Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2008

How to Deal With Anger Skillfully (Part 1)- A Toronto Talk

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:34:00 +0000

e-mails

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:10:00 +0000

My deepest gratitude and eternal blessings to you for inviting me to witness Ajahn Brahm, which was a turning point in my life. He is indeed out of this world. I must confess that it was the first time in 12 years, since my father passed away, that I feel that I no longer have to carry around the self placed guilt over this untimely death.

Thank you Piyal.

Take good care of yourself and looking forward to seeing you soon.

Best wishes,
R.

Comments from Face Book

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:44:00 +0000

Gregory sent you a message.

--------------------
Re: Ajahn Brahm

Hi again, Piyal.

Thank-you for information. That website was very helpful for many, including myself. The Ajahn Brahm events were perfectly planned and conducted. I think I saw you at the Ontario Science Centre. The gentleman in your profile picture looks like someone I met at the Toronto Mahavihara. Ajahn Brahm has inspired many. I got a copy signed for my mother. What a wonderful series you helped organize. Thank you very much for your effort and dedication. =)

Theruwan Saranai. =)Sherosha Raj (University of Toronto) wrote

at 11:36pm on June 28th, 2008

A HUGE Thank you to the organizers who inviting Ajahn Brahm to Toronto. I met him for the first time and it has been an honour to meet such a friendly and wise Dhamma teacher who has inspired me more than any other to meditate.
May he attain Nibbana ASAP!

Arijit Das (Montreal, QC) wrote
at 9:56pm on June 28th, 2008

I have attended both of his talk and Teacher Brahm was simply amazing. I Wished I could have stayed longer and attend all of his talks during the visit, unfortunately, I had to get back to Montreal. Ajahn Brahm was great, my wish of hearing him in person just came true, its so much different from listening from youtube or podcast. Brahm's talk, thoughts and wisdom had touched every audience's heart. Piyal , other organizers and volunteers did an amazing job, I personally and sincerely thank them for having Ajahn Brahm in Toronto.

Kevin McGinley wrote
at 10:36pm on June 27th, 2008

So far the Toronto trip has been wonderful. Last night Ajahn gave a great teaching at the Science Centre on the Secret to Happiness. He followed up tonight with a talk on the Power of the Mind. His enthusiam and energy is inspiring. We are so lucky to have him visit Toronto.

More Pictures....

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:54:00 +0000

Cover of the program booklet

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:59:00 +0000

June News Release

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:09:00 +0000

1569 Cormack Crescent, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5E 2P8
Telephone: 905 891 8412, http://www.westendbuddhist.org/

Renowned Buddhist Monk Ajahn Brahm to visit Toronto June 26th
Seminar will include latest research on benefits of “loving-kindness” Meditation

Toronto - Buddhist Monk Ajahn Brahm will bring his humour and insight to Toronto, June 26th, 2008 and unveil his new book and discuss the benefits of meditation.

“There has been some amazing research into meditation and how it physically changes the brain,” says Ajahn Brahm. “Studies have shown that cultivating compassion and kindness through meditation affects brain regions that can indeed make a person more empathetic to other peoples’ mental states.”

Buddhists have long known the benefits of meditation. Western society is now taking an interest in its benefits. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have published a study that was the first to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to indicate that positive emotions such as loving-kindness can be learned.

Recognition that meditation can heal has great potential for children and adults. Children may be helped to stop bullying and adults may be relieved of recurring depression. Richard Davidson, professor of psychiatry and psychology at UW-Madison and associate scientist Antoine Lutz studied a group of Tibetan monks and lay practitioners who have practiced meditation for a minimum of 10,000 hours. Their use of the MRI indicated changes to the brain in mapping bodily responses to emotion.

In April, a movie titled “The Dhamma Brothers” was released in New York to rave reviews. The film is set in an overcrowded maximum-security prison and focuses on primarily, four inmates that are likely to be warehoused until the end of their days. However, during a gruelling 10 days of an intense ancient meditation program, it is clear these men have been changed forever, having experienced “loving-kindness” through meditation, as a result exposing their hardened souls into feeling empathy for others.

“The Dhamma Brothers” is a rather dramatic example of how peace and love for others can be achieved through meditation,” says Ajahn Brahm. “Loving-kindness and compassion are central to Buddhist beliefs and it is exciting to see traditional science coming to accept its benefits.”

Ajahn Brahm is the author of two books on Buddhism. The first book was “Who Ordered This Truckload of Dung: Inspiring Stories for Welcoming Life's Difficulties.” This book became an instant hit among the readers in North America, which was introduced during his last visit to Canada, three years ago.
His latest book is “Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook.” Well known Buddhist author Glenn Wallis says that “readers seeking a sure guide to ‘bliss better than sex’ will find it in this wonderful book.”

Ajahn Brahm, born in working-class London in 1951, won a scholarship to study Theoretical Physics at Cambridge University, where he obtained a Masters Degree. He became interested in Buddhism in his teen years, and after obtaining his degree and pursuing teaching, he decided to go to Thailand and deepen his commitment.

Ajahn Brahm was ordained at age 23. He uses his humorous story telling and teaching experience to educate people about Buddhist teachings.

“The idea that you can achieve peace from within, despite the constant deluge of negative thought we are surrounded by today is central to Buddhist philosophy of tolerance and harmony, “says Ajahn Brahm.

Ajahn Brahm will be the guest speaker at Ontario Science Centre in Toronto on June 26th, 2008 at 7pm.

There will be a slide show on ....

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Before the talk at the Ontario Science Center

Click below to see the full agenda

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:58:00 +0000

Click on the program to enlarge it

A Buddhist Youth Forum

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Ajahn Brahm at the Ontario Science Centre Poster

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:02:00 +0000

Pictures from the 2005 visit to Toronto

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:01:00 +0000

Ajahn Brahm addressing the crowd in Toronto, 2005

Book signing

With the resident monks at the Mississauga Buddhist Centre

Having the morning meal

His last book... introduced to Toronto in 2005

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 01:57:00 +0000

Book Review

Ajahn Brahm’s Visit to Toronto-2008 Sponsored by West End Buddhist Centre

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:18:00 +0000

Wed 25th June
Arrival in Toronto

Thursday 26th June

Public Talk
Place: Ontario Science Centre,

Imperial Oil Auditorium
6PM-7PM: Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book sale and signing
Time 7PM-8PM: Talk -“The ‘secret’ to happiness” - how to find peace and happiness in this busy life
8.00PM-8.30PM: Q&A
8.30PM- 9.30PM: Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book signing book/Interview
Entrance: Free
Parking: Free (after 6PM)
Other: Space is limited (472 seats), first come first serve basis, arrive early to avoid disappointment

Friday 27th June
Public Talk
Place: Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School
2 St. Andrews Boulevard, Etobicoke, Ontario M9R 1V8
6PM-7PM: Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book signing
7PM-8PM :Talk- “The power of mind”- finding bliss through the practice of meditation
8.00PM-8.30PM Q&A
8.30PM- 9.30PM: Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book signing /Interview
Entrance and parking: Free
Other: Space (up to 600 seats)

Saturday 28th June

Morning Session

Public talk:"Buddhist Meditation: Theory and Practice"-A moderated Q&A Session

Place: Albert Campbell Toronto Public Library - Auditorium, 496 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough, ON M1K 1N8 (1.4 km from the Warden Ave Subway Station; TTC bus #69 from subway station to Birchmount Rd.)

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Entrance and parking: Free
Other: Seating Space is limited (100) Fire Code Occupancy: 210

Format: The first hour will address pre-submitted questions organized to cover the wide range of meditation questions. This will be followed by a short break of 10-15 minutes. The remaining time will address written questions from the floor. The event will end promptly by 11:00

Please submit questions prior to the Q&A session to Franz: fsltor-dhamma@yahoo.com

Written questions from the floor will be accepted at the Q&A session, subjected to available time.

Afternoon Session

Meditation session and public talk
Place: Toronto Mahavihara, 4698 Kingston road,
Scarborough, Ontario M1E 2P9
Time: 3PM-4PM Meditation (guided meditation)
4PM-5PM- Public Talk
Topic: “How to deal with stress and anger skillfully”- a Buddhist perspective
5.00PM-5.30PM: Q&A
5.30PM-6PM: Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book signing
Entrance and parking: Free
Other: Space is limited (250-300). No seating. Bring your own meditation cushion. Parking is limited in the premises (suggest car pooling). Parking is also available in the next door Motel
Please contact Ven. Wimalabuddhi at 416 208 9276 or
wimalabuddhihimi@yahoo.com or torontomahavihara@rogers.com for more information

Sunday 29th June

Morning Session

Dhamma in the Park with Ajahn Brahm
9.00 AM- 10.30 AM - "The Four Foundations of Mindfulness" (Maha-satipatthana Sutta -DN22)
10.30 AM-11.00 AM - Q & A
Richard Memorial Lakefront Park (Picnic Area A)
804 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga
All Are Welcome !

Afternoon Session

Meditation session and Dhamma discussion
Place: Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center, 420, Traders Blvd. E Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1W7
(By registration only- Register at westendbuddhist@yahoo.ca
Space Limited: Max 120 only)
Time: 4.00-4.30 PM : Introduction to Meditation: “The Beautiful Breath”-Meditation on Breathing
4.30-5.30 PM: Guided meditation
5.30-5.45 PM: Q & A
5.45-6.00: Break
6.00-700: Dhamma discussion (Open to public-registration not required)
Topic: - Many ways to “The Right View” –Discussion on Sammaditthi Sutta (MN9)7.00-7.30: PM- Q & A
7.30-8.00: PM- Meet Ajahn Brahm/Book signing

Monday, 30th June
Public Talk: Meditation, bliss and beyond

Place: University of Ottawa, Auditorium, Guindin Bldg, Room #2005

Time: 7.00-9.30 PM

Other: Parking Free

For more information call Anoma de Silva @ 613 226 8160

Tuesday 1st July

Youth Event, Ottawa

Place: Tuan Pagoda, 3591, Albion Road,Ottawa

Time 8:30 AM

Other: Parking free

For more information call Anoma de Silva @ 613 226 8160
Youth Program, Toronto: Interactive discussion on current topics related to youth.
Examples of some topics: The Buddhist view on abortion, euthanasia, drug and alcohol abuse, sexuality, violence, suicide, depression, bullying
Place: Vietnamese Buddhist Cultural Center, 420, Traders Blvd. E Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1W7
Time: 2-4 PM
Entrance and parking: Free
Please contact: Bhante Saranapala at 905-274 7421 or bsaranapala@yahoo.ca for registration and further information

Stay tuned for further details

Click here to print a program

Ajahn Brahm will be introducing this new book....

noreply@blogger.com (Dr. Piyal Walpola) — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:11:00 +0000

His latest book is “Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook.” A well known Buddhist author Glenn Wallis says that “readers seeking a sure guide to ‘the bliss better than sex’ will find it in this wonderful book.” Ajahn Brahm will be introducing this new book to the eagerly waiting North American readers.