Global Sinhala Dhamma Discussion Series (Teleconference): 59th Meeting (December 27, 2008)

The teleconference on Saturday, December 27, 2008, 7:00PM-9:00PM (EST), will be moderated and led by Ven. Y. Sankichcha from Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara, MI, USA.

This Dhamma Discussion will be based on: "Magandiya Sutta (MN 75)": This discourse was given by the Buddha at the market town of Kammasadhamma in the Kuru country in connection with Magandiya, the wandering ascetic, who resented the Buddha's criticism of his wrong beliefs. The Buddha exhorted him to practice controlling of the senses and sensuous thoughts. He told the wandering ascetic the story of his renunciation, how he had left his luxurious palaces and how, on discovering the Truth, he found happiness in Arahattaphala which was far superior to any of the sensuous pleasures. Magandiya gave up his wrong views to become a disciple of the Buddha.

Global Sinhala Dhamma Discussion Series (Teleconference): 58th Meeting (December 20, 2008)

Dear friends of Dhamma,

The teleconference on Saturday, December 20, 2008, 7:00PM-9:00PM (EST), will be moderated and led by Ven. Y. Sankichcha from Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara, MI, USA.

This Dhamma Discussion will be based on: The disciples of the Buddha: The chief attendant of the Buddha, Ven. Ananda Thero

Global Sinhala Dhamma Discussion Series (Teleconference): 57th Meeting (December 13, 2008)

Dear friends of Dhamma,

The teleconference on Saturday, December 13, 2008, 7:00PM-9:00PM (EST), will be moderated and led by Ven. Y. Sankichcha from Great Lakes Buddhist Vihara, MI, USA.

This Dhamma Discussion will be based on "Alagaddupama Sutta" MN 22: This discourse was given by the Buddha at Savatthi. Bhikkhu Arittha misunderstood the Buddha's Teaching and maintained that the Buddha showed how to enjoy sensuous pleasure without jeopardizing one's progress in the Path. When the Buddha remonstrated with him for his wrong views he remained unrepentant. The Buddha then spoke to the bhikkhus on the wrong way and the right way of learning the dhamma, giving the simile of a snake catcher, and the simile of the raft.

Global Sinhala Dhamma Discussion Series (Teleconference): 56th Meeting (December 6, 2008)

Dear friends of Dhamma,

The teleconference on Saturday, December 6, 2008, 7:00PM-9:00PM (EST), will be moderated and led by Ven. N. Jinananda from Hilda Jayawardanaramaya, Ottawa, Canada.

This Dhamma Discussion will be based on “Abhaya Sutta” (On Right Speech), Majjhima Nikaya - 58^th Sutra. [In this discourse, the Buddha shows the factors that go into deciding what is and is not worth saying. The main factors are three: whether or not a statement is true, whether or not it is beneficial, and whether or not it is pleasing to others. The Buddha himself would state only those things that are true and beneficial, and would have a sense of time for when pleasing and unpleasing things should be said. Notice that the possibility that a statement might be untrue yet beneficial is not even entertained.]