Dhamma Talks

Reviewing Right Action

Right Action is a category of the Virtue Aggregate within the Noble Eightfold Path.  This talk reviews the various traditional aspects of virtue--harmlessness, not stealing and not in ways that are sexually harmful--including commentaries that focus on contemporary...

Reviewing the Cultivation of Wisdom

This talk continues a series of reviews of the Four Noble Truths and specifically addresses the first two elements of the Fourth Noble Truth, known as the Noble Eightfold Path--Right Understanding and Right Intention.  Each of these elements are reviewed, emphasizing...

Reviewing the Third Noble Truth

This talk continues a review of the Four Noble Truths, with a focus on how the mind is liberated from dukkha through dissolving the potency of craving and clinging, the topic of the Second Noble Truth.  Various views relevant to the Third Noble Truth are described,...

Reviewing the Second Noble Truth

This talk continues a review of the Four Noble Truths, perhaps the most fundamental and universally accepted Buddhist teaching.  The characteristics of the Second Noble Truth, craving (tanha) and clinging (upadana) are reviewed regarding traditional understandings as...

Reviewing the First Noble Truth

This talk reviews the characteristics of dukkha, traditionally translated to mean suffering or dissatisfaction.  The Buddha is understood to have described his mission to be understanding the nature of dukkha and the ways and means for overcoming it.  The three...

The First Teaching of the Buddha

This talk is the first of several that reviews what is considered to the be the first teaching of the Buddha after his Awakening.  The historical context of the teaching is reviewed as developing during a time of significant cultural transformation, on a much less...

Will Lindemann’s Retreat Report

This talk provides an opportunity for Will to review his most recent 10-day retreat experience, the third of three Zoom retreats organized and led by Analayo, a German Theravaden monk who is both a well respected contemporary scholar and accomplished meditator.  Will...