Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre

Ajahn Brahm gives a reading and explanation of MN43 Mahavedalla Sutta - The Greater Series of Questions and Answers, including questions on: wisdom, consciousness, feeling, perception, the knowable, right view, being, the first jhana, five faculties, vital formations and deliverance of mind.

Note: The recording is unusually long at 1hr 53min.  There is a short silence at 1hr 45min 56ec, where about one minute of question and answer was lost while restarting the recording device.

"The Buddha sets forth the gradual training of the Buddhist monk and describes himself as the 'shower of the way'" [Bhikkhu Bodhi].

Ajahn Appichato teaches MN107 Ganakamoggallana Sutta - To Ganka Moggallana, a detailed exposition of the Gradual Training.

"The Jain leader, Nigantha Nataputta, teaches Prince Abhaya a 'two-horned question' with which he can refute the Buddha's doctrine. The Buddha escapes the dilemma and explains what kind of speech he would and would not utter." [Bhikkhu Bodhi]

Ven. Sangharatana teaches this sutta on a form of right speech; how to give constructive admonition and how to give praise.  He aslo refers to MN139 Aranavibhanga Sutta - The Exposition of Non-Conflict.

"The Buddha elucidates 'the things that make one a recluse' with a discourse covering many aspects of the Bhikkhu's training" [Bhikkhu Bodhi].

Ajahn Brahm teaches this sutta on the gradual training, with lots of similes about the jhanas and the stages of the training: how to live up to the name 'recluse' or samana (in this context a Bhikkhu, Bhikkhuni or Buddhist lay person).  The core of the teaching is to overcome the five hindrances and then the jhanas are there waiting to happen, the three true knowledges are there waiting to happen, awakening is there waiting to happen.  That’s the path, he says.