Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Kathryn Choules joins the Armadale Meditation Group again for part two in her four part series, on-line live for Rains 2024.

Armadale Meditation Group (AMG) is designed to teach you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, then receiving meditation instructions and meditating together, followed by asking questions and finally if time remains listening to a Dhamma talk. However, the layout can vary. These weekly Tuesday night teachings are happening via Zoom from Bodhinyana Monastery.

“All views expressed by our Rains Retreat Guest Speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the BSWA”

The BSWA is now using Ko-fi for donations. Please join us on Ko-fi and cancel your donations via Patreon. Thanks for your ongoing support!

Audio teachings are available to download from our BSWA Podcast Channel (Dharma talks and guided meditations) and BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel (Rain's Retreat teachings, retreats and suttas). Videos can be viewed on our BSWA YouTube Channel. Books and articles are available on our website here.

Past Presidents and long-term members came together to reflect on 50 years of BSWA. We shared happy memories of the various turning points that made the Society what it is today. We remembered it’s small beginnings end explored what makes it thrive, we talked about challenges and our hopes for the future. It was a wonderful insight into how a multicultural community comes together in peace and kindness. This starts from 38:35 minutes after the guided meditation.

From the far left to the right: Drew Bellamy, Dennis Sheppard, Sanath de Tissera, Malkanthi de Tissera, Sandra Henville, Binh Anson, Ananda Thilakasiri and Vivara Kunabutr

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice.

While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

TURNING POINTS 2023

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

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

*Apologies, this video is missing the first few minutes of the introduction and starts with the guided meditation in progress

John Waite strives to focus on study and practice but recognises the need to use one’s skills to benefit others as needed. To this end, he is an active volunteer firefighter in the Murray Shire and currently serves on a few FPMT committees and/or boards. He tries to complete a couple of retreats a year; in 2023 he completed one in honour of his guru Kyabje Zopa Rinpoche, fulfilling a commitment recently made to this revered teacher before his passing. This year’s retreat and pilgrimage in Nepal has also affirmed John’s desire to share the joy of practice with fellow students in Australia and serve others. He has embarked on a project to help improve education and potential for young women in Nepal.

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice.

While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

TURNING POINTS 2023

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

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

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice.

While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

TURNING POINTS 2023

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

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

Published with permission of Treasure Mountain Podcast. Please visit Treasure Mountain Podcast, Everyday Dhamma Network and Treasure Mountain Facebook page. 

This episode is about the late, great Master Hsying Yun, a true dynamo of a monk, dedicated to the spreading of the teachings and practice of Buddhism in Taiwan, China and around the world. Master Hsing Yun has achieved so much in his lifetime that it is virtually impossible to relate but a small part of it here in the introduction. However, by way of offering a introduction, here is a quick outline some of his achievements in brief:

Starting in the 1950s, Hsing Yun started making many achievements at an early age. He taught numerous classes, built many schools for children, recorded the first Buddhist hymns, and was promoted as an executive in many Buddhist associations. In 1957, Hsing Yun established a Buddhist cultural center in which a variety of Buddhist books are published with training tools such as audio and visual aids. In 1959, Hsing Yun also supported the Tibetan movement against communist suppression, and organised the first float parade in celebration of Wesak in Taiwan.

Perhaps one of Hsing Yun’s greatest achievements was his successful push for Wesak to become a national holiday in Taiwan, a wish that had been granted by former President Lee Teng-hui in 2000.

Master Hsing Yun was the founder and spiritual leader of Fo Guang Shan, a Buddhist organisation that has established around 300 temples and monasteries all over Taiwan, as well as in 12 other countries including China, the United States, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. He is also the author of 395 books in Chinese, many of which have been translated into other languages, notably to English. And all of this is just a brief outline, leaving out much of what Master Hsing Yun has achieved in his life.

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Further information regarding to topic of this episode:

• Hsingyun.org

• 佛光百科 FoGuangPedia - FoGuangPedia

• Home - Hsing Yun Education Foundation (hsingyunef.org.au)

• An-Honest-Revelation-—-An-Open-Letter-PDF.pdf (hsingyunef.org.au) 

Treasure Mountain Podcast links:

• Treasure Mountain Podcast
• Treasure Mountain on Facebook
• Everyday Dhamma Network

Thank you for listening to the Treasure Mountain Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode please share it with you friends. If you'd like to support me to produce this type of content in future, you can support my work by offering a tip via the Ko-fi payment applet or via my Patreon.

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice.

While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

TURNING POINTS 2023

What happens when we die? A very moving and uplifting talk about life and death and life again.

Len Warren has volunteered in palliative care for 15 years. He is a long-time student at Hayagriva Buddhist Centre. He founded The Pure Land Centre for those who wish to focus on the spiritual aspects at the end of life. He tells a deeply personal story about the loss of his son and the blessings that led him on the Buddhist path.

Sue Lee is a retired physiotherapist whose work entailed both working with patients and managing a large department. As a member of the Buddhist Society of WA for 28 years, the teachings of Ajahn Brahm and other senior sangha members have informed her spiritual path and provided an inspiring guide for living. Sue talks about the ways that these teachings can help the dying.

In helping with the development of the Pure Land Centre, both Sue and Len hope to help spread the Buddha’s teachings where they are needed, and lighten the load for those at the end of their lives.

For more information, please visit

https://purelandcentre.org.au/
https://bswa.org/event/friday-night-speaker-rains-2023/

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

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

A lovely evening spent with Ven Thubten Chokyi from Hayagriva Buddhist Centre, Ven Hue Can from Sunyata Buddhist Meditation Centre along with Geetha Mendis and Sandra Henville from Buddhist Society of WA celebrating International Bhikkuni Day by sitting on country in a sea of spring Djilba flowers to talk about the Buddhist Women who inspire us, how to respond to modern challenges and of course meditation wisdom! We raised about $300 for Sakyadhita to support Australian Bhikkhunis travelling to study overseas. Thank you everyone for your warm and generous spirit! Sadhu sadhu sadhu! lekso lekso lekso!

Every year, the monastic community (Monks and nuns) go on a three month retreat called the “Rains Retreat” from mid July to mid October. During this period, they do not visit our centres for teachings as it’s a time for deepening their own practice.

While the monks and nuns are away, we will have some interesting guest speakers coming in to give the Friday Night talk.

TURNING POINTS 2023

This teaching includes a 30 minute guided meditation, followed by a Dhamma talk by Dennis. Dennis Sheppard has been involved with the Buddhist community since 1976, joining the Buddhist Society of Western Australia in 1978 as a young man interested in meditation and spiritual practice. He went on to serve multiple terms as president, as well as serving in several other capacities including designing several buildings for both monastics and the lay community. Dennis's talks delve deep to explore reality, deep meditation and the meaning of life. Dennis was recently awarded life membership for his services.  

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

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