Portland Friends of the Dhamma: Recent Episodes
Portland Friends of the Dhamma
This podcast shares dhamma talks and guided meditations given at Portland Friends of the Dhamma by our Spiritual Director, Sakula, visiting Buddhist monastics such as Luang Por Pasanno, Ajahn Thanissaro, and Ajahn Sudanto, and by others. Teachings are from the Theravada Buddhist Thai Forest Tradition in the lineage of Ajahn Chah and similar.
Clear Mountain Monastics - Guided Meditation on Letting Go of Identity - 12/06/25 eps. 306
Kristen and Ryan - Bonfires and Shopping Carts on the Bike Path of Dhamma - 11/23/25 - eps. 304
Clear Mountain Monastics - Guided Meditation on Letting Go of Identity - 12/06/25 eps. 306.
Kristen Saxton and Ryan Williams - Generosity that Uplifts the Heart - 11/16/25 - eps. 303mp3
Ayya Santussika speaks on the Noble Eightfold Path and Right Effort - 10/18/25 - eps. 294. mp3
This is the beginning of a weekend, non-residential retreat at Portland Friends of the Dhamma on October 18th, 2025.
Luang Por Pasanno speaks about the change in leadership at Portland Friends of the Dhamma, then explores and explains taking refuge in Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
Matthew Grad - Positive Transformation of the Heart andd Mind is Possible, 03/24/2024, eps 231
Jessica Swanson - Our Tradition of Dana (generosity) and the Happiness it Brings, 02/18/2024, eps 226
Ayya Medhanandi - Kindness Through and Through, Reflections and Guided Metta Meditation, 01/07/2024, eps 221
Ayya Medhanandi - A Resilient Refuge, Morning Reflections and Guided meditation, 01/07/2024, eps 218
Ajahn Thanissaro (Geoff) - Practical issues around Judgement, Q & A - (Apologies, only answers are audible, questions are not) 11/12/2023, eps 210
Ajahn Geoff- Working Skillfully with the Judging Mind, Q & A - (Apologies, only answers are audible, questions are not) 11/12/2023, eps 209 .mp3
This recording was muted for the first two minutes though it makes sense as it moves into the next moments. Thank you for your patience;).
Ajahn Cunda gives a talk explaining the 5 Lay Precepts, followed by a guided meditation.
Jessica Swanson - Who is Your Teacher? Jessica speaks on the benefits of walking the Buddha's path both inwardly and outworldly.
Ajahn Karunadhammo – Daylong Part 3, with Talk and Guided Meditation, 07/23/2023, eps 193
Ajahn Karunadhammo – Daylong Part 2 with Talk and Guided Meditation, 07/23/2023, eps 192
Ajahn Karunadhammo – Old Age, Sickness & Death, & the Spiritual Seeker, 07/23/2023, eps 191
Sakula – “Choosing, Cultivating, and Nourishing the Wholesome,” 06/25/2023, esp 189.mp3
Luang Por Pasanno & Ajahn Sudanto – Supporting Our Shared Aspirations, 06/11/2023, eps 187
Luang Por Pasanno – Right Thought and the Awakening Mind (PFoD Benefit), 06/11/2023, eps 186
At our 2023 annual PFoD Benefit, Luang Por Pasanno speaks about Right Thought can aid Awakening.
At our third annual PFoD Benefit, and following the taking of the Five Precepts, Luang Por Pasanno begins the day with a 30-minute guided meditation.
Sakula shares insights while traveling with her husband, Alistair, Her teacher Luang Por Pasanno and his attendant, Ajahn Thitapano.
This audio is just over 30 minutes, taken from an hour-long video. The original video was shown during our 20th anniversary, where several senior monastics congratulated our community via video recordings. Luang Por Pasanno attended in person and led the day.
Jessica takes a good look at the importance of knowing the results of our Habits, especially regarding Right Speech.
Matthew shares his experiences of Calling-into-Being a sense of goodness (also known as Bhavana) has impacted his practice.
Working with fear starts with knowing it, accepting it, and sometimes, moving forward despite it.
Through her experiences, Jessica explores how ill can challenge her wish to Trust others.
Sakula – Exchange Unwholesome Perceptions for Wholesome Ones & See what Happens, 03/05/2023, eps 171
Zen Priest Gyokuko Carlson – When Abiding in the Brahma Viharas, We Benefit Ourselves & Others, 02/19/2023
Sakula and Jessica share their appreciation for their guiding teacher, Luang Por Pasanno.
This is the first of six talks hosted by Portland Friends of the Dhamma that Ayy gave via zoom from her monastery in Ontario, Canada. This first talk is titled "Two Kinds of Friendship."
Jessica shares how she practices with Metta Sutta's words "This is what should be done, by one who is skilled in goodness.'
Sakula talks about cultivating the skill of letting go by directing our attention to thoughts that result in peace and goodwill, as a means to letting go of thoughts that result in anxiety and ill will.
The Eight Noble Beings begins with one wholeheartedly committed to the practice of the Eightfold Path.
Ajahn Thanissaro (Geoff) – Developing Dispassion for the Causes of Suffering, 09/25/22, eps 153
Luang Por speaks on discerning the difference between sense-consciousness (leading to suffering) and conscious-awareness (leading to peace).
03 Ayya Medhanandi at the Frontier of Harmlessness or, Chop Off the Head of Mara, Dec 12, 2021 episode 109
03 Ayya Medhanandi at the Frontier of Harmlessness; Chop Off the Head of Mara,Dec 12, 2021 episode 109
01 Ayya Medhanandi: On the Threshold of Pure Presence – Guided Meditation, Dec. 12, 2021, episode 107
Jessica shares examples of how being prepared to respond to circumstances as they arise, from a place of warm-hearted kindness can aid one in overcoming obstacles such as fear or self-doubt.
Jessica shares real life experiences about the benefit to self and others when listening to these guiding principles of Hiri and Ottappa, aka, Consciousness and Concern.
In the final session of Luang Por’s daylong with us he answers questions on today’s topics and more.
Luang Por Pasanno continues his teaching at the daylong at Portland Friends of the Dhamma. He reflects here on how to live with being separated from those we love in challenging times.
Luang Por Pasanno visits Portland Friends of the Dhamma from Pacific Hermitage for a daylong retreat. He reflects here on how to prepare the mind for meditation.
Jessica reflects on the self and our actions based on a quotation by Luang Por Sumedho.
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This is the afternoon Question and Answer session.
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This is his afternoon Dhamma talk.
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This is his afternoon meditation. He suggests we meditate while listening to the afternoon talk (next episode).
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This is the morning Q n A with questions on the topic and meditation.
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This is his morning Dhamma talk.
Ajahn Thanissaro explores the two skills, endurance and equanimity, that can serve us well in this pandemic. He reflects on how to develop these qualities in his annual daylong visit to Portland Friends of the Dhamma. In the morning after precepts he begins with this guided meditation.
Jessica reflects on the lessons she learns from being in nature in her garden and from being around others who are skillful.
Sakula reflects on how her fears interfere with her wishes and wants and gives thoughts on how to move away from fear to kindness. A community member expresses gratitude for kindnesses.
Heather leads Sunday Sila to reflect on how to be embodied in the world in the Dhamma and how to live in a meaningful way, responding rather than reacting.
Matthew leads Sunday Sila to reflect on delusion, the most neglected of the three afflictions, and how it leads us to misperceive reliability, true happiness, and self.
Luang Por Pasanno address Sunday Sila on Zoom. He reflects on sila, trust, the five precepts, volitions, kamma, and refining our relationship to our actions, speech and mind. He discusses how dana and sila lay the foundation for creating a good relationship with ourselves and others, confidence and well-being, and working toward the end of suffering. He also answers questions covering faith followers, dhamma followers, stream entry, precepts, letting go of the need to achieve and be successful, dealing with harsh speech in others,
Luang Por Pasanno and Ajahn Karunadhammo reflect on what it means to have a place to gather as a community with spiritual friends. They offer a special blessing chant for this special occasion.
2021 Celebration/Fundraiser with Luang Por Pasanno – 6. Update on Programs, Changes, and State of the Building July 18 2021 080
2021 Celebration/Fundraiser with Luang Por Pasanno – 5. Short Reflections by PFoD Teachers July 18 2021 079
Luang Por answers questions on meditation topics and skills, cultivating the mind, and grief. He touches on various mind objects, appropriate kinds of thinking, happiness, illuminating the mind, grief, and compassion.
Luang Por Pasanno addresses those present and on Zoom for the Annual Celebration on creating the conditions for wise reflection (yoniso manasikara), skillful reflection, skillful attention, drawing close to good friends, and creating community.
After precepts and still meditation, Luang Por Pasanno gives instruction for walking meditation.
Visiting Retired Abbess Gyokuko Carlson reflects on themes of fatherhood, change, the magical transformation of meditation and its power to undo knots, like stinking fish, within us. She encourages the acceptance of our humanity, body and mind, as part of our practice.
Jessica encourages turning the mind toward the Dhamma and true awareness of how things really are, rather than how things were in the past or how we fear they are. She reminds us we are held by the Dhamma, the community, and our friends. She encourages realizing that others might not feel safe and to act with compassion by holding others where they are and creating trust.
Sakula considers the present moment, what now is, how stories and becoming take us out of the moment and are the source of suffering.
Debbie Stamp, a lay teacher and resident of Abhayagiri Monastery for 23 years, addresses Sunday Sila. She reflects on a year of changes in her life, some that we have all faced and some specific to her life. She reflects on adapting.
Sakula reflects on a retreat with Luang Por Sucitto and his teaching on wholesomeness. She shares readings from Buddhadhamma by Phra Prayudh Payutto. Beautiful in the beginning, beautiful in the middle, beautiful in the end.
Jessica compares the framework of poetry to living in response to conditions within the Dhamma as taught in the Ajahn Chah lineage.
To celebrate Mother’s Day, Sakula draws on Luang Por Pasanno’s teaching and a story from her life with her own mother. She draws the arc of a life’s relationship healed with the Dhamma.
Sakula leads Sunday Sila with some in person attendees for the first time in a while. She reflects on welcoming changes in our lives according to the practice, recognizing impermanence and uncertainty.
Sakula addresses Sunday Sila. She reflects on how to let the teachings into the heart based on teaching by Luang Por Pasanno on mindfulness and compassion.
Guest lay teacher Cittasubha addresses Sunday Sila, reflecting on the presence of the Buddha’s teachings everywhere. We grow by receiving teachings and then reflecting on them. She shares how to listen to Dhamma with the help of Ajahn Munindo.
Jessica asks what it would be like if instead of asking, “How are you?” we were to ask, “What are you reflecting on lately?” How can we understand one another through the lens of wise reflection, yonisomanasikara? A story of reflecting with children.
Jessica Swanson addresses Sunday Sila. How do we move through life on the path in the Dhamma interdependently?
Jessica Swanson leads Sunday Sila online. She reflects on why she is drawn to the Thai Forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism and what makes it special.
Sakula discusses the benefits of the practice of recognizing when we naturally feel goodness and intentionally feeling goodness. She reflects on the suffering of being entangled in our fears and ways of dealing with our triggers.
Sakula reflects on the need for a strong community to hold goodness and generosity for one another. She reviews AN 4.31, a teaching on the Four Wheels.
For Sunday Sila, Jessica reflects on the path, suffering, grief, and love after the death of her family cat.
Ayya continues the study of the Highest Blessings, Mangala sutta, using multiple translations and takes more questions. The days closes with a chance to chant the sutta with fresh understanding.
Ayya begins the study of the Mangala Sutta, The Highest Blessings (Snp2-4). Using multiple translations, she elucidate these instructions for living a blameless life, free of remorse.
During the daylong event Ayya guided the group in meditation in preparation for study. The meditation is presented in its entirety.
Ayya Santussika met online with Portland Friends of the Dhamma and practitioners from all over the Western Hemisphere. The day opened with an introduction and the taking of the five precepts.
Sakula explores how to be truthful to oneself, open up, be present with others in a skillful way, and experience the joy in the moments of eternity. She addresses the Sunday Sila gathering online.
Sakula leads Sunday Sila and responds to a line in Ajahn Munindo’s book. She provides encouragement for coping with our turbulent times by creating space, avoiding our patterned reactions, being present with our feelings, and finding a skillful response.
Ayya Medhanandi continues with the daylong session of the Ever Present Refuge. Death may serve as a reminder of impermanence as well as an encouragement to learn the Dhamma and find the unconditioned.
Ayya Medhanandi begins by asking those assembled what is the most pressing issue now. She leads us to seeing the wisdom of being present in the moment as a refuge from the worldly winds and suffering. While she recognized that there has been great suffering this past year, she pointed out that suffering, in fact, allows us to learn the Dhamma. Our true home is the place within us unperturbed by the conditioned.
Ayya Medhanandi teaches Portland Friends of the Dhamma for the first time in a daylong session. The theme was Ever Present Refuge. In this recording she introduces the precepts as the foundation for building happiness.
Ajahn Thanissaro (Geoff) visited Portland Friends of the Dhamma by Zoom for his 19th annual teaching session. His topic was “Response to Change.” The study guide is found here. The topics ranged from change in general to grief, all with a focus on specific skills for this challenging 2020 year.
In the afternoon session of Ajahn Thanissaro’s 19th annual visit, this time online due to the pandemic, the theme of “Response to Change” continues. The focus remains on the suttas and developing skills, the response. The study guide is found here.
Sakula leads Sunday Sila and reflects on training the mind to go where we want, to be skillful, and to guide the heart.
Jessica Swanson leads Sunday Sila at the Center with some in person and some online. She reflects on what we bring to meditation, developing beneficial mind states as a gift to ourselves and others, and fearlessness – abhaya-dana.
Ayya Santussikā gives the afternoon talk of our daylong session with her on Directing the Mind, Cooling the Heart. Breath, Brahma Viharas, and suttas inform the instruction. Guidance for daily life is given. The talk is followed by a long, rich question and answer session.
In this guided meditation from the morning of our daylong session with Ayya Santussika titled Directing the Mind, Cooling the Heart the foundation is laid for the afternoon’s teaching. Careful practice instruction is given grounded in the Buddha’s teaching.
Once we disengage from defilements, trust and discerning can follow more easily. Trust can bring relief. In the space of this relief we can discern an opportunity for good karma. So how do we disengage? Sakula reflects on the process of finding the constriction in the body and ceasing to feed it.
Sakula reflects on impermanence, uncertainty, and feeding the hindrances and our fears. with life at home.
Having spent the weekend on the theme of joy, Ayya Santussika notes that unworldly joy is an essential part of the path but can be difficult in our culture. She shares reflections on six recollections that each of us can do to help cultivate joy from the Anguttara Nikaya sutta AN3.70 Uposatha, Sabbath.
Ayya Santussika continues this weekend on the theme of joy by reflecting on the Majjhima Nikaya Sutta MN152 Indriyabhavana Sutta, The Development of the Faculties.
On the morning of the second day of her visit Ayya Santussika spoke on unworldly joy, deep and spacious. She encouraged us to notice joy when it arises and to cultivate it.
Santussikā Bhikkhunī opens her weekend of teaching with a recollection of her monthlong visit to Ajahn Gunhah in Thailand and what she learned from this arahant and nephew of Ajahn Chah.
Sakula begins with reflections on the noble beings, those on the path, in recollecting Sangha Day. She continues with reflections on practicing to bring balance through the stages of life and on stream entry.
Tom and Julie share the life challenge that brought them to seek Buddhism and choose Portland Friends of the Dhamma as their resource and refuge.
Sakula reflects on bandaids, crocodiles, and paying attention in this Sunday Sila teaching.
Debbie Stamp and Sakula discuss practicing deeply with the truth of impermanence and uncertainty during the weekend on the theme of the Refuge Within.
Debbie Stamp answers questions about metta and how to tap into the actual feeling of metta during the weekend of practice on the theme of the Refuge Within.
Debbie Stamp gives a Dhamma reflection on the theme of the Refuge Within for a day of practice and meditation.
Visiting lay teacher Debbie Stamp from Abhayagiri monastery begins a weekend of practice and reflection on the theme of the Refuge Within.
Sakula Mary Reinard begins the new year offering a path to happiness through keeping of the five precepts for lay community members, with discussion of the Upasika program.
Sakula Mary Reinard offers reflections on one pointedness as an inclusive gathering and on placing your foot on the path to end suffering.
Matt shares how he connects with Portland Friends of the Dhamma even after he moved out of state.
Katharine shares how she came to Buddhism after a long search and how her connections through Portland Friends of the Dhamma helped her after the birth of her son.
In this episode Jim shares with us his wife’s encouragement to start meditation and how he engages with Portland Friends of the Dhamma now that she is gone.
Sakula Mary Reinard reflects on six qualities to cultivate in the mind that lead to joy and happiness.
Ajahn Sudanto reflects on how to generate a sense of light for the coming darkness of winter.
Sakula reflects on happy minds, mindfulness not being enough, and first jhana giving a taste of freedom.
Ajahn Thanissaro leads a guided meditation on the topic of Right Attention. This recording is edited to 30 minutes due to space considerations.
Ajahn Thanissaro continues the study of Right View, this time a the beginning of the study guide, and answers questions.
Ajahn Thanissaro starts in the middle of the study guide with Right Views and answers questions.
Ajahn Thanissaro leads a guided meditation on following the breath and breath energy with attention to different areas of the body.
Ajahn Thanissaro introduces the concepts of Mundane and Transcendent Right View at Portland Friends of the Dhamma Nov 1 2019.
Part 2 of a two part series given as part of a weekend of study and practice November 2018. Read the study guide here…
Part 1 of a two part teaching on jhana given on a weekend of study and practice in November 2018. Read the study guide here…
Ajahn Thanissaro reflects what Buddhism offers us at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in November 2018.
Ajahn Thanissaro introduces Right Concentration, also known as jhana practice, at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in November 2018.
Luang Por Pasanno leads a guided meditation on the elemental experience. He encourages a simplicity in the experience of earth, water, air, and fire in the body.
Before leaving on sabbatical in 2018, Luang Por Pasanno encourages us to lift up our thoughts for reflection. Wisely reflecting on our thoughts is skillful.
Luang Por Pasanno visits in May 2018 before he leaves for sabbatical for a year. He teaches here on how to work skillfully with what is going on in the body and the mind.
A dhamma reflection by Sakula, Spiritual Director of Portland Friends of the Dhamma during Sunday Sila.
A guided meditation by Sakula, Spiritual Director of Portland Friends of the Dhamma during Sunday Sila.
A dhamma reflection by Sakula, Spiritual Director of Portland Friends of the Dhamma during Sunday Sila.
A dhamma reflection by Sakula, Spiritual Director of Portland Friends of the Dhamma during Sunday Sila.
A dhamma reflection by Sakula, Spiritual Director of Portland Friends of the Dhamma during Sunday Sila.
Ajahn Amaro offers a reflection that Sila is more than just a behavior and Virtue as the source of Sila at Portland Friends of the Dhamma. This talk is from our archive.
Ajahn Thanissaro answers questions on Proactive Practice from those gathered at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in 2016. The Proactive Practice study is provided in this link.
Ajahn Thanissaro gives the second study session on Proactive Practice at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in 2016. The Proactive Practice study guide is provided in this link.
Ajahn Thanissaro Gives the first of a two-part study session on Proactive Practice at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in 2016. The Proactive Practice study guide is provide in this link.
Ajahn Thanissaro offers a guided meditation on breath energy in the body during a weekend on the study of Proactive Practice at Portland Friends of the Dhamma in 2016.