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Ven Ajahn Brahmali’s Dhamma Talk on Medin Poya
Ven Ajahn Brahmali, residing in Bodhinyana Monastery, Western Australia, will be in Sri Lanka in March this year from the 14th to 24th. He will, as his preceptor monk Ajahn Brahmavamso has done on several occasions, address those interested at the BMICH on March 24, which is the Medin Poya day. The programme will be from 7.00 to 11.00 a m, consisting of a dhamma talk, a brief meditation session, and answering of questions from those present. The talk given by Ajahn Brahmali will be summarized and translated to Sinhala; so also questions asked and answers given.
Free passes for collection are available at Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mandiraya, Thunmulla, Colombo 5; Buddhist Cultural Centre, Anderson Road, Nedimala; Samayawardhana
Bookshop; Buddhist Congress, 380, Baudhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7; and at Sarasavi Bookshop, One Galle Face.
Apart from this talk to the general public, Ven Ajahn Brahmali’s principal engagement during his short visit here will be a 10-day retreat of meditation; sutta clarification and discussion at the Paramita International Buddhist Meditation Centre in Kadugannawa for 60 members of the Venerable Sangha – both bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. A small number of lay experienced meditators too will be accommodated.
Biographical sketch
Ajahn Brahmali was born in Norway in 1964. In his early 20s he visited Japan and was introduced to Buddhism and meditation. Deeply interested, he devoted much time to learning more of what the Buddha taught and in quiet reflection and meditation. This was while reading for degrees in engineering and finance. On completion of his academic studies, he moved to Britain and resided in the Amaravati and Chithurst Monasteries as an anagarika – (keeper of eight precepts). Meeting Ajahn Brahmavamso and listening to his teaching, he decided to travel to Australia and train in the Bodhinyana Monastery in Serpentine, near Perth, in Western Australia. This was in 1994. He was ordained in 1996; his preceptor being Ajahn Brahm. In 2015, on completion of twenty rains retreats, he was conferred the title ‘Maha Thera’ – Great Elder.
Ajahn Brahmali’s reputation as an expert in the Pali language and deep knowledge of the Suttas is internationally recognized. He has authored many essays inclusive of two on Dependent Origination and the treatise The Authenticity of Ancient Buddhist Texts, in collaboration with Bhante Sujato. Bhikkhu Bodhi who translated most of the Pali Canon into English for Wisdom Publications, referred to Ajahn Brahmali as one of his major helpers in his recent translation of ‘The Numerical Discourse of the Buddha’.
Ajahn Brahmali conducts Pali language classes and explanatory discourses on the Suttas to devotees of Bodhinyana Monastery. He is also a regular teacher at the Dhammaloka Centre in Perth. In 2014 and 2015, he and Ajahn Sujato led two courses on early Buddhism, Kamma and Rebirth.
The monastics of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BSWA) greatly appreciating his teaching, turn to him for clarification of Vinaya – monastic discipline rules. Added to his intellectual excellence is his practicality. He oversees the building and maintenance projects at both the Bodhinayana Monastery and the Hermit Hill property in Serpentine.
While his reputation as an exponent of Buddhism making the suttas clearer to monk and layperson spread worldwide, his teachings are recorded on YouTube and other electronic media and made available to all. He was also invited by countries, to mention but three: Singapore, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to share his knowledge and expertise with both the ordained and lay persons. And thus his visit to us: fortunate to all here of whatever religion; young and old.
For further enquiries, please contact: ajahnbrahmsociety@gmail.com
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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