Show Notes
This is a talk about Buddhism and politics, given by Ajahn Brahm after returning from a conference for the Australian Sanga Association. He talks about the perception that Buddhism is seen as non-challenging and irrelevant to politics, but believes that Buddhism has a lot to contribute to society and make a difference in political processes. However, he does not support monks getting directly involved in politics, but rather encourage responsibility and compassion from a distance. He also discusses the importance of sincerity and ethics in politics. Buddhism has a strong ethical code that emphasizes compassion and inner peace. The focus on compassion leads to strong friendships among Buddhist communities, and this compassion can also be applied to politics. Buddhist ethics are resilient and can last longer in the political world compared to other systems. Buddhism teaches to bend the faith to fit the truth, not the other way around, and this process-driven approach is beneficial in politics. Buddhist communities have a democratic structure, which some argue has influenced modern democracy. Buddhism has a long history of democratic values, stemming from the ancient tradition of democratic decision-making in monasteries. The process of democracy, patience, and reflection are important in Buddhism and can be used to defuse anger and create harmony. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 11th July 2008. 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.
More from Ajahn Brahm Podcast
Ajahn Brahm considers the question: Does life suck? — This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 1st May 2009. 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.
This guided meditation by Ajahn Brahm was originally recorded in 22nd May 2010. It includes a talk about some aspect of meditation followed by a 45 minute guided meditation. This guided meditation has been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to people who have started meditation but are seeking guidance to take it deeper. 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.
Ajahn Brahm explains rebirth through the metaphor of mangoes: each life is different, yet connected by cause and effect, with deep character traits, habits, and spiritual qualities carrying forward rather than memories or physical abilities. Kindness, generosity, forgiveness, peace, and wisdom are developed through repeated practice and bring happiness now while shaping future lives, whereas anger, attachment, and negativity can perpetuate suffering. He emphasizes that our environment and choices condition the mind, encouraging listeners to cultivate positive influences. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 3rd April 2009. 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.
Ajahn Brahm skillfully answers the question posed by a member of the audience: Is Buddhism a Religion? — This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 27th March 2009. 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.
In this talk, Ajahn Brahm explains the significance of the rituals in Buddhism, such as bowing and chanting. He describes why these rituals are important and what they represent, such as virtue, peace, compassion, and wisdom. He also discusses how these rituals can help individuals to cultivate these qualities in their own lives. This talk is about the traditions and rituals of Buddhism, including bowing to statues of the Buddha and the practice of chanting. Ajahn Brahm explains the symbolism behind these practices and offers examples of how they can inspire and bring peace and compassion to our lives. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 20th March 2009. 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.