Buddhist Society of Western Australia

A talk given by Ajahn Brahm in support of the Anukampa Bhikkuni Project at Friends Meeting House, Manchester on 11th October 2017. Ajahn Brahm is the Spiritual Adviser of Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project. Donations towards Anukampa's aim to develop a nuns' monastery in England are extremely welcome. Please visit https://anukampaproject.org/donate/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKNUnOEhUGw (YouTube Channel: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project)

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Ajahn Cittapalo began by pointing out to us that our use of the word meditation instead of samadhi sometimes leads us to the wrong mindset when we meditate. Lost in translation like so many things said or done by Buddha, the word meditation to us in western society means “Continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature”. When we meditate we are usually trying to achieve the opposite. A mind state of calm, relaxation and clarity. Thoughts arise and we let them go. Ajahn used this odd fact to point out that we do tend to allow our minds to latch onto thoughts, rather then letting them go. The result is we spend our time contemplating rather than in peace. Having made us aware Ajahn asked us to allow ourselves to just let the thoughts go and not fall into contemplation.

Ajahn then guided the group in a longer than usual meditation [samadhi not contemplation], beginning with a body sweep and progressing onto just watching the breath. A meditation well suited to beginners and a pleasure to do.

After the meditation, Ajahn was asked questions relating to euthanasia and suicide. Subjects we in western society try to avoid. Ajahn answered as best he could after pointing out that Buddhism doesn’t have an opinion and that any answer given would be his point of view.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

What is the meaning of your life? Ajahn Brahm says that the meaning of life is what you give to it and Ajahn teaches us that one of the best meanings you can give life is caring and serving for others.

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Dhamma Talk and Questions and Answers Session given by Ajahn Brahmali on the 30^th of June 2018 in the UK.

Ajahn Brahmali supports Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project, of which Ajahn Brahmavamso is Spiritual Adviser. Donations towards Anukampa's aim to develop a nuns' monastery in England are extremely welcome. Please visit: https://anukampaproject.org/donate/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkfTqEB6kH0 (YouTube Channel: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project)

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Ajahn Brahmali doesn't often get the time to visit us at AMG and we are most grateful when he does because he is an excellent teacher.

Ajahn began by reminding us that the instructions while the same, repeated as they are help reinforce our meditation practice. The changes in our minds happens over time. The time it will take to reach deeper meditation states will vary greatly between each of us. The instructions though usually very simple can actually have a very profound affect on you over time. Hence the need for repetition.

Ajahn then guided us through meditation slightly longer than 30 minutes that is well suited to experienced and novice. Following meditation Ajahn opened to questions. Ajahn then gave a talk on that one subject we in western society tend to avoid. Ajahn delivered an explanation using his own very recent experience of having arranged and conducted a funeral for his father.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the
BSWA teachings page: more teachings, choose the AMG teaching
you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Ajahn Brahmali addresses the recent terrorist attack in Sri Lanka and teaches us how to view terrorism and other tragedies from a Buddhist perspective. Ajahn reminds us that our world is full of suffering and we should respond to this with compassion, not anger.

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A talk given by Ajahn Nissarano at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).
Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfuYesl5ETE&index=5&list=PLwPICjq7jNeqPSKNmtxEaiXMywVXdOIBX (YouTube Channel: BSV Dhamma Talks)

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel: https://bsv.podbean.com/ and BSV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BSVWeeklyDTEng/featured

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

With people coming to him expressing their concerns about disasters and tragedies in the world, Ajahn Brahm talks about how to deal effectively with tragedy and loss in life.

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Ajahn Brahm explains the Buddhist path as developing deeper levels of happiness until the highest happiness is attained: Enlightenment.

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Many years ago, Venerable Hasapanna wanted to ordain as a nun in the Theravada tradition but the opportunity wasn't available. Fortunately Venerable Hasapanna is now reaching her 10th year as a fully ordained Theravadin Nun (Bhikkhuni). Full Theravadin Bhikkhuni ordination was arranged by Ajahn Brahmavamso 10 years ago to allow for equality. Venerable Hasapanna advocates equality and equity not just for women in Buddhism, but for many aspects of people's lives. Lastly Venerable also discusses how to deal with our perceptions of unfairness.

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Guest Speaker Venerable Hue Can from the Vietnamese Zen tradition speaks about impermanence. Talk given during the rains retreat at Dhammaloka City Centre on the 24th August 2007.

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When visiting us at the Armadale Meditation Group, Ajahn Brahm always starts and ends the evening with humour. Tonight was no exception. Cleverly, Ajahn uses humour to bring us into the present moment. We are listening, we are focused, we are laughing and at ease. Forgotten are the troubles of the day, the plans for tomorrow. We are here in the present moment with Ajahn Brahm, listening intently to his jokes, funny stories and his instructions on meditation.

Ajahn Brahm led us in a thirty minute meditation easily enjoyed by beginners and experienced meditators alike. To begin, Ajahn simply asks us to make ourselves comfortable and as much as possible to relax. Not a traditional body sweep. Ajahn then progresses us to simply dealing with what is in front of us, rather than trying to suppress or dismiss our thoughts. Instead, encouraging us to focus on the silence between thoughts. As we practice this, the silence between thoughts gets longer.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions. Several of the questions are those many of us face.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

The Buddhist Society of WA has encountered many occasions where something seemed unattainable, such as building the monks' monastery and the nuns' monastery, but we were able to make the impossible a reality. Ajahn Brahm inspires us to just give it a try and says, "Any place where there is negativity, there is always a place where you can get great wisdom."  

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

A talk given by Ajahn Brahmali at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Po_LDWWJQs (YouTube Channel: BSV Dhamma Talks).

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel: https://bsv.podbean.com/ and BSV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BSVWeeklyDTEng/featured

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Ajahn Brahm offers a different perspective on mental disorders, such as Autism, ADHD and dyslexia and inspires us to embrace our differences.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

A talk given in 2016 at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV), by Bhante Buddharakkhita. Please note there is another monk with the same name at the Buddhist Society of WA.
Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUdaBNBkhPk (YouTube Channel: BSV Dhamma Talks)

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel: https://bsv.podbean.com/ and BSV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BSVWeeklyDTEng/featured

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

We are frequently encouraged to watch our breath during meditation. It is a time honoured practice we all use during meditation. Venerable Bodhidhaja references a novel written by Michael Ende titled Momo to encourage us to truly listen to what is happening in our minds rather than watching. Venerable uses this method because of the difference in how we define watching and listening. For many of us, when we watch an activity we are inclined to form an opinion or to perhaps wish it to be different. We are thinking. Not what we really want to do. So by just truly listening with the utmost attention and empathy, we don't tend to engage or form thoughts and opinions. A thought arises, we listen rather than watch and we let it go.

Venerable then guided us in an entirely relaxing, different meditation practice that encouraged us to listen with full attention and empathy, rather than watch our thoughts. Venerable commenced with a body scan and then softly moved to breath meditation. The meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation Venerable opened to questions.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Ajahn Brahm teaches us that our attitude changes how we experience our situations. Ajahn points out that when we complain, we get more tired and stressed; therefore we need to learn to relax. Ajahn Brahm teaches us how to relax to the max.

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To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

In this Dharma talk, Ajahn Brahmali discusses 56th sutta from the Samyutta Nikaya: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta; "Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma." A talk given at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).

Click here to read SN56.11 on Sutta Central. "The famous first discourse, taught at Varanasi to the group of five ascetics. It begins by rejecting the extremes of asceticism and indulgence and recommends the middle way of the eightfold path. Then it defines the four noble truths and analyzes them in twelve aspects. It ends with Venerable Kondañña becoming the first person apart from the Buddha to realize the Dhamma," Sutta Central.

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKqdylUvC2Q (YouTube Channel: BSV Dhamma Talks). Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel: https://bsv.podbean.com/ and BSV YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BSVWeeklyDTEng/featured

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

Ajahn Brahm says he has taught many times in prison, but not once has he seen a criminal, instead he saw people who have committed a crime. Ajahn encourages us not to judge people by their past actions, but instead to look for the goodness in them.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Dhamma Talks on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the talk you want and then type the title into the Podcast search box.