Buddhist Society of Western Australia

The reason many of us who find attaining peaceful states in meditation is because of one (or more) of five things: sensual craving, ill-will, slothfulness, restlessness and doubt. Ajahn Nyanadhammo explains what the Five Hindrances are and how to overcome them to attain tranquillity and insight.

Having just spent time with a dying lay woman and her funeral, Ajahn Vayama speaks about how we can face dying with calm and resolution.

Honoured guest Ajahn Plien, a great meditation master from the north of Thailand (Chiang-Mai region) was invited to visit the Buddhist Society of Western Australia and share his wisdom. This session starts with an outline of Ajahn Plien's past, including being a disciple the legendary Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Waerne in the Thai forest tradition. It then goes on to a session taking questions from the audience with answers translated by Ajahn Nyanadhammo.

Reflecting upon recent horrible hate-crimes, Ajahn Brahm is moved to talk about hatred, where it comes from and how to overcome it.

Ajahn Nyanadhammo talks about the process of dying and what lay beyond the death of the body.

The Buddha saw family as the foundation for the development of healthy individuals and a healthy society. Ajahn Vayama talks about the role of the family and parents within Buddhist society.

Ajahn Nyanadhammo talks about the development of the Ten Paramis (a.k.a. 'perfections', 'virtues', 'spiritual qualities'). Those 10 qualities are:

Dāna pāramī : generosity, giving of oneselfSīla pāramī : virtue, morality, proper conductNekkhamma pāramī : renunciationPaññā pāramī : transcendental wisdom, insightViriya pāramī : energy, diligence, vigour, effortKhanti pāramī : patience, tolerance, forbearance, acceptance, enduranceSacca pāramī : truthfulness, honestyAdhiṭṭhāna pāramī : determination, resolutionMettā pāramī : loving-kindnessUpekkhā pāramī : equanimity, serenity

Ajahn Nyanadhammo talks about the development of the Ten Paramis (a.k.a. 'perfections', 'virtues') in a way that connects with contemporary life.

Most people in the world want action and stimulation. Peace and stillness seem very boring to most people in the world. But in the peace and stillness of meditation very powerful and profound things can occur, just as when Siddhartha Gotama sat in meditation under the Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya and freed his mind from all traces of suffering and illusion. Ajahn Nyanadhammo talks about how the seemingly ordinary acts are where we can find the path to awakening.

Ajahn Appichato gives a talk on how morality is the foundation of happiness and the Buddhist path.