Ep20: Supra-Mundane Dhamma - Dhammarato

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato - a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype.
We discuss Dhammarato’s adventures throughout India studying in search of magic and meditation; his encounters with gurus such as Muktananda, Sai Baba, and Osho; why meeting famed meditation master Buddhadasa turned his search for magic upside down and saw him ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Tradition.
We discuss what Dhammarato calls the ‘supra-mundane Dhamma’; hear his take on the failings of Western Buddhism; learn why he believes Visuddhimagga author Buddhaghosa was either a charlatan or a fool; and discover Dhammarato’s surprisingly simple advice on correct practice.
Topics include:
00:50 - Dhammarato’s professional background and search for magic in India
04:42 - A challenging 10-day retreat with U Upandita
05:47 - Time with Muktananda and the practices of Siddha Yoga
07:55 - Buddha magical vs Buddha reality
09:50 - The Magicians of India
12:48 - Meeting the meditation master Buddhadasa
17:32 - The story of Bikkhu Buddhadasa
19:24 - The real teachings of the Buddha
24:06 - The trial of Bikkhu Buddhadasa
29:09 - Life at the monastery
31:14 - What is correct practice?
33:12 - How to be free of the five hindrances
36:25 - Gathering the jhana factors
37:59 - The flaws of the Visuddhimagga and critique of Buddhaghosa
52:48 - What is an arhat?
57:52 - The Pragmatic Dharma movement, the 4 Path Model, and Stream Entry
1:02:22 - Why students need teachers and not just books
1:03:41 - Teaching on Skype and Dhammarato’s internet popularity
1:06:35 - The results of Dhammarato’s personal practice
1:10:07 - The problem with words like ‘arhat’ and ‘enlightenment’
1:15:10 - How to find Dhammarato
To find out more about Dhammarato, visit:
- / @dhammaratodhamma
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

[@MrGoom11]

I periodically talk to Dhammarato 1-1 and recommend everyone try it at least once. His teachings on Right Attitude have been one of the most important teachings I have ever received.

[@PaulPrasanna]

Now I know what the dhamma is all about, before it sounded complicated, now its sounds easy

[@arilboyfishing737]

Yes he is such a jolly old man, not at all a danger to anyone.

[@hstropas786]

That is amazing that this teaching is always free.

[@rjsarratt92]

I did not say that he's trying to make money from his teachings. I said that all he cares about when it comes to his mother's death is the Will and the money he is owed.

[@cavemaninc2444]

Glad he does these. has changed my life and still to shy to call him.

[@Anorectic.Bumblebee]

do it, he seems very approachable

[@deepakash7994]

Wow what an eye opener

[@featurekivines7130]

It would be good to hear him on a panel discussion, bet he would raise some eyebrows

[@lahoussinezaid4102]

Thanks for delivering the mail

[@Noob2ProGamer0]

Dhammarato is skilled a good teacher of the Dhamma

[@onlineshopping6692]

Dhammarato is an excellent teacher

[@tpsszprycer7454]

May we all be as happy as This old man

[@lyricsx455]

Yes I'd like to see a panel discussion of Theravada teachers with Dhammarato, he seems to know the sutta better than most

[@jameshetfield5894]

"I hope that didn't answer your question, and satisfied you at the same time...HAHAHAHA!" Good interview, lots of big statements.

[@mathonline2490]

I want to see more interviews like this one please

[@jokerff2375]

He is my teacher - thanks for the details about him I did not know

[@GAMINGWITHTECHNORAJAT]

Clear sharp and pleasing

[@comediansmdtv]

yes a new way to practice that gives real results

[@honestly-_-2kclan808]

Thanks Steve to give Dhammarato air time

[@02sweden]

This is down to earth.

[@martinratcliffe5987]

Dhammarato, in your interviews, inspired me to question my vipassana practice amd explore riht efforts more fully. I looked into Buddhadasa and vimalaramsi, and now the practice seems tochave entered a new season. With gratitude

[@ameermohammad2883]

I love Guru Viking Challen on youtube. Keep it up sir.

[@almamun7552]

can't stop listening to your good thinking.

[@iqbaalkiteng.]

Good video of the dhamma

[@almamunsiddik8551]

Never seen this type of excellent interview.

[@witherblocker]

Thanks Steve for such a delightful interview

[@harisbeatszm2905]

Dhammarato is my teacher thanks for the review this video seems to be popping up on youtube often

[@beastbanggamers6069]

Yes me too a panel discussion of Theravada teachers with Dhammarato

[@zahidulislam2169]

I cannot wait for you guys to blow up! Awesome job on the new video

[@dhammadasa2563]

Awesome

[@augustusbetucius1572]

"...keep the body aired up" I love it. Nothing worse than a deflated meditator.

[@allabout2185]

Dhammarato is my teacher we talk weekly

[@pauloconnor3416]

Wow, amazing video Dhammarato🙂

[@Beingcool2414]

What am inspirational talk/interview Thanks Steve and Dhammarato

[@nishantbansal8461]

What am uplifting interview, makes me want to start a new kind of practice

[@THA1derful]

What an excellent presentation

[@Kita_reaction26]

a panel discussion sounds good

[@chakiryt2042]

More interviews with this monk, Please Steve

[@mangatholi7517]

Thanks so much Steve for this interview, He is an amusing teacher

[@user-on1hh9pk3x]

absolutely love your videos Steve and this is the best one so far

[@cedarmcdaniels1538]

This guy is hilarious 😂

[@sujonroymukta2118]

Great episode. I am a big fan of Guru Viking sir.

[@AmanBrarYt]

Yes He is

[@samimraja7109]

You motivate me. Great work keep it up.

[@ki4dbk]

"We didn't call it I.T., we called it computer science." 🙏 Thank you Venerable Sir. What an amazing Dhamma talk.

[@beliefispowermotivation5067]

Thanks for clearing this up. Money grubbing just does not fit.

[@accclips2195]

keep them coming

[@visalhewagama2355]

very insightful

[@bencharits]

🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽Sadhu!

[@reforgedsword]

I feel a load of gratitude. What an incredible value here on KZbin! This information here can save decades of searching. He puts principles into words, that work universally in many overlapping fields. (His approach to tackle trauma and psychotherapy, for example, is in resonance with the cutting edge of contemporary trauma therapy. Polyvagal Theory, neuroaffective relational model etc.)

[@snowkey8163]

Are there more videos of Dhammarato

[@samalex7902]

Have you noticed that he does not charge for the calls? He is not in it for the money

[@rjsarratt92]

I did not say that he's trying to make money from his teachings. I said that all he cares about when it comes to his mother's death is the Will and the money he is owed.

[@poikkiki]

Great interview! It would be wonderful if you could interview Bhikkhu Analayo or Thanissaro Bhikkhu. I believe any of those interviews would be very well received :)

[@GuruViking]

Great ideas! Thank you for these suggestions :-)

[@poikkiki]

Guru Viking You're welcome! If you are ever out of ideas (which I doubt), I am happy to suggest a long list of teachers that I would love for you to have on the podcast 🙏🏻😊

[@GuruViking]

@@poikkiki I'd actually be very interested in that list - could you post here or email it to me at steve @ guruviking . com?

[@poikkiki]

Guru Viking Absolutely, will create one and email it right away! :) my email is: [e-mail].

[@poikkiki]

Guru Viking Just sent them out, let me know if you did not receive them

[@damenpro7051]

sounds good so far just not comvinced yet, but will consider

[@HowTow]

there has got to be a harder more complicated painful process, this is too easy

[@a.s2118]

Hahaha go to Goenka then!

[@ki4dbk]

"...those are the 5 Hindrances, you probably know them..." 🙏🙏🙏

[@nothackerxd608]

Is there a way to contact Dhammarato? Would love to talk with him.

[@ralpharino8215]

He can be contacted via email. His address can be found on this page: www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism_NoBans/comments/cvla97/dhamma_with_dhammarato/

[@vivaldiproton4413]

kzbin.info/door/jxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ

[@ZELOPCHANNELYOUTUBECHANNEL]

He's been in Asia longer than 15 years, more like 40.

[@rjsarratt92]

He has not lived in Asia for the full 40 years. I don't know about before I was born, but my Mom moved to Thailand in 1995. We helped Richard with his business and when the Baht collapsed in 1997, we all moved back to the United States (including Richard). He lived in Waxhaw, NC until around 15 years ago, when he decided he didn't want to be a part of this family any longer and he moved to Thailand once again. I have photos that prove I know this man, but KZbin doesn't allow picture comments.

[@ZachVance108]

@@rjsarratt92 I’d like to hear and see more,what’s your contact outside YT ?

[@martinratcliffe5987]

He's a jolly chap.

[@pennyjay9297]

Is he a dzogchen teacher like "Mr. Toad", Keith Dowman??

[@OgdenM]

Dhammarato is so hard to follow in this video. He seemingly just rambles around.

[@dynamogamer9726]

You may have him confused with someone else. There is no fee

[@rjsarratt92]

1) This man's name is Richard Estes and his Mother's name was Edith Estes-Wilson. I lived with him in Thailand from 1995 to 1997, right before the Baht collapsed. We all moved back to the United States. There's not doubt in my mind about who he is. 2) I did not say that he's trying to make money from his teachings. I said that all he cares about when it comes to his mother's death is the Will and the money he is owed.

[@Dipovinnana]

There’s presently a Dependent Origination workshop on Buddhist Society Of Western Australia being done that closely looks at the suttas and solidifies the fact that Past lives are definitely Past Lives, not moments and merit isn’t just hogwash. Also highly agree with interviewing Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Ajahn Brahm, Bhante Sujato among others. I did enjoy this interview nonetheless, interesting info about Buddhadassa Bhikkhu. It’s good to understand from a range of perspectives

[@vivaldiproton4413]

It would be wise for you to spend you time investigating Bhikkhu Buddhadasa and give Achan Brahm a miss,

[@Dipovinnana]

@@vivaldiproton4413 all the more reason to check him out^ On the surface Ajahn Brahm comes off as a kind of “rebel monk” but when looking closer he just openly speaks of controversial subjects like past lives, NDEs, and psychic abilities from a scientific pov. He was a theoretical physicist, his precepts have been pristine for 46 yrs, and he’s made a platform for women to ordain as nuns. ...but to each their own

[@John-xs5zg]

@@thomashammon7668 The belief that there is just one life is a belief too is it not? Do you claim to know there is only 1 life? Can you prove it? Based on another one of your garbled replies to a comment I made previously to Dhammarato's "teaching" and this gobbledygook I'm assuming you won't even understand the point I'm making. From what I can make out you seem to believe there is no rebirth. You do understand that this is a belief unless you actually know it. If you do know it can you offer some objective proof to help everyone else or maybe explain how you came about the insight to know it is definitely the case? Can you explain your reasoning and why what you think(the view you hold) is not a belief but fact?

[@narasimha7187]

I met a wonderful practitioner in Thiruvannamalai who experienced Sai Baba as a vast aura of rose colored light. That light entered this friend and he went into a week's long Samadhi of bliss. He still glowed beautifully on recalling it though the absorption was decades ago.

[@maleazammis2811]

For sure this troll is Christian just out trolling.

[@rjsarratt92]

I am not a Christian. You should do research on someone before you blindly follow their teachings.

[@abdalrahman2108]

Maybe the comment comes from a Troll.

[@rjsarratt92]

I am not a troll. This is my Grandfather. We lived in Bangkok together from 1995 to 1997, when the Baht collapsed. He may be a nice man on these videos, but he has been nothing but mean, hateful, and condescending during our discussions about my great grandmother's funeral and will. Believe what you want, but Richard Estes is a bad person.

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

@@rjsarratt92 interesting, thanks for sharing

[@rjsarratt92]

This is my Grandfather on my Mother's side. His real name is Richard Estes and he lived in Waxhaw, NC for quite a while. He's truly one of the biggest assholes I've ever met and was abusive to my Mom and Uncle. He started practicing Buddhism when I was a kid and he moved to Thailand about 15 years ago. His Mom just passed away on August 21st and all he cares about is the money from the will. He won't even come back for her funeral. This man is no true Buddhist.

[@fartedon123]

Wow fakes come in all forms......

[@coryhefner6577]

Buddha would be ashamed...

[@coryhefner6577]

What do you want family photos we got em and this sarratt fellow is 100% correct

[@vivaldiproton4413]

WOW so DHAMMARATO HAS ENEMIES, Glad to see this enemy has no class, no evidence and no good will, just hate. Maybe this idiot needs some dhamma.

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

@@vivaldiproton4413 your response was as immature and hateful, ironically. If what he says is true then his anger is quite understandable. No need to blindly reject what he is saying much like there is no need to blindly accept it.

[@John-xs5zg]

I think Dhammarato's take on rebirth being about mental states and denying rebirth over lifetimes is referred to as Wrong View in Buddhism, meaning he isn't what he calls a "Noble" or anywhere near it. If there were no multiple lifetimes then the Buddha could have taught 1 Truth not 4 Noble Truths to end all Dukkha. That would have be "Death is the end of Dukkha" as if there was no continued existence after death of the physical body there would be no Dukkha. However Lord Buddha taught the 4 Noble Truths, the 4th of which being the Eightfold Path which has as its goal to end the cycles of rebirth. This is very clearly stated in the Suttas many times. I suggest caution if you are new to Buddhism and listening to Dhammarato. Try instead listening to a well practiced teacher like Bhante Gunaratana or Ajahn Brahm would be a good idea as they actually know what they are talking about and I think that will be pretty clear if you have any discernment. I listened up to the 52nd minute but its quite clear Dhammarato doesn't have deep Samadhi meditation, however he does feel capable of interpreting other peoples' meditation experiences and dismissing them. There's a wealth of scientific evidence for rebirth, start with the documentary "Infinite Potential" about David Bohm. May you be happy and peaceful and get a chance to listen to actual Buddha Dhamma 🙏

[@vivaldiproton4413]

You should read MN 117 to SEE THAT DHAMMARATO IS CORRECT, rebirth is ordinary right view that ripens in clinging. What ever Buddhism you cling to is not the teaching of the Buddha, it is actually just your own opinion based on what you like and are use to. Time for you to wake up to the actual Buddha dhamma. Do some investigation, investigate you own mind to see clinging to the past (lives) is clinging and it is to be finished so you cab deal with this present moment. Investigate that there are two ways to use the word rebirth, and they both are not worth your time. Stay in the present, not the past and clearly not the deep dark past, it is gone done with, be here now,

[@John-xs5zg]

@Vivaldi Proton It seems to me you have not watched the above talk from Dhammarato as you have not directly addressed or been able to refute the actual points I have made. Watch for 45 seconds from 47:00 in the video and he directly says that rebirth wasn't taught by the Buddha. Now the sutta you mentioned proves that to be untrue. You have just gone off totally on your own tangent with the rest of your reply, possibly trying to give a Dhamma lesson on clinging which has nothing to do with any points raised, and its quite obvious you don't understand what I said. Anyway, to try to respond to someone who doesn't understand what I said in the first place is tricky, if not pointless, but anyway here is a direct quote from the sutta you mentioned, MN117, on what is the definition of wrong view, translated by Ajahn Thanissaro, which is the perfect example as it is likely the actual words of the Buddha: "And what is wrong view? 'There is nothing given, nothing offered, nothing sacrificed. There is no fruit or result of good or bad actions. There is no this world, no next world, no mother, no father, no spontaneously reborn beings; no contemplatives or brahmans who, faring rightly & practicing rightly, proclaim this world & the next after having directly known & realized it for themselves.' This is wrong view." Thanks for the sutta reference to better illustrate the point I made. It was the one thing in your reply that was perfectly on point. With regard to everything else you said in your reply to my comment, which seems close to incoherent ramblings and is totally inappropriate in relation to what I initially commented, I feel it doesn't warrant a response. Please try to stick to points raised when responding to comments in future and have the courage to use your real name on forums in the spirit of right speech, openess and honestly rather than using a pseudonym. Don't feel you have to protect a teacher you have affinity for as a frank and honest discussion of the Buddha Dhamma is important and if he couldn't take it I'm sure he'd not be on KZbin. It seems to me he totally dismisses rebirth, the Vissudhi Magga and Ven. Buddhagosa purely based on his own intuition and I'm pointing out that this seems like a silly rant and is unsupported by any evidence. Good day and may you be well and happy🙏

[@John-xs5zg]

@@thomashammon7668 Bizarre reply, thanks for illustrating how whacky the counter arguments are to what is plain as day written about rebirth in Suttas. You never referenced the content of the Sutta, your incoherent ramblings allow me no point of reference on which to maturely debate any point of consequence and your denigration of other spiritual paths/religions is in keeping with the ignorance of the rest of your reply. I'm not sure you have gotten started on spiritual practice but if and when you do I wish you good luck. Study and ethical conduct are a good starting point.

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

@@vivaldiproton4413 how is acknowledging rebirth dwelling in the past? That's ridiculous, it's an important insight to develop. Why do all of the people who defend Dhammarato sound like they are him under fake accounts?

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

@@John-xs5zg agreed

[@crimingtamizhan6839]

Wow what an eye opener

[@vivekmathur9868]

Dhammarato is an excellent teacher