Episodes

  • Buddhism and Sects
    Oct 4 2025

    The title of the talk is Buddhism and Sex, but it is actually about the different sects of Buddhism. The speaker explains that there should be no judgment or hierarchy between different traditions and that it is more important to focus on how one uses the teachings. He gives examples of how monks from different traditions work together and that in reality, there is no difference between these traditions. He also mentions that common sense is an important aspect of Buddhism, as beliefs and dogmas can sometimes get in the way Buddhism is a religion that focuses on common sense and does not have any dogmas or texts that dictate what is right or wrong. Because of this, Buddhists have the freedom to express their own understanding of virtue and ethics. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not have a central figure or hierarchy, which means each temple or monastery is responsible for its own success or failure.

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    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Right To Believe?
    Sep 28 2025

    The talk discusses the topic of the right to believe and how it affects our everyday lives. Ajahn Brahm brings up the dangers and consequences of holding extreme or harmful beliefs, such as seen in cases of mental illness or acts of violence. He also discusses the prioritization of beliefs and how it can lead to conflicts, using the example of a couple who argue over whether a sound is made by a chicken or a duck. The talk ultimately emphasizes the importance of critically examining our beliefs and ensuring that the most important of focusing on the primary beliefs of peace, harmony, and love.

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    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 18th May 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Freedom: The Path to Happiness
    Sep 21 2025

    Ajahn Brahm talks about the possibility of real happiness in modern life and the cause of unhappiness. He mentions how people today are attached to suffering and grief, which is a cultural addition that does not exist in certain societies. He also discusses how people can form their identities around their suffering and enjoy the negative emotions, such as anger, grief, and jealousy. The Buddha teaches that there is a delight in these negative emotions, or else people
    wouldn't engage in them. Buddhism teaches that attachment to negative emotions, such as anger, jealousy, and grief, can prevent us from being truly happy. The Buddha observed that people often attach to these negative emotions because they feel a sense of delight in them, but they fail to see the danger and harm that comes from holding onto them. This attachment can also stem from societal expectations, such as the need for retribution and punishment for wrongdoing. However,
    Buddhism suggests that the most important thing is to let go.

    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 27th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Buddhism in the Business World
    Sep 14 2025

    Ajahn Brahm disagrees with the belief that Buddhism and business do not match and argues that Buddhism has a lot to offer in the workplace. Mindfulness and compassion are important principles that Buddhism teaches, and Buddhism has developed strategies to apply these principles effectively. Caring for those involved in a business can lead to increased motivation and efficiency.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Investigation Into The Ethics of Military Service
    Sep 7 2025

    Growing up in London in the 1960s and protesting against the Vietnam War, Ajahn Brahm could never imagine that serving in the military was compatible with being a Buddhist. But a meeting with Buddhist servicemen in Britain caused him to rethink the ethics of military service and to challenge his own preconceptions. This talk is a thoughtful exploration of the ethics of serving in the military and various situations in life where simplistic, rules-based ethics falls short. Ajahn Brahm asks people to look at ethical choices from multiple perspectives and to be informed not just by rules, but compassionate intentions and wisdom. And to not judge the difficult ethical decisions others make until we’ve looked at it from other perspectives.

    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 27th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Building a House of Peace
    Aug 31 2025

    Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on what meditation is and how it works. And how to find the most meaningful answer of all through the lived experience of deep peace inside the mind.

    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 13th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    1 hr
  • Higher Criticism
    Aug 23 2025

    This talk is about how to deal with criticism in a wise and positive way, and why people often react negatively to criticism. We tend to take criticism personally because we identify with our ideas, views, and sense of self. It's important to have a more malleable sense of self and be open to change in order to be more receptive to criticism.

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    59 mins
  • Is Nirvana Guaranteed?
    Aug 17 2025

    Ajahn Brahm addresses the question of whether nibbana is guaranteed (and the attitude required to get there).

    This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 2nd March 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

    These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

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    Summary
    I recently gave a talk about Buddhism in Melbourne where I asked the question, "Is nirvana guaranteed?" This question challenges the common idea that spiritual life is about attaining something. In reality, spirituality is about letting go and being free from our possessions and attachments. I was reminded of this recently when I visited a monk in Indonesia who gave all his money to help refugees. This serves as an example of what possessions are truly for. We should learn to not be possessed by our possessions and to let People often have false expectations and sense of ownership in life, but on a spiritual path, one must learn to let go of these things. The most important thing to let go of is the ego, as it causes a lot of suffering and conflict. When one is highly illuminated, they don't care what others think of them and can laugh at their own mistakes. This shows that they are not possessive of their ego and can bring humor and happiness to life. Buddhism does not have a hierarchy Though at times, it is helpful to have a unified voice or principle, Buddhism emphasizes on lowering pride and ego, and not measuring oneself with others. Letting go does not mean getting rid of all possessions or self-worth, but rather not identifying oneself with titles or material wealth. Success and happiness in life do not solely depend on external security, but also inner peace and contentment. Letting go does not mean complete laziness, but rather working without attachment to the results or for the joy The term "eliminate oneself" in Buddhism refers to letting go of the ego, not eliminating passions. It means eliminating the sense of "me" or "I" and embracing a sense of "us". This leads to compassion and motivation to work towards the betterment of society. IQ is not a measure of success, and emotional intelligence, the ability to form relationships, is more important. The question of whether Nirvana is guaranteed is not a simple question, but one that can lead us to explore deeper into the nature of life. Nirvana is the ultimate happiness and is the result of following the path of Dharma, which is understanding the laws of life and working towards compassion and the community. This path leads to success, happiness, and the ultimate happiness of Nirvana.

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    55 mins