In this short session, Ajahn Kovilo introduces the concept of a "vihāra-dhamma," a tool for sustaining the heart, asking: What is your "Vihāra Dhamma"? Your way to home? Your abiding principle?
Also highlighted is the Sutta on the Highest Blessings (https://www.abhayagiri.org/reflections/131-mangala-sutta) as a wise checklist for evaluating one's 2025 and for planning into one's 2026.
The Maṅgala Sutta's 38 "Highest Blessings":
(1) Avoiding those of foolish ways
(2) Associating with the wise
(3) Honoring those worthy of honor
(4) Living in places of suitable kinds
(5) With the fruits of past good deeds
(6) Guided by the rightful way
(7) Accomplished in learning
(8) Accomplished in craftsman’s skills
(9) With discipline, highly trained
(10) Speech that is true and pleasant to hear
(11) Providing for mother’s support
(12) Providing for father’s support
(13) Cherishing family
(14) Ways of work that harm no being
(15) Generosity
(16) A righteous life
(17) Offering help to relatives and kin
(18) Acting in ways that leave no blame
(19) Steadfast in restraint
(20) Shunning evil ways
(21) Avoiding intoxicants that dull the mind
(22) Heedfulness in all things that arise
(23) Respectfulness
(24) Being of humble ways
(25) Contentment
(26) Gratitude
(27) Hearing the Dhamma frequently taught
(28) Patience
(29) Willingness to accept one’s faults
(30) Seeing venerated seekers of the truth
(31) Sharing often the words of Dhamma
(32) Ardency
(33) Commitment to the Holy Life
(34) Seeing for oneself the Noble Truths
(35) The realization of Nibbana
(36) A mind that remains unshaken when involved in worldly tasks
(37) Beyond all sorrow (Sorrowlessness)
(38) Spotless and secure (Stainlessness)
Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!
- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)
- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)
- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)
See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!
