Mad Service Do’s With Madhuri Pura Dasa

In this April 9, 2024 conversation with Madhuri Pura Dasa — more affectionately known as Madhu — we talk about his journey as a young man finding inspiration in the Bhagavad Gita, so much so it inspired him to ordain as a monk in the Bhakti yoga tradition after turning 18 years old and theContinue reading “Mad Service Do’s With Madhuri Pura Dasa”

Buddhist Cosmology Structure And Access With Ajahn Punnadhammo

On August 23, 2023, I spoke mainly with Ajahn Punnadhammo about Buddhist cosmology and related topics. Part of the Ajahn’s comments towards the end dropped from the high quality recording, but have been patched in from a backup recording. There’s also short portions of distortion due to wind to bear with. My pre-recording notes manyContinue reading “Buddhist Cosmology Structure And Access With Ajahn Punnadhammo”

The Noble Truth Of Dukkha: Buddhism And Beyond With Randi Green (Part 2)

“Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of dukkha: Birth is dukkha, aging is dukkha, death is dukkha; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, & despair are dukkha; association with the unbeloved is dukkha; separation from the loved is dukkha; not getting what is wanted is dukkha. In short, the five clinging-aggregates are dukkha.” — SN 56.11 In part one Randi and I talked aboutContinue reading “The Noble Truth Of Dukkha: Buddhism And Beyond With Randi Green (Part 2)”

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7

The Heart 1 of Prajna 3 Paramita 4 Sutra 2 Bodhisattva 5 Avalokiteshvara 6, while deeply immersed 7 in prajna paramita, clearly perceived the empty nature 8 of the five skandhas 9, and transcended all suffering. Shariputra 10! Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. So it is with feeling, conception, volition, and consciousness. Shariputra! All dharmas 11 are empty in character; neitherContinue reading “Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 7”

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 5

This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet

There’s 16 questions. Here’s two:

What is the root condition of annica — impermanence, inconstancy?

What are any and all similarities and differences between “Para Brahman” and “Nirvana”?

Dharma Questions: Miscellany — Part 3

This irregular “Dharma Questions” series deals with “dharma” meaning both the truth of the nature of reality and some Buddhist teachings. Amongst other things these questions can be:
• thought experiments
• borderline musings not meant to be answered
• from laziness of not contemplating or researching them yet

There’s 19 (groups of) questions. Here’s a sampling of two:

How do sankhārā [formations/mental formations/volitional formations] come from ignorance? What is the process?

How does effort for vitakka wax and wane? How does vitakka turn into, or allow, or go along with vicāra?