The Alms Gatherer (Khandhasamyutta SN 22:80) | Ven Canda | 17th October 2025

Ven Candā: Sutta Discussion "The Alms Gatherer (Khandhasamyutta SN 22:80)" 17.10.25

Blurb:
In this sutta discussion, Ven Candā reads and reflects on the “The Alms-Gatherer” (SN 22.80), in which the Buddha comes out of retreat to teach newly ordained monastics about letting go of unwholesome ways of thinking through reflecting on the five components of existence (the khandas). This is followed by 40 minutes of discussion based on questions from participants. [0:00] Sutta part 1: The Buddha supports the Sangha [12:13] Sutta part 2: Where unwholesome thought ends [17:43] Sutta part 3: From clinging to suffering [23:28] Is what is impermanent necessarily suffering? [30:20] The lowest form of livelihood [34:30] The uncomfortable mess of the mind [42:00] Can we cling to the spiritual when the outer world is so troubling? [50:00] Is suffering the cause of liberation? [56:38] A practice for contemplating non-self Sutta References: SN 22.80: The Alms-Gatherer https://suttacentral.net/sn22.80/en/b... SN 12.23: Proximate Cause https://suttacentral.net/sn12.23/en/b... SN 5.10: Vajirā https://suttacentral.net/sn5.10/en/bo... ✨️Here at Anukampa Grove we are currently inviting donations for building our first huts for nuns and an outdoor office that is secluded from the main building, to offer meditators more solitude and peace. Your help is ESPECIALLY appreciated at this exciting time: https://www.anukampaproject.org/donate ✨️Standing orders are also always appreciated, to help with renovations, maintenance and bills. ✨️Please click SUBSCRIBE to help us spread the Dhamma. ABOUT US: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project is a charity that aims to spread the Buddha's teachings and give women the opportunity to train toward full bhikkhuni ordination for the very first time in the UK. Over the years we have developed a diverse and dedicated spiritual community around these aims and recently found a property! Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, in Boar's Hill, Oxford, is surrounded by peaceful woodland. We moved there only on March 22nd, 2024. In this exciting phase we welcome your support to enable us to cover the significant running costs, make essential renovations and adaptations to the property, and welcome visitors and aspiring monastic trainees as soon as we can! Donations of any amount are very gratefully received, either as one-off gifts or standing orders. UK tax payers can claim gift aid, increasing your donation by 25%. International bank transfers can be made via Wise. Please visit https://www.anukampaproject.org/donate or write to [email protected] for further information.