The Q&A session of the Dhamma talk by Ven Canda on freeing the mind through samatha and vipassana.

Ven Canda gives Dhamma talk on how to free the mind through samatha and vipassana.

Weekend retreat: Raising our happiness levels.

Ven Canda gives a Dhamma talk and leads a guided meditation on the topic "Why don't you want to be happy".

Ven Canda leads Sutta Discussion on thoughts that lead to Nibbana (MN19).

Ven Canda lead a guided meditation.

In this highly interactive sutta discussion contemplates the bonds of suffering—and our escape from it. As part of her sutta reading, Ajahn Candā pays homage to the Buddha’s wisdom, noting that virtue is the foundation of true happiness. She also explains how pure love is an action, rather than a sentiment. A variety of questions from participants enriches Ven Candā’s reflections on uprooting the bonds of existence.

[0:00] Introduction

[2:49] Sutta reading, part 1

[20:08] Does “bonds” mean the same thing as “fetters”?

[21:45] The danger of clinging

[23:55] Is “existence” referring to our human existence or phenomena in general?

[25:38] Can we receive love or only give love?

[28:21] What is the origin of something—is that related to cause and effect?

[32:09] Suffering and the 5 components of existence (khandas)

[35:09] Receiving and giving

[39:04] Sutta reading, part 2

[47:13] How do we gain the right understanding?

[51:15] Does severing the bonds happen suddenly or gradually?

[1:00:25] What happens to somebody who has achieved stream entry in a previous life?

[1:03:18] Lessening craving

This sutta discussion revolves around a central question: How we can bring qualities of the heart to our communities and enrich the societies in which we live? After reading the sutta, Ajahn Candā invites open discussion, which includes reflections on ways that gentleness, kindness, and strong determination fit into our practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.

[0:00] Introduction [2:30] Sutta reading with contextual reflections

[24:45] Open discussion on celebrating heart qualities

Sutta references:

MN 32: The Longer Discourse at Gosiṅga https://suttacentral.net/mn32/en/suja...

AN 7.53: https://suttacentral.net/an7.53/en/su...

Before easing us into practice, Ven Candā discusses loving-kindness (mettā) as a directed thought process—it’s a skill we can develop, and the feeling of mettā naturally grows over time. Wishing well-being for ourselves is foundational to loving-kindness, so this meditation focuses on aligning our best intentions with cultivating mettā for ourselves.

[0:00] Intro

[5:55] Loving-kindness meditation

[45:47] Questions and reflections