Online Retreat with Ayya Sobhana: Practicing for the Destruction of the Taints

Āsava, in the language of the early Buddhist texts, is variously translated as taint or defilement, influx or outflow, corruption or canker.  The three taints of sensuality, desire to be reborn, and ignorance refer to unwholesome influences in the mind which block our liberation from suffering.

The destruction of the taints (āsavakkhaya) is a frequent epithet for the final goal of our practice and one who has reached the goal, an arahant or a buddha, is called one who has destroyed the taints (khīṇāsava).

During this short retreat, Ayya Sobhana will explore the destruction of the taints as a vivid and inspiring image for the aim of our practice, helping us to stay motivated and on the right track.

Ayya Sobhana recently completed a four month silent retreat in the forest at Aranya Bodhi, Awakening Forest Hermitage, where she clarified her aspirations.

Idam me puññaṃ āsavakkhayā vadaṃ hotu  May my…