Dhamma-Vinaya Patipadā Podcast

This Dhamma talk discusses the importance of using the Buddha's teachings for the practical purpose of ending suffering, rather than ontological knowledge about the world. It also discusses how the teaching on not self is not meant to lead to a state where one 'realizes' no self, but to a state where the mind is untouched by the world.

In this talk, Bhante Joe reflects on “de-meshing with the world”: how the world praises outward expansion—more roles, more projects, more involvement—while the Dhamma points in the opposite direction, toward inward contraction and release. Using the idea of papañca (proliferation), he explains how the mind rushes out, mixes with things, and then suffers when those entanglements shift. The talk clarifies dispassion not as dullness or negativity, but as a liberating cooling of obsession and addiction, where the mind regains choice, balance, and a broader range of genuine happiness. Through generosity, precepts, kindness, and meditation, we gradually separate the mind from what burdens it and learn the peace of renunciation.---Tune in with fellow practitioners for online meditation and Dhamma teachings!Websitewww.dhammavinayapatipada.comLUMA CALENDARhttps://luma.com/dhamm...​Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/dham...​Monthly calendarhttps://dhammavinayapa...​Welcome!Timestamps00:00:00​ Intro: meeting a tudong teacher in Thailand00:00:55​ Going against the grain: the world’s push toward “expansion”00:01:28​ Papañca: proliferation/expansion of the mind00:03:49​ The Dhamma’s direction: contracting and drawing inward00:05:20​ Practice tools: precepts, generosity, meditation (and disentangling)00:06:20​ Dispassion clarified: not dullness—freedom from obsession00:07:10​ Passion and suffering: a relationship example00:09:19​ Addiction and narrowing happiness (how fixation shrinks the mind)00:11:47​ Inner happiness expands as the mind withdraws00:12:47​ The difficult phase: withdrawal, cravings, endurance00:13:51​ “Renunciation is good”: letting go as peace00:14:14​ The Buddha’s arc of withdrawal & closing encouragement

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased)'We've talked about how ease is important in practice, is there a role for more rigorous practices?'

This talk discusses how inspiration is a skill. It discusses strategies for making the mind inspired and for using inspiration well when it arises.*Note: this talk was given as a backup for our regular monthly meditation session for North America. For more information about our monthly events, see our Luna calendar...https://luma.com/user/dhammavinayap

A Dhamma discussion based on the question (paraphrased...)Hey, Bhante... what I find sometimes with myself is this: I’ll sit down, and then there’s this resentment or anger from something during the day. Someone said something wrong to me or whatever, right? So I’ll be trying to look for the root or the background of that. Do I think that I don’t count? Or that my opinion doesn’t matter? So I’m always trying to theorize: What’s the second noble truth here? What is the craving or the clinging behind this?... Is there a belief there? Why is there contact sparking in that way? So I’m always trying to look for a belief or expectation behind it. And maybe I’m just trying to avoid something unpleasant here and now, right?

This talk examines the lives of the Buddha's lay noble disciples in ancient and modern times to see what lessons their lives can hold for practitioners today. It also examines the Buddha's specific advice to laypeople in the Pali Canon that can act as a checklist for lay practice.

This talk discusses how the Buddha defines the self as a process. We can create selves that are based on increasingly refined levels of happiness, until we don't need to create a self at all.

An ovāda and Dhamma discussion based on developing an increasing sensitivity to different types of happiness as a means to progress on one's path.

This ovāda discusses the importance of keeping in mind the purpose for which we meditate and evaluating our success or failure against that purpose

A simple guided breath meditation suitable for beginners

A Dhamma discussion based on the question..."Bhante, I have some questions regarding discernment. First, is the only type of discernment which leads to the destruction of defilements and cutting fetters, insight into the three characteristics? Secondly, are we supposed to A) actively produce discernment in meditation, or B) are we cultivating our minds in a way that will cause discernment to arise naturally? Whichever it is, can you please explain how this is done?"

This ovāda discusses the Buddha's statement that the in and out breath is a body among bodies.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...@ Bhante Joe I have a question around balancing contentment and striving. When I was meditating last night I saw how much dissatisfaction I was experiencing over not having the type of meditation experiences I had the last time and wanted again this time. The perceptions and feelings were not as strong and pleasant. I tried forcing it for a bit, and then saw how I was suffering because I was forcing, not for what I couldn't experience. So, then I had a thought to just let the experience of the breath be enough the way it is in this moment. I stopped forcing my mind to try and relate to it in any particular way, and stopped obsessing about the meditation being as pleasant or deep as the last one. Basically, I was practicing contentment with what was. But then I got to wondering if maybe I was just quitting when I should have pushed through and created the perceptions and feelings I was hoping for. How do we know when it's the right time to strive and the right time to just be content and be with what is?(line breaks added)

This Sutta and Vinaya study discusses controversies regarding working out and keeping the precept not to eat after solar noon.***Note: the distinction between milk fat and milk protein appears to be the reason why milk is not allowed after noon, but butter is. Also note that whey protein powder is derived from milk.***Relevant Sutta and Vinaya Passages:Majjhima Nikāya (MN)MN 2 – Sabbāsava Sutta (All the Effluents) — Thanissaro Bhikkhuhttps://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN2.htmlPātimokkha Rules (Vinaya)Pācittiya 37 (Pc 37) — Food at the wrong time (BMC discussion & full rule context)https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0019.html#37Nissaggiya Pācittiya 23 (NP 23) — The five tonics (7-day limit)Index: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0030.htmlMedicine chapter note: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0044.htmlMahāvagga (Vinaya)Mv VI (Bhesajjakkhandhaka) — Allowance of the five products of a cowhttps://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/Mv/MvVI.html (see “The allowance of the Five Products of the Cow”)Cullavagga / Khandhaka (Vinaya)Senāsanakkhandhaka — Assigning lodgings (Dabba Mallaputta)https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd16Saṅghādisesa (Vinaya)Saṅghādisesa 8 — Background with lodging-assignment formulahttps://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-bu-vb-ss8/en/brahmali

A Dhamma discussion based on the question..."Dear Bhante, between asubha and 4 elements contemplation for the body, which is a better one to get insight into annata and cut the fetter of Sakkāya-diṭṭhi?I was watching a video of Ajahn (X) and it was mentioned there that asubha is primarily to reduce lust and 4 elements is for insight into annata. Would that be the case? Because in my understanding asubha breaks up the body into impersonal things as well, wouldn’t this give insights into annata as well?Im asking this because 4 elements is a more abstract meditation topic for me as of now, asubha for the body seems easier to do. What would you suggest Bhante?"

This ovāda discusses the importance of balance and experimentation in Buddhist practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question..."Theruwan Saranai Bhante, have you encountered any lay people who have reached supramundane stages of practice, such as attaining the Jhanas or even attaining Sotapanna and/or beyond? What do you think allowed them to reach such stages of practice while still living as laypeople especially in the modern-day with all its distractions etc? (e.g. lifestyle changes, qualities, certain practices, mindset etc) Thank-you in advance Bhante 🙏"

This sutta study examines a popular claim that the only way to overcome suffering is to be with the experience without reacting to it. Attempting to change the experience — for example, by focusing on a meditation topic or manipulating thoughts — is seen as negative. The basic assumption is that desire and aversion cannot be used to overcome suffering.In this study, we will look at the suttas to see whether these claims are supported. In particular, we will examine the Buddha’s teachings on constructing the path by deliberately shaping experience.

A Dhamma discussion based on the following question..(after speaking about the possibility of bringing relationships with others into balance by withdrawing)"How could I do this if it is with a family member that I can't avoid?"

This ovāda discusses setting goals and dealing with expectations of results in one's practice.