Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Ajahn Brahm discusses a Buddhist perspective and response on the serious issues that face the world today like climate change and terrorism. Ajahn Brahm starts by pointing out that there is no single, unified Buddhist position on all these issues because there is no central person in charge to declare a uniform position, but rather, Buddhism is a practice that helps us to understand the world and respond to its challenges.

Part of the trick of knowing how to be happy is to not force it upon ourselves as an obligation. Or as Ajahn Brahm says, "Don't worry, be grumpy!"

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on meditation and how it works. One of the central principles and practices of Buddhism has been meditation. Those who know anything about the history of Buddhism know that it started with one person meditating under a tree. If there's any holy book in Buddhism it is the holy book of meditation in which you can read in your own heart, in the stillness of your mind rather than any scripture.

Ajahn Brahmali talks about how our actions (karma) bring about future results (vipaka) which impacts upon our well-being. He gives a broad ranging talk on what it really means to make "good karma" or "bad karma".

Ajahn Nyanadhammo counters the notion that freedom is doing whatever we want whenever we want, but that there is an even more profound freedom - the freedom of the mind.

Ayye Vayama reflects upon how happiness is a frame of mind that can be developed through understanding the causes of happiness and actively cultivating the thoughts and habits of mind that lead to happiness. She then goes on to explain what these positive and wholesome states of mind are that lead to happiness.

Ajahn Brahm offers advice (based on personal experience) on how to find in our tumultuous, busy lives.

Ajahn Brahm teaches us to not expect joy from life, but rather to make joy in life regardless of our present circumstances. Ajahn discusses the meaning of self esteem and happiness.

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How do we deal with criticism in a wise and skillful way? Ajahn Brahm offers advice on how to understand criticism and use it for our own benefit and that of others.

Most modern people who choose a spiritual path want guaranteed results, just like they were buying an expensive item from the department store - we want guarantees or a working product or our money back. But embedded in this attitude is the idea that we acquire things - when the Buddhist path is not about getting stuff, but about letting go. But when we do learn to let go, then we are on the path to Nibbana...

Ayye Vayama offers advice on why and how to create a life of inner wealth.

As Ajahn Brahm addresses the question of how to reconcile religion and science by "bending the faith to fit the facts" and not the other way around - and in the process talks about how to zero in on the experience of enlightenment.

Ajahn Brahmali reflects upon both how fundamental morality is to Buddhist practice and life, and also how inspiring the practice of morality can truly be.

This talk revolves around the second and third factors of the Noble Eightfold Path, namely the Intentions of Renunciation, Goodwill and Harmlessness - as well as the practising of Right Speech. Always pragmatic and practical, the Dhamma taught by the Buddha 2500 years ago, correlates perfectly with contemporary concepts of psychology: deluded and and ego-intoxicated, humans project their own fears and weaknesses onto others, rather than face these within themselves. This creates endless conflict and suffering. Loving kindness, gentleness, humility and frugality are the Buddha's antidote...

Ajahn Brahmali gives a big-picture outline of how the Buddhist teachings understand the nature of the universe to operate, and points out the numerous parallels to the contemporary scientific understanding of the universe. However, he goes further to say that science in future will catch up with the Buddhist understanding by discovering that there are a sequence of multiple universes - a big bang followed by a period of universe expansion, then a period of universe contraction, and finally a big crunch.... and then a new universe being born again (big bang) - entire universes being reborn.

Ajahn Brahm discusses both the perceived dangers and pleasures of sensuality, and a Buddhist approach to understanding the sensuality of the world.

Even in this modern scientific era many people are still very superstitious. And superstition induces fear. But original Buddhism questions everything and doesn't require blind faith in things that cannot be directly experienced. As Ajahn Brahm says, "We need to bend the faith to fit the facts, not bend the facts to fit the faith." Superstition is only an obstacle to spiritual development.

These days we're always trying to control so much of our lives - our environment, our food, our jobs, our families. But control is the opposite of freedom. And in the West we worship freedom. This creates a tension within our lives in the modern world. Ajahn Brahm offers a Buddhist perspective on the battle between control and freedom.

Ajahn Sister Vayama advising on how to share our own experiences of suffering and happiness with others to help all of us.

Ajahn Brahmali discusses the dangers of religious cults, including in Buddhism - how we can recognise them, and how to react to cults in society.