MP3s
These are audio talks available for downloading or listening to directly from our website. They are recorded in MP3 format. Click on a track name for more information and a link to download. For information about having new talks downloaded to your computer automatically, check out our Podcast page.
| Title | Author |
| Integrating the Practice -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| Practice in daily life is discussed. | |
| The Seven Purifications -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| The overall path of spiritual awakening is described. | |
| Dependent Origination -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| How dependent origination works. | |
| The First Noble Truth -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| Suffering, The First Noble Truth, is explained. | |
| Vesak Talk Three -Download- | Matt Flickstein |
| The third Vesak talk features Bhante Gunaratana's student, well known Dhamma and meditation teacher, Matt Flickstein. Questions and answers follow the talk. | |
| Body-Scan Meditation -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| A guided meditation from the 2008 Vipassana with Yoga Retreat. | |
| Vesak Talk Two -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The second Vesak talk continues discussion of the significance of this important Buddhist celebration. | |
| The Basic Teaching of Suffering -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Why does the Buddha concentrate on suffering in his teaching? People are so immersed in suffering that they take suffering as joy and pleasure. | |
| Vesak Talk One -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bonus this week and next, three Vesak talks. This first talk introduces the significance of Vesak. | |
| The Heart of Buddhist Wisdom -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha discovered that meditation on the breath lead to more than mere concentration. He saw the impermanence, suffering and non-self aspects of reality in the breath and attained enlightenment. | |
| The Dvedhavitakka Sutta, Part Two -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this discourse, "Two Kinds of Thought", MN 19, the Buddha shows how he himself used thoughts as objects of meditation by dividing them into two groups, and replacing unwholesome with wholesome thoughts. Part one of this topic is at the end of the previous talk. | |
| The Madhupindika Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In the "Honeyball Sutta", MN 18, the weighty subject of conceptual proliferation is discussed. A discussion of the "Dvedhavitakka Sutta", MN 9 was begun and is completed in the next talk | |
| The Maharahulovada Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this sutta, MN 62, the Buddha instructed Ven. Rahula to meditate on a variety of objects including: the emptiness of the five aggregates, the four Brahmaviharas, foulness, impermanence and mindfulness of breathing. | |
| The Canki Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this sutta, number 95 MN, the Buddha refuted blind faith and showed us how to preserve the Truth, approach the Truth and attain the Truth. | |
| The Alagaddupama Sutta Part Two -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| This talk is a continuation of the previous talk on MN 22 "The Simile of the Snake Sutta." | |
| The Alagaddupama Sutta Part One -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this sutta (MN 22) compares the danger of wrong grasp of the Dhamma to catching a snake by the tail. | |
| The Kakacupama Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this discourse (MN 21) the Buddha shows how one should meditate and practice with qualities seen in the earth element, space, the Ganges River and a soft cat-skin bag: imperturbable, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and ill-will. | |
| The Mahahatthipadopama Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| "The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint" | |
| The Vitakkasanthana Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this discourse the Buddha teaches five ways of overcoming distracting thoughts that may arise during meditation. | |
| The Sabbasava Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha lists seven methods of abandoning the taints from our minds. | |
| The Rathavinita Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this sutta, The Relay Chariots, the seven stages of purification leading to the attainment of enlightenment are discussed. | |
| The Mahakammavibhanga Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Mahakammavibhanga Sutta, MN 136, explains that kamma works in subtle ways. | |
| Dhammacakkappavattana (Part Two) and Anattalakkhana Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The concluding talk on "Turning the Wheel of Dhamma," is followed by a discussion of the "Anattalakkhana Sutta." | |
| Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Explanation of the Buddha's first talk to the five original bhikkhus. | |
| Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN 26 Part 2 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Continuation of the previous talk with emphasis on the Buddha's experience of enlightenment. | |
| Ariyapariyesana Sutta MN 26 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| In this sutta, MN 26, The Noble Search, the Buddha describes events leading up to his enlightenment, attaining Nibbana and the beginnings of his teaching. | |
| Questions and Answers from October 5, 2007 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| A very good Q and A session in which the nature of emotions is explained in some detail. | |
| Message to the World -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Reasons why there is no peace in the world. Why there are so many religions in the world. Interesting question and answer session. | |
| Ordinary and Noble Persons -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The ordinary unlearned and the learned persons are explained using the Buddha's definitions. | |
| Goals of Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The importance of watching the mind carefully in order to see our distorted perceptions is stressed. | |
| The Path to Nibbana -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The three knowledges that the Buddha attained on his Enlightenment. | |
| The Classes of Speech -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Is it wrong to tell the truth even if it makes another person uncomfortable? The various kinds of speech are categorized. | |
| Eliminating the Taints by Restraint -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Purifying the mind by eliminating the taints or asavas. | |
| Teaching Different Types of People -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha used different similes, stories, systems, parables, examples and methods to suit each person's mental state. | |
| Five Difficult Subjects -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Why it is difficult to talk about these five subjects: Faith, Morality, Generosity, Learning and Wisdom. | |
| Ten Protective Teachings -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Dhammas that gives security: Moral Shame, Moral Dread, Learning, Teach Others, Respect Teaching, Help and Support Others, Love to Learn Dhamma, Effort, Contentment, Mindfulness, Revulsion. | |
| What Did the Tathagata Teach? -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Removal of sense desire from the five aggregates of clinging and benefits explained. | |
| Ten Topics of Noble Conversation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Unskillful types of talk and the Buddha's list of ten topics of skillful conversation are explained. | |
| Teaching the Dhamma Without Conflicts -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| How to teach the Middle Path without creating conflict. | |
| Aspects of Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Some aspects of Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation are explained. | |
| Terms of Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Explanation of various terms used in the Four Foundations of Mindfulness meditation method. | |
| The Direct Way -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Four Foundations of Mindfulness Meditation is called The Direct Way to Enlightenment. | |
| What is Dhamma? -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The meaning of the word "Dhamma" or "Dharma". | |
| Samatha and Vipassana Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Samatha or concentration meditation and Vipassana meditation work together. | |
| Precepts and Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The importance of skillful conduct for meditation. | |
| Mindfulness and Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| A talk on the relationship of mindfulness and meditation. | |
| The Cause of Jealousy -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Trace jealousy back through stinginess, likes and dislikes, attachment, thinking and conceptual proliferation | |
| Q & A with Bhante G -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Inter-faith discussions, Col. Olcott, Rebirth, Imponderables and more | |
| Nama Controls -Download- | Bhante G |
| Thinking is controlled by the names we give things | |
| Ten Armies of Mara -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the ten armies of Mara as defined in the Sutta Nipata. | |
| The Eight Thoughts of a Great Person -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunarantana enumerates the eight thoughts of a great person and focuses on thoughts associated with perseverance. | |
| The Resurgence of Buddhism in India in the Last 50 Years -Download- | Bhante Rahula |
| The resurgence of Buddhism in India is compared and contrasted to the Buddhist movement in the United States in the 1960s. | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: Developing Wholesome Habits to Deal With Anger -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana continues the discussion on how to deal with anger | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: Overcoming Anger -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana teaches how a person can overcome anger and replace it with metta. | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: A general discussion of metta and the Brahmaviharas -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| A wide variety of topics related to the brahma viharas. | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Stanza Ten Cont. and Use of Metta -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the final stanza of the Metta Sutta | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: Guided Meditation -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana gives a guided metta meditation | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Stanza Ten -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the final stanza of the Metta Sutta | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Stanzas Three to Nine -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the third through the ninth stanza of the Metta Sutta. | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Stanza Two and Three -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the Brahma Viharas, loving-friendliness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity. | |
| 2007 Brahmavihara Retreat: The Karaniyametta Sutta, Introduction and Stanza One -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the Brahma Viharas, loving-friendliness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity. | |
| 2006 Awareness of Death Retreat: Talk 3 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The eight ways of reflecting on the awareness of death. | |
| 2006 Awareness of Death Retreat: Talk 2 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha's noble search to end birth, aging, sickness, and death. | |
| 2006 Awareness of Death Retreat: Talk 1 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante Gunaratana discusses the importance of awareness of death so we can have insight into the true nature of our lives. | |
| Eight Lifetime Precepts at the 2006 Thanksgiving Retreat -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Vipassana Retreat: Talk 7: Reflections on the Self, the “I” -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| 2006 Vipassana Retreat: Talk 4: The Three Insights -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| 2006 Vipassana Retreat: Talk 1: All Actions are Lead by the Mind -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Daily Life -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Phetomena (part 2) -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Phenomena (part 1) -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Consciousness -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Feelings -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Body (Part 3) -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Body (part 2) -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Body (part 1) -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| 2006 Four Foundations of Mindfulness Retreat: Introduction -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Wilderness in the Heart -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Again and Again -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Training the Mind -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante G explains the method that the Buddha used to train his mind. | |
| Fast Path -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Listening to Dhamma Part 2 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Five Reflections -Download- | Bhante Y. Rahula |
| Listening to Dhamma Part 1 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Deceptive Dhammas Part 2 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Deceptive Dhammas Part 1 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Eating Cakes -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha’s Teaching Skills -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| The Buddha was extremely skillfull as a teacher. | |
| Kathina Talk 2006 -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Talk given after lunch on Kathina day | |
| Beginning Meditation -Download- | Bhante Rahula |
| The second talk from the September 2006 Introduction to Meditation Retreat. | |
| Overcoming Death -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| How to attain the Deathless | |
| Microcosmic Rebirth -Download- | Bhante Rahula |
| Rebirth is happening in every single moment. | |
| Contemplate Always -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Subjects to be reflected upon always | |
| Relaxation of the Body and Mind -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Relaxation of the body and mind, letting go of the five hinderances | |
| The Path to Liberation: A Built in System -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante G explains how mindfulness is the quickest way to liberation. | |
| Dhamma: a Broad Overview -Download- | Bhante Rahula |
| Lays out the Buddha's basic analysis of the human condition and summarizes the training of sila, samadhi and panna. | |
| Pali Puja -Download- | Bhante Gunaratana |
| Bhante G Chants the mornnig puja in Pali. Includes the precepts. | |