Episodes

This episode is a narration of the 42nd Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Verañjaka Sutta, which translates as “The People of Verañja ”. This sutta is very similar to the previous sutta. Here the Buddha explains the conduct leading to rebirth in higher or lower states, including deta...

Ajahn Brahm talks about how amongst the most positive and impactful things we can do in the world is to develop compassion and stillness within the mind. Here’s how to do it. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were sl...

This episode is a follow up on the previous episode. It is a translation of teachings by Ajahn Liem, who is the successor of Ajahn Chah as abbott of Wat Pah Pong, titled “No Worries”. These teachings which were given when Ajahn Liem was visiting Australia in 2004. As he can only speak Thai, he would...

Meditation is central to the Buddhist path. Yet people often take the achievement mindset that they use to succeed in worldly pursuits into meditation. This often leads to all kinds of obstacles arising as we try to “do the meditation”. Yet results in meditation arising when we stop doing and let go...

This episode is a narration of the 41st Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Sāleyyaka Sutta, which translates as “The People of Sālā ”. In this discourse the Buddha explains to a group of brahmins the conduct leading to rebirth in higher or lower states, including detailed explanations...

Ajahn Brahm tackles the issue of punishment - both cosmic punishments of a vast scale like tsunamis, and the micro-punishments we inflict upon ourselves. He thinks we really don’t need to be so focused on punishment and would be much better of focusing on freedom. — This dhamma talk was originally r...

In the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami that impacted much of the Indian Ocean coastline and the many questions that followed on from that, Ajahn Brahm talks about the nature of tragedies and how we can deal with them with compassion and wisdom. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a ...

Ajahn Brahm talks about how to deal with the metaphorical prisons that we often feel trapped in, as well as tips on how to get out. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were slow back then – remember dialup?) on 3rd Dec...

This episode is going to be a bit different from other episodes. Firstly it is the first time I’ve narrated teachings by Ajahn Liem, who is the successor to Ajahn Chah as the abbot of Wat Pah Pong in the North-east of Thailand. The main difference stems from the format of these teachings which were ...

This episode is a narration of the 40th Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Cūḷaassapura Sutta, which translates as “The Shorter Discourse at Assapura ”. In this discourse the Buddha explains how the labels of being a spiritual practitioner don’t just come from external trappings, but ...

Ajahn Brahm speaks about how Buddhism in and of itself is a form of psychology. So it’s to be expected that there will be some similarities between Buddhism and Western Psychology. However there are some significant differences also, which Ajahn Brahm explains in this talk. — This dhamma talk was or...

Ajahn Brahm gives guidance on how to see through mind states of hopelessness and how to end hopelessness using skilful means. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were slow back then – remember dialup?) on 5th November ...

This episode is a talk given by the Thai forest meditation master Ajahn Maha Boowa and is titled “Samādhi-Bhāvanā”. It was first publish as part of the book “kammaṭṭhāna - the basis of practice” which was translated by monks at Wat Pah Ban Taad. For free distribution No part of this teaching may ...

This episode is a talk given by the Thai forest meditation master Ajahn Chah and is titled “Why Are We Here?” . It was first publish as part of the book “The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah” which is made available by Aruna Publications. You can find links to the original text in the description b...

Ajahn Brahm offers insight in how to understand the nature of happiness and thereby work out how to apply it in yourself. Key amongst those insight is that happiness is mental energy. So how can we develop mental energy? Listen to Ajahn Brahm’s talk to find out. — This dhamma talk was originally rec...

Ajahn Brahm talks about the Buddhist attitude to helping children with their problems. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were slow back then – remember dialup?) on 28th April 2004. It has now been remastered and publ...

This episode is a narration of the 39th Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Mahāassapura Sutta, which translates as “The Longer Discourse at Assapura ”. In this discourse the Buddha encourages the monks to live up to their name, by actually practicing in a way that meets or exceeds the...

Ajahn Brahm elaborates on a saying of the Buddha inscribed on a statue outside of the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre: “To do that which is good, to refrain from that which is bad, and to develop the mind. That is the teaching of all the buddhas.” This seems simple and even obvious. But sometimes it can ...

In this episode of the Forest Path Podcast I’ll be completing the narration of the teaching “Only the world ends” by forest meditation master Venerable Ajahn Tate. This is part two of two episodes. Stay tuned to listen to the concluding part of this teaching by a true meditition master of the Thai F...

Have you ever noticed that people are always arguing about who has the right religion, politics, fashion, and basically everything? So how do we work out who is right and who is wrong? Ajahn Brahm doesn’t tell you who is right and who is wrong, but he does give wise guidance on how to work out who i...

In this episode of the Forest Path Podcast I’ll be narrating an extended Dhamma teaching by the great forest meditation master Venerable Ajahn Tate. It is titled “Only the world ends”. It’s a very well rounded teaching and goes in to some depth about samadhi. Because it is so long, I’ll be breaking ...

Sometimes we have the right intention to do good things and make positive changes in our lives but we just can’t figure out how to actually do it! Ajahn Brahm explains that self-discipline isn’t about using willpower or force in order to effect positive change, but rather through using wise strategi...

This episode is a narration of the 38th Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Mahātaṇhāsaṅkhaya Sutta, which translates as “the Longer Discourse on the Ending of Craving”. In this discourse the Buddha teaches dependent origination, showing that consciousness arises dependent on condition...

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on how to deal with physical pain. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were slow back then – remember dialup?) on 9th July 2004. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma ...

This episode is a talk given by the Thai forest meditation master Ajahn Maha Boowa and is titled “Kammaṭṭhāna”. It was first publish as part of the book “kammaṭṭhāna - the basis of practice” which was translated by monks at Wat Pah Ban Taad. The Pali work kammaṭṭhāna literally means “the pl...

From the very beginning Buddhism extended its moral ethics not only to humans, but also to animals (and all sentient beings). Ajahn Brahm explains how Buddhism thinks about ethics when it comes to how we treat animals. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on fil...

This episode is a narration of the 37th Sutta of the Middle Discourses of the Buddha, The Cūḷataṇhāsaṅkhaya Sutta, which translates as “the Longer Discourse on the Ending of Craving”. In this discourse one of the Buddha’s chief disciples, Venerable Maha Moggallāna visits the heaven of Sakka, the lor...

Ajahn Brahm got a request for talk but he couldn’t remember what it was, so he decided to talk about something that he wanted to talk about - dependent origination. Even though it’s a very deep and complicated topic, Ajahn Brahm makes this topic about the fundamental nature of reality easy to unders...

Ajahn Brahm talks about reincarnation … again! And helps us all get a sense of perspective about the meaning of our lives. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size (because internet connections were slow back then – remember dialup?) on 18th June 2004. ...

This episode is a talk given by the Thai forest meditation master Ajahn Chah and is titled “Making the Heart Good”. This talk was first publish as part of the book “The Collected Teachings of Ajahn Chah” which is made available by Aruna Publications. You can find links to the original text in the de...