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The irony of it is that real peace comes only when you stop chasing it—another Catch-22.
Bhante Gunaratana
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Meditation changes your character by a process of sensitization, by making you deeply aware of your own thoughts, words and deeds.
Bhante Gunaratana
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Mindfulness gives you time. Time gives you choices. Choices, skillfully made, lead to freedom. You don't have to be swept away by your feeling. You can respond with wisdom and kindness rather than habit and reactivity.
Bhante Gunaratana
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Any action that comes from a mind not currently filled with greed, hatred, or delusion brings happiness to the doer and to the receiver. Such an action is, therefore, skillful or right.
Henepola Gunaratana
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The Buddha’s message was simple but profound. Neither a life of self-indulgence nor one of self-mortification can bring happiness. Only a middle path, avoiding these two extremes, leads to happiness.
Bhante Gunaratana
About the Bhavana Society

Traditions, Monastics & Community

The Bhavana Society is a community of monastics and lay people living according to the precepts and practices laid down by the Buddha, Siddhattha Gotama, over 2500 years ago.

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Bhavana Community
 
Ordained Monks
The Experience of Ordination
 
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Theravada Buddhism
 

Articles

Successful and happy Person
How to Achieve Success of Life through Buddhist Meditation

The purpose of Buddhist life is living  peacefully, happily, successfully with a light heart and…

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Fear and How to Overcome Fear: A Buddhist Perspective

Buddhist wisdom still appropriate for our modern times.

The Buddha’s Technique of Meditation (Serenity and Insight)

The attainment of Enlightenment or Buddha-hood is the most excellent position in the world. All…

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Community News

Bhante Gunaratana: A Special Teaching on Mindfulness

Wisdom publication podcast episode with Bhante Gunaratana

Commemoration of the International Day of the Vesak at United Nations

A sermon was delivered by a scholar monk, Bhante Henepola Gunaratana.

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Current & Upcoming Events

  • Portrait of Bhante Gunaratana seated in front of the Meditation Hall
    15 Sep 2019
    Factors of Enlightenment Retreat

    Registration opens on Thursday, August 15th at 9:45 a.m.

    Teachers: Bhante Gunaratana; Bhante T. Seelananda, Bhante Jayasara

    Excerpt from Bhikkhu Bodhi’s Introduction to … Read More

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