The Five Aggregates of Being – by Ajahn Brahm

10/09/22 • 62 min

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The five aggregates (khandas) are empty, and so is a self or being. There is no self, nothing to cling to, and there is freedom is knowing this. Impermanence, emptiness, is the basis for Buddhist understanding. Perception is the process of organizing and understanding experiences. It’s based on past experience, and it’s constantly changing. Our perceptions are arbitrary and can change based on what we experience. However, our goals, aspirations, and views can also be based on our perceptions. When we understand consciousness to mean that the mind is active, everything in the world has to have the five characteristics of change.

This dhamma talk was originally recorded on cassette tape on 28th January 1994. It has now been remastered but the quality is still a bit scratchy. But the content is classic Ajahn Brahm 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. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Patreon page.

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How to see the beauty of concrete – by Ajahn Brahm

Take time for yourself, relax and gain insights from nature. Calm and insight lead to great power and clarity in the mind. Meditation clears the mind and makes it powerful, which allows us to understand questions and difficulties in our life more clearly. Buddhism is a practical philosophy which offers answers to big questions about existence and happiness, and teaches methods for achieving these things. In order to develop understanding, we need calm. Without insight, we have no understanding about concrete, about pink roof batts, or about life. We need to stop and look at things with care. This is the practice of meditation.

In this dhamma talk Ajahn Brahm shares his personal story about how deep, peaceful meditation caused him to naturally see the beauty in a plain piece of concrete.

This dhamma talk was originally recorded on cassette tape on 7th January 1994. It has now been remastered but the quality is still a bit scratchy. But the content is classic Ajahn Brahm and will be of interest to his many fans.

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The Dhamma of Impermanence | Ajahn Brahm

Understanding impermanence will lessen our suffering in this life. Teaching on the three characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and the lack of a soul inside the elements can enlighten us and help us overcome any problems in our lives. Impermanence is an important part of the Buddhist teachings on peace. It teaches us that everything in life changes, and that we should accept these changes with peace. Impermanence is a reality which affects everything. Understanding this can help us to approach life with a more peaceful, accepting attitude. Impermanence is a law of nature. Accepting impermanence can help one learn how to live a peaceful life. It is also important to accept impermanence in the inside world, where many people can struggle with it. The thoughts that occupy our minds are always in flux and cannot be relied on, whether good or bad. Engaging with them in a non-judgmental way allows us to learn to flow with them. When we cling to our thoughts and ideas, we suffer.

This dhamma talk was originally recorded on cassette tape on 5th April 1994. It has now been remastered but the quality is still a bit scratchy. But the content is classic Ajahn Brahm and will be of interest to his many fans.