Paññā Discussion Society

30/09/2025

Cetanāhaṃ, bhikkhave, kammaṃ vadāmi. Cetayitvā kammaṃ karoti: kāyena, vācāya, manasā.

"Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech, & intellect.

AN 6.63 (A iii 410)
Nibbedhika Sutta

29/09/2025

Mettā | Cultivating Self-Compassion | Group Guided Meditation | Chanting the Mettā Sutta with Bhante Bhikkhu Pragnapal

In this session, we explore the themes of Mettā (Loving-Kindness) and the Practice of Self-Compassion.

- Discussion on Mettā
- Reflections on Self-Compassion
- Group Guided Meditation
- Chanting of the Mettā Sutta

Welcome to the 3rd session of our Mindful Evening Discussions with Bhante Pragnapal!In this recording, we explore the themes of Mettā (Loving-Kindness) and S...

29/09/2025

In Buddhism, Māra is often described as a demon or a personification of the obstructive forces that hinder individuals from reaching enlightenment and experiencing true reality. Māra symbolizes temptation, distraction, and the various forms of suffering that bind sentient beings to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).

Māra is most famously known for trying to distract and tempt Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) during his meditation under the Bodhi tree before achieving enlightenment. In this context, Māra represents not only external challenges but also internal doubts and fears.

Māra is usually depicted as having various manifestations, including:

Māra the Tempter: The aspect that tries to distract practitioners from their spiritual goals using sensual pleasures, desires, and attachments.

Māra of Death: The force that represents death and the fear of it, asserting the impermanence of life.

Māra's Daughters: Symbolic representations of the seductive temptations that distract individuals from their path.

Overall, Māra serves as a metaphor for the inner struggles and obstacles that everyone must confront on their spiritual journeys.

29/09/2025

19/09/2025

From desire there arises grief,
From desire there arises fear;
for one who is free from desire,
there is no grief. How is there fear?

- The Dhammapada

14/09/2025

10/09/2025

Not doing evil deeds: Refrain from harmful actions, speech, and thoughts. Gathering the wholesome: Cultivate positive, virtuous behaviors. Purifying one's own mind: Develop mindfulness and wisdom, removing impurities like greed, hatred, and delusion.

09/09/2025

The Mettā Sutta, also known as the Karaniya Mettā Sutta, is a well-known discourse from the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, specifically found in the Sutta Nipāta. It is often referred to as the Metta Sutta and is highly regarded for its teachings on loving-kindness (metta). In this sutta, the Buddha offers an instruction on how to develop an attitude of loving-kindness towards all beings without exception, emphasising the importance of compassion, goodwill, and harmony.

The core teachings of the Metta Sutta include: Cultivating a mind of loving-kindness and goodwill, developing this attitude towards oneself and then extending it to others – friends, family, neutral individuals, and even enemies.

The sutta describes various qualities of a good practitioner, including a humble and gentle demeanour, being easily satisfied, and living life without attachments.

May All Be Free From Suffering!

Mettā Sutta or Karaniya Metta Sutta is a well-known discourse from the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, specifically found in the Sutta Nipata. It is often ...

09/09/2025

This verse from the Dhammapada (116) highlights an important teaching. It stresses the importance of acting kindly and maintaining mental discipline. The Buddha taught that doing good—like showing generosity, kindness, and compassion—should be done without hesitation. When we delay these actions, negative feelings like greed, anger, or ignorance can grow in our minds. Buddhism teaches that our minds are always active. They lean toward either wholesome (kusala) or unwholesome (akusala) states. If we neglect or delay doing good, our busy minds can become a place for negative thoughts and behaviors. This verse encourages us to stay mindful and watchful. We should be aware of harmful impulses and avoid acting on them. Acting quickly to do good benefits others and clears our own mind. This practice is central to Buddhism. It involves cultivating virtues like generosity and morality. It also means letting go of unwholesome traits. The verse reminds us to take responsibility for our actions and thoughts. Doing so guides our lives and karma in a positive way..