From Uganda to the Dalai Lama: The Chronicles of an African Seeker in India | Bhante Buddharakkhita

In this talk, Bhante Buddharakkhita, visiting from Uganda, speaks about his journey from Africa into Buddhism, and how the first four blessings described by the Buddha in the Maṇgala Sutta (Discourse on Blessings - https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/ChantingGuide/Section0051.html) can help keep us on the path. Learn more at https://bhantebuddharakkhita.org/ and https://ugandabuddhistcenter.org/BioBhante first encountered Buddhism in 1990 while studying and living in India. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk by the late Most Venerable U Silananda in 2002 at the Tathagata Meditation Center in San Jose, California. He then spent eight years under the guidance of Bhante Henepola Gunaratana at the Bhavana Society, West Virginia. He is the founder and Abbot of the Uganda Buddhist Center in Uganda. Learn more at https://bhantebuddharakkhita.org/ and https://ugandabuddhistcenter.org/Chapters00:00:00 - Chanting & Opening Blessings00:01:08 - The 4 Wheels of Success (Mangala Sutta)00:02:49 - Early Journey: Discovering Buddhism in India00:06:29 - Traveling to Dharamshala to Meet the Dalai Lama00:08:57 - Private Audience with the Dalai Lama & "Find Friends"00:11:08 - Returning to Uganda & Scuba Diving in Thailand00:13:33 - Finding Meditation Teachers & Starting the Uganda Buddhist Center00:14:47 - 1. Associating with the Wise vs. Unwise00:17:22 - Meeting Difficult People & Compassion in Action00:21:44 - 2. Staying in a Suitable Place00:23:20 - 3. Meritorious Deeds Done in the Past00:26:46 - 4. Establishing Oneself in the Right Path (Kusala)00:32:01 - VISA, Mastercard & American Express: Remembering the Noble Eightfold Path00:36:56 - Story of the Uganda Monastery, Forgiveness & Bullet Hole00:41:02 - Q&A: Key Friends & Early Spiritual Influences (Mother, Teachers, Animals)00:49:16 - Q&A: 5 Techniques to Overcome Unwholesome States of Mind----Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!