Dhamma Articles And Talks Archive
This is the complete archive of all Dhamma articles and talks on Becoming-Buddha.com, organized with most recent class’ first.
Click On Title For Full Article And Talk
The Phena Sutta – Emptiness and The Five Clinging-Aggregates
The Phena Sutta is another sutta on emptiness as the Buddha uses the term. In this sutta he teaches the emptiness of The Five Clinging Aggregates and the emptiness of creating self-identities by clinging to fleeting objects, events, views and ideas…
Chavalata Sutta – Profound Right View: Wisdom and Compassion
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: ...
The Assutava Sutta – Dependent Origination and The Five Clinging Aggregates
The Assutava Sutta is another simple and direct sutta on Dependent Origination that also references the Five Clinging Aggregates…
Shunyata – Three Discourses on Emptiness
Shunyata – Three Discourses on Emptiness is an article on the Buddha’s teachings on emptiness. I will cite three suttas where the Buddha teaches the meaning and application of emptiness, shunyata (Pali: Sunnata)…
Right View: Understanding Five Clinging-Aggregates
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video...
The Nidana Sutta – Ending The Defilements
In the Nidana Sutta, the Buddha focuses on recognizing and abandoning the Three Defilements of greed, aversion, and deluded thinking. All three of the defilements are rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths and the resulting ongoing self-referential “I-making”…
Vatthupama Sutta – Of Stained and Pure Cloth
In the Vatthupama Sutta, the Buddha uses the simile of a dirty or clean cloth to teach the importance of abandoning magical, mystical, and fabricated views …
Five Factors Of Concentration – The Samadhanga Sutta
The Samadhanga Sutta is another sutta on the proper use of the singular method of meditation as an awakened human being teaches – to engage with Jhana meditation to increase concentration…
A Noble Dhamma Practice – A Structured Study
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the...
The Bhaddekaratta Sutta – Mindfulness of What Is Occurring
The Bhaddekaratta Sutta teaches the importance of being mindfully present of life as life unfolds. The title of this Sutta means an auspicious day…
An Admirable Sangha – Upaddha Sutta
The Upaddha Sutta provides guidance on an underlying theme running throughout the Buddha’s Dhamma – wise associations.
Right Speech And True Compassion – Abhaya Sutta
Right Speech is always compassionate speech as it is speech informed by the wisdom of Four Noble Truths developed through the Eightfold Path…
Dhamma-Viharin Sutta – Dwelling In The Dhamma
In the Dhamma-Viharin Sutta, the Buddha is teaching that engaging with the Dhamma through intellectual study alone will not develop cessation of craving after and clinging to views ignorant of Four Noble Truths, and the confusion and suffering that follows…
Magga-Vibhanga Sutta: Analysis of the Path
Friends, I will now give you a detailed analysis of the Noble Eightfold Path. Listen mindfully. This is the Noble Eightfold Path…
Three Trainings For Liberation – The Sikkha Sutta
The Sikh Sutta teaches the the Eightfold Path is a path that incorporates the three aspects or trainings necessary for becoming Rightly Self-Awakened as the Buddha instructs. The Eightfold Path is a training in developing heightened virtue, heightened concentration, and heightened wisdom…
Anupada Sutta – Ending Fabrications One After Another
The Anupada Sutta is similar to the Anapanasati Sutta. Here the Buddha uses Sariputta’s skillful development of Jhana as example…
Avarana and Bahiya Suttas – Hindrances To Refined Mindfulness
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: ...
Analysis of Four Noble Truths – The Sacca-Vibhanga Sutta
In the Sacca-Vibhanga Sutta, one of the Buddha’s chief disciple, Sariputta presents a complete analysis of the Four Noble Truths including a simple and direct explanation of the Eightfold Path…
Simsapa Sutta A Handful Of Leaves
“This is what I teach. I teach these things because they are related to my Dhamma and they support the principles of a life integrated with the Eightfold Path. These things that I teach lead directly to disenchantment, to dispassion…
Jhana Meditation – A Structured Study of The Buddha’s Meditation
These are the...
Nibbana Sutta – Unbinding From Ignorance
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: [maxbutton...
Sustenance For Awakening – Ahara Sutta
Rather than avoid responsibility for these hindrances through modern “dharma” practices, the Buddha taught the why and how of applying the Dhamma in specific direct, skillful, and highly effective Eightfold Path. I..
Nothing Personal – A Buddha’s Analysis Of Self – Dhatu-Vibhanga Sutta
This most profound sutta relieves the fear and aversion that arises from the desire for continued self-establishment in impermanent objects, events, views, and ideas fabricated from ignorance of Four Noble Truths. ..
Satipatthana Sutta – Jhana and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness
↓ Satipatthana Sutta Text ↓ Please note Session 3 has been deleted and is unavailable. These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma...
The Yasa Sutta – Freedom From Entanglements
The Yasa Sutta – Freedom From Entanglements teaches importance to avoid creating a “Dhamma” practice that depends on external entanglements as its theme…
Anapanasati Sutta – An Example Of Authentic Dhamma Practice
The Anapanasati Sutta is the Buddha’s instruction for Jhana meditation. The purpose of meditation is to deepen concentration to provide the foundation necessary to understand the Three Marks Of Existence…
Sumangala’s Mother – Freedom Through Jhana, Too
In this poem, the awakened monk Sumangala’s mother concisely describes the quality of an awakened mind through Right Meditation practiced as part of the Eightfold Path…
The Waste-Water Pool – Jambali Sutta
The Jambali Sutta is another sutta on the proper use of meditation – to engage with Jhana [1] meditation to increase concentration. Jhana means meditative absorption…
The Nagara Sutta – The Buddha Describes His Awakening
The Nagara Sutta is remarkable in its simplicity in describing Dependent Origination in a practically applied way. In this sutta the Buddha clearly shows how ignorance of Four Noble Truths and of The Three Marks of existence “originates” the process that all manner of disappointment, unsatisfactoriness, distraction, and suffering – in a word Dukkha – is “dependent” on…
The Buddha’s Noble Search For The Noble Path – Ariyapariyesana Sutta
The Ariyapariyesana Sutta is one of the most significant suttas in the Sutta Pitaka. It provides continual guidance on establishing and maintaining an authentic, practical, and effective Dhamma practice…
Vimala – A Courtesan Unbound
This poem describes the nun Vimala’s awakening, gaining full human maturity. Through developing the Eightfold Path, [2] Vimala, abandoned all self-referential views rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths [3] and gained release from self-imposed suffering…
Rahogata Sutta – Ending Fabrications Through Jhana
In the Rahogata Sutta, the Buddha teaches that feelings of pleasure, pain, or ambivalence, when perceived through a mimd rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths will fabricate what is experienced in a way that reaffirms ignorance and continues stress…
Dependent Origination – The Paticca Samuppada Vibhanga Sutta
Dependent Origination is the Buddha’s teaching on how ignorance of Four Noble Truths results in confusion, delusion, and ongoing suffering -Dukkha…
Atthakanagara Sutta – The Single Quality For Awakening
In the Aṭṭhakanāgara Sutta, the householder Dasama inquires of Ananda if there is a single quality taught by the Buddha that would result in release from all views ignorant of Four Noble Truths…
Sariputta Sutta And Cessation Of Ignorance
In the Sariputta Sutta, Sariputta is questioned by Ananda, the Buddha’s cousin, and attendant. Ananda is confused about a fundamental aspect of the Dhamma.
The Kimsuka Sutta – A Swift Pair of Messengers Jhana in the Pali Canon
A Swift Pair of Messengers Jhana in the Pali Canon. The Buddha’s teachings on Jhana are found throughout the Pali Canon…
Jhāna Sutta – Meditative Absorption – Mind And Body United
The four levels of Jhana are impermanent and are developed from engaging in Jhana meditation as taught by the Buddha and so should not be viewed as meditative achievement. ..
The Personal Experience Of Ignorance – Dukkha Sutta
These three forms of stress referred to are rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths and Three Marks Of existence resulting in fabricated (corrupted) wrong views…
Wise Restraint – Understanding Dispassion – A Structured Study
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings...
Mittakali – A Nuns Path Completed
In this poem, the nun Mittakali recounts her going forth still affected by continued clinging to wrong views ignorant of Four Noble Truths. ..
The Sallatha Sutta – The Two Arrows
The Sallatha Sutta – The Two Arrows is a key teaching as it clearly explains what for many is a confusing aspect of the Dhamma – individual contributions to suffering…
Kuta Sutta – A Good Roof
In the Kuta Sutta, the Buddha teaches Anathapindika the importance of protecting one’s mind through restraint. Anathapindika was a wealthy businessman and early benefactor of the Buddha and the original Sangha…
Abandon Dis-ease – Ten Understandings – The Girimananda Sutta
The Girimananda Sutta is a profound and complete teaching on Three Marks Of Existence. With an initial focus on impermanence, the Buddha then relates underlying conditions that arise from self-identification…
Wise Restraint Moment By Moment Dhamma Practice Retreat
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: Wise Restraint Moment By...
Dhammika – Pure Protection
In this poem, the awakened monk Dhammika shows the importance of a well-practiced and authentic Dhamma practice and the protection from worldly entanglements provided….
The Saddhamma Sutta – False Dhamma’s
The intense desire to alter the dhamma to fit confused views rooted in ignorance of The Four Noble Truths has persisted until today. This has resulted in many contradictory “Buddhist” religions that together present a confusing “dharma.”…
Acting To Awaken – Karma Sutta
Karma (Pali: Kamma) is the central theme of the Dhamma. It is the abstract definition of the practical experience of Five Clinging-Aggregates within Thee Marks Of Existence…
Three Governing Principles For Vipassana – Adhipateyya Sutta
Rather than treating vipassana as a hybrid meditation practice, in the Adhipateyya Sutta, the Buddha teaches Jhana meditation as one factor of a complete Eightfold Path…
Sumangala – Freedom Through Jhana
In this poem, The awakened monk Sumangala concisely describes the quality of an awakened mind through Right Meditation practiced as part of the Eightfold Path…
The Greater Discourse On Dukkha – Maha Dukkhakkhanda Sutta
In the Maha-Dukkhakkhandha Sutta the Buddha teaches that it is the profound and liberating understanding of the true nature of – Dukkha …
Vitakkasanthana Sutta – Refined Mindfulness
The Vitakkasanthana Sutta — the sutta on the relaxation of thoughts — the Buddha teaches that the refined mindfulness developed through the Eightfold Path brings a relaxed and peaceful quality of mind…
The Lesser Discourse On Dukkha The Cula Dukkhakkhanda Sutta
In this sutta, the Buddha teaches his cousin Mahanama that the common manifestation in individual human beings of stress is greed, aversion, and deluded thinking…
A Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path Structured Study
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings...
Right Intention – Emptiness of Clinging
Right Intention – Emptiness of Clinging. Right Intention develops the true meaning of emptiness: to empty oneself of clinging…
Kaccayanagotta Sutta – Right View
The Kaccayanagotta Sutta – Right View is a teaching on Right View and also a clear explanation of the common misunderstandings of “emptiness” and non-duality…
Tissa Sutta: Uncertain
Tissa is a cousin of the Buddha and a monk in the original Sangha. Tissa’s mind is still troubled from continued clinging to wrong views rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths…
Agantuka Sutta: For All Who Reside In The Dhamma
In the Agantuka Sutta, the Buddha uses the metaphor of a common residence to show that the Eightfold Path is a true refuge for anyone seeking to develop the profound understanding of the nature of stress and suffering,..
Becoming Explained – The Loka, Bhava, and Mula Suttas
There is much confusion as to the meaning of “becoming.” Due to this confusion, great license is taken in interpreting what is meant by becoming as taught by the Buddha. This confusion and the following misapplication of the Dhamma can be avoided by simply looking at the Buddha’s own words from the following three sutta’s…
Truth Of Happiness Dhamma Study
Below is the complete text of The Truth Of Happiness Dhamma Study, a companion study of Becoming Buddha - Becoming Awakened. Also below are audio recordings from our past Truth of Happiness Dhamma Studies. Prior to each week’s class, participants in our study read...
Welcome To BBCRMC – What The Buddha Taught And Why
Approximately two thousand six hundred years ago a human being, Siddharth Gotama, realized a profound and penetrative path to understanding the cause and underlying condition of all human discontent, stress, and disappointing life experiences: Ignorance of Four Noble Truths.
Passaddhi – The Calm Mind of a Buddha Midwinter Retreat
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives:...
Anatta Lakkhana Sutta – The Not-Self Characteristic
The Not-Self Characteristic and The Five Clinging-Aggregates
The Buddha’s Second Discourse…
An Auspicious Handful of Leaves – Two Defining Suttas
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: [maxbutton...
Khanda Sutta Five Clinging-Aggregates
The Five Clinging-Aggregates are the Buddha’s description of the ongoing personal experience of ignorance of Four Noble Truths and the stress and suffering that follows this initial condition.
Karma, Rebirth, and Intentional Becoming
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives:...
The Sabbasava Sutta
In the Sabbasava Sutta the Buddha teaches the ending of mental fermentations from the refined mindfulness developed through the Eightfold Path…
Released From Affliction – Khajjaniya Sutta
The Khajjaniya Sutta is a profound teaching on the confusion and suffering that follows from clinging to speculative views rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths. The Buddha’s described the personal vehicle for ongoing stress and suffering as “Five Clinging Aggregates.”
Dhammapda – Concise Dhamma Instruction
The Dhammapada is a twenty-six chapter book in the fifth collection of the Sutta Pitaka known as the Khuddaka Nikaya. It is a profound, authentic, and concise Dhamma instruction.
Jhana Meditation Instruction
These are recordings of guided Jhana meditation sessions of varying lengths and two recordings of Metta Meditation. Begin with short sessions…
Satipatthana Sutta Four Foundations Of Mindfulness Retreat
Satipatthana Sutta – Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat October 1, 2021, to October 3, 2021 These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more...
Knowing True Refuge – Three Suttas
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: [maxbutton...
Vipassana – Introspective Insight – A Structured Study
This is the schedule for our sixteen-week, thirty-two class study of the Buddha’s meaning of Vipassana – introspective insight into three specific fabricated common human characteristics…
Cula-Saccaka Sutta – A Fearless And Independent Dhamma
In the Cula-Saccaka sutta the Buddha is challenged to debate by Saccaka, a follower of Nigantha Nataputta, the local leader of a Jain sect….
Fire Discourse Attachments to Passion
About one month after the Buddha’s first two discourses, he presented The Fire Discourse to approximately 1,000 followers. Upon hearing this short discourse, most of those in attendance awakened…
The Culavedalla Sutta
“Clear knowing (true insight) lies on the other side of ignorance. And, Visakha, with clear knowing comes release (from clinging). From release from clinging comes complete unbinding.”….
Timeless Wisdom – Three Suttas
The three suttas linked below example the profound wisdom of an awakened human being. Siddartha Gotama describes the quality of an awakened mind in the Bahiya Sutta. The Arahant Sutta describes “awakening” from a Rightly-Self-Awakening Human Being’s Right View....
The Mindfulness of Bahiya
The Buddha was serene, at peace. Bahiya placed himself at the Buddha’s feet and asked: “Teach me the Dhamma Awakened one. Teach me the Dhamma for my long-term welfare and lasting happiness…
The Sambodhi Sutta – The Wings of Self-Awakening
The Sambodhi Sutta teaches the very specific “vipassana” or insight that the Buddha teaches. It is insight into Three Marks Of Existence. These three “marks” or common human characteristics define a person’s life when their minds are rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths…
Anuradha Sutta Authentic Dhamma
The Anuradha Sutta is another sutta where the Buddha is asked questions whose basis is rooted wrong views ignorant of Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination…
BBCRMC Teaching Staff and Training
The Dhamma Teachers on this page have successfully completed their BBCRMC Dhamma Teacher Training and continue to maintain their certification by teaching the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma.↓ BBCRMC Dhamma Teacher Training ↓ John's 2020 New Years Message An...
Vipassana – A Structured Study Introduction
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: Vipassana - A Structured...
Foundations Of The Buddha’s Dhamma Retreat Book
Foundations Of The Buddha's Dhamma Retreat Talks Coming Soon These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: ...
Reconciling The Dhamma With Other Practices
This is a talk from our Thursday Dhamma class. A common challenge when developing the Dhamma as the Buddha taught is reconciling the Dhamma with other wholesome practices such as Yoga. One of our staff teachers, Jen, teaches that by maintaining fidelity to the Dhamma...
2021 New Year’s Eightfold Path Online Retreat
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives:...
BBCRMC True Vipassana Retreat Book
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: Becoming Buddha Cross River...
Abandon Violence – Dandavagga – Dhammapda 10
The Timeless Relevance Of The Buddha's Profound Wisdom And True Compassion Introduction To The Dandavagga For a complete understanding of the scope and purpose of the Buddha’s Dhamma please read Foundations of the...
Sariputta At Devadaha – Devadaha Sutta
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: [maxbutton...
Local Knowledge – Uncommon Dhamma
The title “Local Knowledge – Uncommon Dhamma” refers to the profound depth of knowledge that supports the useful and skillful understanding that is developed by those with “local knowledge” of what the Buddha actually taught.
Hindrances To Awakening – Two Suttas
Another word for hindrances is obstacles. These five hindrances are self-imposed obstacles commonly employed in a subtle and often unnoticed (strategically ignored) internal strategy to continue to ignore ignorance of Four Noble Truths…
Dependent Origination, Anatta, And The Myth Of Non-Duality
Modern Buddhist doctrine continues to evolve in contradiction to the Buddha’s original teachings to provide for the continuing establishment of “anatta” through misunderstanding…
Dependent Origination And Conditioned Mind
All of human life is anicca, impermanent and uncertain. Life in the phenomenal world is ultimately unsatisfactory, dukkha, due to life’s inescapable qualities of impermanence and uncertainty. Arising from a wrong view of life in the phenomenal world, an impermanent and insubstantial “self” is formed…
Emerging From Lockdown – The Freedom and Safety of the Middle Way
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: ...
Salvation-Free Buddhism
Why An Awakened Human Being Abandoned Religion For a complete understanding of the Buddha's Dhamma referenced herein within the scope and context intended, please read "Foundations Of The Buddha's Dhamma" on our Home Page: Becoming-Buddha.com. Clinging to a belief in...
Poems From The Heartwood
Haiku and Free-Form Poetry From John and The Becoming Buddha Cross River Meditation Center Sangha (Click On Title) My Friend Sid True Refuge Ig-Noble Truths Tough (Self)-Love Four Personal Space Becoming (Awakened Bahiya Something Horrible, Something Wonderful...
BBCRMC Class Recordings
CROSS RIVER MEDITATION CENTERAUDIO / VIDEO RECORDINGS ARCHIVE ↓ 800+ Audio Recordings ↓↓ 600+ Video Recordings ↓ ↑ Back To Top...
Vipallasa Sutta – Fabrications Explained
Introduction Fabrications are views of self and the world rooted in ignorance of Four Noble Truths. Understanding the process of self-induced fabrications of reality while developing a clear and...
Becoming Buddha Spring 2020 True Refuge Online Retreat
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives:...
Dhajagga Sutta – True Refuge – The Highest Standard
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: Introduction For a complete...
Ratana Sutta – True Refuge
Nearly all schools of Buddhism refer to “The Triple Refuge” or taking refuge in “The Three Jewels.” Refuge is a place or state of mind that is a source of comfort and peace…
send to kindle
THE ASSUTAVA SUTTA SAMYUTTA NIKAYA 12.61 The Buddha was at the Savatthi in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monastery. There he addressed the assembled monks: “Monks an uninstructed ordinary person might grow disenchanted with their body composed of the four great...
Online Forum Comments
These are comments of mine from online Buddhist forums. My intent here is not to disparage other dharmas. My intent is to provide clarity to what an awakened human being actually taught as preserved in the second book of the Pali Canon, the Sutta Pitaka…
Vipassana – Skillful Introspective Insight
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: ...
Foundations of the Buddha’s Dhamma BBCRMC Retreat Book
Foundations of the Buddha;s Dhamma Retreat Book June 29 To July 3, 2022Won Dharma Center, Claverack, New York Profound Contentment Retreat Reservations →Profound Contentment Retreat Practical and Logistical Information →Profound Contentment Retreat Book PDF Version...
Rahula – The Buddha’s Son – Two Suttas
These are two suttas referencing Rahula, the Buddha’s son, who was born just before Siddhartha he left his home seeking understanding. Now seven years later, the Buddha teaches his seven-year-old son a profound lesson in mindfulness. The second sutta has Rahula describing the results of his own awakening some years later.
Introduction To The Buddha’s Dhamma
Understanding Four Noble Truths cannot be developed through distracting rituals, magical endowments across non-physical “realms”or painful deprivations.
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta – Four Noble Truths
The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta is the very first teaching ever presented by the Buddha. It occurred a few weeks after Siddhartha Gotama awakened…
Vipallasa Sutta: Fabrications
The Vipallasa Sutta is a sutta on fabrications. A fabrication is a conclusion formed from false, misrepresented, or incomplete information…
Sister Vajira Confronts Mara – The Vajira Sutta
This sutta describers I-making and impermanence. Mara represents the conditioned grasping-after constant self-establishment of a mind conflicted by its own ignorance. ..
Dukkha – Three Suttas
This is a category page displaying three suttas on the meaning of Dukkha…
Becoming Buddha 2019 Retreats
These are pictures videos, and Dhamma Talks from our Becoming Buddha Immersion In The Dhamma residential retreat held at the Won Dharma Center in Claverack, NY. We were in residence from May 16 to May 19, 2019. ..
The ‘Miracle’ Of The Dhamma – The Kevatta Sutta
As shown in this sutta, and the supportive linked suttas, it is clear that a “dharma” practice that encourages self-identification in conceptual, speculative, and suppositional realms was something the Buddha continually cautioned against, but sadly continues and is encouraged by most modern Buddhism By Common Agreement groups…
Devadatta Sutta – A Monks Greed
Devadatta was driven by the need to be acknowledged as an enlightened being rather than actually develop the Dhamma. He wanted to introduce his own “dhamma” and gain recognition with his peers material wealth, and power. Devadatta plotted to have the Buddha killed so that he could take over the Sangha…
Brahma-Vihara’s Exalted Mind States
There are four exalted states of mind taught by the Buddha. These are perfected mind-states that reflect an enlightened view of humanity…
Maha Kotthita – Awakened Calm
In this poem Kotthita describes the quality of an awakened mind directly and attainable – calm…
Upacala Defeats Mara
Upacala teaches how she has overcome suffering by establishing refined mindfulness and gaining insight into impermanence, not-self, and suffering through developing to its culmination the Eightfold Path…
Samadhi Sutta – The Purpose and Practice of Concentration
The Buddha taught Jhana meditation as one factor of the Eightfold Path for the purpose of developing the concentration necessary to support the refined mindfulness of the other seven factors of the path…
Yuganaddha Sutta Tranquility and Insight In Tandem
In the Yuganaddha Sutta [1] Ananda teaches that that those that achieve lasting peace and happiness do so by developing shamatha & vipassana (tranquility & insight) in tandem…
Gilana Sutta: Seven Factors of Enlightenment
These seven qualities or factors of enlightenment are taught by the Buddha to remain free of the distraction of craving, aversion and further deluded thinking…
Yasadatta – Hearing True Dhamma
In this poem, Yasadatta shows the foolishness of debating the Dhamma rather than actually practicing a Buddha’s teachings…
The Arahant Sutta – Awakening in a Single Paragraph
Seeing the “five clinging aggregates as they really are” is understanding Anatta, not-self, or a self-referential ego-personality in relation to Anicca, Dukkha and The Four Noble Truths…
Bhikkhuni Sujata’s Final Knowledge
Sujata, enamored with the world and her position of wealth and privilege encounters the Buddha. She hears from him a simple, pure, and direct Dhamma and her mind clears…
Subhuti – A Comfortable Abode
This poem is from the Theragatha. The Theragatha preserves 264 poems of elder monks and is the eighth section in the Khuddaka Nikāya.
Here, the monk Subhuti describes in concise and profoundly sublime detail the quality of an awakened mind…
Sona – A Mother Of Ten Awakens
In this poem, Sona comes to the Dhamma late in life and quickly develops a profound understanding of key elements of the Dhamma including Five Clinging Aggregates, Three Marks Of Existence, restraint at the Six-Sense-Base, meditative absorption, and a penetrative understanding of Four Noble Truths..
Kumma Sutta: The Tortoise
These short sutta shows the importance of restraint in the Dhamma. The Four Noble Truths show that all manner of disappointment and suffering arises from craving and clinging. ..
Bhikkhuvaga Sutta – To a Monk
In the Bhikkhuvaga Sutta, the Buddha teaches the importance to develop the virtuous factors of the Eightfold Path of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood to recognize and abandon unskillful thoughts, words, and deeds…
Sundari Sutta, The Liberation Of Restraint
The Sundari Sutta, the liberation of restraint, teaches the unending peace gained through developing the Eightfold Path…
Aparihani Sutta: Not Losing The Way
“Having developed four qualities a Dhamma practitioner cannot lose the way and is free of clinging to views. When one has fully integrated the Eightfold Path they are…
Pamadaviharin Sutta: Dwelling in Mindfulness
It is mindful restraint at the Six-sense base that develops awakening or full human maturity. The Six-sense base is our five physical senses and interpretive thinking. In this way, the teachings on restraint directly relate to Dependent Origination in a very practical way…
Dhammannu Sutta – One With A Sense Of The Dhamma
The Dhammannu Sutta is similar to the Dhamma-Viharin Sutta. [1] In both suttas the Buddha describes in detail what it means to have developed a well-integrated Dhamma practice..
Protected: Becoming Buddha Teachers Training Talks
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Skillful Insight And Knowledge Gained
These are recordings of our end-of-year classes at Cross River Meditation Center in Frenchtown New Jersey On December 26, 28, and 30, 2017…
When Dhamma Practice Is Stressful
Often “Buddhist” practice is initially engaged with as a response to the unsatisfactory nature of life. This begins to develop Right View but meditation and Dhamma practice should not create additional stress…
Vitthara Sutta: Five Strengths
In this sutta, the Buddha teaches five strengths to be developed and maintained that directly support integration of the Eightfold Path…
Rohitassa Sutta – Inner Mindfulness
Rohitassa Sutta – Mindfulness of what occurs is an article and talk on the Rohitassa Sutta where the Buddha answers Rohitassa’s question regarding the possibility of awakening by seeking outside of himself in an actual or figurative sense…
Precepts and Paramitas
Jiddu Krishnamurti often said “Look at the lives you are living.” He was stressing the importance of being mindfully present in thought, word and deed in our interaction with others and with ourselves…
The Lakkhana Sutta, Mindfulness of Actions
In this sutta the Buddha teaches that actions are the outward expression of either foolishness originating in ignorance, or wisdom originating in understanding…
Agati Sutta – Not Losing the Way
The difficulties of not losing the way as far as maintaining a Dhamma practice has always been a challenge. Dhamma practice is likely even more difficult today…
Becoming Buddha 2018 Retreats
These are pictures videos, and Dhamma Talks from our Becoming Buddha Foundations of Mindfulness and Meditation 2018 residential retreat held at the Won Dharma Center in Clavarack, NY. We were in residence from May 17 to May 20 2018…
Sedaka Sutta: Mindfulness and The Beauty Queen
This brief sutta uses a simile to emphasize mindfulness as the Buddha teaches mindfulness. …
Satthusasana Sutta: To Upali, A Concise Teaching
The Satthusana Sutta is a concise sutta presented to a monk well-versed in the Buddha’s teachings. He has developed understanding of Dependent Origination and Four Noble Truths…
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Sariputta and Moggallana – The Buddha’s Chief Disciples
Shortly before Siddartha Gotama, the future Buddha’s birth, Upatissa and Kolita were born on the same day in neighboring towns. They would become two of the most accomplished and important members of the original Sangha becoming known as Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Moggallana. ..
The Pali Canon – What The Buddha Taught
The Pali Canon consists of three distinct collections. It is often referred to as “The Tipitaka” or the three baskets. The first collection is the Vinaya Pitaka…
Malunkyaputta Sutta – Staying Focused
I do not answer these questions as they are not fundamental with the goal. They do not develop disenchantment, dispassion, with calming, with unbinding, with direct knowledge, with awakening…
Agi-Vacchagotta Sutta, Foolish Questions
“Vaccha, the notion that ‘the cosmos is eternal’ is a thicket of views, as are all these views. These views are a wilderness of views. These views distort reality. These views are fetters…
Five Hindrances to Awakening
Hindrances or distractions will arise. They will have no permanent effect on your practice if you persevere. Hindrances are recognized mind states to be aware of. Be with them as dispassionately as possible. As long as you continue with your practice, hindrances will arise and subside until they no longer are a part of your conditioned thinking…
Karma and Rebirth
This is an article and talk on Karma and Rebirth. Karma and Rebirth are misunderstood and misapplied key teachings…
Understanding Anicca, Anatta, and Dukkha
Anicca, impermanence, Anatta, not-self, and Dukkha, stress, unsatisfactoriness, are the three linked characteristics of life in the phenomenal world…
Wisdom and Right Intention – Nagasena Answers King Milinda
As wisdom and understanding develop, Right Intention is seen as the essence of the Dhamma, and of mindfulness. As the Dhamma’s purpose is to develop understanding of dukkha and experience the cessation of the origination of dukkha, clinging, Right Intention is the intention to abandon all forms of clinging. Right Intention also informs the proper application of intelligence and developing wisdom…
Awakening To Four Noble Truths
These are four articles and related Dhamma talks and sangha discussions on the meaning of awakening in relation to Four Noble Truths from summer 2016…
The Meghiya Sutta
In the Meghiya Sutta, the Buddha teaches Meghiya five qualities that bring awakening or full human maturity…
The Buddha Taught Happiness
I believe it is wrong speech to misrepresent the Buddha’s Dhamma. Cultural influence, individual views, and a lack of thorough inquiry has led to a “thicket of views” within Buddhism…
Samadhi And Jhanas – Concentration And Absorption
The Samadhi Sutta shows the proper use of Jhana meditation within the Eightfold Path. Jhana, meditative absorption is initiated with mindfulness…
Fear, Meditation, Anatta
Fear arising during meditation, particularly shamatha-vipassana meditation, is a subject that comes up often. When meditation is practiced within the framework of the Eightfold Path the context of the Four Noble Truths brings understanding and guidance…
The Anusota Sutta – Going With The Flow
It is remarkable how often the Buddha’s original teachings as preserved in the Pali Canon are simple and practical advice on staying focused within the framework …
Maha-Assapura Sutta
In the Maha-Assapura Sutta the Buddha teaches the assembled monks and nuns that being known as “contemplatives” and identifying as contemplatives does not fully describe the qualities of one following the Eightfold Path…
Unanswered Questions The Khema Sutta
The Buddha did not make a definitive declaration or left unanswered, questions that could not be answered as the declaration or direct answer would likely develop additional confusion or distraction…
Sankhitta Sutta – A Monk’s Concise Teaching
The Sankhitta Sutta – A Monk’s Concise Teaching recounts the teaching given to a monk who was eager to develop the Buddha’s teaching in seclusion….
Akankha Sutta Wishes Granted
In the Akankha Sutta the Buddha addresses the assembled sangha on the wish to be helpful to others. He teaches that having a mind inclined to compassion and wisdom is noble…
Eightfold Path – Wisdom, Virtue, Concentration
Eightfold Path – Wisdom, Virtue, Concentration is an article and Dhamma talk on the Eightfold Path of developing wisdom, virtue, and concentration…
Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha The Three Marks Of Existence
Anicca, Anatta, Dukkha The Three Marks Of Existence is an article on the importance of understanding the interplay of impermanence, Not-Self, and the underlying unsatisfactory life experience…
The Buddha Sutta – The Self-Governing Principle of Awakening
There are three governing principles of awakening. The self, the cosmos, and the Dhamma are the governing principles of awakening…
Going Forth
The Buddha called himself the “Tathagata” which means “one who has gone forth and” and has through his own efforts awakened to the truth of reality…
Upajjhatthana Sutta – 5 Subjects For Contemplation
In the Upajjhatthana Sutta the Buddha teaches that there are five subjects that should be mindfully considered as part of developing release from clinging…
Becoming Buddha 2017 Retreats
These are the pictures and Dhamma talks from our 2017 Becoming Buddha Spring Retreat at Won Dharma Center…
A Dhamma of Mindfulness
Throughout the Buddha’s teaching he emphasized mindfulness. Mindfulness is the quality of mind that brings insight to the Buddha’s teaching…
Dispassion – Freedom From Desire
The Buddha taught that conditioned states of mind have definite and direct causes. This is often referred as the law of conditionality or the law of “if this occurs then that results”…
The Alagaddupama Sutta – The Water Snake
In the Alagaddupama Sutta – The Water Snake Sutta, the Buddha uses the simile of a water snake to teach the nature of clinging maintained by a mind conditioned by confused and deluded views…
Modern Buddhism – A Thicket of Views
What I have found through my own direct experience and inquiry is that the attempt to protect a particular modern lineage or to insist on a one-size-fits-all reconciliation of all the modern Buddhist “Dharmas” leads to a confusing and, again in my experience, an ineffective “thicket of views.” The term thicket of views are the words the Buddha used 2600 years ago to describe what would occur by craving for an adapted form of Dharma practice…
Post Election Mindfulness
Post Election Mindfulness is an excerpt from our Saturday morning Dhamma class at Cross River Meditation Center in Frenchtown, New Jersey, on February 4, 2017. A question was asked regarding the turbulence following the recent presidential election about maintaining a calm and well-concentrated mind during these quickly changing times…
The 12 Causative Links of Dependent Origination
This is a Dhamma talk on the twelve observable causative links of Dependent Origination. This talk was recorded on January 31, 2017. Dependent origination is what the Buddha awakened to and shows that from ignorance of Four Noble Truths, all manner of confusion, delusion, and suffering arises…
Right Intention Right Thinking
Right Intention is being mindful, holding in mind, the intention to recognize and abandon clinging to objects, events, views, and ideas. The Buddha’s original and direct teachings show that the common problem of dukkha, the unsatisfactory nature of life that gives rise to all manner of confusion and suffering, originates in clinging rooted in ignorance…
Metta Intentional Meditation
This is a recording of Metta Intentional Meditation. Metta means Goodwill or Lovingkindness. Metta is both an aspiration of those developing the Eightfold Path and the ongoing expression of an awakened, fully mature human being….
The Kalama Sutta – A Refined Dhamma
In the Kalama Sutta the Buddha addresses greed, hatred and deluded thinking directly as a way of pointing out how other teachings fail to directly address the defilements…
The Eightfold Path – A Complete Practice
A Complete Practice was originally presented as a three-part series of dhamma articles and talks. I have combined these articles and talks into one coherent post. The Buddha taught and Eightfold Path that is often diminished in effectiveness through adaptations and accommodations made to allow for individually and culturally influenced views of what “Buddhism” should be…
Dependent Origination And The Four Noble Truths Flow Chart
Dependent Origination And The Four Noble Truths Flow Chart shows how from ignorance of The Four Noble Truths all manner of confusion, delusions, and unsatisfactory experiences arise…
Setting the Wheel of Truth in Motion Talk
This talk is on the Buddha’s first discourse known as the Dhammacakkappavatthana Sutta. This is when the Buddha taught The Four Noble Truths for the first time…
Becoming Buddha Spring 2016 Wisdom 1.0 Retreat
These are recordings of our Spring 2016 Wisdom 1.0 retreat at Won Dharma Center in Claverack NY…
Mara & Metaphor
The Buddha, (and the recorders of the Canon) often used metaphor when referring to thoughts and thought-constructs (fabrications)…
Samadhi A Non-Distracted Mind
The Buddha taught Samadhi in numerous Suttas, always describing the result of Samadhi. What is clear in all these teachings is the quality of mind the Buddha describes. These are qualities of an awakened mind fully present moment-by-moment in the phenomenal world…
The Four Noble Truths
At the Buddha’s very first teaching he presented The Four Noble Truths to the five wandering ascetics he had previously befriended on their search for enlightenment. He described awakening in very simple and direct terms. He would spend the next forty-five years teaching the Dhamma always in the context of these truths…
A Prince Becomes a Buddha
Siddartha Guatama was born into a royal family of a small kingdom, the Shakyan republic. His hometown, Kapilavastu was in what is now southern Nepal on the Indian border…
The Karaniya Metta Sutta
The Karaniya Metta shows that the most loving and compassionate action that anyone can take is to engage wholeheartedly with the direct teachings of the Buddha and awaken…
2018 Truth Of Happiness Dhamma Study
These are recordings of our 2018 Truth Of Happiness DhammaStudy from Cross River Meditation Center in Frenchtown, New Jersey…
The Five Clinging Aggregates
Dependent Origination describes the impersonal process resulting in confusion and suffering founded in ignorance. The Five Clinging-Aggregates describe the impersonal nature of the perception
Dependent Origination & The Five Clinging Aggregates
Dependent Origination is the origination of suffering rooted in ignorance of The Four Noble Truths and the Five Clinging-Aggregates is the “self” that experiences confusion, delusion, and suffering…
Jhana Meditation – Right Meditation
The article and talk introduces The Truth Of Happiness Dhamma Study and the first weeks’ study of Jhana meditation. Information on The Truth Of Happiness book and dhamma study is …
The Jhanas – Meditative Absorption
The Buddha described four levels of meditative states that are known as “jhanas.” These are not to be taken as mind states to achieve. The jhanas are simply an explanation of different levels of concentration. Much is made in the commentaries regarding the importance of achieving these states and the intense effort needed to reach the more “advanced” levels. There is no relative importance to any of these states except to point to the experience of deepening concentration…
Paradox and the Dhamma
Engaging in the dhamma and taking true refuge in the dhamma does not begin with recognizing the paradox of attempting to “save all sentient beings” but with the realistic and achievable goal…
Contentment and Gratitude in Practice
The refined mindfulness developed through whole-hearted engagement within the Eightfold Path brings the qualities of mind of contentment and gratitude…
Right Mindfulness
Mindfulness in the context of The Four Noble Truths is to abandon the distraction of stress arising from craving clinging, and remain focused on The Eightfold Path…
Jhana Meditation And The Four Noble Truths
This is a talk on Jhana meditation practiced within the context of The Four Noble Truths. The Buddha taught Jhana meditation as one factor of the Eightfold Path. Jhana is primarily used to develop the profond concentration necessary to develop understanding of The Four Noble Truths…
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Ehipassiko Come And See For Yourself Talk
This a recording of a Dhamma talk on the experiential nature of the Buddha’s Dhamma presented at our Saturday Morning Dhamma class in Frenchtown…
The Dhamma & Modern Mindfulness
This is an article on the similarities and significant differences between The Dhamma & Modern Mindfulness…
Saddha – The Question of Faith
The question of faith, usually meaning blind faith, often arises in Buddhism. Is Buddhism a faith-based religion as theistic religions are…
Mindfulness is Recognition and Renunciation
At first glance, this may seem overly pessimistic, but when the ever-changing nature of all things is closely observed…
Becoming Buddha 2014 Retreat
These are recordings of our Spring 2014 retreat at Won Dharma Center in Claverack NY…
Dana – The Perfection of Generosity
When we give without thought of reward or personal gain, we experience wholeness because we are one with that which is given…
BBCRMC Retreats Cancellation Confirmation
Your registration for ou next retreat has been canceled. Thank You for letting us know! You may use the link above to return to our home page. Peace.John's BooksBecoming-Buddha.com is free of distracting advertising and ad-tracking. I rely on donations to support the...
Theragatha & Therigatha – The Refined Mindfulness Of The Original Sangha
Introduction *Click Drop-Down Box Below For Therigatha Or Theragatha Text The Theragatha preserves 264 poems of elder monks and is the eighth section in the Khuddaka Nikāya. The Khuddaka Nikāya is a collection of short texts in (mostly) verse. The Khuddaka Nikāya is...
Wise Restraint Moment By Moment Dhamma Practice Retreat
These are the most recent talks on this subject. As of December, 2019, There are more than 600 Dhamma talks on this and other teachings of the Buddha in my audio and video archives: John's...
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GIRIMANANDA SUTTA – TEN UNDERSTANDINGS ANGUTTARA NIKAYA 10.6 On one occasion the Buddha was staying in Savatthi, in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapindika’s monestary. Venerable Girimananda was sick and distressed. Ananda went to the Buddha and asked if he would visit...
Mahākāla – The Corpse
This poem directly shows the wisdom of understanding the reality of human life and the inevitable conclusion for every life. When understood in the context of Dependent Origination and Four Noble Truths, this poem contains the wisdom of a Buddha…
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