I didn't think it was possible--that there were any more lessons the universe could throw your way. But here it is. A massive detachment lesson fit for the truly advanced. You have taught me much and may now teach us more in the face of this new challenge. Love (of course), Whitney
Ajahn Brahm DID violate vinaya, and it is not the Thai Sangha he went against but the Vinaya that has nothing to do with culture but with the teaching that the Buddha laid down. It is obvious that people commenting are not monks and are unaware of the problem. It is this kind of devotion that that makes people think cult, faith in a teacher above what the Buddha taught, no research or reason. Stop being so "devoted" to someone who is not an Arahant and look into this.
But the Buddha ordained nuns and there are nuns in other branches of Buddhism including some Theravada ones - so why do the Ajahn Chah lineage ones have to be so rigid? They say nuns can't be revived because the lineage of nuns supposedly died out historically and you need an unbroken line, but why be so formal instead of applying compassion? It is obviously right to allow equal opportunities, and if women are capable of being enlightened, they should also be able to be full nuns.
Bhikkhu Bodhi is a very respected Theravada scholar and said it was not impossible to ordain nuns. He explained how it is possible according to the vinaya either with Mahayana nuns and Theravada monks, or even just monks. And even if it was not possible according to the letter of the law, would the Buddha have said you must always stick rigidly to it even where compassion and insight suggest another course?
Ajahn Brahm did not violate the Vinaya...he violated wrongheaded cultural traditions in Thailand. To get a full picture, you have to understand how poorly young women are treated in Thailand.
That being said, one can logically state that he is free to leave the Thai sangha system. The other option is to labor to change it. I think the second way takes courage of conviction, and almost the entire world of western Buddhism agree with him, and thank him!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
The facts are the Ajahn Brahm has fallen more in love with the idea of being a Brahmist than he is being a Buddhist. That's not saying what he teaches is bad in anyway, but let's be honest... once you circumvent specific doctrine in the Vinaya and go ahead with rushed decisions just to sidestep the proper protocols... You are no longer a proper agent of the philosophies you misrepresent to serve.
@stonesoundjam I totally agree with you. If he choose not to follow the Thai Sangha rules, he can leave that order and reordain as a Zen or Tibetan monk. Then he is free to ordain as many nuns as he like without breaking the vinaya of the elders.
I respect you for your integrity, Ajahn. When I heard that three times you were asked to say that the ordination of the nuns was invalid, and that three times you would not do so, I felt a sort of 'Buddhist pride"...proud that it was our very own Ajahn Brahm who did this, who acted in the best interests of the Dhamma, who placed this above the interests of tradition. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu!
Why be mad with all this people? Bangkok monestry actually granted the WA monestry and ajahn brahm total independance. Thats a generous load of 'fertilizer' of the premium quality kind. lol
You are a very good Monk, Ajahn Brahm. The world is twice blessed with you around. It doesn't matter if they excommunicated you. What matters is that you believe in what you did was right, and I believe it too.
When you get through all the sutras ultimately its about practice and the mind that is for everyone ...leave the institutionalism and infighting at the door.Mahayana Buddhism however doesn't seem to have these problems with woman nuns.just got to Taiwan.
@humaner I think it was a good word you used - institutionalism. The word institute has a few definitions, one of them is - "a person or thing long established in a place". Perhaps, I miss understood the Forest Thai Tradition, but I thot that it was about moving about, about not being established, but being a part of the isolation of the forest... maybe, that is something to look at - a person or thing long established in a place....
i wish you all well and im happy to see that whats just happened does not really matter. Thank you for another interesting and fun speach. Keep up your good works at your Sangha
I think it was brave of him to do that talk so soon afterwards as you can tell it has quite deeply affected him. He was talking to himself as much as the audience at times which is understandable. As much as his faith can help deal with trauma, it doesn't make him immune from it. Everything he said was truth, in the general scheme of things it isn't a major event but isn't something you can just shrug off and ignore either. That wouldn't make you a good Buddhist, that would make you insane.
I think Buddhism has just about all the answers but there is always a thorn. to live in denial seems to be a method of copping that is woven all through out Buddhism. "just look on the bright side and the bad will just disappear" something like that anyway
what an amazing living example you are ajahn brahm......
750abcde 3 months ago
i love you ajahn brahm for showering loving and kindness to this world...u r the true teacher......
750abcde 3 months ago
love to listen to you guys videos.THANKS
champion1098 4 months ago
I didn't think it was possible--that there were any more lessons the universe could throw your way. But here it is. A massive detachment lesson fit for the truly advanced. You have taught me much and may now teach us more in the face of this new challenge. Love (of course), Whitney
whittark 5 months ago
excommunication is just worldly,the Dhamma we walk on is beyond Loka Dhamma.May there be eternal brotherhood of Dhamma
sampuna 6 months ago
Ajahn Brahm saved my life. I suffer from extreme depression and his talks have more than helped me.
tinafanforlife73 6 months ago 8
Ajahn Brahm DID violate vinaya, and it is not the Thai Sangha he went against but the Vinaya that has nothing to do with culture but with the teaching that the Buddha laid down. It is obvious that people commenting are not monks and are unaware of the problem. It is this kind of devotion that that makes people think cult, faith in a teacher above what the Buddha taught, no research or reason. Stop being so "devoted" to someone who is not an Arahant and look into this.
coyote2625 9 months ago in playlist Dhamma Talks - BUDDHIST SOCIETY of WA
@coyote2625
But the Buddha ordained nuns and there are nuns in other branches of Buddhism including some Theravada ones - so why do the Ajahn Chah lineage ones have to be so rigid? They say nuns can't be revived because the lineage of nuns supposedly died out historically and you need an unbroken line, but why be so formal instead of applying compassion? It is obviously right to allow equal opportunities, and if women are capable of being enlightened, they should also be able to be full nuns.
orlando098 9 months ago
@coyote2625
In any case Ajahn Brahm has argued that he did follow the VInaya rules
orlando098 9 months ago
@coyote2625
Plus who are you to say who is an arahant or isn't and since when could one not have reverence for a teacher without proof he was enlightened?
orlando098 9 months ago
@coyote2625
Bhikkhu Bodhi is a very respected Theravada scholar and said it was not impossible to ordain nuns. He explained how it is possible according to the vinaya either with Mahayana nuns and Theravada monks, or even just monks. And even if it was not possible according to the letter of the law, would the Buddha have said you must always stick rigidly to it even where compassion and insight suggest another course?
orlando098 9 months ago
Ordain the f&^# out of every woman in Western Australia and Wat Pa Pong can go take a long long walk off a very short Thai pier,
Ozi oi!
daveyork0 10 months ago 3
Ajahn Brahm did not violate the Vinaya...he violated wrongheaded cultural traditions in Thailand. To get a full picture, you have to understand how poorly young women are treated in Thailand.
That being said, one can logically state that he is free to leave the Thai sangha system. The other option is to labor to change it. I think the second way takes courage of conviction, and almost the entire world of western Buddhism agree with him, and thank him!
roberttschaefer 10 months ago
Middle path is the practice and the answer and truth
choeda 1 year ago
Disgusting slaves, pathetic.
nilbud 1 year ago
Ajahn Brahmavamso, your teachings and compassion have changed my life immeasurably for the better.
You will always have my complete confidence and support.
TheApatheticGuy 1 year ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
@TheApatheticGuy Why are you such a loser?
nilbud 1 year ago
Listening to this makes me proud for following such a great teacher.
Shangalization 1 year ago
Ajahn mosquito! Wonderful teaching.
MelasChupa 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The facts are the Ajahn Brahm has fallen more in love with the idea of being a Brahmist than he is being a Buddhist. That's not saying what he teaches is bad in anyway, but let's be honest... once you circumvent specific doctrine in the Vinaya and go ahead with rushed decisions just to sidestep the proper protocols... You are no longer a proper agent of the philosophies you misrepresent to serve.
stonesoundjam 1 year ago
@stonesoundjam I totally agree with you. If he choose not to follow the Thai Sangha rules, he can leave that order and reordain as a Zen or Tibetan monk. Then he is free to ordain as many nuns as he like without breaking the vinaya of the elders.
russlind 11 months ago
Ajahn Brahm, thank you. Come to Slovakia and we will incomunicate you...
TheMarksspencer 1 year ago 2
I agree with Dennis, given the situation at present, the Western Sangha should continue visiting and assisting the community in Perth.
DavidInSugarLand 1 year ago
Life is a thrilling journey if we look at it this way. Ajahn Death! Teach me how to live.
yharyhar8 2 years ago
I respect you for your integrity, Ajahn. When I heard that three times you were asked to say that the ordination of the nuns was invalid, and that three times you would not do so, I felt a sort of 'Buddhist pride"...proud that it was our very own Ajahn Brahm who did this, who acted in the best interests of the Dhamma, who placed this above the interests of tradition. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu!
ferociousambrosius 2 years ago
Why be mad with all this people? Bangkok monestry actually granted the WA monestry and ajahn brahm total independance. Thats a generous load of 'fertilizer' of the premium quality kind. lol
Strome88 2 years ago 3
@Strome88 damn right!
gaara06318 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This 'excommunication' is WRONG and NOT in keeping with the teachings of the Buddha.
Ajahn Brahm remains a good teacher, as far as I'm concerned and I will continue to listen to his teachings.
Sadhu, Ajahn Brahm !
Rosanella :-)
London, UK
lillyvalleys 2 years ago
Sadhu, Ajahn Brahm !
penduliflory 2 years ago
You are a very good Monk, Ajahn Brahm. The world is twice blessed with you around. It doesn't matter if they excommunicated you. What matters is that you believe in what you did was right, and I believe it too.
From Philippines.
8888chinaman 2 years ago
When you get through all the sutras ultimately its about practice and the mind that is for everyone ...leave the institutionalism and infighting at the door.Mahayana Buddhism however doesn't seem to have these problems with woman nuns.just got to Taiwan.
humaner 2 years ago
@humaner I think it was a good word you used - institutionalism. The word institute has a few definitions, one of them is - "a person or thing long established in a place". Perhaps, I miss understood the Forest Thai Tradition, but I thot that it was about moving about, about not being established, but being a part of the isolation of the forest... maybe, that is something to look at - a person or thing long established in a place....
robbiec2 2 years ago
Amitabha! It's wonderful to see some new videos updates.
eb05458 2 years ago
We need more nuns like Rubina Courtain
Thank You.
FirstBookOfMike 2 years ago
Good on you Ajahn Brahm...
... you are a true and compassionate teacher.
tellyontellyon 2 years ago 8
"this is a small step from a monk, but a giant leap for Dhamma".
Well done, Sadhu, Ajahn Brahm
santidhammo 2 years ago 8
Incredible talk! Thank you for the wonderful inspiration - always a gift of unconditional love. Teaching by example.
Love
Maya XX
ILOVE2FeelGOOD 2 years ago 5
I love you Ajham Brahm - you have done nothing but brought love and benefit to everyone who has come by you.
You are a leading edge Buddhist - your integrity is also ours.
Thank you, always.
RADIANTandRAW 2 years ago 19
Good Attitude.
Ashitanoyuki 2 years ago 5
Spread the Love and mindfulness not the fundamentalism!!!!!!
Ajahn Brahm, I am with you :)
saulomenegasso 2 years ago 17
i wish you all well and im happy to see that whats just happened does not really matter. Thank you for another interesting and fun speach. Keep up your good works at your Sangha
realgeordie 2 years ago
What is the reason the Thai culture uses that nuns can't be ordained?
kirk7524875248 2 years ago
Thai Buddhism is of the Theravada School, which follows the monastic code of conduct called the Vinaya....
shaktii100 2 years ago
I thought the Buddha ordained nuns. What, in the Vinaya, does not allow that?
kirk7524875248 2 years ago
Ajhan Brahm's youtube lectures and books have benifitted my life and helped me to deal with some tough times. Thank you Ajham Brahm
skippy10167 2 years ago 7
I truly agree with you. :D
AngelTFC 2 years ago
I think it was brave of him to do that talk so soon afterwards as you can tell it has quite deeply affected him. He was talking to himself as much as the audience at times which is understandable. As much as his faith can help deal with trauma, it doesn't make him immune from it. Everything he said was truth, in the general scheme of things it isn't a major event but isn't something you can just shrug off and ignore either. That wouldn't make you a good Buddhist, that would make you insane.
retread01 2 years ago
Religion...
gfxlab 2 years ago
Kalama Sutta
Do not believe in anything (simply)
because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions because they
have been handed down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything because it is
spoken and rumoured by many.
Do not believe in anything (simply) because
it is found written in your religious books.
liuupson 2 years ago 3
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority
of your teachers and elders.
But after observation and analysis
when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all
then accept it and live up to it. Buddha
(Anguttara Nikaya Vol. 1, 188-193 P.T.S. Ed.)
liuupson 2 years ago 2
Denial is not a river in Egypt
lyntonio 2 years ago
What do you mean by that?
betlamed 2 years ago
I think Buddhism has just about all the answers but there is always a thorn. to live in denial seems to be a method of copping that is woven all through out Buddhism. "just look on the bright side and the bad will just disappear" something like that anyway
lyntonio 2 years ago
Ah, that's an interesting view! From that perspective, I understand your comment very well.
May I ask where you arrived at that view of buddhism? The way I see buddhism, it's more like "look at everything the way it is without judging it".
Or as Ayya Khema used to say: "Accept. Don't judge. Change."
betlamed 2 years ago