Buddhist Archive

A Morning Mindfulness Script to Start Your Day with Awareness

Wake each morning with greater awareness using this morning mindfulness meditation script. Use it to deepen your own practice or to guide others.

A Lake Meditation Script for Peace and Awareness

Learn to become as still as the depths of a lake, below what occurs on the surface. Download this lake meditation script to deepen your practice today.

A Breath Awareness Meditation Script

Mindfulness of the breath helps focus and settle the mind. Use this breath awareness meditation script in your own practice, or to teach mindful breathing.

Four Elements Meditation Script for Body Awareness

Experience your body in a new way with this four elements meditation script. Use this practice to deepen your bodily awareness or when teaching others.

A Higher Self Meditation Script

Awaken your spirit and unlock your intuition with this higher self guided meditation. Use this script for personal growth or to powerfully guide others.

Believe in Yourself: A Meditation for Teens

Help adolescents believe in themselves with this guided meditation for teens. Build confidence and find balance between becoming and simply being.

Classic Five Hindrances

Classic Five Hindrances. In Buddhism, the five hindrances are mental factors that hinder progress in meditation and in our daily lives.

Recognizing Your Resilience To Difficulty

Reducing Depression with Someone Else’s Love. This meditation makes use of visualizing a person of with great love for you to help you alleviate depression.

Several Meditations In One

Several Meditations in One is an expansive form of Guided Meditation Script that combines several meditations from different sorts and virtues and emotions.

Gratitude For Breath, Body And Mind

Gratitude for Breath Body & Mind. Simple gratitude meditation is a wonderful gateway into a calm state before sleep- a deep sense of peace & contentment.

The Hush at the End of the World

Amaro Bhikkhu’s free ebook account of a 2003 pilgrimage into the Arctic wilderness by three senior monks of the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah, in search of the hush at the end of the world.

Without and Within

Without and Within is a free book of questions and answers on the teachings of Theravāda Buddhism by Ajahn Jayasaro, published by the Panyaprateep Foundation.

Who Is Pulling The Strings?

Who Is Pulling the Strings? is a book by Ajahn Amaro, the fourth in his series of four on the brahma-vihāras. It looks at upekkhā, equanimity, through superstition, karma, and the Buddha's teaching on causality.

Just One More

Just One More is a book by Ajahn Amaro, the third in his series of four on the brahma-vihāras. It looks at muditā, sympathetic joy, through jealousy, selfish desire, and the Buddha's teaching on the cycles of addiction.

Dhammapada Reflections Volume 3

Dhammapada Reflections Volume 3 offers 52 verses from the Dhammapada with comments by Ajahn Munindo, published by Aruno Publications. It follows volumes one and two of the series.

Dhammapada Reflections Volume 1

Read the 1st volume of the Dhammapada Reflections, which contains 52 verses of the Buddha’s wisdom, complemented by comments for a better understanding.

Ajahn Sumedho Volume 2 – Seeds of Understanding

Learn from this 2nd volume of Ajahn Sumedho’s anthology, “Seeds of Understanding”, which introduces the technique of mindfulness of breathing.

Ajahn Sumedho Volume 5 – The Wheel of Truth

Read this collection of Ajahn Sumedho’s Dhamma talks which revolves around the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path of practice.

Ajahn Sumedho Volume 4 – The Sound of Silence

The Sound of Silence is volume 4 of the five-volume Ajahn Sumedho Anthology, published by Amaravati Buddhist Monastery for his 80th birthday. It collects his talks on the sound of silence as a meditation object and on intuitive awareness.

Ajahn Sumedho Volume 3 – Direct Realization

Direct Realization is volume 3 of the five-volume Ajahn Sumedho Anthology, published by Amaravati Buddhist Monastery for his 80th birthday. It gathers talks from the late 1980s and 1990s, including a series on dependent origination.

Ajahn Sumedho Volume 1 – Peace is a Simple Step

Read about this “Peace is a Simple Step”, the first book of Ven. Ajahn Sumedho’s series of written teachings focused on the approach to Buddhist practice.

Dalai Lama’s Top 10 Rules

Ten themes on happiness, compassion and a calm mind drawn from talks and interviews with the Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and monk of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Mindful Art of Thich Nhat Hanh

This video shows an intimate encounter with the Mindful Art of Thich Nhat Hanh. Appreciate Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphic meditation on mindfulness.

Concept Of Enlightenment

Eckhart Tolle talks about his concept of enlightenment as something found in the present moment rather than a future goal.

Venerable Ajahn Chah: Still Flowing Water

A free ebook of eight Dhamma talks by Ajahn Chah, translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, with the opening of the talk 'A Gift of Dhamma' reproduced below.

Ajahn Chah: It’s Like This

A free ebook of 108 short teachings by Ajahn Chah, translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, that use everyday similes to explain meditation practice.

Rain on the Nile

A free ebook of Ajahn Amaro’s Rain on the Nile: Talks & Travels, with the talk “The Source of Creation” on where creativity fits into monastic life.

Parami

Parami. A way of talking about transcendence, liberation or however you conceive of a spiritual path, is to use the metaphor of ‘crossing the floods.’

Teachings On Nature

A Dhamma talk by Pasanno Bhikkhu at Abhayagiri Monastery on Ajahn Chah’s teachings on nature, with a free PDF.

Small Boat, Great Mountain

Small Boat, Great Mountain: Theravadan Reflections on the Natural Great Perfection is a free ebook by Amaro Bhikkhu (Ajahn Amaro), published by Abhayagiri Monastic Foundation.

Intuitive Awareness

Intuitive Awareness is a free ebook of talks given mostly in 2001 by Ajahn Sumedho, published by Amaravati Publications.

Don’t Hold Back

When we realize that our basic needs are satisfied, it is much easier for contentment to arise. Actually, what we have is enough.

• James Baraz

Supports for Practice

James Baraz shares a story about the Buddha and the 5 supports for practice he gave to a monk whose mind is not completely settled to deepen the practice.

Rude Awakenings

Rude Awakenings is Part 1 of the eBook Where Are You Going- A Pilgrimage on Foot to the Buddhist Holy Places by Ajahn Sucitto and Dr. Nick Scott.

Great Patient One

Great Patient One is Part 2 of Where Are You Going- A Pilgrimage on Foot to the Buddhist Holy Places by Ajahn Sucitto and Dr. Nick Scott.

Guided Instructions on The Four Elements [Audio]

Guided Instructions on The Four Elements by Nikki Mirghafori: (long pause) As we arrive this morning to sit, invite yourself to settle into this body. Having a posture that is stable and dignified. Perhaps, wondering what it would feel like to sit like a mountain. Well rooted, tall, well grounded, stable. Taking a few deep breathes […]

Meditation: A Way of Awakening

Meditation: A Way of Awakening. Meditation can be a very deep inquiry into the mind. It can be undertaken in intensive retreats. Practice it anytime too!

Direct Realization

Volume 3 Direct Realization. This volume contains material gathered from talks given by Ajahn Sumedho in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Meditations 5

Meditations 5: Dhamma Talks is a collection of talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The first, “Wisdom for Dummies,” presents the Buddha’s teachings in simple terms.

Refuge: An Introduction to the Buddha, Dhamma, & Sangha

The 3 basic principles of Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. You’ll be given a full introduction into the act of “refuge” itself.

Skill in Questions: How the Buddha Taught

The central role of questioning in the Buddha’s teaching may be connected to the fact that his teaching starts not with a first principle but with a self-evident problem: how to put an end to suffering.

The Mind Like Fire Unbound (ebook)

The Mind Like Fire Unbound is an essay by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on the early Buddhist image of the released mind as a fire that has gone out.

The Wings to Awakening

The Wings to Awakening: An Anthology from the Pali Canon, translated and explained by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, is organized around the set of teachings the Buddha said formed the heart of his message.

The Paradox of Becoming

The Paradox of Becoming is a study by Thanissaro Bhikkhu of how the Buddha analyzed becoming and how it relates to suffering and its ending.

The Shape of Suffering: A Study of Dependent Co-arising

The Shape of Suffering: A Study of Dependent Co-arising is a book by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on how dukkha (suffering and stress) arises, according to the Buddha, and how it can end.

Self & Not-Self: The Buddhist Teaching on YOU

A free ebook by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on the Buddha’s teaching of not-self (anatta) and the questions he answered and set aside.

The Truth of Rebirth: And Why It Matters for Buddhist Practice

A free ebook by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on the Buddha’s teachings about rebirth and how they bear on the choices we make.

Right Mindfulness: Memory & Ardency on the Buddhist Path

A free ebook by Thanissaro Bhikkhu arguing that right mindfulness (sammā-sati) is a faculty of active memory and ardency, not bare attention.

A Burden Off the Mind: A Study Guide on the Five Aggregates

One of the new concepts most central to the Buddha’s teaching was that of the khandhas, usually translated into English as “aggregates.”

A Meditator’s Tools: A Guide on the 10 Recollections

The Ten Recollections (A Study Guide) are a set of meditation themes that highlight the positive role that memory and thought play in training the mind.

Recognizing the Dhamma: A Guide

Any interpretation of the Dhamma or Vinaya must be judged. Perhaps the most important point that these principles make is that it has to be judged by the results that come when putting it into practice.

The Buddha’s Strategies for Happiness

Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu’s study guide introduces the Buddha’s teachings on using discernment in the search for lasting happiness.

Ten Perfections: A Study Guide

For people in the modern world facing the issue of how to practice Dhamma in daily life, the 10 perfections provide a useful framework for how to do it.

Noble Strategy

Essays by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on basic elements of the Buddhist path: the attitudes, concepts, and practices he presents as leading to total freedom for the mind.

The Karma of Questions

Essays by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on the Buddhist path, opening from the idea that every question, even the most casual, carries an intention.

Head and Heart Together

Head & Heart Together. “How can I ever repay you for your teaching?” Good meditation teachers often hear this question from their students, the best answer I know for it is one that my teacher, Ajaan Fuang, gave every time.

Beyond All Directions

Beyond All Directions – Essays on the Buddhist Path by Thanissaro Bhikkhu deals with the idea of “protection in all directions” offered by teachers towards their students.

Dhamma Talks, vol. I

Dharma talks vol 1. Coming out to a place like this is very important for the mind because the mind needs time to get away from its day-to-day issues.

Dhamma Talks, vol. II

Dhamma Talks, vol. II is a free ebook of Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu on meditation practice, opening with “Beginner’s Mind” on bringing a fresh attitude to the breath. Read it here or download the PDF.

Meditations 1

Meditations 1 is a free ebook of forty Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, opening with “Generosity First” and including “The Steps of Breath Meditation” and “An Introduction to Pain.” Read it here or download the PDF.

Meditations 2

Meditations 2 is a free ebook of thirty-nine Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, opening with “Close to the Heart” and including “The Sublime Attitudes” and “Contemplation of the Body.” Read it here or download the PDF.

Meditations 3

Meditations 3 is a free ebook of forty-six Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, opening with “A Decent Education” and including “Analyzing the Breath” and “Gladdening the Mind.” Read it here or download the PDF.

Meditations 4

Meditations 4 is a free ebook of forty-two Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, opening with “The Buddha’s Shoulds” and including “Befriending the Breath” and “Walking Meditation: Stillness in Motion.” Read it here or download the PDF.

Meditations 6

Meditations 6 is a free ebook of forty-four Dhamma talks by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, opening with “A Connoisseur of Happiness” and including “Rapture” and “Forgiveness.” Read it here or download the PDF.

A Tree in a Forest

This free ebook A Tree in a Forest is a collection of Ajahn Chah’s similes. Talking about Dhamma via similes is a creative way to understand the teachings.

The Wings to Awakening: An Anthology from the Pali Canon

An anthology of passages from the Pali Canon, translated and explained by Thanissaro Bhikkhu and arranged around the seven sets of teachings known as the wings to awakening.

Kamma and the End of Kamma

Intention, I tell you, is kamma. Intending, one does kamma by way of body, speech and mind. And what is the cause by which kamma comes into play? Contact, bhikkhus.

Now is the Knowing

The Buddha said the greatest gift is the gift of Dhamma. This small book represents the wish of some of those fortunate enough to have received Dhamma teachings from Ajahn Sumedho to share them with others.

In Simple Terms

Ajahn Chah was a master at using the apt & unusual simile to explain points of Dhamma. Sometimes he would make an abstract point clear with a simple image.

Purity of Heart

The opening essays of Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s Purity of Heart: Essays on the Buddhist Path, on what he was taught purity of heart means and why faith in awakening is a matter of testing the teachings. The free PDF is embedded below.