Practice Library

Breathwork often changes the breath to regulate body, emotion, or energy. Early Buddhist ānāpānasati takes the natural in-breath and out-breath as a meditation object for establishing mindfulness. The breath is not controlled or optimized; it is known clearly, becoming a doorway into concentration, insight, and liberation.

Before speaking, ask: Is it true? Is my heart kind? Is this the right time? Is it beneficial? Can I say it gently? In daily life, this simple pause can turn reaction into reflection, criticism into care, and ordinary conversation into mindfulness practice.

In Sri Lanka, a two-year-old boy named Dhammaruwan reportedly began chanting ancient Pāli suttas he had never been taught. Among them was the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta—the Buddha’s first teaching after awakening. His story invites us into a deeper reflection on rebirth, memory, oral recitation, and the remarkable way the Dharma has been carried across generations: first by living voices, then by texts, and still today by practice.

The Kālāma teaching in the Madhyama Āgama on doubt, discernment, and finding a safe place to stand.

How the Buddha’s early teachings were recited, transmitted across Buddhist communities, translated into Chinese, and rediscovered through modern comparative research.

Why do we meditate? Not to escape life, but to see how deeply our habits shape it.

A clear and relatable retelling of the Buddha’s advice to Rāhula on truthfulness, reflection, and mindful living.

Learn how to begin meditation with a simple mindfulness of breathing practice rooted in the Āgamas, Satipaṭṭhāna, and Master Dianwu’s practical guidance.

In a world that often feels rushed and noisy, finding a path to inner peace and clarity can seem challenging. I have found that the teachings of Agama International offer a gentle, steady way to cultivate calm and wisdom. Their approach to meditation and spiritual growth is rooted in early Buddhist traditions, yet it feels accessible and relevant today. This post explores the core of their teachings, focusing especially on agama meditation practices and how they can support a

In the Discourse on [Tenets to Be] Transcended, the Buddha challenges three common ways of thinking: that everything is determined by past karma, controlled by a divine power, or happens without cause. He shows that all three views undermine personal responsibility and the possibility of practice.

What if mindfulness is more than being present? In the early Buddhist teachings, mindfulness is not merely calm awareness of the moment. It is a disciplined practice of recollection, clear observation, and right direction. The Āgamas and Nikāyas preserve mindfulness not as a trend or technique, but as training that helps reduce greed, anger, and confusion, and leads toward genuine freedom.

Dear Members, In the busyness of our daily lives, we often overlook the most basic and profound tool we possess: the breath. This weekend, we invite you to pause and return to the core of Zen practice. Our upcoming group sitting will focus on Mindfulness of Breathing (Anapanasati). Guided by the recorded teachings of Master Dianwu, we will explore how to use the breath as an anchor to stabilize the mind and work through the common challenges of restlessness and dullness. 🗓 S