This handful of Dhamma leaves is dedicated to the Theravada school and hopefully all practitioners will find something of use here. If you are new to Theravada (or Buddhism for that matter), start out with the introduction. If you wanna try out the practise of Theravada, then try one of the meditation instructions, and choose some of the teaching that sounds appealing to you (one of the practise guides would be recommendable). Everybody, whether it be those who just wants to know more about Buddhism or serious practitioners (new and experienced alike), will benefit from reading some of the Suttas. Hopefully both experienced practitioners and newcomers alike will find something here that will benefit their practise.
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Buddhism – An Introduction – Do you know next to nothing about Buddhism? This is the place to start. A great introduction by Graeme Lyall. Buddhism in a Nutshell - A guide to (Theravada) Buddhism, for those with little knowledge and wants to know more. Also has some introductory instructions. Written by Narada Mahathera. A Young People's Life of Buddha – Read this well-written and detailed book, describing the Buddha's life and learn how he wrote himself into world history 2500 years ago. Chronology – A short chronology of Theravada Buddhism. The Mind Like Fire Unbound - An examination of Nibbana in the early Buddhist Canon, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Highly recommended. Dhamma Talks by Ajahn Chah – Below is a series of Dhamma talks given by Ajahn Chah, one of the greatest Theravada teachers of the 20th century. Useful for practitioners at all stages. Highly recommended:
Awareness Itself - The collected teachings of Ajahn Fuang. Highly recommended. Questions of Skill - A great article by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on the highly useful art of skillful questioning. Luangpor Teean: The Singular Quality of an Ordinary Monk - Various teachings in various circumstances by Lungpor Teean. Highly recommended. One Tool Among Many: The Place of Vipassana in Buddhist Practice - Thanissaro Bhikkhu provides a varied and balanced perspective about insight meditation The Bodhisattva Ideal In Theravaada - Jeffrey Samuels takes a new look at the Arhat vs. Bodhisattva ideal. Reading the Mind - A series of useful Dhamma talks by Upasika Kee Nanayon, for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Being Nobody - Ajahn Sumedho talks about letting go and just being. The Skill of Release - The teachings of Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo is a collection of Dhamma talks by the famous master of the Thai Forest tradition. Highly recommended. A Good Dose of Dhamma - For Meditators When They Are Ill. Upasika Kee Nanayon explains why illness is such an excellent opportunity to practise. Note, read this before you're ill. Working with Anger - Are you having problems with your anger? Read this article by Michelle McDonald. Emptiness - Thanissaro Bikkhu talks about emptiness. Beyond Being - Bikkhu Amaro explains about realisation and enlightenment. Emptiness and Pure Awareness Bikkhu Amaro talks about... Emptiness and Pure Awareness. On Making a Mistake - Ajahn Brahmavamso talks about making mistakes in life and practise. Deep Insight - About going into deep insight and samadhi, by Ajahn Brahmavamso. Satipatthana: The Fourfold Focus of Mindfulness - Ajahn Brahmavamso talks about Satipatthana and its relations to Samatha and Vipassana. |
The Wings to Awakening - In this exhaustive work Thanissario Bikkhu presents the full range of practise as the Buddha taught it, with plenty of excerpts from the Pali Canon. Unless you're more than well-versed in the Pali Canon, you'll definitely find this book extremely useful. Highly recommended. The Noble Eightfold Path: A way to end suffering – Interested in Buddhism and want to start practising? In this book, Bikkhu Bodhi lays out the foundations of the Buddha's teachings in a very comprehensible way. Lay Buddhist Practice: The Shrine Room, Uposatha Day, Rains Residence - Do you want to establish a proper Theravada lay practise but don't know how? Bhikkhu Khantipalo shows the way in this well written work. Metta: The Philosophy and Practise of Universal Love – A thorough guide to the practise of metta (lovingkindness / compassion), this superb work has all you'll ever need to do metta. By Acharya Buddharakkhita. The Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta) - A compilation of teachings on Metta from the Pali Canon. Compiled by Ņanamoli Thera. The Power of Mindfulness – A thorough guide to the practise of Mindfulness, by Nyanaponika Thera. Recommended. A Guide to Buddhist Monasteries & Meditation Centres in Thailand - Wanna become a monk and study Theravada in Thailand? This book gives you a complete guide to where and how. It is from 1994, so some of the information might be outdated, but nonetheless, a great guide. (201 KB) Beginning Insight Meditation – In this article, Dorothy Figen provides an excellent starting point for those who wants to begin meditating. Starting Out Small - An excellent and thorough guide to meditation by Ajaan Lee Dhammadharo, aimed at the beginning practitioner who has just begun walking the Path. Highly recommended. (157 KB) Practical Advice for Meditators - The title says it all. By Bikkhu Khantipalo. Using variety to "freshen up" our meditation - Ajahn Brahmavamso gives tips on various techniques and objects to keep the meditation "fresh". The Five Mental Hindrances and their Conquest – A guide to overcoming the 5 Hindrances blocking your concentration in meditation, with quotations from the Pali Canon. By Nyanaponika Thera. The Five Hindrances (Nivarana) - Ajahn Brahmavamso explains the five Hindrances and how to counter them. The Quality of Mindfulness - Ajahn Brahmavamso talks about setting up mindfulness in meditation. The Path of Concentration & Mindfulness - Thanissaro Bikkhu talks about mindfulness in its relation to concentration. Noticing Space - Ajahn Sumedho gives a little tip to meditation: Notice Space. The Benefits of Walking Meditation – Why walk when you can sit? Sayadaw U Silananda explains why. |
These suttas (Pali: Discourses) are some of the most important suttas from the Pali Canon, meaning that these are the words of the Buddha or one of his closest disciples. I'll be adding lots of them in the future. |
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| Dhammacakkapavattana
Sutta Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in motion: In this key sutta, the first discourse the Buddha ever held, he teaches about the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path for the first time. To the Kalamans: This famous and important sutta sheds light on discerning which spiritual paths are worth following and how one should seek the truth. The Root Sequence - In this difficult sutta, the Buddha explains that there are no thing, not even Nibbana, that can rightly be regarded as the root sequence of all phenomena. The Fruits of the Contemplative Life: One of the masterpieces of the Pali Canon, this discourse outlays the entire path of training with vivid similes, and is presented in the moving frame of the tragic story of King Ajatasattu. The Short Passages: The first book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, this is a collection of nine short passages and may have been designed as a primer for novice monks and nuns. So beginners, start here. The Last Days of the Buddha: The longest Sutta in the Pali Canon, this discourse lays out the last days of the Buddha before his final passing into Nibbana. The Shorter Set of Questions and Answers: Do you have any questions about Buddhist practise? They might be answered here. At Devadaha: Ven. Sariputta explains how to introduce the Buddha's teachings to inquisitive, intelligent people – someone just like you. The Fourfold Round: This sutta explains a key element in Buddhist doctrine, namely the Five Aggregates of Clinging and their relation to the Four Noble Truths. |
Anatta-lakkhana
Sutta The Discourse on Not-Self Characteristics: In this key sutta, the second discourse the Buddha held, the Blessed One explains how there is nothing in this conditioned world which can rightly be called 'self'. The Greater Discourse on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: A must-read for any serious practitioner of the Middle Way. The Fire Sermon: Another key sutta aggresively explaining how there is no real happiness to be found within samsaric existence. The Great Causes Discourse: This is one of the most important suttas in the Pali Canon, explaining the teachings of Dependant Co-Origination and the doctrine of Not-Self, something at the very core of Buddhist teaching. The Octet Chapter (Of the Sutta Nipata): The Atthaka Vagga is a highly profound set of sixteen poems on the theme of non-clinging with many hidden and obscure meanings. Well worth a read. The Sutta of Compassion/Lovingkindness: An essential discourse teaching how metta/lovingkindness can benefit everybody. Mindfulness of Breathing: The Buddha's basic instructions on meditation on the breath. Subjects for Daily Contemplation: Five subjects that everybody, lay people and monks, should reflect on everyday. The Great Forty: Here the Buddha teaches how the Noble Eightfold Path is built up. The Discourse to Sigala --- The Layperson's Code of Discipline: How lay people can also be happy. |
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