The Mauryan period in India (about 250 BC) is one of the most inspiring periods in the history of Buddhism. After his victory in Kalinga King Ashoka turned from a cruel, ambitious conqueror who's wars killed more than 100 000 people into a King who followed the Cakkavatti-Ideal taught by the Buddha: A King who rules by the power of his noble qualities and righteousness for the welfare of his people. Although King Ashoka was tolerant to all religions in his kingdom he became a follower of Buddhism and worked to promote it in various ways: He distributed the relics of the first original relic stupas of the Buddha into many stupas that he built in his whole kingdom. He had large stone pillars erected to mark important buddhist holy sites for future millenia. In Bodhgaya he had a large decorated sandstoneslab erected, to mark the place where the Buddha attained awakening, the Vajirasana, which is the center of the temple of the most important buddhist holy site in the world up to the present day. King Ashoka also expressed his concern for the unity of the Sangha in several of his rock and pillar edicts and his faith in the triple gem and that the teaching of the Buddha may last a long time. As patron of the 3rd buddhist council he built a large hall with 80 pillars outside of his capital Pataliputra (today: Patna) where the monks would assemble to convey the council. After the thrid buddhist council King Ashoka and the leading senior monk of the council, Ven. Moggalliputta Tissa, made a decision that led to one of the most important events in the history of Buddhism: They sent groups buddhist monks to distant counties "on the borders, [and] even six thousand km away, where the Greek king Antiochos rules, beyond there where the four kings named Ptolemy, Antigonos, Magas and Alexander rule (Egypt, Greece, Turkey/Middle east, Lybia), and as far as Sri Lanka." in order to establish the teaching of the Buddha there. The most sucessful Dhamma-Missions of King Ashoka were the ones to Bactria, Thailand and Burma and Sri Lanka. His own crown prince Mahinda, who became a buddhist monk, he sent as leader of the Mission to establish the teaching of the Buddha in Sri Lanka. An occasion which is still remembered in one of the most important holy days in the country: Poson Poya. Hear more about how King Ashoka's Dhamma-Missions turned a local religion in India into a world religion in this video. 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 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #ashoka #indianhistory #historyofindia #history .

The story of Prince Dighavu and how he makes peace with his archenemy, King Brahmadatta, who conquered his kingdom and executed his parents brutally. The Buddha uses the story as a last teaching to the monks at the occasion of the quarrel of Kosambi, when two fractions of monks form in the community, arguing whether a certain monk has committed a very minor offence against the monastic rules or not. The Buddha tells the story to illustrate the meaning of the Dhammapada Verses 3-6: "He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me." Those who harbor such thoughts do not still their hatred. "He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me." Those who do not harbor such thoughts still their hatred. Hatred is never ended by hatred. Hatred is ended by non-hatred. This is an eternal law. There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels. A literal translation of the story can be read here online: https://www.dhammatalks.org./vinaya/Mv/MvX.html#burmese272 (Vinaya Pitaka, Mahavagga, X. Kosambivagga) 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 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #war #peace #peaceful #buddhism .

One of the important qualities that the Buddha teaches is non-violence. This talk explains the causes for violence and how one can apply the teaching of the Buddha to abandon them and how one can develop the mind and inner strength to be committed to non-violence in any situation. 0:00 Non-Violence - A very relevant topic 2:44 The Buddha teaching non-violence to children 10:44 The causes for violence 25:04 How we can abandon the causes for violence in our heart 41:10 Developing inner strength and power instead of external strength 42:38 Inner happiness by non-violence 52:03 Is it possible to abandon the tendency for aversion completely? 56:35 How to get closer to that goal? 1:03:58 What to do in times of war and other extreme situations? 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 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #peace #war #peaceful #buddhism .

After the Buddha realized awakening he remained for several weeks meditating at Bodhgaya to fathom his realization in all aspects. Hear more about how the Buddha reflected, how he saw the cosmos and who were the beings who met the Buddha first after his awakening. 0:00 The first week after awakening: The Buddha reflects about dependent origination. 15:54 The second week after awakening: The Buddha surveys the cosmos and sees all beings burning with desire, aversion and delusion and afflicted by becoming. 24:25 The third week: The Buddha meets a Brahmin and gives him a short teaching about how to become a true Brahmin. 26:02 The fourth week: A great rainstorm comes and the Naga-King Mucalinda (A Serpent or Dragon like spirit from the lowest heavenly realm) protects the Buddha from the weather. 28:24 The fifth week: Two Merchants, Bhallika & Tapussa, meet the Buddha, offer him the first meal after his awakening and become the first two male lay disciples of the Buddha. 31:46 The sixth week: Mara, the evil one tries to challenge the Buddha, but has to leave sad and dejected because he has been defeated. 33:56 The seventh week: The Buddha reflects about the practice that lead him to awakening The five spiritual faculties (Indriyas) and the four foundations of mindfulness (Satipatthana). Brahma Sahampati, a non-returner from Suddhavasa realm appears to the Buddha and expresses his approval. 42:53 The Buddha sees that there is no other being with a higher spiritual attainment than him that he could honour, so he decides to dwell honouring and venerating the Dhamma, the law of nature that he discovered and taught. 47:41 Brahma Sahampati requests the Buddha to teach. He surveys the cosmos with the eyes of a Buddha out of compassion and sees that there are being that are easy to teach and difficult to teach, some with good attributes and some with bad attributes. Just like lotus plants in a pond where some lotus plants are growing under the water and some have emerged from the water and stand unsullied by the water. After the Buddha sees that there are beings who are capable to understand him, he makes the momentous decision to teach the path to awakening that he found himself to others out of compassion, which influenced the lives of billions of people in the last 2500 years. The Suttas can be found in Udana 1;1-4, Udana 2;1 and Udana 3;10. https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/index.html In the Mahavagga of the Vinaya Pitaka: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/Mv/MvI.html#burmese4 Samyutta Nikaya 4;1 and S 4;24 and 25 https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_1.html https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_24.html https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN4_25.html Samyutta Nikaya 47;43 and 48;57 where the Buddha reflects about the practice that led him to awakening Samyutta Nikaya 6;2 where the Buddha decides to live revering the Dhamma itself https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN6_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 INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddha #enlightenment #awakening #nibbana #inspiration #faith #India #history #historyofindia #nirvana .

Tody is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. Naturally, we did a guided meditation on Buddhānussati (Recollection of the Buddha), for which Ajahn Dhammasiha used his favourite Buddha-Mantra: "Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā..." Our meditation ended earlier than normal, around 4.10 pm, and was followed by a reflection on the Buddha's Supreme Awakening. Ajahn Dhammasiha focussed in particular the Bodhisatta's crucial insight that self-torment does not lead to awakening. Instead, the Bodhisatta remembered his attainment of First Jhāna as a child, and recognized that the non-sensual rapture and bliss of samādhi is actually the way to awakening, providing the foundation for developing vipassana and profound insight. At around 4.30 pm we asked forgiveness from Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, and then did our Vesak recitation of 'There is one person...' passage in Anguttara Nikāya, elucidating the unique position of the Buddha in his own words. Finally, we did our Vesak circumambulation, this time up the hill around the newly consecrated ctuap on Dhammagiri summit. However for technical reasons we were unable to provide live coverage of the stupa site circumambulation. MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast (or 'Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts' on any good podcast app) #buddha #meditation #chanting #vesak2025 #awakening #enlightenment

Tody is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. Naturally, we did a guided meditation on Buddhānussati (Recollection of the Buddha), for which Ajahn Dhammasiha used his favourite Buddha-Mantra: "Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā..." Our meditation ended earlier than normal, around 4.10 pm, and was followed by a reflection on the Buddha's Supreme Awakening. Ajahn Dhammasiha focussed in particular the Bodhisatta's crucial insight that self-torment does not lead to awakening. Instead, the Bodhisatta remembered his attainment of First Jhāna as a child, and recognized that the non-sensual rapture and bliss of samādhi is actually the way to awakening, providing the foundation for developing vipassana and profound insight. At around 4.30 pm we asked forgiveness from Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, and then did our Vesak recitation of 'There is one person...' passage in Anguttara Nikāya, elucidating the unique position of the Buddha in his own words. Finally, we did our Vesak circumambulation, this time up the hill around the newly consecrated ctuap on Dhammagiri summit. However for technical reasons we were unable to provide live coverage of the stupa site circumambulation. MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast (or 'Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts' on any good podcast app) #buddha #meditation #chanting #vesak2025 #awakening #enlightenment

Today is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. As it's also Mother's Day in the Western calendar, Ajahn Dhammasiha will speak about the birth of the Bodhisatta, and the marvellous qualities of the Bodhisatta and his mother. 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/news Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net #vesak2025 #buddhism #buddha #lordbuddha #babybuddha

Today is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. An excellent opportunity to practise Bhāvanā at Dhammagiri for our One Day Full Moon Retreat, starting with the morning chanting in Pali & English, and taking refuge in Triple Gem & 5/8 Precepts Ceremony conducted by Ajahn Sudhiro 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/news Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net #vesak2025 #buddhism #buddha #lordbuddha #babybuddha

Harley had the aspiration to ordain as a Buddhist monk for a long time. He has now resoved to go to Buddha Bodhivana to start the training process for ordination: First to formally receive the 8 precepts to become a white robed postulant monk ('Anagārika' in Pali, or 'Pa Kao' in Thai); then a novice (Sāmanera in Pali, or Samanen in Thai); and if everything works out, eventually a Bhikkhu (fully ordained Buddhist monk). Ajahn Naen Sudhiro had organized one hand sown upper robe ('Uttarāsanga' in Pali/'Jivon' in Thai) for Harley, and several lay donors gave a financial donation to add the under robe ('Antaravāsaka' in Pali/'Sabong' in Thai) and other required requisites for a newly ordaining monk. Ajahn Sudhiro made a special effort to organize getting these requisites from Thailand, with his sister buying them from the provided funds, and another supporter carrying them personally with them on a flight from Bangkok to Brisbane. The offering of requisites to Harley for his future ordination received the blessings from senior monks visiting our Stupa Relic Enshrinement Ceremony, Luang Por Lai & Luang Por Chalee, and from Dhammagiri's abbot, Ajahn Dhammasiha, on Monday 5th May 2025. Ajahn Dhammasiha and all monks present also symbolically cut off small strands of hair from Harley's 'Kesā', as a blessing and to firm his aspiration to return to Buddha Bodhivana and train there for future ordination. Audio in background is part of Paritta Chanting at our Stupa by Sangha of 8 monks led by LP Lai. See more pictures of the events for our Saddhamma Cetiya Consecration here: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net https://www.dhammagiri.net/stupaeventatdhammagiri More info: https://www.dhammagiri.net #buddhism #dhamma #chanting

Luang Por Lai Dipadhammo is the abbot of Wat Pah Khantidhamma in Lamphun Province in the North of Thailand. He has been a monk for 45 years, and is a direct disciple of Ajahn Chah. Our visiting Thai monk Ajahn Sudhiro trained with him as his teacher when he was a junior monk. Luang Por has kindly offered many sacred objects to enshrine in our Saddhamma Cetiya, including Buddha relics and little statues of Ajahn Chah and Luang Por Maha Amon (one of Ajahn Chah's most senior disciples). This is the seventh livestream in our series covering the Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration and Relic Enshrinement events from 2nd to 4th May, showing: 1. Introduction by Ajahn Dhammasiha 2. Requesting of Triple Refuge & 5 Precepts 3. Ceremony of Taking Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha, and committing to the 5 precepts 4. Requesting the Sangha to Recite Auspicious Paritta 5. Sangha of 8 Monks Recites Protective & Auspicious Paritta Chants 6. Sprinkling Drops of Blessed Paritta Water onto Stupa, and Blessing Audience 7. Laity Offers Flowers to Stupa & Pays Respects to Monks The detailed Program for all Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration Events 2nd to 4th May can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/visiting-senior-monk-at-dhammagiri-buddhist-monastery Financial donations to the considerable costs of this event, including building of stupa and all associated features, can be made on our website here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/donate 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 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net #buddhism #chanting #buddhistchanting #buddhistrituals #virtue #stupa #palichanting

Luang Por Lai Dipadhammo is the abbot of Wat Pah Khantidhamma in Lamphun Province in the North of Thailand. He has been a monk for 45 years, and is a direct disciple of Ajahn Chah. Our visiting Thai monk Ajahn Sudhiro trained with him as his teacher when he was a junior monk. Luang Por has kindly offered many sacred objects to enshrine in our Saddhamma Cetiya, including Buddha relics and little statues of Ajahn Chah and Luang Por Maha Amon (one of Ajahn Chah's most senior disciples). This is the sixth livestream in our series covering the Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration and Relic Enshrinement events from 2nd to 4th May. It shows devotees arriving at Dhammagiri and preparing for offering food to the monks (offering 'dāna' to the 'sangha'); The monks going on almsround (pindapāta) on the monstery grounds; Formal offering of food and other requisites to community of monks, including announcement in Pali & English; Blessing & anumodana (rejoicing in the good karma being made) by the monks. The detailed Program for all Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration Events 2nd to 4th May can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/visiting-senior-monk-at-dhammagiri-buddhist-monastery Financial donations to the considerable costs of this event, including building of stupa and all associated features, can be made on our website here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/donate 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 Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net #buddhism #generosity #buddhistmonastery #buddhistmonks #almsgiving

Dhamma Talk by Venerable Ajahn Anan. English translation by Ajahn Varadhammo, abbot of Bodhisaddha Monastery, Wilton near Sydney. 00:00 Invitation to Teach Dhamma by Pranee ("Brahma ca lokādhipati...") 01:05 Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Anan Part 1 (in Thai) 07:27 English Translation by Ajahn Varadhammo Part 1 15:00 Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Anan Part 2 (in Thai) 21:52 English Translation by Ajahn Varadhammo Part 2 32:40 Asking Forgiveness from Luang Por Anan before his departure 38:45 Visiting Monks asking Forgiveness from Ajahn Dhammasiha 41:25 Group Pic Sangha & Lay Devotees Venerable Ajahn Anan, abbot of Wat Marp Jan, Rayong, Thailand, has kindly agreed to lead the proceedings for our Stupa Consecration and Relic Enshrinement Cermony. He is a direct senior disciple of Ajahn Chah, and one of the most respected living meditation masters in Thailand. This is the fifth livestream in our series covering the Dhammagiri Stupa Inauguration and Relic Enshrinement events from 2nd to 4th May. Details about the stupa project and special features can be found here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/post/dhammagiri-stupa-project Financial donations to the considerable costs of this event, including building of stupa and all associated features, can be made on our website here: https://www.dhammagiri.net/donate Learn more about Luang Por Anan & his monastery Wat Marp Jan here: https://watmarpjan.org/en/ajahn-anan/biography/ Website of Translator Ajahn Varadhammo's Monastery, Bodhisaddha: https://www.bodhisaddha.org/wat/en/ MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast (or 'Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts' on any good podcast app) #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk #buddhistwisdom #buddhistmonk #stupa