Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Ajahn Khemavaro is the Abbot of Wat Buddha Dhamma and as such, doesn't get out much. To have him at the Armadale Meditation Group for our Tuesday night was a rare privilege. So many thanks to Ajahn Santutthi of Wat Dhammayanaram for inviting him across the country for a visit and our Co-ordinator Marlene for inviting him to our group.

Ajahn began the evening talk explaining meditation and comparing it to cleaning our homes. Just as when our homes become dusty and unkempt, they need to be cleaned or cleared. So to our minds from time to time need to be cleaned or cleared. When we return home we often flop down into our favourite chair and simply "chill out". We do our best to forget the day and not plan for the future. Often as not we sit in front of our TV or computer and just get lost. All this to only have it all return the following day. Ajahn explains that by using a simple mantra [being mindful], even when working, we can overcome most of the things that bother us.

Ajahn then reminded us that if our body is not comfortable the meditation will be difficult. So we are encouraged to find a body position that can be maintained for at least 30 minutes. Ajahn then guided us through a 30 minute meditation using a simple mantra. This meditation is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A.

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

Ajahn Brahmali discusses what monasticism is, why it is essential to Buddhism and what the benefits of becoming a monk or nun are. Ajahn explains how the monastic life can bring happiness to oneself and others.

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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.

Ajahn Brahm gives a public talk on the 7^th March 2018 at the Library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), hosted by the Independent Learning Centre of CUHK, with the title “Highway to Happiness: Tips for Students, Teachers and Everyone" CUHK Independent Learning Centre https://www.ilc.cuhk.edu.hk/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxUBdLdu8zY (YouTube Channel: Bodhinyana International Foundation HK)

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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.

Ajahn Brahmali, barely off the plane from Singapore and almost straight to us at AMG. Ajahn began by reinforcing those simple to follow but often forgotten instructions we should all follow when meditating. Ajahn doesn’t just give us the instructions, Ajahn includes an explanation that we all can follow and easily implement.

Ajahn then guided us in our meditation. This meditation is approximately 40 minutes and easily done by beginners and experienced meditators.

Following meditation Ajahn talked to us about Vesak Day. Ajahn related to us some of the main aspects of the Buddha’s life. Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and eventual death. More importantly he talked to us about the often overlooked aspect of the Buddha, that he comes across from the sutta as being a very ordinary human. Ajahn then points out that what the Buddha had, that made him the Buddha, was insight into how our minds work.

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

Ajahn Brahm teaches us how to be comfortable with the feelings and changes we experience while growing old. Some of the questions asked at the end include: How to console people who are distraught about their loved ones dying, especially those who do not believe in life after death? Does the mind age too? And how do you cope when your body falls apart and you have no control?

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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.

A Dhamma talk given by Ajahn Katapunno at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV) in 2018.

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbO_7NtqHZQ (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 gives guidance on loving-kindness meditation. 

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Having been asked about the role of helping and serving others, Ajahn Brahm talks about both the beauty and goodness of helping others, but also the dangers like over-committing and burning out. Ajahn Brahm talks about how to help and serve others using both compassion and wisdom.

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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.

Ajahn Appi began by asking us all to reflect on all the good we have done through out our lives to up lift our minds. As an indicator, Ajahn pointed out to us that many of the people he meets daily that look at their lives in this way, are by default happy and joyful despite economic pressures. They are not typically easily distressed or unsettled. They have built a store of emotional strength on which to call when times are more difficult. By reflecting on all the good things in life rather than the negative.

Ajahn then guided the group in a longer than usual meditation asking us all to be as comfortable as we are able first. Then to reflect on all the good qualities that we each know we have. After reflecting on ourselves we moved to the good we have done for others, then to breath meditation. This meditation is more suited to experienced meditators.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions. In response to a question, Ajahn then reminded us that no matter who we are we are all capable of reaching very deep meditative states. So for many of us, when random thoughts intrude, we need to address them, to understand why they continue to intrude. Looking as deeply as we can into such thoughts helps to diminish them. Then they eventually go away. Samadhi is attained.

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

We think that we own our body and emotions. Venerable Hasapanna reminds us that our body and emotions are impermanent and we don’t own them. Venerable advises one way to help build wholesome qualities, habits and mental states is to remember that we are not permanent, our negative emotions won't last.

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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.

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)

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 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.

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.

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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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 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.

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

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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.

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.

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.