Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Responding to a request to talk on the Buddhist idea of the art of love for Valentine’s Day. Ajahn Brahm gives a teaching on what romance or love actually is and how it works.

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Ajahn Brahmali reflects on the meaning of Secular Buddhism, the need for it and whether Buddhism’s really a religion in the first place. Ajahn takes a look at how Buddhism has changed and adapted in western culture and the risks of Buddhism changing too much.

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Ajahn Brahm offers a deeper and broader understanding of mindfulness. Ajahn talks about the development and benefits of mindfulness and meditation, how it actually works and its role in the path of practice.

Venerable Mudito encouraged us to lift our self confidence by looking within, asking if we respect ourselves.  Be kind to ourselves and in so doing lift our self confidence.

Venerable then guided us through a 30 minute meditation using our bodies as the focus, totally relaxing us in the process.  The mediation was well suited to beginners and intermediates.  He then gave a Dharma talk to further encourage us to look inward and boost our self confidence.

During Q&A he explained how he came to be a Monk and why it is so important for us to be kind and respectful to our selves.  We look forward to Venerable returning to The Armadale Meditation Group.

Ajahn Sujato talks about the relationship or connection between our environment, climate change and the Dhamma, Buddhism. Ajahn takes a close look at how our existence is interdependent with our environment and everything going on around us and reflects upon how to deal with our emotions about climate change such as despair, depression and fear of the future.

Ajahn Brahm offers a Buddhist attitude and perspective towards climate change and the environment.

Ajahn gives this talk to help relieve people’s underlying fears about climate change and generate some solutions. Ajahn begins by talking about an interesting metaphor in the Jataka tales (suttas) about climate change. And Ajahn also talks about reincarnation being a good reason to care for the land we live on.

Ajahn Brahm dedicates this talk to those of us living alone or without a relationship, however he says this talk is also relevant to those in relationships. 

Ajahn elaborates on the Buddhist principle or the basic law of karma that what you are experiencing right now is the result of your karma from the past and you can’t do anything with it. The most important thing is not what you have to deal with in life, but how you deal with it. In other words what are you making out of what you have. 

Ajahn advises us to love and appreciate ourselves and others and stop trying to change and improve ourselves and others.

What if this is your last meditation?  Ajahn Brahmali begins by giving a short Dhamma talk on the skilful ways of establishing yourself in the present moment. Ajahn teaches us that by contemplating death, thoughts about past and future fade away. Ajahn suggests to contemplate death at the beginning of the meditation to remind us that the past and future are irrelevant and help remove restlessness and tiredness.

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What is the Buddha’s advice to lay Buddhists?

Ajahn repeats some of the Buddha’s teachings he gave to laypeople and talks of the benefits of living life well. Ajahn begins by looking at the distinction between what the Buddha taught to laypeople and monastics. Ajahn covers many topics such as morality, generosity, kindness, solitude practise and meditation.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on how to find a way through the thicket of confusion. Ajahn talks about remaining open to the potentials and opportunities that life brings, rather than allowing ourselves to become overwhelmed and lost in confusion.

Ajahn Appichato reflects upon the benefits of meditation on the mind and body, such as meditations physical healing effects and the great sense of peace and well-being it brings to the mind.

Ajahn Cittapalo is always a welcome teacher at AMG, he never fails to fill the house. Tonight he encouraged us to be patient with our impatience. Thoughts arise during meditation whether we want them to or not. Don't be impatient with yourself, let them go and gently bring your mind back to your meditation object.

Ajahn guided us through a 30 minute meditation that was well suited to beginners and intermediates.  He then gave a Dharma talk that was both humorous and relevant to our habit of being impatient with our minds.

How can we development wisdom in our day to day experiences? How does wisdom manifest in our actions, thoughts and feelings?

Ajahn Appichato talks about the wisdom component of Buddhism which brings you to the truth. Ajahn points out that human beings have an insight faculty to develop a deep understanding of themselves and life in general. And Ajahn talks about the link between awareness or mindfulness and wisdom. 

Ajahn Brahm responds to the question “how should Buddhists relate to Anzac Day?,” which is the day Australians and New Zealander’s commemorate those Australians and New Zealander’s who served and died in wars.

Ajahn gives a talk on the Buddhist attitude to military, wars, fighting and conflicts. And reflects upon how to relate to days such as Anzac Day, why do people join the army, what to do if we are called to go to war and are there other alternatives to these conflicts?

Ajahn Brahm begins by talking about having gentleness and patience with our meditation. How to stay in this present moment by caring for and looking after this present moment and our body and mind; just as waiter cares for his customers. Ajahn also talks about why the mind does and doesn’t wander off.

For the 2011 New Year's Eve Dhamma Talk, Ajahn Brahm reminds us that learning how to put happiness into life is one of the great teachings and secrets of Buddhism. Ajahn talks about how for him the happiness principle of Buddhism, that is learning how to put happiness into whatever you’re doing and how to take away your suffering, pain, misery, guilt, fear and worries is more important than philosophising and theorising.

Ajahn Brahm ponders why it is we get into an unhealthy habit of blaming others for the suffering we experience in life?
Ajahn talks about why blaming others is a waste of time and creates more problems, pointing out that the suffering or problem is not from the other person but from you. 

Venerable Nirodha from Dhammasara Nun's Monastery gives a Dhamma talk on Christmas Eve. Venerable Nirodha tells us her story of what brought her Buddhism, how it all began and what made her change. Venerable points out that sharing and reflecting on our beginnings helps ourselves and others understand where we are now. Venerable strongly recommends we go through life with open eyes and not just rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. 

“All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will one day become separated from me” the Buddha. Ajahn Brahm gives a teaching on anicca or change and the importance of coming to terms with change. Ajahn talks about understanding and accepting the constant changing nature of our world and life and how doing this gives rise to wisdom and compassion.

Ajahn Brahm tells the story of the Four Old Men: wealth, success, peace and harmony. The story teaches us about getting our priorities right because Ajahn says a lot of problems in life come from when we focus on something which is not worth very much and sacrifice things which are worth far, far more. Ajahn explains how when we get our priorities wrong we suffer and we create suffering for others.