Enlightened TIMES

Issue 2, 2020 at Dhammaloka. Entry to the 2020 rains retreat at Bodhinyana Monastery. Photo by Boon Tan

Dear Brahmali I listened to your talk live yesterday (Vesak Day), on making Buddha your spiritual friend (the PM session). I enjoyed your talk very much and made a Graphic Recording of its content. I would like to share it with the BSWA community. With metta, June Yeo. Lay Disciple from Singapore Release --- The Naturalness of ‘Letting-Go’ By Dennis Sheppard bring about a . We are that the brain’s filtered still to fully appreciate and make understanding means ignorance Buddhist practitioners (like me) real the truth and beauty of the remains so strong. often lament the difficulty of universal nature of mind. We still letting go. How do we let go? see the external as the other. Having said all of this, Any serious meditator who the Human condition in practises to ‘experience’ what The karmic process that fact displays very natural, the Buddha was pointing to brought us into existence plays comparable resonances of will usually find themselves out for most of us until we what it is to let go in the realm exploring this conundrum. are old and worn out. Death of consciousness. Investigating Our practice is deep enough then comes as a release from this way prepares us to be ready to understand the stillness of the physical aging to allow to know the Supra Mundane consciousness, nested beneath the mind to condition a new experience of consciousness the movement of mind that body and a new circumstance ending. To do this we must creates our world and our being. depending on our karma. It is know consciousness and We know without doubt that usually the subconscious and how it works intimately. So, as it is all mind created. Indeed, unconscious nature of our an example, we can see the we may have experienced the consciousness that is at play resonance of ‘letting-go’ when extraordinary nature of our here. We start to understand the we can look at what it is to ‘drop body and the world finishing in way consciousness is iterating off to sleep’. This is a change in our mind, in what the Buddha beyond any definition of fast, the state of our consciousness. labelled ‘Mundane’ knowledge. as it begins and ends in the It is something that most have Further, some of us may have present moment. The countless little awareness of because our experienced consciousness cycles and build-up of this consciousness is not usually finishing, which will lead to conditioning of consciousness awake when this happens, the cessation of mind should does create a strong belief we are most likely to be it be in place at death. This is in what the physical brain subconscious or unconscious an experience labelled ‘Supra filters from the mind. Indeed, as it happens. Practising waking Mundane’ by the Buddha. I infer most of us believe the brain into a dream lucidly is a way to that when the Buddha used the is the mind. We do not realise know, and perhaps even semi word Mundane, he did so to that the mind is beyond the consciously direct a dream show that our work is still not activity and the consciousness once asleep. It seems to confirm done, we still habitually grasp being sequestered by the we have innate will, but in onto our being and the world. brain. Beyond this, it seems to fact it continues the delusion. It is true that the Buddha did be a very rare circumstance Anyway, the phase transition say that anyone experiencing for someone to be aware of from awake to sleep is a process cessation would become a what it is to know beyond we do not usually witness. We ‘stream winner’, enlightenment consciousness. Certainly, people are awake and then we are within a maximum seven the Buddha called Arahant have asleep. I experience it like a rebirths in the idiomatic developed to be this knowing. quantum mechanical process language of the time. He also In the realm of consciousness where the mind goes into a explained that this process can however, many people, dreamy state of uncertainty and be quicker as a “Once-Returner, especially children up to ages instability, with random images Non-Returner, or Arahant” in 5 to 7 years are aware of the and thoughts, somewhat akin this life. We know that we need life they have come from. Many to a ‘false vacuum’ in Physics. to let go completely to fully people remember their past lives And then sleep! So, tiredness realise, we know that the path either spontaneously or because overwhelms, then subconscious is not about attainment, but we of a happening, traumatic or imagery and then a direct still grasp. So finely balanced otherwise and indeed my work unconscious release into sleep. is the wisdom and delusion as a hypnotherapist has assisted During sleep there is further found at the heart of the present many people to remember. subconscious and unconscious moment, that fear prevents us For those of us who find past processes at work to rest, from walking through the door lives problematic, the work of rejuvenate and recalibrate our of enlightenment. This is so Professor Stevenson (1918-2007) body and the mental processes because there is still a residual Chair of Psychiatry, University of to recreate and sustain us over belief in the consciousness of Virginia, will be an enlightening the course of our life. So, I am death and this will naturally read. It remains true however pointing to this ‘Release’ into sleep as a ‘phase transition’ we body have some control in sleep ness of mind is a practice that can come to terms with and be as indeed we have some con- can be realised. The Buddha’s aware of. This can help enable trol in our sleep to keep us safe Eightfold path of practice will the practice of being aware and alive, but at the bird’s death, eventually lead you right into when letting go into the Supra it is said to ‘drop off the perch’. the heart of the present mo- Mundane and cessation. It To further Illustrate this point ment where the still conscious- demonstrates the limited nature I remember many years ago, I ness identifying the boundary of our will and in the end shows had the opportunity to arrange of the mind will stand forth. the empty pre and ongoing for some BSWA members along As refined as this experience conditioning we all live with. with some of our monks to visit is, the Buddha has labelled it It is not enough to have just the morgue at the beginning Mundane. It is still in the realm the Right View; we need also of each annual rains retreat. of Samsara and is subject to to develop the Right Intention. We were invited to observe birth, death, and rebirth, how- (the two wisdom elements of autopsies and did so mindfully ever the practitioner will now the Noble Eight-Fold path). and respectfully. Observation know beyond any doubt that Specifically to know the right of these corpses showed how their being, along with the intention that allows letting the release of the life we knew, world they are born into is mind go. These two factors, along allowed the individual and com- made. All the physical has uni- with the support of the rest pounded constituents that once fied and subsumed into the still of the eight-fold path, enable made up the physical nature of consciousness that contains us to move beyond physical the person, to collapse back into it all. The subtle pleasure and conditioning and further, their own field of conscious- beauty of the stillness will now beyond the mental conditioning ness. These components, once allow to engage that creates the mind beyond animated with a life and ego, with it as a still datum against the body and the world. This go their own way. The fluids the apparent nature of life as it allows the cessation experience succumb to gravity’s laws and plays out in the world. The prac- to be viable at death when where the person could have titioner can now concentrate it has been experienced and once held in its waste, it now on deepening the practice by understood. When this knowing flowed freely in some cases. penetrating this pure conscious- is in place, the mind will unify Seeing and understanding the ness with Mindfulness. This will naturally at death. way mind ‘lets go’ (releases) a eventually allow you to see that body at death has great . even this still consciousness In the end, understanding and It demonstrates how the phys- finishes deeper again, right on being with this ‘sleep release’ ical process finishes ready for the balance point of the pres- is as natural as being with the recycling. The birds drop off the ent Moment. The still datum is ‘letting go release’ of our body perch and our bodies go back to gone. The boundaries of mind at death, however it goes with- nature. These illustrations show have gone. Consciousness is out saying that the ‘letting go how limited our understanding finished. Cessation! This real- release’ at death requires the can become when we equate isation, along with an under- mind to be totally awake for the mind as being the brain, standing of the on/off nature of cessation. It is this fact that without understanding the con- phase transitions that govern introduces doubt and confusion sciousness driving everything in the change in all energy states, into the letting go process. To the Universe. It is here that we will give great confidence to illustrate this, I have witnessed can break through and under- know how things work. This is myself mindfully holding a cup stand completely the nature of so for both the sleep and death firmly, with the intention of the mind. Mind is the Universe release, or indeed for any ener- holding it up if I drop to sleep, driven by consciousness and it getic transitions whether they only to find I waken myself is personal for each of us, just as are collapsing compounded when the cup falls from my it is for components or collec- conditioning to unify into the hand. The sleep release had tions of components of energy, moment or, building condi- relaxed my body and fingers mental or physical. We start to tioning as creations the other beyond my control into a sub understand the insidious nature way into time and space. Phase or unconscious state. Perhaps of consciousness. We see that transitions work naturally ei- I could condition myself to be will is an illusion. This insight ther way to keep our world and like a bird that can hold onto a opens the pathway to knowl- the emptiness of the present branch when asleep, by habit- edge of the deathless. moment forever in balanced ually conditioning its feet and perfection. However, building claws to grip tighter, if it starts So, recapping, mindful practice consciousness and conditioning to slump in sleep. Its brain and to stay with the still conscious- will always have the first noble truth of dukkha in place. Re- becoming one with the empty member that the Buddha said, “I nature of it all. Karma is finished, teach only two things, Dukkha the universe is finished. There Heedfulness is the Deathless and the ending of Dukkha”. With is only truth and beauty radi- path, practice we can unify beyond ating beyond time and space Heedlessness is the path to dukkha and be awake to our and beyond any quantum me- death. non-self-nature and empti- chanical logic, at peace in the ness at our death even though present moment. This is not Those who are heedful do not others may judge our brain to atheism and it is not theism; it is die, be dead. Time and space have the . We can realise ended. We can see that when this ‘knowing’ in a ‘unified nat- Heedless are like the dead. our personal being and world ural state’, consciousness gone, resolves and unifies beyond the relaxed infinity and Supra Mun- The Buddha. realm of consciousness at our dane knowledge that allows our Verse 21 death, the two-way process and personal Universe to finish in duality of our being has ended, Pari Nibbana.

The Enlightened Times Team Contribute To Our Next Issue Designer and Editor: Nicholas Allott. Please send all submissions and ideas to Content Review: Cecilia Mitra. Nicholas the editor: [email protected]. Proofreading: Manel Fernando, Tracey Lau, All types of content that are relevant to the local Natalie Mar, Priya Barnes. and international BSWA community will be Distribution: Lucky Kodituwakku, Kit Lee, Ean considered. Kim, Michael Carrol, Cherry Jackson. Please aim for around 700 words per page (for articles). A Decade Later Buddha’s Forgotten Nuns and a Revolution in Western Australia by Iffeisha Gordon-Toppin and was recognized on the Queen’s Armadale Meditation Nim Dissa Birthday 2019 Honours List, Group. This group gives people Over 2600 years ago the appointing him as a Member the opportunity to learn Buddha set up the of the Order of Australia for meditation and to hear a short comprised of four pillars: his “significant service to Dhamma talk, from the monks, monks, nuns, laymen, and Buddhism, and to gender during the week, in a location laywomen. The goal was to equality.” south of the river. have us work together to When Dhammasara Nuns Busselton Augusta-Margaret support each other in growing Monastery was established in River Buddhist Initiative: The on the Path to Nibbana. That 1998, the Buddhist Society of Busselton Augusta-Margaret tradition of the four-fold Sangha WA had already established River Buddhist Initiative (BAMBI) died along with the Buddha’s a highly respected forest seeks to unite Buddhists or ordained nuns and the refusal monastery for monks, people interested in Buddhist of the Buddhist monastic Bodhinyana Monastery, practice and teachings in the community to bestow upon at Serpentine. The aim of City of Busselton and Shire of nuns the same rights as monks. Dhammasara was and continues Augusta-Margaret River (the Ten years ago, to be, to give women the capes region between Cape did the unthinkable – he stood same opportunity to train in Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin). up for gender equality and the Buddha’s teachings and Stocker Road Project: The followed his heart in conducting Monastic discipline as monks, Stocker Rd property is located the first bhikkhuni in supportive conditions. The in Roleystone, in the Perth hills. (nun) ordination in Australia, nuns at Dhammasara are fully It comprises about 26 acres of and the first in the Thai Forest ordained Bhikkhunis (equal forest adjacent to Wungong Tradition anywhere in the world. in every respect to / Regional Park, the Canning This ceremony was performed Monks) in the Theravada River and Dhammayanaram at Bodhinyana Monastery in tradition. Monastery. Western Australia on October Dhammasara is dedicated Ajahn Brahm supported by 22nd, 2009 by Ajahn Brahm to providing opportunity to BSWA and the four pillars of the and some of the monks at committed lay women to Sangha is a true trailblazer. We Bodhinyana. experience the monastic are eternally grateful for Ajahn The historic event drew an lifestyle firsthand, and if they Brahm’s and BSWA’s willingness austere reaction and outrage wish to undertake the training to to do what is right and noble among conservative Buddhists. become fully ordained nuns, in to promote equity for all beings However, Ajahn Brahm’s realizing ‘The Goal & Heartwood even when it’s not the popular response in an interview with (Dhammasara)’ of this Holy choice. ABC was that there were four Life, according to the BSWA’s website. See more about the story of Australian women who met the Buddha’s Forgotten Nuns, criteria and wanted to become The Revolution Continues: including an interview with Bhikkhunis and so he did the BSWA is now committed Ajahn Brahm, Bhante Sujato ordination for them, saying it to expanding the monastic and some of the nuns from was a sacrifice he was willing to community in Australia with Dhammasara on youtube. make and had made. the aspiration of spreading the Ten years later, the Buddhist Dhamma and Meditation far Society of Western Australia and wide. This includes the celebrated the 10th Anniversary establishment and of the First Theravada Bhikkhuni support of: Ordination in Australia on Bodhinyana Great 27th October 2019 along Southern (our with the Kathina ceremony at home hermitage Dhammasara Nuns’ monastery, at Elleker): A new The historic ordination at and project called establishment of which set the ‘Bodhinyana Great precedence for restoring the Southern’ a private order of the four pillars of the residence as a place community that the Buddha had of practice in the set up over 2600 years ago. forest tradition of Close to this milestone Ajahn Ajahn Brahm in the Brahm was named Member vicinity of Albany on of the Order of Australia for the south coast of work on gender equality. He Western Australia. Turning the Threat of Covid-19 into Opportunities By Upasako down the Tripitaka on palm take a much greater leap forward! People would start to The Tripitaka, the Cannon leaves, at that time? think about the Dhamma the that contains the precious gem The main reason was that the Lord Buddha taught, in a more of the Buddha Dhamma may members of the Maha Sangha serious manner. To begin with, not have been written down who remembered the Dhamma one needs to take precautions on palm leaves in Sri Lanka, that had been passed down to to stop spreading the virus and about 2000 years ago, if not them by their teachers in a long act responsibly, not only for for one of the greatest threats , had been passing away, one’s own benefit but, for the posed to humanity in Sri Lanka, (dying), at a very rapid rate due benefit of others! at that time! The threat was to the illnesses arising from lack the biggest famine ever to hit of food which was a result of The caring attitudes and the Sri Lanka and the war with the famine. generous deeds that we see the invading South Indian war It was an enormously onerous today, may start to galvanise lords. The writing down of the task because of the rudimentary society with the potential for Tripitaka undoubtedly is one of ways of writing available at that the reduction of poverty in the greatest gifts to humanity, if time, enormity of the problem the world. This is the moment not the greatest of all, ever! So, to loosen our purse strings! of logistics that required to rd who knows, what extraordinary house and feed a large number The poor people in 3 world good things would come out of Maha Sangha at one place, countries, especially the of the present threat posed by the lack of food due to the day-wage-earners will have Covid-19 virus? famine, the insecurity posed by nowhere to turn for help. The Tripitaka that contains the the war etc. The governments in those Dhamma, as discoursed by the According to Deepavamsa and countries are doing their best Lord Buddha, which was first Mahavamsa, two of the oldest but, they are hamstrung due codified/composed around 550 chronicles of the Sri Lankan to the meagre resources that BCE was written down for the history, (as found in Wikipedia), they have. So, this is the time first time in the 1st century BCE. the main reasons were the for people living in affluent The Dipavamsa (a chronicle greatest of famines ever to hit countries to turn this into an of Sri Lankan history), states Sri Lanka and also, the King opportunity and start practising that during the reign of King Valagamba’s, (valiant and finally the true Dhamma and help Valagamba of Anuradhapura successful), struggle to protect those in need. That is practicing (29–17 BCE) the monks who the country from the Indian the generosity that the Lord had previously remembered the invaders. So, the Maha Sangha Buddha termed Cāga in Pali, one Tripitaka and its commentary took the threat seriously, turned of the four ways of letting go! orally, wrote them down on the threat into an opportunity There are so many ways of palm leaves, because of the and gave the gift of the helping the poor people in those threat posed by famine and war. Dhamma in its written form! countries such as Sri Lanka, (Courtesy of Wikipedia website) So, why not turn the threat of India, Burma, Uganda, too many The Buddha Dhamma in its Covid-19 into an opportunity? to name! I know personally, of written form is one of the The opportunities could come very credible local organisations greatest gifts to humanity given from material developments that are on the ground, helping by those great members of the such as the new ways of doing the poorest of poor in rural Maha Sangha in Sri Lanka, most medical research, new ways Sri Lanka, right at this very likely including, a large number of education, new ways of moment. If there is a will to of Arahant Sangha, about 2000 handling sicknesses, some novel help, there is a way, always! years ago. Up to that time, the ways of seeing the doctor and The increased effort in spiritual teachings of the Lord Buddha also, new ways of buying our development would neither had been preserved by the groceries. Who knows what need large laboratories nor any members of the Maha Sangha else, because humans are other expensive infrastructure. by way of memorising and preoccupied with finding ways The efforts will have to come remembering the Dhamma and to gratify our sensual pleasures from within each person. So, reciting them repeatedly over that bind us to this Samsara! the Dhamma could be practised and over again! What was the More importantly though, the well, in seclusion, either at reason for them to take on that home or at any other individual very onerous decision to write spiritual development could personal spaces without beings to the unending cycle of This is the Sutta in which attending public places such as repeated rebirths, the Samsara. the Lord Buddha teaches the Dhammaloka Centre etc! The The final point of Ajahn’s then Ven Maha Moggallana, nominal Buddhists may start talk, as I understood was, “Be seven possible ways to give up practising the Dhamma in the Detached”! When detached, drowsiness whilst in meditation. true way, making the right effort the consciousness will have Hence the name ‘Nodding to end the true suffering! no ground to get a hold of and Off’! Here is the link to a very As Ven Ajahn Brahmali the cycle of repeated rebirths is simple English translation of that discoursed us yesterday, (on 21 broken! The circuit-breaker is in Sutta by Bhante Sujato: https:// March 2020), at Dhammaloka place! No more suffering! suttacentral.net/an7.61/en/sujato Centre in Perth, (which we The Lord Buddha discoursed to So, it is up to each one of us to listened on-line, from our the then Ven Maha Moggallana, take it individually and turn this home), the Lord Buddha’s (later to become the Great threat into some opportunity teaching is that it is the Arahant Maha Moggallana Maha in our lives! Ven Ajahn Brahm’s Conscious Beings that keeps Thero, the foremost of Lord frequent advice is, “when you doing the Kamma, (intentional Buddha’s Monastic disciples have nothing to do, do nothing”! or volitional acts). in Psychic Powers) in the So, let us stop worrying on Ajahn also discoursed that Pacalāyamāna Sutta – Nodding problems and start practising Beings do these deeds because Off (AN 7:61), ‘Nothing is worth meditation. Enough writing of the Greed or Wanting that clinging on to.’ now, I am going to meditate! arises as a result of Contacts So, whenever we perform even Perhaps, you should, too! through six sense bases, (eye, the highest most meritorious “Nothing is worth clinging on ear, nose, tongue, body and deeds, we need to be detached! to”- The Lord Buddha! mind), which bind/ This is what happened.....

By Sutta Junkie. much about controlling our eating her lunch, tomyum soup, food intake. The food is simply curry and oops, I saw she had “Hey, I’ll be there earlier today. irresistible!” the papaya salad on her plate Should I reserve a seat for you? too. Where do you prefer?” H texted Day 2 I nudged H and pointed to the me. H bit into her food and looked at papaya salad. She understood “On the left of the hall, against me, looking puzzled. what I was trying to tell her. the wall. I love to lean against I took a bite of the same food While I was drinking my hot cup the wall.” I replied. and tried to taste a little bit of tea to get over the spice and “Oh, what about dining area? more, rolling my tongue. H had a glass of cold milk, we Window view?” H asked. And we both smiled as we real- couldn’t help but noticed that “Yes please!” I replied. ised what food it was. H was sweating and her mouth was on fire..... Day 0 Day 3 R, H and I were chatting before I was eating happily as usual Err.....R, H and I are on a spiritual the session started. and suddenly, tasted how spicy journey. “ I have always been overeating the papaya salad was. I tried to While it is not apparent from the as I couldn’t resist the food. This warn R about it using my eyes conversations above, that it is a time, I’ll make sure I exercise as I don’t think she can handle spiritual journey, IT IS A SPIRI- more control.” R said. H and the spice. TUAL JOURNEY we are on! nodded in unison. R returned my eye contact I was like, yes, I’ll have to try seemingly to tell me that she This spiritual journey consisted very hard... loves spice and can handle it. of food of course, bush walk, I watched as R digged into the dish washing duties, watching Day 1 papaya salad and her whole face ants, walking like a zombie, R, H and I looked at our plate turned red. sitting and lots of sitting and of food and we all laughed. We I smiled with facial expression listening to Ajahn Brahmali’s exchanged eye contact which that said” I warned you!” teaching of suttas. seemed to have said, “Yep, so During this time, H was busy When I first started attending treat?” and still full of smiles when they the sutta retreat, I printed out Ha...endless concerns of serve the monks and nuns on the sutta page by page and all well-meaning colleagues when retreat the food that they had excited. I took so many notes as they hear I am attending a cooked. And for the retreatants, Ajahn is always so detailed in his 9-day silent retreat in Jhana it’s a surprise each day at meal explanation and I didn’t want to Grove. time as we don’t know what we miss any of those. So I scribble are getting. as much as I can into the pages So yes, I am a sutta junkie. I see and always ran out of space to many familiar faces when I go And because we are on silent write. on this retreat so it is clear, they retreat and not supposed to are sutta junkies like me. speak, we communicate with This time round, I decided that I our eyes our food experience. will print the suttas on one side And what does Ajahn Brahmali of the page only so I could use actually teach during the re- And yes, Ajahn Brahmali taught the other page for taking notes. treat.....??? us about the , And....it didn’t help. Still ran out starting with sensual desire.... of space to capture the notes. Please don’t come...don’t bother about how we should try to It’s all Ajahn’s fault! Seriously, the to find out.... reduce our sensual desires and excerpt of the sutta only con- Satisfaction is not guaranteed by improving on our virtues, sisted of four lines and Ajahn and that’s why we kept coming our meditation will get deeper... took an hour to explain, word by back to attend the retreat!!!! and that we should watch our word and me, again ran out of breath, notice if it is a short or space.... hm.... I need to devise And yes the food... they are long in breath, a short or long a different note taking strategy prepared with love by volun- out breath.... next year. teers. The volunteers have to use their own money to buy the And the whole time I wondered Two years ago, C texted me that ingredients, wake up early in the as well.... what will be for lunch her friend in Hong Kong attend- morning to start cooking and today!!!! ed the Sutta Retreat conduct- for some, even had to prepare ed by Ajahn Brahmali in Hong the ingredients the night before. That’s why this Sutta junkie will Kong. Her friend was so im- They then had to drive a long be back again next year.... :) pressed with the class and was distance to get to Jhana Grove full of praise for Ajahn. Brahmali. I reminded C that her friend can continue to attend the class when Ajahn is in Hong Kong but not fly to Perth to attend the

Sutta retreat so she doesn’t fight D N with us over a retreat spot.... I M

haha...Already we are seeing F O how popular Ajahn Brahmali is N O getting as there are more over- I T A

seas retreatants attending the R E sutta retreat. B I L Oh dear, we have already lost Ajahn Brahm to the world as he is travelling so much. We have shared Ajahn Brahmali these days as well and the only time we have of him in Perth is this Sutta Retreat so please, don’t COVID fight with us....ha...

“What, no talking at all?” “I don’t think I can do it.” Illustration: ‘Thank You’ by Chathurika from Sri Lanka. “Can I at least text you to check if you are surviving on the re- Hello dear readers damaged yet absolutely With our minds we can achieve beautiful! Ajahn you are my peace. We do this not so much of the Enlightened Times, the hero, even after meeting you! through will power but by BSWA and all Ajahn Brahm being in harmony with the way What can we say about today’s devotees! things are in nature. Take for world? Corruption, judgement, example , breathing misunderstanding, an ecological Formally known as Bhante in, we know we are breathing crisis. Greed and violence that Subhuti, I became a novice in, breathing out, we know we brings along with it poverty and monk when I was about 22 are breathing out, knowing if disharmony. These things are years old and stayed with Ajahn the breath is deep or shallow only the manifestations of one’s Brahm for five years all up as then knowing the whole breath internal negative emotions, an Anagarika for over two years and simply by recognising and which bring heat and turmoil then as a novice. I happily making peace with our body, to the mind. “The mind is the received Ajahn’s mindfulness breaths and mind we come into forerunner of all things” said the and kindness teachings, which harmony with the way things Buddha. he calls kindfulness. But most are in nature. Letting things take importantly following the Through kindness, their course, being kind being example of the Buddha himself. gentle. With plenty of help from Ajahn’s understanding and patience we can transform ourselves and noble friendship I was able to May all beings have happiness our world. All these amazing find some peace. During this and its causes time, I practised , formal qualities can be taught and meditation and studied exemplified by our spiritual May all beings be free from Zen and the early scriptures friends. Other positive qualities suffering and its causes of the Pali canon. Zen always include beauty, belonging, wisdom, compassion, and May all be one with the bliss brought me the greatest joy as they have attained it is very clear and practical. I charity. Developing a respect for have disrobed for the moment, gender equality, different races, May all be free from bias, anger, having a moment in lay life to religions, personal beliefs, the and attachment. see my situation clearly. environment, and basic human rights is also wonderful. With regards The year I entered the Nathan Jeffery monastery I was diagnosed Patience is said to be the highest with schizophrenia. I now laugh spiritual practice, since it brings and feel at ease, as I have come other qualities like renunciation, so far as to feel protected from kindness, and wisdom along this scary condition through with it. These qualities Perception is completely meditation and medication. I controlled by our views that so often feel balanced, fit and healthy. all here on our path as we can’t see the truth I am convinced that others but what we want to see. can also heal their minds as practitioners. practitioners have done since It is through the first fully awakened Buddha all the good came into this world. The work that Buddha was a human like you we do in our and me, even more fully human meditation. than we first think. Always try, try, try for “Abiding nowhere the heart infinite kalpas comes forth” is an old Zen to awaken to saying. For me, there is no other the truth and person who has exemplified end human it as much as Ajahn Brahm. suffering. This His teachings are up to date, I believe is traditional and always bring bringing world a fresh and wonderful twist. I peace one Like his old story of the most breath at a By Ajahn Brahm and the Ehipassiko Foundation. beautiful tree. It was twisted, time. From the Book ‘Happy Every Day’. Meet a Teacher: Ajahn Sujato The Buddhist scholar was once a dissatisfied rock musician.

By Sabina Rabold experience that would change undertaking that took him two Summer 2020 his life forever: “I was sitting years of intensive work. His in the crowded courtyard of translations are available for For someone who eats his the monastery, dogs barking, free at Sutta Central, a digital only meal of the day before chickens squawking, noisy library of early noon, Venerable Sujato looks traffic all around. It was the that he cofounded in 2005. surprisingly solid. He’s tall, with hot season and it had been cropped salt-and-pepper hair When our conversation really stuffy all day—the sun begins to feel like a and glasses that give him the was going down, the day was look of the Buddhist scholar talk, I ask for a definition of cooling and I was having a meditation. Bhante Sujato isn’t that he is. We’re meeting on cup of Chinese tea. Just sitting a sunny spring day in Harris keen to answer, preferring there, in the shade, I thought: to guide his students toward Park, a suburb of Sydney, This is what peace of mind Australia, where he shares a understanding their own mind. feels like, and I realised that When prompted, he offers flat with a fellow monk, Bhante I’d never felt this before.” Best Akaliko. these words: “At the heart of fell in love with meditation, everything is awareness itself. We chat easily. Bhante Sujato’s and as he learned more about hands move throughout our the ancient teachings of the “One of the big moments of conversation, and I find myself Buddha, he found a life that he insight that came to me in wondering whether they felt was for him. meditation was catching a still carry the memory of the glimpse of the delicacy of In 1994, Best was ordained this awareness, its softness, musician he was in the late as a Theravada monk in 1980s. and its power as well. And the of literally everything makes Back then, Anthony Best ; he spent the an impression on it.” A spent most nights on stage next two decades practising deep silence follows this with the Perth indie rock in Thailand, Malaysia, and revelation. Bhante Sujato band Martha’s Vineyard, blond Australia, including a three- had just described a tangible locks flying, belting out tunes year retreat at Bodhinyana experience of something while playing his beloved 1972 monastery with his teacher, mysterious and beautiful yet Fender Telecaster. But though Ajahn Brahm. Bhante Sujato ordinary. his fame was growing, his eventually returned to happiness was not. A song he Australia and established Just now Venerable Akaliko wrote at the time called “None the Santi Forest Monastery, comes in. It’s only an hour of This” reflects his incredulity a hermitage for Theravada to midday, and the two at the insatiable hunger for Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunis). monks need to make ready more that was the norm In 2009, Ajahn Brahm and to go on their alms round wherever he looked. Ajahn Sujato performed the to neighbouring shops and first full-ordination ceremony supermarkets. It’s their one The transition from rock for bhikkhunis since the order meal of the day and should musician (and unenthusiastic died out in this tradition more not be missed. student of economics) to than a thousand years ago. Buddhist monk began with - Sabina Rabold is a counsellor, a holiday. While traveling in Bhante Sujato’s special interest psychotherapist, and Thailand, Best made a spur- is the earliest teachings of meditation teacher based in of-the-moment decision and the Buddha, those shared by Sydney, Australia. signed up for a meditation all Buddhist traditions, and Originally published as “Meet retreat in downtown Chiang his scholarly writings include a Teacher: Ajahn Sujato” in Mai. He found the daily routine Sects and Sectarianism and Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, of sitting in meditation for A History of Mindfulness. His vol. “29” no. “4”. tricycle.org. many hours painful and most recent project is the gruelling. Then, about a week translation of the four Nikayas into the retreat, he had an of the Pali canon, an ambitious Social Distancing, the Buddhist way!

by Suladdha not only for our benefit but reason, not without reason? In this time of Covid Pandemic, for the benefit of others, our The element of sensuality gives we are being asked to follow family members, our friends, rise to sensual perceptions. some important rules designed neighbours and the world at Sensual perceptions give rise to stop the spread of the virus large! The purpose of life is not to sensual thoughts. Sensual and minimise its effect on just for the benefit of oneself but thoughts give rise to sensual humanity. It is truly heartening for the benefit of others, for the desires. Sensual desires give rise to see most law abiding, good benefit of the whole wide world! to sensual passions. Sensual people are following such Here is an extract from the passions give rise to searches for rules to the letter of the law, Chavālāta Sutta (Firebrand- AN sensual pleasures……” (Courtesy of whereas a small minority is 4:95), in which the Lord Buddha SuttaCentral) openly flouting them. Following discoursed on the four types of How could we modify the way rules and regulations applicable persons found in this world: we think on various issues? within the society that we live in “Mendicants, these four people When we see the root cause is the ethical way of life. That is are found in the world. What of any thought, we could take the Buddhist Way! four? action to modify, change and In the Sila Sutta, (Discourse on 1. One who practises remove such causes. One way Ethics – AN 5:213), the Lord to benefit neither to do that is to tell oneself, Buddha discussed five benefits themselves nor others; repeatedly, of the danger of of Ethical living. Here is an 2. one who practises to such bad thoughts and the extract from that Sutta: benefit others, but not benefits of the opposite, the “There are these five benefits themselves; good thoughts. This is called for an ethical person because of 3. one who practises to repeated broadcasting! their accomplishment in ethics. benefit themselves, but Ven Ajahn Brahm calls it 1. Firstly, an ethical person not others; and ‘brain washing’, planting the gains substantial wealth 4. one who practises to good causes in our mind by on account of diligence. benefit both themselves repeatedly listening to/reading and others. the True Saddhamma. We have 2. Furthermore, an ethical ………… But the person who to follow his advice! person gets a good practises to benefit both The businesses sell their reputation. themselves and others is the products, even the unwanted foremost, best, chief, highest, products, by repeatedly 3. Furthermore, an ethical and finest of the four.”(Courtesy advertising them on TV. They person enters any kind of of SuttaCentral) use multi-coloured pictures assembly bold and self- So, we have to heed the word and the presence of attractive assured, whether it’s an of the Lord Buddha, behave looking celebrities! The assembly of aristocrats, ethically and practise for the advertiser is able to brain brahmins, householders, benefit of both ourselves and wash the viewer that the life or ascetics. others! without the particular product is 4. Furthermore, an ethical meaningless! So, the innocent, person dies not feeling Ethical behaviour is not just gullible person goes and buys a lost. the deeds by body and speech. product that may be completely It covers mental actions, our and utterly useless! 5. Furthermore, when an thoughts, as well. We could adopt the same ethical person’s body In the Sanidāna Sutta, (With a principle for our own benefit. breaks up, after death, Cause – SN 14:12), Lord Buddha If one keeps getting malicious they’re reborn in a good advises HIS disciples that thoughts, making oneself place, a heavenly realm.” thoughts arise with a cause not unhappy and also, making the (Courtesy of SuttaCentral) without. Here is an extract from people around unhappy then, So, it is aptly clear that the that Sutta: tell oneself, repeatedly, that ethical way of life would bring “Mendicants, sensual, malicious, ‘these thoughts are making me us benefits in this life as well as and cruel thoughts arise for unhappy, making the people in the next! a reason, not without reason. around me unhappy and they We have to behave ethically And how do sensual, malicious, lead to the lasting harm of both and cruel thoughts arise for a me and others’. That way, we could minimise Ottappa. These two important What next world? It is the next and finally completely remove terms have been translated place of our rebirth unless of such unhelpful, unhappy, as Moral Shame and Moral course, we end the suffering sensual, malicious and cruel Fear by Ven in this very life and attain to thoughts! Then, we could and as a Sense of Conscience Nibbana, here and now! create conditions conducive and Prudence by Ven Bhante The Lord Buddha has taught to the arising of thoughts Sujato. You could find these us that rebirth is a process! It on letting-go, thoughts on teachings in a number of Sutta is a process that happens due loving kindness and thoughts such as Sallekha Sutta (Self- to causes and effects! The on compassion to arise. Effacement MN 8), Hirīottappa Lord Buddha discoursed in the These conducive conditions Sutta (Conscience and Prudence Maha Tanhāsankhaya Sutta, include the cultivation of – AN 7:65), Udakūpamā Sutta (A (The Longer Discourse on the our knowledge of benefits of simile with water AN 7:15). Ending of Craving MN 38) to having good thoughts, speaking So, we Buddhists have to have the misguided bhikkhu Sāti, that good words and doing good moral shame and be utterly there is no one transmigrating deeds! Such good thoughts fearful of doing the wrong thing. from life to life, there is no fixed would undoubtedly lead to The Lord Buddha’s guarantee is Consciousness or a permanent good behaviour which would that the practice of conscience essence that gets reborn after definitely be for the benefit of and prudence would lead us to one’s death. Here is a sentence oneself and others! happiness! When we have moral form that Sutta: See the Lord Buddha’s shame and fear of doing the “Silly man, who on earth have teachings in the two Sutta wrong thing, we will not break you ever known me to teach titled Dvedhāvitakka Sutta (Two the rules, invariably we will do in that way? Haven’t I said in Kinds of Thought-MN19) and the right thing. many ways that consciousness Vitakkasanthāna Sutta, (How to Another way to subdue our is dependently originated, since Stop Thinking-MN20). Here is sensual thoughts and practise consciousness does not arise the link to Ven Bhante Sujato’s the ethical path is to minimise without a cause?” (Courtesy of English translations of those two our association with the world SuttaCentral) Suttas on SuttaCentral: and be independent. In the So, it is neither you nor https://suttacentral.net/mn- Anupada Sutta (one by One someone else! It is a process of sihanadavagga - MN 111), the Lord Buddha Cause and Effect! The Lord Buddha has shown the described the attainments of the Just the same way when a path! It is up to us to travel! The Great Arahant Sariputta Maha lamp is lighted from the flame of best way open to us, Buddhists, Thero. Here is a short paragraph another lamp, the new flame is is to develop the Right View. from that Sutta: not the old flame though, it has That way, we would be able “And He meditated without derived its qualities; the light, to see things as they truly are. attraction or repulsion for those the warmth and the colour, from We would see the suffering as phenomena; independent, the previous lamp! suffering, not as happiness. How untied, liberated, detached, his could we change our wrong mind free of limits.” (Courtesy of Similarly, when we plant a views? SuttaCentral) mango seed, the new mango The Lord Buddha advised HIS So, the best way to live is to be that was produced by the new disciples to associate with true, independent, untied, liberated, tree has qualities of the old good friends. detached! That is the way to mango, but it is not the same practise the Noble Eightfold fruit! If the seed came from a In the Upaddha Sutta, (Half the Path! sweet mango, it is likely that the Spiritual Life – SN 45:2), the By following the Social next tree too, would bear sweet Lord Buddha discoursed to the Distancing, we are not only mangoes. If the seed was from then Ven Ananda Maha Thero, obeying the government rules a sour mango then, the next (later, Great Arahant), that the and regulations, but we are also tree will very likely bear sour entire Buddhist Dispensation is properly following the Buddhist mangoes! all about having good friends, Teachings! It will make us In the same way, when we do friends who would lead you on happy and safe and also, make good things in this life, we are the right path, in the right way! others around us happy and likely to have a good and a That is the beginning of the safe, too! Wouldn’t that be happy re-birth in the next life! ethical path. There are number good?! We win both ways! This life and of ways that we could practise When we live ethically, in the next! the ethical way of living. following the rules and The teachings of the Lord Lord Buddha advised HIS regulations, we not only gain Buddha on this important disciples to follow the practice the benefit of such action in this aspect of Buddhist Doctrine is of what HE termed Hiri and world but also in the next world! called Dependent Origination. Please refer Paticcasamuppāda you look carefully, you will find mendicant who is of bad Sutta (Dependent Origination – them! One way to find such character is as ugly as a jute SN 12:1). good teachers is to associate canvas. So, we have to be wise There are a number of with good friends and follow in choosing the right Sangha discourses by Ven Ajahn Brahm their advice. Friends who to follow. We have to distant and Ven Ajahn Brahmali on this themselves are followers of the ourselves from bad mendicants. topic. You may access such ! If they are unethical, not discourses on the BSWA website practising the True Saddhamma for a better understanding of Don’t be influenced by people then, we need to be careful! Dependent Origination which is who would appear to be friends When we develop our one of the corner stones of the but who would lead you astray, knowledge of the Dhamma, Lord Buddha’s teachings. away from the Right Path, act mindfully and meditate, we So, when we behave well, we away from the Noble Eightfold would do nothing but be ethical. could expect a better rebirth Path. Don’t simply follow the That way we would be doing for the “new being” in the next friends and teachers because the right thing for our benefit life. That way, we would be they belong to your race, cast as well as for the benefit of doing the right thing not only or creed! Look at the facts and others! Such behaviour would by us but by the “new being” review them before making make us happy in this life as well who would be reborn due to the a decision. Ven Ajahn Brahm as in the next! So, follow the causes and conditions that we often says during His Dhamma rules, distance socially, distance are creating in this life, now. Oh! talks, “Bend your beliefs to fit physically, be secluded and be What a good feeling! the facts, not the other way!” on the right path! That is the Distant socially, distant If one visits Bodhinyana and Noble Eightfold Path! physically, distant emotionally Dhammasara monasteries and spiritually! Then we would one could easily find good, MN = Majjhima Nikāya be on the right path! How could practising Sangha who one AN = Anguttara Nikāya we do that? Well, the way to could rely on as teachers. SN = Samyutta Nikāya do it is to associate with good In the Potthaka Sutta (Jute AN spiritual teachers who practise 3:99), the Lord Buddha has the Noble Eightfold Path! If discoursed that an unethical

We are so Lucky We are so lucky that we are able requisites & pay our respects to visit such Good Sangha & to good, practising Sangha, By Upasako associate them at Monasteries & whenever we want! Hermitages right here in WA! We are so lucky to have well- We are so lucky that we could gained a Human Birth! Wow! We are so lucky to be able to visit fully ordained senior female How lucky are we?!! practise the good Dhamma at Bhikkhuni Sangha of the calibre places like Jhana Grove under of Ven Ajahn Vayama & Ven We are so lucky to have been the guidance of Good Ariya Ajahn Hasapanna right here in born at a time when the Sangha like Ven Ajahn Brahm WA! True Teachings of a Samma & His senior monastic disciples We are so lucky, we have Sutta Sambuddha is still prevailing in like Ven Ajahn Brahmali!!! the world! Central, with the unadulterated, We are so lucky that we live at true teachings of the Lord We are so lucky to have been a time when the wise, diligent, Buddha, at our fingertips! Thank re-born in a Buddhist country virtuous & stainless Good you Ven Bhante Sujato! where the good Dhamma is Ariya Sangha like Most Ven still being practised by the We are so lucky that we could Ajahn Ganha, Most Ven Bhante read, hear, listen to & practise good Ariya Sangha, Upasaka & Gunaratana & Most Ven Ajahn Upasikā! the True Saddhamma whenever Brahm Maha Theros are all living we want! We are so lucky that our on this earth! Grandparents, Parents & the We are so lucky to have We are so lucky that we are able a spouse & children who early teachers instilled the initial to offer the Dana Requisites Dhamma Foundation in us! are ethical, upright, frugal, to such good Ariya Sangha, in renunciant, easily satisfiable We are so lucky to live in a place this very life & learn the True & above all, supporting our like Perth where the Good Ariya Teachings from them! spiritual path to liberation! Sangha is practising, in our We are so lucky that we could vicinity, the Good Dhamma in We are so lucky that we have visit Bodhinyana, Dhammasara the desire, (the Kusala Chanda), the Good Way! & Patacara Hermitage, offer the the material means & the ways the True Saddhamma to the So, Feel Lucky! to keep helping those in need! whole world! Be Happy!! Be Still!!! We are so lucky that we have We are so lucky that we have With Metta & Compassion, virtuous, keen & good Dhamma virtuous, ardent, happy & good friends like you who support Dhamma friends like you who Upasako BSWA, Dhammaloka, associate take the time to read Enlighened monasteries & help disseminate Times!!!

Ajahn Brahmali visits Ajahn Ganha at Subtawee Monastery, Thailand, Dec 2019. Photo by Kanchana Lafrentz.

Ajahn Brahm’s 69th Birthday Ajahn Brahm’s 1974 Ordination Certificate Vesak 2020 Live Stream at Dhammaloka.

Ajahn Brahm meets the Easter Bunny.