Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Ajahn's talk starts from 5:50mins. Ajahn opens by talking about his unique position as an ex-theoretical physicist who still keeps up with physics, as well as a Buddhist monk with actual experience with the deeper states of mind. Ajahn then talks about the interface between Buddhism, psychology and science.   Ajahn shares that real science is about making a hypothesis and trying "(one's) damnest" to disprove a hypothesis. Modern science, instead, focuses on finding evidence in support of the hypothesis; this is driven by the need for grants: Ajahn uses the example of the Higgs Boson, which, in Ajahn's view, is not definitively proved but is still very tentative. But the pressure to justify the expenditure has warped perceptions of the scientists involved.   Ajahn points out that in modern society, the burden of proof on religion is much higher than the burden of proof in modern science. Ajahn also points out the problem of peer review, which does not provide rigorous review.   Ajahn emphasises the importance of challenging the status quo in search of the truth, in both real religion and in real science. Ajahn emphasises that the intersection of real Buddhism, psychology and real science is when there is space to question.   Ajahn also mentions that secular mindfulness has a limitation: it does not include compassion. Ajahn illustrates the limitation of bare awareness with a parable of a guard who was mindful of the burglars. "Mindfulness (alone) is not enough. Mindfulness and kindness is enough."

Ajahn Brahm gave this public talk on "Buddhism and Science" at the University of Toronto on November 7, 2012. Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoUMLb8es4A (YouTube Channel: urbanbuddhistmonk)

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Ajahn Cittapalo guides an intermeditate/ advanced meditation class for approximately one hour. Recorded at Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre, Perth, Western Australia. 

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Are Samatha and Vipassana different methods or two aspects of the same technique? Ajahn emphasises that there is no difference between samatha and vipassana, and that focusing on the difference causes people to miss out on the pleasures of meditation. Ajahn explains stillness arises from letting go, rather than being a control freak: "meditation is nothing to do with concentration; it's about stillness."

Public talk given by Ajahn Brahm on the first day of a meditation retreat at the West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center in Toronto, in 2012. Teaching retrieved from (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjeFZoQYTPs (YouTube Channel: urbanbuddhistmonk)

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

From February 15th to 24th 2015, Ajahn Brahm offered this San Francisco Bay Area speaking tour in support of the Dhammadharini’s Sangha new bhikkhuni monastery. Founded by Ayya Tathaaloka, the Dhammadharini women’s monastic community was the first bhikkhuni Sangha of the Theravadan forest tradition in North America, and one of the few places in the West that women can become fully ordained Buddhist monastics. Dhammadharini's Aranya Bodhi Hermitage and temporary vihara are led by fully ordained female monastics (bhikkhunis), the type of monastic life and ordination established by the Buddha 2,500 years ago.

In this talk, Ajahn Brahm talks about the importance of taking refuge not in specific teachers, but in the Dhamma. Ajahn also urges listeners to question monastics and have candid but respectful discussions. Ajahn describes the differences between a monastic (who has taken vows of renunciation) vs. a layperson is largely the degree of renunciation. Ajahn also talks about how we make the choice whether to be angry or not, and how choosing to perceive things differently (e.g. perceiving snoring as modern music) helps one to overcome ill-will: "it's not the sound that disturbs you, it's you who disturbs the noise."

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPkD03I8sKA (YouTube Channel: Ajahn Brahm's Benefit Talks for Dhammadharini)

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Ajahn Brahm shares his classic simile of the cup to illustrate how to still the mind in meditation.

Ajahn Brahm gives a wide ranging talk offering a Buddhist perspective on the problems in our modern world.

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We are delighted to have guest speaker Dr Geoff Gallop during the rains retreat for 2018. Dr Geoff Gallop is a former Premier of WA and patron of Jhana Grove Retreat Centre. He is currently a professor and director of Government at the University of Sydney.

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

From February 15th to 24th 2015, Ajahn Brahm offered this San Francisco Bay Area speaking tour in support of the Dhammadharini’s sangha new bhikkhuni monastery. Founded by Ayya Tathaaloka, the Dhammadharini women’s monastic community was the first bhikkhuni sangha of the Theravadan forest tradition in North America, and one of the few places in the West that women can become fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Ajahn's talk begins from around 15 minutes. Ajahn talked about the essence of Buddhism ("The essence of Buddhism is suffering, and suffering is asking from this world what it cannot give you.") and giving 100% to everything you've got to the job at hand ("If you're going to sweep, give it everything you've got".)

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5CB-T8PS0I (YouTube Channel: Ajahn Brahm's Benefit Talks for Dhammadharini)

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This talk was at the Google Campus on 2015 February 23rd. Ajahn Brahm toured the San Francisco Bay Area to raise funds to establish a Buddhist convent for the nuns of Dhammadharini.

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Ajahn Brahm gives a talk about how developing stillness of the mind can not only lead to insight, but resolve so many of the problems in our lives.

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We are delighted to have guest speaker Venerable Susara during the rains retreat for 2018. Ajahn Susara is an Austrian monk who resides in Sri Lanka. He will be giving a talk on 'Handling Karma'.

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The "Information Age" we now live in seems to have ushered in this hectic, new pace of working that's driving us all a bit crazy and it feels unsustainable. How do you think we ended up here?
Ajahn Brahm shares some advice on how to maintain a wise balance in our lives.
A public talk given at the Buddhist Fellowship in Singapore, 2014.

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocZM5mbC4hA (YouTube Channel: Buddhist Fellowship)

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Ajahn Brahm can't meditate. He explains how it's important to get out of the way first, and only then the meditation happens.

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

From 15th to 24th February 2015, Ajahn Brahm offered this San Francisco Bay Area a tour in support of the Dhammadharini’s Sangha's new bhikkhuni monastery. Founded by Ayya Tathaaloka, the Dhammadharini women’s monastic community is the first bhikkhuni Sangha of the Theravadan forest tradition in North America and one of the few places in the West where women can become fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Part 3: This talk is a continuation of Part 2's questions and answers session. Ajahn answers questions about various topics, such as the use of humour, how to speak properly, how to use one's two ears ("one to go in, one to go out"), etc. The session ends with a 30 minute guided meditation (from 1:03:00), before ending with Ajahn answering more questions. (Note: recording ends abruptly)

Please consider donating to Dhammadharini's campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-feminine-wisdom-in-buddhism#/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ajahn+brahm+at+spirit+rock (YouTube Channel: Ajahn Brahm's Benefit Talks for Dhammadharini)

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

From 15th to 24th February 2015, Ajahn Brahm offered this San Francisco Bay Area a tour in support of the Dhammadharini’s Sangha's new bhikkhuni monastery. Founded by Ayya Tathaaloka, the Dhammadharini women’s monastic community is the first bhikkhuni Sangha of the Theravadan forest tradition in North America and one of the few places in the West where women can become fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Part 2: This talk is a continuation of Part 1 and is a 'questions and answers session'. The session starts with a question about divorce and relationships, followed by a question about the relationship between samatha and vipassana. Ajahn talks about the importance of kindness leading to samatha (calm) and vipassana (insight) and how letting go strengthens the Knower and not the Doer. Ajahn also answers other questions about education and relationships.

Please consider donating to Dhammadharini's campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-feminine-wisdom-in-buddhism#/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ajahn+brahm+at+spirit+rock (YouTube Channel: Ajahn Brahm's Benefit Talks for Dhammadharini)

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

Ajahn Brahm begins this Q and A interview with a response about the difference between intelligence and wisdom, and explains how wisdom is alive and in the moment.

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Ajahn Brahm gives a talk to an audience in Singapore about effective responses to insecurities in life.

This is part 2 of 2.

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Ajahn Brahm speaks to a large audience in Singapore about how to deal with insecurities in life. 

This is part one of two parts.

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

This recording starts off with a 30 minute guided meditation, followed by a one hour Buddha Dhamma talk which begins around 36:45 minutes into the recording. The meditation and talk are designed to go together. The meditation is to be experienced and then the talk refers back to the meditation. Dennis Sheppard is a long time lay practitioner and president of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia.

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

From 15th to 24th February 2015, Ajahn Brahm offered this San Francisco Bay Area a tour in support of the Dhammadharini’s Sangha's new bhikkhuni monastery. Founded by Ayya Tathaaloka, the Dhammadharini women’s monastic community is the first bhikkhuni Sangha of the Theravadan forest tradition in North America and one of the few places in the West where women can become fully ordained Buddhist monastics.

Part 1: Ajahn Brahm talks about the importance of being light-hearted on the spiritual path. Ajahn also busted a few myths in Buddhism, such as that samadhi isn't "concentration" but better translated as "stillness". "Concentration takes a lot of effort; stillness takes a lot of letting-go." Ajahn then talked about how to let go, and shared other stores. The talk ends with a guided meditation by Ajahn (1:30:00) for about 25 mins.

Please consider donating to Dhammadharini's campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/support-feminine-wisdom-in-buddhism#/

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ajahn+brahm+at+spirit+rock (YouTube Channel: Ajahn Brahm's Benefit Talks for Dhammadharini)

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