Our publisher and team of volunteer narrators and audio-editors have outdone themselves during these last few weeks. In April we announced the release of the audiobook version of Bodhi Leaf 61, The Law of Karma and Mindfulness, read by Judy Swift. Two new audiobooks have come out since then, and we hope they will be of support and inspiration to you! A big Thank You to the volunteer narrators and editors who lent their voices, time, and skills for these recordings!
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Narrated by Avia Rose Livni, Bodhi Leaf 152 contains two talks on death and dying by Ayyā Medhānandī, which remind us that the way to deal with emotions such as sadness, grief and fear, is to accept them, to observe them—and not to shun or judge ourselves for having those feelings. We should not identify ourselves with those emotions, but investigate the true nature of mind and body.
So the difference between pain and suffering is the difference between freedom and bondage. If we’re able to be with our pain, then we can accept, investigate and heal. But if it’s not okay to grieve, to be angry, or to feel frightened or lonely, then it’s not okay to look at what we are feeling, and it’s not okay to hold it in our hearts and to find our peace with it. When we can’t feel what must be felt, when we resist or try to run from life, then we are enslaved. Where we cling is where we suffer, but when we simply feel the naked pain on its own, our suffering dies… That’s the death we need to die.
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From this seeing into the true essence of all conditioned phenomena, we realise three universal qualities: in the arising of all conditions, we see anicca, impermanence, that which has the sign of death, and which ultimately points us toward the signless or deathless. These temporal conditions also dissolve and pass away; thus we know dukkha, the suffering of being propelled by desire, the unsatisfactoriness of the conditioned realm, and we are brought to the knowledge of the timeless, the desireless. Finally, in the cessation of these transient conditions there is peace, emptiness, no self to be found, anattā.
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Bodhi Leaf 105, narrated by Kalvin Kolchar, consists of two Dhamma talks by Ayya Khema: An Exhortation and Self-image or Self-knowledge?
But trying to understand loving kindness with the mind can never succeed. It’s got to be felt with one’s heart. The heart has to be involved 'wholeheartedly,' for unless loving kindness is felt in the heart, the root of hate, dosa, will remain.
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A self-image is a created figure—a persona—which is supposed to be the same all the time. One carries around that image of an ideal person wherever one
goes. Whatever image is desirable. And that image is intended to be a permanent vision of oneself. "That’s the way I am. That’s my true self. Let no one dare change it." That way of thinking certainly prevents self-knowledge. For nothing is permanent—least of all one’s own reactions, one’s own feelings, one’s own thoughts, one’s own emotions. Nothing of the kind exists which is permanent.
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Public Talk by Dr. Fleischman
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Paul Fleischman’s talks on Vipassana meditation are interesting for people who are new to meditation as well as for experienced meditators, as Dr. Fleischman combines insight from his personal experience as a meditator and Vipassana Teacher, and his professional knowledge as a psychiatrist.
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We love listening to his talks as they are pragmatic and relatable, inspiring and clarifying. In one of his latest talks, given at the Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University in Manhattan on February 26, 2020, Dr. Fleischman describes Vipassana as a meditation that gives both practical and spiritual benefits.
Short transcript from the beginning of the talk:
“Think of life in which a person gets up every morning, meditates, seeking a bit of common peace and lives the day ... with some inner guidance, they know how to contact peace inside themselves, just to some degree, they are not perfect, but they are experienced in feeling good. They have certain principles that guide them during the day. Basic common sense principles maybe everybody lives by, but this person is more attuned to this aspect of life, like speaking honestly all the time (even when it’s inconvenient).”
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eBook - The Buddha and His Teachings
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The work is a clear and detailed introduction to the fundamental teachings of the Buddha. In simple and lucid language the author explains the doctrines and concepts which form the common bedrock of Buddhism as preserved in the Theravada tradition. The first part of the work is devoted to the life of the Buddha. The remainder of the book explains in detail the Buddha's teachings, the final chapter shows the relevance of Buddhism to the problems of modern life.
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Available as a Pariyatti Edition paperback and now also as an ePUB/Mobi/PDF-bundle. The eBook bundle is for sale on its own, or comes for free with the purchase of the paperback.
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Buddhasahassanāmāvali verses (63 - 64)
are now available!
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In the dhamma.org app a new section has been added, listing virtual group sittings (VGSs). The dhamma.org app is available via the AppStore and Google Play. If you already have the app installed, make sure to update it for the new feature to be accessible.
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For those who have not yet completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course as taught by S.N. Goenka, but are curious about meditation, a Mini Anapana recording exists. Anapana is the type of meditation that is taught during the first three days of a 10-day course as taught by S.N. Goenka, and Vipassana meditators practice it from time to time—as and when needed—as it helps to calm the mind and regain focus and concentration.
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Pariyatti Presents: Dhamma Story Time
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Dhamma Story Time has been running for about a month and a half now and will keep going for the foreseeable future. With several sessions each week with volunteers from different timezones reading Dhamma-related stories, Pariyatti presents ongoing inspiration and support in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sessions are not being recorded due to copyright restrictions. Keep an eye on the schedule posted on our website; days and times may differ slightly from week to week, and we sometimes add new locations/timezones.
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Upcoming Pilgrimage Dates
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Along the Path (North India & Nepal)
November 1–22, 2020
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February 27–March 20, 2021
The Golden Path (Burma) * English/Chinese
金色之旅 – 缅甸朝圣
January 9–26, 2021
2021年01月09日 – 26日
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In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is uncertain whether we will be able to proceed with our scheduled pilgrimages. If any pilgrimage is cancelled before it commences, please rest assured that we will refund 100% of the fees.
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Donations: Either one-time or monthly pledge
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Pariyatti is a charitable, non-profit, educational support system for the Dhamma community. Pariyatti exists because of funds donated by supporters.
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FACT: Did you know that Pariyatti offers a significant number of books and media freely to monks, nuns, monasteries, meditation centers, and others through our Dana Distribution Fund?
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Doha — Dhamma Verse
Dasoṅ diśāṇa ke sabhī,
prāṇī sukhiyā hoṅya.
Nirabhaya hoṅ, nirabaira hoṅ,
sabhī nirāmaya hoṅya.
In the ten directions,
may beings be happy,
without fear or enmity;
may all be freed of ills.
–S.N. Goenka
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