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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks

Awareness, Questioning, and the Path of Compassion

2007-07-07 (8 days) Gaia House

  
2007-07-08 The Groundless Ground 60:34
Stephen Batchelor
Who was Siddhattha Gotama and what did he awaken to? A reflection on his own account of the awakening as found in his discourse The Noble Quest (Ariyapariyesana Sutta), which identifies 'conditioned arising' as the foundational insight for an awakened life.
2007-07-09 The Three Characteristics 50:36
Martine Batchelor
2007-07-10 Turning the Wheel 59:31
Stephen Batchelor
Although initially reluctant to teach, the Buddha goes to Benares and explains to five of his former companions what he has realized. This first sermon, Turning the Wheel of Dhamma (Dhammacakkapavatana Sutta), expands the principle of conditioned arising into the practice of 'four enobling truths'.
2007-07-11 Breaking Free of Habits 61:54
Martine Batchelor
Looking at the three different levels of habits - intense, habitual and light - and exploring mental patterns.
2007-07-12 Rembrandt's Eyes 64:12
Stephen Batchelor
Rather than four propositions to believe, the four enobling truths are to be seen as injunctions on which to act: Fully know suffering, Let go of craving, Experience cessation, and Creatre a path. Awakening is not, therefore, a 'state', but an ongoing process.
2007-07-13 Awakening, Love and Compassion 64:54
Martine Batchelor
Looking at the symbols of awakening representing selflessness, showing the importance of love in our spiritual lives, and exploring compassionate activities.
2007-07-14 Go Forth into the World 60:40
Stephen Batchelor
Having entered the stream of the eightfold path, one becomes 'independent of the views of others'. This autonomy is the ground for a new way of being with oneself and the world. It deepens insight and expands empathy, leading to compassion and social engagement.
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