Buddhist Society of Western Australia

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

Joining us on this episode is a humble, yet trail-blazing monk from the forest tradition lineage of Ajahn Chah who is now the senior most bhikkhu at Abhayagiri Forest Monastery in California. I’m speaking of course of the Venerable Ajahn Pasanno.

Ajahn Pasanno took ordination in Thailand in 1974 with Venerable Phra Khru Ñāṇasirivatana as preceptor. During his first year as a monk he was taken by his teacher to meet Ajahn Chah, with whom he asked to be allowed to stay and train. One of the early residents of Wat Pah Nanachat, Ajahn Pasanno became its abbot in his ninth year. During his incumbency, Wat Pah Nanachat developed considerably, both in physical size and reputation. Spending 24 years living in Thailand, Ajahn Pasanno became a well-known and highly respected monk and Dhamma teacher. He moved to California on New Year’s Eve of 1997 to share the abbotship of Abhayagiri with Ajahn Amaro. In 2010 Ajahn Amaro accepted an invitation to serve as abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England, leaving Ajahn Pasanno to serve as sole abbot of Abhayagiri for the next eight years. In spring of 2018, Ajahn Pasanno stepped back from the role of abbot and now serves as a guiding elder for the community.

A quick note to listeners: I had a lot of problems with delayed echos across the original recording. I did a lot of editing to remove that echo, and I believe I’ve removed all of that which can be removed without changing the flow of the interview. I think it’s turned out quite well, but there are a few points at which we have echo or less than optimal audio.

In any case, I think it’s a really interesting interview in which one of the most senior Western disciples of Ajahn Chah reflects upon life and the changing times as Buddhism comes to the West. I hope you all enjoy this interview with Ajahn Pasanno.

Further information regarding to topic of this episode:

• Abhayagiri Forest Monastery

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.

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Brahmali on the 30 April 2023, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

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.

Anukampa is a UK Charity and pioneering project that is raising funds to develop the first Theravada Bhikkhuni Monastery in the UK, where women can train towards full ordination. Donations of any amount are very gratefully received to help us achieve this noble aim, welcome you as guests and continue to spread the priceless Dhamma teachings.

Please visit www.anukampaproject.org/donate for more information.

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwkXh2KWUXs (YouTube Channel: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project)

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.

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Nissarano on 06th August 2023, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Venerable Nissarano is an Australian monk who ordained under Ajahn Brahm 22 years ago. He currently resides at the Newbury Buddhist Monastery as the Senior Monastic.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

Dhamma Talk ‘What Makes Buddhism Unique’ and Questions and Answers by Ajahn Brahmali given on the 24^th September 2023 via video conference for Anukampa.

Anukampa is a UK Charity and pioneering project that is raising funds to develop the first Theravada Bhikkhuni Monastery in the UK, where women can train towards full ordination. Donations of any amount are very gratefully received to help us achieve this noble aim, welcome you as guests and continue to spread the priceless Dhamma teachings.

Please visit www.anukampaproject.org/donate for more information.

Teaching retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwkXh2KWUXs (YouTube Channel: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project)

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.

Monday Night Meditation at Wat Dhammayanaram, Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) with Venerable Sunyo on 24 July 2023. These weekly teachings give an introduction into Meditation and some guidance and basics into the practice of the Buddhist Path. They usually consist of a short talk, thirty minute meditation and then questions & answers.

Venerable Sunyo was born in the Netherlands and became interested in Buddhism and meditation near the end of high school. In 2013, after finishing University, he moved to Bodhinyana Monastery in Western Australia to become a monk.

Please support BSWA in making these teachings available by donating via Patreon or our General Expenses Fund.

To download the audio, click on the audio track’s title to open it up in Podbean.

More dhamma teachings are available from:

• BSWA Podcast Channel (Dharma talks and guided meditations)
• BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel (retreats and suttas)
• BSWA YouTube Playlists
• Books and articles are available on our website.

Teaching retrieved from CBSWA please visit https://thecbswa.org to find out how to attend the monastery in person.

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.

Apologies, the audio is rather soft - please use headphones. Steven Towler has been a Buddhist for over fifty years and is a Dhamma Group facilitator at Wat Dhammayanaram managed by the Cambodian Buddhist Society WA. Steven spent 7 rains as a monk in the Thai Forest Tradition learning from teachers including Acharn Fun, Acharn Baen and Acharn Tate. Steven has skillfully translated text from teachers such as Luang Poo Tate, Luang Ta Maha Boowa and Acharn Piak from Thai to English.

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 (Rains Retreat Speakers' Series 2023). Hear stories of everyday dhamma as told by monastics and lay practitioners from various Buddhist traditions.

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. 

On this episode of Spirit Stories we have as our guest, Piotr Jagodziński from the Poland who has led the establishment and growth of the Sasana.pl website and youtube channel that has been translating the teachers of the forest tradition into Polish and getting an astonishing amount of traffic! Recently Piotr is leading efforts to establish a monastery in the Theravada tradition. Piotr is a true pioneer of the Buddhist Sasana in Poland and has supported thousands of people to connect with this authentic spiritual tradition and develop their own practice.

Links referred to in this episode:

• Sasana.pl website – http://sasana.pl
• Sasana.pl youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/c/sasanaPL
• Theravada.pl website – http://theravada.pl
• Dhamma.pl free books in Polish – https://dhamma.pl

Treasure Mountain links:

• Treasure Mountain Podcast – https://www.treasuremountain.stream/
• Treasure Mountain website – https://www.treasuremountain.info/
• Treasure Mountain facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/TreasureMountainPodcast

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.

Monday Night Meditation at Wat Dhammayanaram, Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) with Venerable Sunyo on 17 July 2023. These weekly teachings give an introduction into Meditation and some guidance and basics into the practice of the Buddhist Path. They usually consist of a short talk, thirty minute meditation and then questions & answers.

Venerable Sunyo was born in the Netherlands and became interested in Buddhism and meditation near the end of high school. In 2013, after finishing University, he moved to Bodhinyana Monastery in Western Australia to become a monk.

Please support BSWA in making these teachings available by donating via Patreon or our General Expenses Fund.

To download the audio, click on the audio track’s title to open it up in Podbean.

More dhamma teachings are available from:

• BSWA Podcast Channel (Dharma talks and guided meditations)
• BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel (retreats and suttas)
• BSWA YouTube Playlists
• Books and articles are available on our website.

Teaching retrieved from CBSWA please visit https://thecbswa.org to find out how to attend the monastery in person.

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

Sutta References for this talk:
(A) Meditation
1. Body Scan - Kāyagatāsati sutta (Mindfulness of the Body) MN 119 
2. Two essential factors for Meditation: Well purified ethics & correct view – Bhikkhu Sutta (A Monk) SN 47:3
3. Dvedhāvitakka Sutta (Two Kinds of Thoughts) MN 19
4. Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta (Stopping/Calming of Thoughts) MN 20

(B) First Part of the Talk: Turning Points
1. Buddha’s Autobiography - Ariyapariyesanā Sutta (Noble Search) MN 26
2. First Dhamma Discourse – Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Rolling Forth the Wheel of Dhamma) SN 56:11
3. Establishment of Bhikkhuni Order – Gotamī Sutta (With Gotamī) AN 8:51

(C) Second Part of the Talk: Dhamma Bonus Points for our Welfare & Happiness
1. Five Aggregates
a. Maha Punnamā Sutta (The greater Discourse on the Full-Moon Night) MN 109
b. Dutiyagaddulabaddha Sutta (A leash) SN 22:100

2. Five Hindrances
a. Maha Assapura Sutta (The greater Discourse at Assapura) MN39
b. Saṅgārava sutta (With Saṅgārava) SN 46:55

3. Five Precepts / Purification of Ethics
a. Pañcaverabhaya Sutta (Dangers and Threats) SN12:41 - https://suttacentral.net/search?query=sn12.41
b. Velāma Sutta (About Velāma) AN 9:20
c. Lonakapalla Sutta (A Lump of Salt) AN 3:100
d. Sappurisa Sutta (A True Person) AN 5:42
e. Dhammapada Verse 173

4. Five Benefits of Offering Food / Generosity
a. Bhojana Sutta (Food) AN 5:37
b. Dānānisaṁsa Sutta (The benefits of Giving) AN 5:35
c. Dhammapada Verse 118

5. Five Practice Factors for planning for a Favourable Rebirth
Saṅkhārupapatti Sutta (Rebirth by Aspiration) MN 120

Notes: MN= Majjhima Nikāya; AN= Anguttara Nikāya; SN= Samyutta Nikāya

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. 

Joining us on this episode is a humble monk who was quietly practicing meditation in northern Thailand until he returned to his native Ukraine just three months before the Russian invasion in February 2022. Bhante Thithidhammo was born in the former Soviet Union in 1971. He was a reserved child who enjoyed spending time alone, reading and sometimes visiting Orthodox Christian monasteries for the quiet environment. At age 14, Bhante Thithidhammo and a friend became interested in the mysticism of Tibet and both decided they would like to be monks in Tibet. However it would not be until many years later whilst on a meditation retreat in Thailand when he decided to go forth as a samanera. After six month he disrobed and returned to Ukraine, however, life seemed unfulfilling and he returned to Thailand to ordain again in early 2015 in the Forest Tradition under his teacher Ajahn Suchart in northern Thailand.

[A transcript of this episode can be found on the Treasure Mountain Podcast website.]

Bhante Thithidhammo returned to Kyiv shortly before the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022 and experienced some hair raising situations as the Russian army closed in on his position near Kyiv. Despite enduring many difficulties along with millions of other Ukrainians, Bhante Thithidhammo bears no ill-will and thinks of Ukrainians and Russians (and all humans) as being like one big family. He has gone on to become a teacher to Ukrainians, Belorussians and Russians, both online and in person. He teaches both in Ukrainian and Russian, and is finding that there is an increasing interest in the teachings of Buddhism and practices like meditation.

Bhante Thithidhammo is kindly joining us today from Kyiv and we will be finding out a little about his experiences over the past year or so, and how the practice of Dhamma is helping people find peace amidst war.

[A transcript of this episode can be found on the Treasure Mountain Podcast website.]

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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 or becoming a Supporter or Member of Treasure Mountain Podcast via the Ko-fi payment applet.

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