Ajahn Brahmali: Day 5 Afternoon Session Sutta Study and Q&A 20.05.21
Channel: Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project
Date: 2021-05-20

Ajahn Brahmali continues on the theme of Dependent Liberation by beginning with the recognition that everything in the world is part of nature and goes according to the Law of Nature. The Pali word "dhammatā" means just this, "according to nature/Dhamma". Thereby we should not hastily throw out aspects of the Buddha's teachings which we may find do not fit in with our modern way of thinking, namely for instance, rebirth, which Secular Buddhists are often quite quick to say is something belonging to an ancient Indian cultural context and is not relevant to us, rather we should consider that aspects like rebirth, clearly being mentioned frequently by the Buddha should be regarded just as part of nature, as nothing is beyond nature, as such. Looking at Dhammapada verse 118, we see that the Buddha encourages finding the happiness that comes from doing good so much so that we should enjoy it! Ajahn rouses us with the benefits of giving/generosity through SN 1.33 "Good", where looking for opportunities for giving should be part and parcel of our daily lives and practice; giving being closely related to selflessness. Ajahn explains the meanings of the verses and another point worthy of note is that the Pali words referring to generosity are closely related to the words for awakening (caga, patinisagga, mutti, analaya - four ways of letting go as found in the third Noble Truth). Ajahn also related a story on how mutual understanding can be fostered between those who have different views in the world so that bridges can be built. Finally, Ajahn encourages us to ask the question, "Is my speech a gift?". The four kinds of right/wrong speech in a nutshell are 1. True, not false; 2. conducive to harmony, not malicious; 3. gentle not harsh; 4. meaningful not gossip/wasting time. A Q&A session follows. 


This teaching is part of a special 8-day online retreat called “Why We Suffer & How We Get Free,” given by Ajahn Brahmali and Ven Canda in support of Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project. The teachings explore two of the Buddha’s famous causal sequences, Dependent Origination and Dependent Liberation, which together reveal the entire course of human experience, through this world and beyond to Nibbana. 
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