selfcontrol #selfdiscipline

Paññāgiri Monasterio budista is a recently established Buddhist monastery in the tradition of Ajahn Chah in Spain. Located at Aiguafreda about an hours drive from Barcelona, Catalonia, is is the only Theravada Buddhist monastery or temple in Catalonia, and as I'm told, apparently the only one in all of Spain. Ajahn Nyanadassano is leading the project of building the monastery physically, and developing the monastic and lay community, under the guidance of Ajahn Amaro, Amaravati. https://panyagiri.org/en/pannagiribuddhist-monastery/ The monastery's main buildings have been originally established in the 17th century (on foundations reaching back to the middle ages). Everything looks very beautiful, as it's built entirely in stone masonry, with huge stone serving as door lintels, and true arched vaults formed by large stones. The views to the surrounding countryside and cliffs across the valley are also spectacular, as are the walks in the surrounding hills. Fortunately, the previous owner has already done extensive renovations, but a lot of work will still need to be done. More photos here: https://travel-pics-ajahn-2.dhammagiri.net/ AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Pics: https://www.dhammagiri.net/photo-albums Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhistmonk #buddhisttemple #ajahnchah #barcelona #spain #buddhism