Search found 809 matches

by Anagarika
Sun Jan 07, 2018 2:54 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Television non-watchers - have you noticed positive effects?
Replies: 29
Views: 10737

Re: Television non-watchers - have you noticed positive effects?

I have noticed very positive effects from avoiding entertainments, including television programming. From my point of view,most of the programming is just rubbish. It is difficult enough to get the mind to settle, and to find the space and peace needed for a good meditation sit. I have found that by...
by Anagarika
Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:35 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Samatha & Vipassanā
Replies: 42
Views: 10414

Re: Samatha & Vipassanā

There is a history of vipassana as a "stand alone" technique that arose out of colonial Burma, and many people find benefit in this approach. There are also approaches that emphasize calming / tranquility meditation as a stand alone practice.... Actually, in my experience, Burmese "v...
by Anagarika
Thu Apr 27, 2017 11:52 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Samatha & Vipassanā
Replies: 42
Views: 10414

Re: Samatha & Vipassanā

It can be helpful to view samatha and vipassana as qualities of meditation or samadhi, rather than separate methods or techniques. It has been said that samatha supports the cultivation of vipassana, just as elements of vipassana support the cultivation of samatha. Put simply, the calming of samatha...
by Anagarika
Thu Apr 13, 2017 11:15 am
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Support in following the 8 precepts
Replies: 17
Views: 6649

Re: Support in following the 8 precepts

My aspiration over the last couple of years has been to follow the 8 precepts perfectly, but I find it difficult without the support or camaraderie of anyone else. But because they run so counter to mainstream society, it'd be great to have a "support group" of sorts. Any suggestions? I t...
by Anagarika
Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:48 am
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: How to handle a beggar want to stay in your temple?
Replies: 44
Views: 10938

Re: How to handle a beggar want to stay in your temple?

Part of compassion entails wisdom. As David mentioned, an abbot and a wat can be a resource center for people that arrive and need shelter and food. The abbot can determine if there are resources in the community such as family services, addiction services and shelters that are trained and equipped ...
by Anagarika
Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:38 am
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: the great vegetarian debate
Replies: 5693
Views: 970251

Re: Is fishing breaking the precept?

I agree with Ven. Pesala's response. I like to keep in mind that the precepts are, literally, training rules. They are not laws or ordinances, that entail a punishment for their "breaking," or violation. You can't break a training rule, but you can examine the quality of the intention, and...
by Anagarika
Sat Feb 11, 2017 11:00 am
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Killing Rats
Replies: 77
Views: 15808

Re: Killing Rats

HI Bhante: Your suggestion is the best one, but using these traps ( I bought two of them) resulted in no catches. I learned that the mice might be smarter than me. I used peanut butter as bait ( the leading online suggestion) but the mice did not go for it. Maybe the sticky rice is the key. I know t...
by Anagarika
Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:37 pm
Forum: Lounge
Topic: Killing Rats
Replies: 77
Views: 15808

Re: Killing Rats

I haven't been on DW for a while, and visited via a link from another site. I saw this topic and, with thoughts of kamma and goodwill, thought I'd post a suggestion. Since taking an anagarika ordination, I gave up most all of my stuff, and live in a former derelict house that sold for the price of a...
by Anagarika
Thu Nov 03, 2016 1:24 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Metta Training: Wat Phleng
Replies: 8
Views: 3601

Re: Metta Training: Wat Phleng

Thanks for the note, Bhante and glad to hear from you and trust you are well. Ajahn Chatchai does not speak much English, at all, but he does have lay disciples at Wat Phleng (including a lovely, helpful man named Vira who was impossibly kind to me) who translates. Ajahn Chatchai is very willing to ...
by Anagarika
Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:40 pm
Forum: Wellness, Diet & Fitness
Topic: Why one meal a day?
Replies: 705
Views: 362458

Re: One meal a day advice request

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by Anagarika
Sat Jun 25, 2016 3:52 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Metta Training: Wat Phleng
Replies: 8
Views: 3601

Re: Metta Training: Wat Phleng

Many thanks, Ven. Dhammanando. Your post gave me a real sense of what to expect, and the directions in Thai will be invaluable. I've been in many a Thai taxi or tuk-tuk with a decent English language map, and spent the afternoon with the driver driving lost. By the way, I saw that you are to be in C...
by Anagarika
Sat Jun 25, 2016 12:54 pm
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Metta Training: Wat Phleng
Replies: 8
Views: 3601

Metta Training: Wat Phleng

I am to be in Bangkok next week, and wish to visit Wat Phleng and Ajahn Chatchai for his Metta practice. Has anyone been to Wat Phleng, and is there a English speaking contact at the Wat that anyone knows? I am comfortable just showing up, but if anyone has a contact there, or experiences there, I'd...
by Anagarika
Tue Feb 16, 2016 3:04 am
Forum: Shrine Room
Topic: Lord Avebury, RIP
Replies: 11
Views: 4456

Re: Lord Avebury, RIP

What an interesting and admirable life he lived. Yes, may his rebirth earned be a fortunate one. Too few people like him on this planet.
by Anagarika
Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:28 am
Forum: General Theravāda discussion
Topic: Wat Dhammakaya
Replies: 942
Views: 394895

Re: Wat Dhammakaya

I'm seeing some guys in robes...not sure if they're acting like monks. The Buddha did counsel kings and rulers of various types, but there's never been a suggestion that he lead a riot, or took a political position. It seems he always took a Dhammic position, and suggested that rulers implement the ...
by Anagarika
Tue Feb 09, 2016 3:58 pm
Forum: Ordination and Monastic Life
Topic: Monastery Recommendations?
Replies: 3
Views: 2140

Re: Monastery Recommendations?

Plasticman, I can recommend http://www.templeretreatthailand.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It's in Fang, Chiang Mai, Thailand. A dynamic young Abbot; he is fluent in English, and is a community organizer and Pal...