Rain Nourishes the Earth, the Dharma Nourishes the Heart—Training in this Rains Retreat · Ajahn Anan Podcast · Radar

Training Through Conduct and Daily Practice1:06 – 3:36

1:06

Ordinarily, we are already training and developing the mind through sila, morality, samadhi, concentration, and pañña, wisdom.

1:16

These are the foundations of spiritual training.

1:20

But during the Rains Retreat, the training becomes even more intensive, because we remain in one place without traveling elsewhere.

1:29

This allows the practice to continue without interruption.

1:33

The monks also study the Dhamma and Vinaya, learn to wear their robes properly and gracefully, cultivate restraint in body and speech, and go on alms round with composure.

1:46

Even without giving a Dhamma talk or saying a single word, graceful conduct and dignified deportment can inspire faith.

1:55

This was like the Venerable Assaji, who conducted himself with great restraint, lowering his gaze appropriately while walking on alms round.

2:05

At that time, Venerable Sariputta was still a wandering ascetic.

2:10

When he saw Venerable Assaji, faith and confidence arose in him, and he followed him in order to listen to the Dhamma and eventually attained Sotapanna, stream entry.

2:23

Merely being restrained and composed is already beautiful, because seeing a serene and well-restrained contemplative is itself a blessing in our lives.

2:35

During the Rains Retreat, monks cultivate and mature their minds.

2:40

Lay people can cultivate themselves in the same way.

2:44

In that sense, they too become Venerable ones.

2:48

Because these are people who are earnestly training themselves, because the word Venerable means being noble or excellent.

2:58

We too can become excellent when we chant, perform the daily chanting, cultivate ourselves, strengthen our paramis, spiritual accumulations, establish firm faith, cultivate perseverance, cultivate mindfulness, and establish steady concentration.

3:19

We cultivate wisdom so that we understand that whatever has arisen by nature must also cease.

3:28

This is as taught in the Perfectly Self-Awakened Buddha's first teaching, and we too are capable of knowing and seeing this truth.

Training Through Conduct and Daily Practice1:06 – 3:36

1:06

Ordinarily, we are already training and developing the mind through sila, morality, samadhi, concentration, and pañña, wisdom.

1:16

These are the foundations of spiritual training.

1:20

But during the Rains Retreat, the training becomes even more intensive, because we remain in one place without traveling elsewhere.

1:29

This allows the practice to continue without interruption.

1:33

The monks also study the Dhamma and Vinaya, learn to wear their robes properly and gracefully, cultivate restraint in body and speech, and go on alms round with composure.

1:46

Even without giving a Dhamma talk or saying a single word, graceful conduct and dignified deportment can inspire faith.

1:55

This was like the Venerable Assaji, who conducted himself with great restraint, lowering his gaze appropriately while walking on alms round.

2:05

At that time, Venerable Sariputta was still a wandering ascetic.

2:10

When he saw Venerable Assaji, faith and confidence arose in him, and he followed him in order to listen to the Dhamma and eventually attained Sotapanna, stream entry.

2:23

Merely being restrained and composed is already beautiful, because seeing a serene and well-restrained contemplative is itself a blessing in our lives.

2:35

During the Rains Retreat, monks cultivate and mature their minds.

2:40

Lay people can cultivate themselves in the same way.

2:44

In that sense, they too become Venerable ones.

2:48

Because these are people who are earnestly training themselves, because the word Venerable means being noble or excellent.

2:58

We too can become excellent when we chant, perform the daily chanting, cultivate ourselves, strengthen our paramis, spiritual accumulations, establish firm faith, cultivate perseverance, cultivate mindfulness, and establish steady concentration.

3:19

We cultivate wisdom so that we understand that whatever has arisen by nature must also cease.

3:28

This is as taught in the Perfectly Self-Awakened Buddha's first teaching, and we too are capable of knowing and seeing this truth.