The first translation of the Extended Mahāvaṁsa chapters XII-XIV, which describe the missions sent out during King Asoka’s time to bring the Dhamma to the outlying districts and countries.
BWV 023: The Gift of Fearlessness
The gods come to see the Buddha and praise various kinds of giving, including the gift of fearlessness.
The Basic Practice of Mindfulness
A series of talks on the Basic Practice on Mindfulness mainly aimed at how these teachings can be put into practice in one’s everyday life
BWV 020: Four Things leading to Success
A monkey-King outwits a crocodile who tries to eat him, and the crocodile acknowledges his escape with the following verse.
Google Maps for all locations on Photo Dharma and new Search Facilities
I have just added in google maps to the Photo Dharma website with links to all the albums on the site; and I have also added new search facilities
BWV 022: Wise Discrimination
The Bodhisatta uncovers a female monkey as the real thief of the King’s jewels, and the King praised him with the following verse.
Devadatta vs. the Buddha
I wrote the following to replace an inaccurate account on Wikipedia of Devadatta’s position in Theravāda Buddhism, which denied any canonical evidence for his standing, and blamed it on later, non-Canonical sources.
BWV 021: Three Things leading to Success
The Bodhisatta escapes from a man-eating ogre (rakkhasa) and the latter acknowledges his escape with the following verse.
The Last Four Albums from Bangkok
Report on the last four temples I photographed in Bangkok, how I got around and what I missed and will have to return for
The Ascendency of Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia
Book Review of The Ascendency of Theravada Buddhism in Southeast Asia by Prapod Assavavirulhakarn
Redesign of Photo Dharma Website
A redesign of my Photo Dharma website with integrated thumbnail and slideshow page, and additional information on some of the pages.
BWV 019: The Path to Heaven
The Bodhisatta, reborn as the Lord of the Gods Sakka, explains the path to Heaven to his former wife.
Temples built by Rama III for his Daughter and Grand-Daughter
Photographs from Wat Thepthidaram, which Rama III built for his Daughter, Princess Wilat, and features 52 bhikkhuni statues; and Wat Ratchanadda built for his Grand-Daughter which houses the Brazen Palace.
BWV 018: The Purification of Mortals
Anāthapiṇḍika is reborn as a god in Heaven. Later he comes to see the Buddha and utters these words.
Photographs from Wat Pho
My visit to Wat Pho in Bangkok, and the photographs I took there of the murals and buildings – and how much I missed while I was there.
BWV 017: Truth and Untruth have Different Results
To protect their new-born son, the Bodhisatta, the King and Queen build an iron house and keep him in it. On coming of age, though, he realises he is not safe from old age and death and proclaims 24 verses which culimate in the following famous verses.
Photographs from Wat Phra Kaew
Report on hospital visits in Bangkok and photographs from Wat Phra Kaew in the Royal Palace Compound
BWV 016: The Priority of Truth
The Bodhisatta’s teaching to the man-eating King, which eventually persuades him to give up his evil habit.
Why the Buddha Suffered
A new text and translation of a section of the Apadāna, together with its commentary, explaining why the Buddha suffered in his last life.
