Phra Noah Yuttadhammo - How to Meditate, A Beginner's Guide (VIPASSANA) [1 DVD - ISO]

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HOW TO MEDITATE - A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO PEACE


By Phra Noah Yuttadhammo, Sirimangalo.org

(High-Definition DVD Video Disc)

NOTE: THIS IS A COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO ON VIPASSANA MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS FROM THE THAI THERAVADA

TRADITION.

It was shot by a professional film crew in Chiang Mai, Thailand in High-Definition Video and made into a professional

quality DVD. It features the Western Thai Buddhist Monk Phra Noah Yuttadhammo of Sirimangalo.org teaching Vipassana

meditation in the Theravada Tradition of Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo of Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong Voravihara, Chiang

Mai.

Sirimangalo.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the practice, study and teaching of Buddhist

Insight (Vipassana) Meditation, in the tradition of Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo. The organization was founded by Phra Noah

Yuttadhammo in order facilitate the spread of Vipassana meditation around the world.

What is in this Package:

1. One ISO DVD Disc Image of "How to Meditate" by Phra Noah Yuttadhammo.

2. DVD Case Covers & DVD Face Templates.

3. Photos of Phra Noah Yuttadhammo and His Teacher Ven. Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo.

4. Textual Information concerning the Video & its Production, Background Information on the Instructor and his

Teacher and Information about the Meditation Practice.

Note: The ISO file is a complete ISO DVD Disc Image and can be burned directly to a Blank DVD Disc using any standard

DVD Burner. The DVD Templates are given for those individuals who may want to create a DVD Face Label and cover for a

Standard DVD Case.




MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR, LINEAGE & THE MEDITATION METHOD




Phra Noah Yuttadhammo

Phra Noah Yuttadhammo is a Theravada Buddhist monk from Canada, ordained by Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo in Thailand and

currently teaching Vipassana meditation in California, USA.




Short Biography of Ven. Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo


(A.K.A. Tan Chao Khun Phra Tepsiddhajaan)

[Main Source: Handbook of Vipassana Meditation Practice in Accordance with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Thai

Edition, by Ajaan Tong, Wat Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong Voravihara, Chiang Mai, 2003.]

"Why should we be mindful? The Four Foundations of Mindfulness are a device that stops evil, stops bad deeds,

stops defilement. 'Sati nivaranam settham' - Mindfulness is an exceptional preventer (of evil states). During the time

when we are mindful, evil won't enter in to reach our hearts. We will have pure hearts always. "It is like dark and

shining light. Mindfulness is a shining light; all defilements, all evil states, are like darkness. When the bright

light shines, the darkness disappears.

For this reason, we should be mindful at all times - our mind will be bright, clean and peaceful all of the

time."




Birth

Venerable Ajaan Tong Sirimangalo was born "Tongkaew Brahmasena" on September 21, 1923, in Ban Na Kaeng, Ban

Ann Commune, Hod District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. He descends from an aristocratic family in the times of King

Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of Thailand. His great grandfather was Phraya Bibidhasena (Cheun Brahmasena). His great grandmother

was Khun Ying Bibidhasena. The last name "Brahmasena" was given to Phraya Bibidhasena by the king as he was a

palace soldier with the responsibility of guarding the king. Ajaan Tong's grandfather, whose name was Khuntangjai, was

the son of Phraya Bibidhasena. Khuntangjai's hometown was Kokpeep District, Prachinburi Province. He went by boat on an

official business trip to the north, where he met his life partner, Ajaan Tong's grandmother Janta, at Ban Na Kaeng, Ban

Ann Commune, Hod District, Chiang Mai Province. Ajaan Tong's father was Ta Brahmasena and mother was Tam Brahmasena. His

parents had altogether six children, with Ajaan Tong as the fifth child.




Childhood

As a child, Ajaan Tong received care, attention and warmth from his family. He was very close to his mother, and was

very hard-working with all the various kinds of chores. He never minded even the job of sharpening the cleaning stick

for his mother and thus was always receiving praise from her, which pleased him very much. This was when he was around

seven years old.

During his childhood, he almost lost his life several times. When he was around three years old, his mother took him to

a river bank to take a bath. Ajaan Tong fell into the river, but his mother was able to save him. Then when he was

around four years old, his father took him along with his siblings on a boat ride to go buy a house at Ban Hang Dang.

His father left them on the boat while he himself went up to ask about buying the house. His elder siblings decided to

go play in the river. One of them called for Ajaan Tong to jump in. Although he didn't know how to swim, with the

innocence of a child, he jumped in anyway. He almost drowned, but his siblings were able to help him. When their father

found out, he scolded them for not looking after their youngest brother. Ajaan Tong felt sorry for them, so he told his

father he didn't fall into the river.

At another time, there was an incident where Mae Jam River meets Ping River (present day Wat Sanku). Ajaan Tong went on

a boat ride with his father. He saw that the water below was murky, and so, thinking that it was shallow, he jumped down

at the bow in order to go climb up at the stern. Apparently the water was deep, so he almost drowned. Fortunately, the

boatman jumped in after him and helped him back up.

Since childhood, Ajaan Tong was someone who was attracted to the monkhood. When he was around six or seven years old,

he dreamed he saw a Buddha image smiling at him. While he was lying on his bed, he felt his body was amazingly floating

up and down. Since that time onwards, his heart was always fond of monks. Even when he played, he liked to pretend he

was a monk, by taking his mother's clothing and using it to dress himself up like a monk.

When he was around nine years old, his mother passed away. His life changed at this point. He had to go live with a

young aunt, who had him help her with everything, from cooking to raising buffaloes. This prevented him from going

running around with other children his age. One year later, his elder brother came to take him back home, where he was

able to enjoy his childhood more. Ajaan Tong had a kind-hearted disposition since he was small, and he never liked

seeing anyone being mistreated, including animals. He liked going to temples, especially Wat Na Kaeng, which was near

his house. Since he often went there to play around, the abbot, Phra Krueba Jayawong, came to know him well. Phra Krueba

Jayawong saw that Ajaan Tong could chant the recollections of the Buddha, and that there was a possibility that he might

come and stay in the Buddhist religion, so he asked Ajaan Tong to come and live in the temple. This was the beginning of

his entrance into the Buddhist religion. On January 19, 1934, at the age of eleven, Ajaan Tong became a novice with Phra

Krueba Jayawong as preceptor at Wat Na Kaeng in Ban Ann Commune, Hod District, Chiang Mai Province. When he was newly

ordained as a novice, he had the opportunity to become a Dhamma student at Wat Wungloong in Hod District. In order to

get there, Ajaan Tong had to walk some and run some, for a total distance of nine kilometers. Although in those days the

roads weren't yet well-built, but as a result of his diligence and persistence, Ajaan Tong had patiently always tried to

search for knowledge, without giving in to obstacles that came his way.

Since childhood, Ajaan Tong had always been grateful to his teachers. While a novice, Ajaan Tong had the opportunity to

help in building the road up to Doi Suthep with Tan Phra Krueba Srivichai. After the road was finished, Tan Phra Krueba

Srivichai took all the monks and novices to stay at Wat Phra Singh Voravihara. Ajaan Tong had the opportunity to be of

service and to be close to Tan Phra Krueba Srivichai, so Ajaan Tong had always received loving-kindness from him.

Sometimes he would receive such things as robes, money and plums. When Tan Phra Krueba Srivichai became sick at Wat Ban

Pang in Li District, Lamphun Province, Ajaan Tong was the one with the chance to attend to him closely, with much

concern, respect and love.

When he became eighteen years of age, Ajaan Tong went out in search for knowledge that would arise from practice, by

going on tudong to Wat Palad in Mae Ngood and to the cemetery at Wat Na Kaeng. Ajaan Tong also had gone on tudong with

Luang Pu Krueba Brahma of Wat Phra Buddhapada Takpa at Pa Sang District, Lamphun Province. Luang Pu Krueba Brahma was

another senior monk very much respected and loved by Ajaan Tong, who would always try to find the opportunity to go

attend upon him.




Monkhood

After obtaining a master's degree in Dhamma studies (nak tum toh) in 1943 from Wat Jaya Phra Kied Institution for

Studies in Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, Ajaan Tong ordained as a monk on February 7, 1944, at Wat Ban Ann in Hod

District, Chiang Mai Province, with Phra Krue Gambhiradhamma Brahmapañño, the abbot of Wat Jaya Phra Kied,

as preceptor. He received the Pali name "Sirimangalo." In that same year Ajaan Tong received a doctor's degree

in Dhamma studies (nak tum ek) from Wat Ban Oan Institution for Studies, in Muang District, Chiang Mai Province.

After becoming a monk, Ajaan Tong stayed for a while at Wat Jaya Phra Kied. During that time, in 1947, Ajaan Tong

received trust from Phra Krue Gambhiradhamma to take over the position of Phra Palad Thananukrom. Ajaan Tong was always

given important responsibilities in the Buddhist religion, so the faith committee from Wat Muang Mang came to invite him

to become Abbot of Wat Muang Mang, since the previous abbot has passed away. Ajaan Tong then was appointed abbot of Wat

Muang Mang in Haiya Commune, Muang District, Chiang Mai Province, in the year 1948. At the same time, he held the

position of Secretary to the Ecclesiastical Head of Hod District.

Because of his strict practice and earnestness in his Dhamma studies, the teachings of the Lord Buddha, in order to

follow in the footsteps of the Lord Buddha of great infinite compassion, in 1952 Ajaan Tong was chosen by Tan Chao Khun

Phra Dhammarajanuvatara (Phra Krue Attajivo) of Wat Phra Singh Voravihara to be the representative of the Sangha in

North Thailand to go learn about the practice of vipassana meditation in accordance with the four foundations of

mindfulness at Wat Mahathat Yuwarat Rangsarit ("Wat Mahathat") for one year. Ajaan Tong was the only monk

chosen in the whole of northern Thailand.

In those days transportation between Chiang Mai and Bangkok wasn't so convenient as it is today. As it was far, it

wasn't a small matter to travel to Bangkok, being comparable to traveling abroad. During his studies at Wat Mahathat,

Ajaan Tong received hospitality from Tan Phra Krue Prakardsamadhiguna who allowed him to stay in his faculty. Ajaan Tong

often recollected his kindness. Whenever there was an opportunity, Ajaan Tong would always go visit him or would invite

him to special occasions, until he had passed away.

After Ajaan Tong finished his studies at Wat Mahathat in 1953, he received support to go study the theory (pariyatti)

behind the practice (patipatti) and to search for evidence in walking meditation 6 stages in Myanmar for seven days, in

India for ten days, and then back to Myanmar for two years to research the Tipitaka for information on walking

meditation and the practice of vipassana meditation in accordance with the four foundations of mindfulness. During that

time, he fist stayed at Kamma-e Temple and then moved to Payajeejongtai (Chaotadjee) Temple. Before returning to

Thailand, Ajaan Tong had the chance to study about the practice of vipassana meditation at Sasanayika with Venerable

Mahasi Sayadaw Bhaddantasobhana Mahathera for one month.

With his great aspiration to spread the task of vipassana development (vipassana-dhura) aspect of Buddhism so that it

may enter into the hearts of all human beings, once Ajaan Tong returned to Wat Muang Mang, he initiated the

establishment of a center for training in the practice of vipassana meditation in accordance with the four foundations

of mindfulness, the first in Chiang Mai, at Wat Muang Mang in the year 1954.

Ajaan Tong arranged for the construction of meditation kutis within the temple area; and using the knowledge and

ability he had gained, he started the training and guidance in the stages of the correct practice of vipassana

meditation to lay the foundation for those who came in to study and practice, which turned out successful.

In addition he also initiated the construction of a library at Wat Muang Mang in the year 1957 to give those interested

in both the study (pariyatti) and the practice (patipatti) a chance to study and search for knowledge in a wide range of

subjects. And in the year 1964, Ajaan Tong initiated the establishment of an institution for Abhidhamma studies, which

was the first in Chiang Mai, at Wat Muang Mang. He invited monks who had the qualifications in Abhidhamma knowledge from

Wat Rakang Kositarama in Thonburi and from Wat Mahathat in Phra Nakorn to be in charge of the theoretical teachings. As

for Ajaan Tong, he fully dedicated himself to teaching the practice of vipassana meditation.

In the year 1964, Ajaan Tong led the way for the construction of temples in Hod District. In 1966, he was appointed

Vice Ecclesiastical Head of Hod District and was at the same time Acting Ecclesiastical Head of Hod District. In the

following year, Ajaan Tong was appointed Ecclesiastical Head of Hod District.

In 1967, Ajaan Tong initiated the establishment of a unit for mind development at Wat Muang Mang and also of a center

for the practice of vipassana meditation at Song Thum Tong Center in Ban Pae Commune, Chom Tong District, Chiang Mai

Province. In 1968, he received the rank "Phra Krue Bibadhanaganabhipala," Second Rank Ecclesiastical Head of

District, and he also became a preceptor. In 1969, Ajaan Tong established a center for the study of the Dhamma, Pali and

the Abhidhamma at Wat Muang Mang. In 1972, he opened a school to teach the theoretical parts of the Dhamma at Wat

Intaram in Hod District, Chiang Mai Province.

The number of meditators who came to practice with Ajaan Tong increased to the point where there wasn't enough space at

Wat Muang Mang to build more meditation kutis to accommodate them all, so Ajaan Tong went in search of a new place that

would be more suitable. He eventually found Wat Ram Poeng, which was at the time an abandoned temple in Suthep Commune,

Muang District, Chiang Mai Province. It was an ancient temple with a history of more than 500 years.

Since 1973, Ajaan Tong started renovating and repairing Wat Ram Poeng in order to establish a center for the practice

of vipassana meditation there. He renovated the Uposatha Hall, the Vihara and the Chedi, as well as constructed Sala

Karn Plien, meditation kutis and roads to enter the temple. During the renovation in the year 1974, Ajaan Tong was

appointed acting abbot of Wat Ram Poeng. In 1975, he was promoted with the rank Phra Krue First Rank Ecclesiastical Head

of District.

His ability and firm aspiration to teach led to a great number of people with faith and reverence who came to practice

vipassana meditation with him. Thus, he had to expand the boundaries of the Vipassana Meditation Center of Wat Ram

Poeng, by buying land and building more meditation kutis. But it