Making merit in the name of a deceased The ceremony of making merit in the name of a deceased is one way of showing appreciation for our benefactors. Even many years after they have passed away, their…

The primal disease All of the above refers to Dhamma as a collection of specific medicines for use with specific illnesses, the diseases of the defilements. Now there is another kind of disease which …

Sati and Samādhi Now how does sati differ from samādhi? The analogy is given of tying up a wild animal, freshly caught from the jungle. The animal runs about wildly. Without the rope to hold it, it wo…

By helping oneself one helps others Therefore, in the practice of Dhamma, even if one specifically looks to the benefit of other beings, the results that are most assured are those that arise within o…

In conclusion Today I have spoken about the general principles of Buddhist practice, beginning by comparing the Buddha to a doctor, one who both administers medicine and also who operates. “To o…

The development of the mind So on the higher levels of Buddhist practice we talk about bhāvanā, cultivation, the training of the mind. This training also has various levels. Initially one may train th…

Qualities of Samādhi When the mind is one-pointed, it is said to be like a magnifying glass which is used to concentrate the sun’s rays. Using a magnifying glass, a concentration of energy occur…

Keeping awareness in the present Delight and aversion arise dependent on some particular sensation. For instance, if we see something we like, the mind proliferates around that liking. If aversion or …

Restraining the senses to see more clearly We must know how to function correctly in this world. If we know how to function properly, the disease won’t arise. To function properly in regard to t…

Dhamma practice: passive or active? In one sense, it’s almost as if we “lie in wait” for sensations to arise, and relate to them in such a way as to not give rise to defilement. It&#…