Special Events
Mon 3rd Apr 2023, 19:00 - 20:30 GMT
Talk with Ven Canda, for Oxford Insight Monday Sitting Group:
In-person talks with Ven Canda and a guest bhikkhuni for Oxford Insight's sitting group. Meet us at Oxford Quaker Meeting, 43 St. Giles’ Street, Oxford, OX1 3LW.
In this Dhamma session, Ven Canda and her ordination sister will talk about their own spiritual journeys. What is special about monastic life? What aspects of monastic life can be translated to lay life and inspire us to deepen our practice? Or, is the monastic form of no relevance in the modern world? Join us to learn from two dedicated bhikkhunis, and explore to what extent lay people can live a spiritual life.
The teaching is offered on a donation basis.
This event is organised by Oxford Insight. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Oxford Insight direct.
Ajahn Brahmali's UK Visit: 10th - 24th May 2023
Ajahn Brahmali is coming to the UK this year to support Anukampa's aims by offering an 8-day Residential Retreat from the 13th to the 20th of May, which is already open for registration below! There will be a series of other talks and events, either side of the retreat and these will be added to our website soon. Please keep all the dates in your diary free, so you can join us throughout the whole tour!
About Ajahn Brahmali
Born in Norway in 1964, Ajahn Brahmali felt a strong calling to Buddhism and meditation in his early 20’s after a visit to Japan. Having completed master degrees in engineering and finance, he began his monastic training as an Anagarika in England at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries.
In 1994, after hearing a teaching by Ajahn Brahm, he jetted to Australia to train at Bodhinyana Monastery. He took full ordination as a bhikkhu with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor in 1996 and has now been a monk for around twenty-six years.
Ajahn Brahmali is a powerfully effective teacher of meditation, who draws direct inspiration from the Buddhist texts. He also teaches the Pali language and the monastic training rules to monks at Bodhinyana Monastery, and to bhikkhunis in Perth and beyond. Ajahn Brahmali also played an instrumental role in ordaining Theravada bhikkhunis and was recently awarded an honorary PhD for his translation of the Vinaya from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
As a Dhamma teacher, Ajahn Brahmali makes the teachings of the Buddha relevant and accessible through his lucid and inspiring talks. Here is some feedback from an 8-day online retreat that he taught for our community in 2021, alongside Ven Canda:
"I feel so lucky and grateful to have had the chance to participate in this retreat and to be in touch with your teaching. The path has never seemed so clear and beautiful to me! I feel that I am in contact with the best approach for my practice and for my daily life. Ajahn Brahmali's enthusiasm for suttas is contagious, I really want to read some from now on!"
Wednesday, 10th May 2023; 7-9 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “Buddhist Wisdom For Unwise Times“
Dhamma Talk at London Buddhist Society, Eccleston Square, London.
The world is in turmoil. Our leaders do not seem up to the task of running our societies. How should we respond? It is a wakeup call. Our present problems help us see the nature of our world with greater clarity. We understand that the world is inherently unreliable. We need to seek refuge in our inner world instead, which means the spiritual path. The remarkable thing is that seeing the world properly actually has an enormously beneficial impact on our spiritual practice. Only when we start to let go of the world, does the spiritual path come together.
Please book directly with the LBS, in due course. Their contact details can be found here https://www.thebuddhistsociety.org
Thursday, 11th May 2023, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “Learning Meditation From The Buddha”
Day Retreat at Thames Buddhist Vihara, 49 Dulverton Road, Selsdon, Surrey, CR2 8PJ.
The Buddha is the source of the entire Buddhist tradition. Without him, there is no Buddhism. So why don't we learn directly from the Buddha? The Buddha's discourses are the most direct and inspiring way of accessing the perennial wisdom of Buddhism. No other source is as clear, precise, and coherent as the suttas. So how can we strengthen our spiritual relationship with Buddha to deepen our meditation practice?
This day retreat is donation based and there is no need to register- just show up with food to share for lunch!
Friday, 12th May 2023, 6:45 pm - 8.30 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “Awakening 101“
Dhamma Talk at Kagyu Samye Dzong, Bermondsey, London.
Awakening is the goal of Buddhist practice, but what is it exactly? And is it possible to tell whether someone has reached a stage of awakening or not? Luckily for us, the Buddha was surprisingly clear about the nature of awakening and its effect on the people who achieve it. Join us for this talk to learn what the Buddha actually said about awakening, as recorded in the early discourses. Join us to learn what awakening is, how to recognize it, and how not to get bamboozled by fake gurus!
Sat 13th - Sat 20th May 2023
Ajahn Brahmali ~ 8-Day Residential Retreat In Nightingale Centre, England
"Breath By Breath To Awakening"
We are delighted to announce that Ajahn Brahmali is at last able to return to England in May 2023, five years after his first visit to teach his second 8-day silent residential retreat in the UK and gives a series of talks.
Why choose an Ajahn Brahmali retreat?
Ajahn Brahmali, a close disciple of Ajahn Brahm, is an exemplary practicing monk, Buddhist scholar and much sought-after teacher of early Buddhism. Ajahn Brahmali brings the depth and scope of the Buddha's message to life, with direct application to a holistic practice oriented both to a happy life here and now and to Enlightenment! Rarely are the Buddha’s teachings elucidated with so much clarity and contagious joy.
As the teachings come alive within, your relationship with the historical Buddha will deepen, bringing increased confidence and independence on the path. Moreover, the Buddha’s teachings will give you the profound inspiration to sustain your practice and apply it to every aspect of your life.
What is the theme of the retreat?
The retreat will be an in-depth exploration of breath meditation (anapanasati), and Ajahn Brahmali has shared this inspiring description:
The Buddhist path is almost ridiculously simple: kindness and awareness of the breath. This is enough to take you all the way to Awakening. Why, then, can it seem so hard? During this retreat we will focus on mindfulness of breathing and its supporting conditions. We will look at the obstacles that stop this practice from flowing naturally. And we will consider the qualities of mind that we need to develop to allow the flowering of the mind. You may not be Awakened by the end of this, but you will be much closer than when you started. If you don't want to make spiritual progress, don't come to this retreat!
By coming to the retreat you are agreeing to train in observing The Eight Precepts. If you require food in the evening for health reasons, please bring along simple snacks that you can store in the common fridges.
Saturday, 20th May 2023, 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “How To Love Like A Buddha“
Dhamma Talk at Sheffield Quakers, Sheffield.
The Buddha said that anyone who cultivates a mind of love for even as long as a fingersnap is on the right path. The cultivation of love, also known as metta or loving-kindness, is not only a path to healing our relationship to ourselves and others, but also a path to the deepest states of meditation and awakening itself. Join us if you’re curious about learning how to love like a Buddha.
Sunday, 21st May 2023, 7 pm - 9 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “Wise Perspective“
Dhamma Talk at Oxford Buddha Vihara, 356-358 Abingdon Road, Oxford, OX1 4TH.
Right View is a unique discovery of the Buddha and the first step of the Noble Eightfold Path. How do we develop a wise perspective on life in line with the Buddha's teachings, so that the other path factors follow automatically as a consequence? In this talk, Ajahn Brahmali will share what the Buddha said about Right View, at both the preliminary and deeper levels, and explore how it relates to our lives and meditation practice. Join us to learn the fast way out of samsara!
This talk is donation based and there is no need to register- please just show up!
Monday, 22nd May 2023, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Two Buddhist Nuns & A Monk Discuss The Buddha's Views On Women & Gender
Debate at Leonard Wolfson Auditorium, Oxford.
Join Ajahn Brahmali, Ven Canda and a guest bhikkhuni for this thought-provoking debate, including the seeming paradox between women & gender, and non-self. Hear from experts in the field as they explore and analyze the historical context and teachings of the Buddha on this important topic. Gain a deeper understanding of the role of women in Buddhism and learn about contemporary perspectives on gender and equality. This event promises to be an enlightening and stimulating discussion. Don't miss out on the chance to engage in this important dialogue and expand your understanding of this fascinating topic!
Tuesday, 23rd May 2023, 10:30 - 16:00 pm
Day retreat with Ajahn Brahmali, for London Insight:
"Perceiving Like A Buddha"
Day retreat at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London.
How is it that one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure? Why is meditation delightful for some but torture for others? Why do some see the world as an unfriendly place, but others see it as filled with precious friends and family? If we learn to perceive like a Buddha, the path to deep meditation and Awakening becomes wide open. In this masterclass on perception, you will learn how you can use the Buddha’s profound insights into perception to increase the happiness in your own life.
The retreat is suitable for all level of experience and will include Dhamma reflections, guided and silent meditations, walking meditation and an opportunity for Q&A.
This retreat is organised by London Insight Meditation. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please click here to contact London Insight Meditation direct.
Wednesday, 24th May 2023, 6:45 pm - 8:30 pm
Ajahn Brahmali: “The Superpower of Patience“
Dhamma Talk at Unitarian Meeting Hall, Brunswick Square, Bristol.
The Buddha described patience as the highest spiritual quality. But why should we be patient? Shouldn’t we try to get out of suffering as fast as possible? However, the Buddha also described the process of awakening (and meditation) as an impersonal process of cause and effect. It is in the context of the Buddha’s profound teachings on non-self that the true power of patience can be understood. Drawing on the teachings of the Buddha as well as his own extensive meditation experience, Ajahn Brahmali will explain how we can harness the power of patience to propel us on the Path.
Regular Events
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Fridays - Sutta Discussion Group with Ven Canda:
Fridays: 18:45 – 20:00pm UK Time (via Zoom)
Next dates: March 31st, April 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
JOINING LINK: click our archive newsletter HERE, then scroll down to our Regular programme section where you can find the link and password.
This ongoing class is suitable for beginners to sutta study as well as those familiar with the teachings of the Buddha found in the Early Buddhist texts (Sutta Pitaka). Together, we will go through Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology of the Buddha's teachings on "Social & Communal Harmony," in a way that allows for discussion and close examination of how they can inform, inspire and deepen our practice in daily life and meditation. Whilst this is a great opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of the teachings as we approach the material systematically over time, each session will also work as a stand alone contemplation - so you are very welcome to drop in as you wish! If you do hope to attend regularly, we highly recommend getting a personal copy of the book; however, this is not essential.
About "The Buddha's Teachings On Social And Communal Harmony" by Bhikkhu Bodhi:
"In a world of conflict and strife, how can we be advocates of peace and justice?
In this volume acclaimed scholar-monk Bhikkhu Bodhi has collected and translated the Buddha's teachings on conflict resolution, interpersonal and social problem-solving, and the forging of harmonious relationships. The selections, all drawn from the Pali Canon, the earliest record of the Buddha's discourses, are organised into ten thematic chapters. The chapters deal with such topics as right understanding, the quelling of anger, good friendship, intentional communities, the settlement of disputes, and the establishing of an equitable society. Each chapter begins with a concise and informative introduction by the translator that guides us toward a deeper understanding of the texts that follow.
In times of social conflict, intolerance, and war, the Buddha's approach to creating and sustaining peace takes on a new and urgent significance. Even readers unacquainted with Buddhism will appreciate these ancient teachings, always clear, practical, undogmatic, and so contemporary in flavour. The Buddha's Teachings on Social and Communal Harmony will prove to be essential reading for anyone seeking to bring peace into their communities and into the wider world."
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Saturday's Guided Metta Meditation and Sharing Group with Ven Canda:
Saturdays: 09:00 – 10:00am UK Time (via Zoom)
Next dates: March 25th (Ven Upekkha) and April 1st & 22nd.
What better way to start the weekend than expanding our heart with the powerful, sublime practice of loving kindness and a gentle check-in with friends? This group will help us bring the benefits of metta into our lives in a truly transformative way.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
JOINING LINK: click our archive newsletter HERE, then scroll down to our Regular programme section where you can find the link and password.
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Tuesday & Thursday Silent Sitting Group
Every Tuesday and Thursday 19:15 - 20:00 UK Time via Zoom - peer hosted by Matthias.
"Since December 2021 we have had a regular group of about 20 people coming to meditate in silence together, and people have said that they find it very supportive in developing and strengthening a regular practice. It never fails to amaze me how strongly connected we can be from afar, without even uttering a word - especially when we unite in wholesome (non) action!" ~ Ven Canda
Please be aware that this is NOT a guided meditation session but is intended for those who are looking for a virtual community with whom to sit silently in meditation together.
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
Please join early so Matthias can let you in before he starts meditating!
JOINING LINK: click our archive newsletter HERE, then scroll down to our Regular programme section where you can find the link and password.
Zoomi Bhikkhuni:
Pali Chanting & Blessings Group
Every Wednesday 17.30 - 18:00 UK Time - peer led by Reny and Manori (via Zoom)
N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.
This group is for those interested in learning some Pali chanting, such as the Karaniya Metta Sutta and more. At the beginning of each session we will call the names of people who would appreciate a blessing, so please join and make your dedications known.
Click here: Karaniya Metta Sutta for Text in English and Pali language.
JOINING LINK: click our archive newsletter HERE, then scroll down to our Regular programme section where you can find the link and password.
Learn more about Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda ABOUT US >