Nibbana dilemma – is it worth it?

After discussion on the nature of Nibbana (the Goal) and Samsara in the last few posts, the next question, is whether Nibbana is worth it. Why not just enjoy the vicissitudes of birth and death in eternity … The Fight and Temptation This question is especially relevant when you consider the arduous meditation, renunciation and spiritual …

Sota Sati @ BIA

The Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives runs an experimental program with composer Gary Hall periodically at their venue near Mor Chit. Check with the venue to confirm details. You can hear some of the experimental sound manipulation via recordings here: http://soundcloud.com/hua-hin-sound-cloud Their announcement runs as follows: Mindfulness with Sound #5 – Monday March 21 at BiA A special …

Talk and Questions with Bhikkhuni Suvijjana

We are happy to announce that there will be a special event with Bhikkhuni Suvijjana – one of the newly ordained Bhikkhunis from the US Tuesday 29th March At Ariyasom Villa Boutique Hotel Sukhumvit soi 1 6-6-40 gather – refreshments served 6:45 short talk, followed by chance to ask some questions 8:15 (ish) finish Bhikkhuni Suvijjana is one of the …

Samsara – what it means

With the recent presence of Mahayana teachers in Bangkok – it is timely to consider some of the doctrinal differences between the lineages of Buddhism. Remember though, that it is not a competition, and we can all find much common ground. One question is about ‘Samsara’. Later schools took Samsara to mean a place. The …

Saturday March 12 – Meet and Eat

Meet and Eat at ANNAPURNA, our favourite Indian Vegetarian Restaurant. Don’t be shy – everyone is welcome. You don’t need to know anyone… the idea is to meet the other faces.. We’ll have one Thai monk from Bodhgaya joining us too  – he speaks fluent English and Hindi Annapunra is on Tanon Pan (near Indian Temple, Silom) …

Enlightenment

Monks are not really supposed to talk about Enlightenment. This is a custom – perhaps because monks have a serious rule about not claiming attainments they do not have. But talking about it is not to claim it for oneself. Accordingly most monks, and also modern lay teachers, tend to avoid the topic of Enlightenment, …

Sota Sati – at the BIA

Below is an announcement from the Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives – please check with the venue for any changes to their program, or leave a note in the comments section below for Gary.    Sōta-Sati: Mindfulness with Sound A special meditation program of the Buddhadasa Indapañño Archives (BiA). Focus the mind using sounds of nature, and man …

Love and Relationships – Shambhala group, Mon 28 Feb

The announcement below comes by way of Jamie and the Bangkok Shambhala group – so please couble check information yourself if you are intending to go along … Love & Relationships on the Spiritual Path Meditation & Dharma talk by Lama Yeshe Nyingpo Monday, February 28th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm At the Bangkok Shambhala Meditation Center    …

The Four Snakes

You have life, health, safety, food … It is inevitable that just about everyone takes the precious situation of safety they enjoy for granted. Putting off meditation to another day, putting on a movie as a cheap but ultimately worthless escape … Here is one analogy the Buddha gave for making use of your sufficient …

The ‘Exclusive’ Trap

Foreigners to Thailand often comment on the ‘mix of animism and Brahmanism’ with the more traditional Theravada Buddhism. Newcomers here tend to read a couple of suttas on Mindfulness or the Four Noble Truths and then point fingers at activities of Buddhist cultures as ‘non-Buddhist’, animist or Brahmanic. But this idea of Buddhism becoming ‘mixed’ …

Buddhist approach to health … video blog

Tony (who many of you will know well) together with Loyd, has started a video blog on ‘A Buddhist Approach to Health’. They’ll be looking at some of the connections between mind and body – how can mental development aid your health… Here are the first 2 videos – an interview with a Dr Paul Johnson: You can …

Psycho Buddhas – meet Tue March 15

Once a month, in shadowy Bangkok refuges from heat and turmoil, where coffee is served, retirees, unemployed, students and ‘other’ gather to discuss Buddhism and Psychology – or anything else that comes up in the conversation. Anyone fitting the descriptions above is welcome to join ….. Led by Dr Holly, the next meeting will be …

Buddhism and the Blues

Here is a recent article from http://www.psychologytoday.com/ on Buddhism …. as with most ‘pop’ articles it is not terribly in depth or that accurate in some of the comments. Nonetheless it is indicative of the popularity of Buddhism as it creeps into the mainstream awareness of Western society. What do you think: Buddhism and the Blues …

Report on YBAT International Retreat 2011

Evaluation Form Results YBAT International Meditation Retreat with  Pandit  Bhikku January  7-9 , 2011  Some photos from this retreat are here ************************************************************************* All participants    male :     12 female : 17            Answered  evaluation : 28               1. How did you find about the retreat ?       –  Friends/Spouse                          6     – Internet                                      13    …

LAMA OLE NYDAHL – Thrs 24th Feb

Not sure who is organising this one, or if it is with Thai translation (probably) … but received information (ie. I can’t confirm it) is as follows: LAMA OLE NYDAHL Thursday 24th February, 2011 Topic : Buddha Nature At DMG Bodhgaya Hall (Chit Lom) Time: 06.30-08.30 p.m.   ลามะโอเล่ นิยดาล บรรยายธรรมเรื่อง : พุทธภาวะ วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 24 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. …