Venerable Candā : Jhana Grove Retreat, Q&A session, October 2024

This session begins with a communal chanting of the Karaniya Metta Sutta: The Buddha's Words on Loving-Kindness. In this recording the chant starts part way through, from “May all beings be happy” in the text that follows below. After gently invoking the presence of Ajahn Brahm, Venerable begins by introducing herself to those who may not know about her background and the establishment of Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery. There then follows a detailed Q&A session. [0:00] Chanting [3:14] Background on Ven Candā [21:43] Understanding karma [27:40] Sharing teachings with non-Buddhist parents [32:35] Visualising the rapid passing of one’s life [38:33] The Anukampa Project as an example of letting go [47:09] Suttas that describe meditation states [54:27] Bhikkhuni ordination process and challenges [1:05:16] An example of navigating the path into meditation [1:10:57] Karma and physician-assisted suicide [1:16:30] Interpreting the third precept on sexual misconduct [1:21:49] Loving-kindness as a path, antidote to fear, and solution for unwanted spirits [1:34:15] How is Enlightenment (Nibbana) the highest happiness? [1:36:36] Emotionally charged dreams on retreat Sutta links: MN 118: Anapanassati Sutta (Mindfulness of Breathing) https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/suj... MN 128: Upakkilesa Sutta (Corruptions) https://suttacentral.net/mn128/en/suj... Karaniya Metta Sutta This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, Straightforward and gentle in speech, Humble and not conceited, Contented and easily satisfied, Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, Not proud or demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born May all beings be happy Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings; Radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to false views, The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world. ✨ Anukampa Grove is our new Bhikkhuni residence: the first of its kind in the UK! Your help is especially appreciated at this exciting time: https://anukampaproject.org/donate ️ ✨Standing orders help us plan ahead and cover our running costs. ✨ Please click SUBSCRIBE to help us spread the Dhamma! ABOUT US: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project was founded in 2016 by Ven Canda and Ajahn Brahm. The charity aims to spread the Buddha's teachings and give women the opportunity to practice as bhikkhunis for the first time in UK history, by establishing a monastic residence for bhikkhunis. This second aim was accomplished in March 2024, when we procured a property in a secluded woodland hamlet near Oxford, called Anukampa Grove, where Ven Canda now resides. Donations of any amount are gratefully received and help support the monastics' requisite needs and cover our running costs, either as one-off gifts or standing orders. UK taxpayers can claim gift aid, increasing your donation by 25%. International bank transfers can be made via Wise. Please visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate or write to finances@anukampaproject for further information. General enquiries can be addressed to [email protected]