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Retreat Dharma Talks
at Cloud Mountain Retreat Center
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The Buddha’s Gradual Path: Spiritual Progress in Lay Life
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| The Buddha frequently taught about the practice of the path as “a gradual training” (anupubbasikkhā), which unfolds in stages from the first step to the final goal of enlightenment. He most often talked about this gradual unfolding in terms of monastic life. However, he also made it clear that the path is open and available to lay followers as well and that many, many of his lay disciples were highly accomplished in the Dhamma, having developed the Path and attained the fruits on the way to awakening. |
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2023-06-03 (13 days)
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center
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2023-06-03
Advice to Rahula
24:59
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Ayya Santussika
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Using the Buddha's advice to his son, Rahula, on developing different types of meditation, starting with meditating on the earth element internally and externally, and meditating "like the earth."
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2023-06-03
The Gradual Path in MN 39 At Assapura
1:10:43
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Ayya Santussika
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This is an examination of the steps in the Gradual Training as represented in MN 39 The Longer Discourse at Assapura. Here the Buddha includes beautiful similes for the five hindrances and the experience of the four jhanas. Our study has the aim to deepen our own practice and progress on the path.
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2023-06-04
Meditation on Water
37:18
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Ayya Santussika
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Guided meditation on the water element, internally and externally, and meditating "like water" so "arisen agreeable and disagreeable contacts will not invade the mind and remain."
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2023-06-04
Highest Blessings
44:18
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Ayya Santussika
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The Mangala Sutta (Highest Blessings) as another version of the gradual training as it applies to lay life and also reaches the highest goal: realization of Nibbana.
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2023-06-04
Welfare and Happiness in this Life and in Lives to Come
21:19
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Ayya Santussika
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A lay man asks the Buddha how lay people can have welfare and happiness in this life and in lives to come. the Buddha answers with four accomplishments for welfare and happiness in this life and four accomplishments ensuring welfare and happiness in future lives.
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