Buddhism and Atheism | Ajahn Brahm | 16-04-2010

[@65ADORNO]

I find the reincarnation aspect of Buddhism/Hinduism the most troublesome personally . But even as the Buddha said question everything, even the Buddhist teachings and scholars. Just because you choose not to 'embrace' a certain aspect of Buddhism, it does not disqualify you from practicing Buddhism. It is not like Western religions that insist you swallow the dogma completely or you are a bad boy or girl destined for a fiery end and eternal hell.

[@65ADORNO]

***** They don't believe in reincarnation? Tell that to the temple where I studied in Thailand. NOT only rebirth, but reincarnation. Did you mean way 'too' simple ?

[@michelepiteo7179]

65ADORNO+ Bhuddism is multi-layered. Some of the lamas and monks are pure statesmen . At the other end of the spectrum is the hidden one sunk deep in temple lore well away from the pesky public still trying to make Bhudda the God he dismissed as Anyone's Own Inner One . There they meditate on the deeper non-simplistic stuff ,which i suspect is all about the collective unconscious/the mere psychology of the occult and opening the pineal gland beyond the occult stew of tradition

[@TranceCore3]

you mean heathen?

[@logicmama4686]

@@65ADORNO If you understand Hindi language, then I can suggest you a video where the concept of reincarnation has been explained by a motivational speaker, not a Buddhist monk And that's too simple to understand Do you understand Hindi??

[@neerajgowsami6969]

@@logicmama4686 can you post the link brother (is it sn goenka ji?)

[@mark8664]

Buddha wanted us to use our own mind to figure things out not just excepting things without critical analysis.

[@michelepiteo7179]

Yeah-i done thinking incarnation twas a ruse invented by the Bhudda to encourage folk, sunk deep in eastern ruthless stagnant caste system, 2b creative imagining they have a suitcase. In fact we come from archytype pools in the Collective Unconscious Oversoul. Astrology works not so much on the stars but being a combo of archtypes themselves. To believe we are one whole individual soul being honed through life-times seems preposterous. More likely we are re-cyled

[@DipayanPyne94]

What are you on about, michele ? Seems like you were on Coke when you wrote your comment here. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@metrx330]

As an atheist, I have great respect for Buddhism (most schools anyway). The Buddhist emphasis on compassion, wisdom and virtue are very noble indeed. I found this talk very interesting and agreeable. Much love to all Buddhists out there!!!

[@logicmama4686]

I'm ex atheist, now Buddhist

[@josh1045]

@@logicmama4686 I'm trending that way

[@logicmama4686]

@@josh1045 Actually there is no conflict between Atheism & Buddhism Buddhism never believe on any ultimate creator or so called God Buddhism is more a philosophy than other traditional religions

[@josh1045]

@@logicmama4686 Buddhism believes strongly in reincarnation, which does conflict with the atheist view that claims without evidence are empty words. Regardless, I agree that Buddhism can align with atheism much more closely than any other theology. I'm intrigued! Visiting a temple on Saturday!

[@Kenji1685]

Much love to you as well.

[@w.pearson1050]

I'm sooo happy to have found this channel. I've always had a fond appreciation for Buddhism and your videos have really helped me understand the teachings and have me even more interested in learning more. Thanks and please keep the videos coming.

[@logicmama4686]

Yes dude

[@carlosd3240]

I feel the same way. Ajahn Brahm and his fellow monks make dharma so accessible and, dare I say, fun!

[@crazyt10]

I love this talk. It help an atheist to learn from Buddhism about god question even though is a "religion."

[@lexnuss791]

I heard the satguru (revealer of truth), who provided my Raj Yoga initiation said, "Atheists are sometimes closer to God (Generator, Operator, Directorr) than theistic individuals, as energy cannot be created or destroyed and they have the faith to live as is." What is self and where is it? This is it...Keep on keepin' on...

[@alanaandpeterichardson4924]

As always, Ajahn Brahm, communicating the dhamma to all beings with dignity, grace and sprinkled with spontaneous comedy! I feel very blessed to have had the privilege of knowing this humble bhikkhu for 37 years. Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu.

[@EyeAmTheBeast]

I love how Christians (insert others here) can find a bad point about buddhism yet the belief in a god has taken countless lives. hypocrisy should be its own religion.

[@EyeAmTheBeast]

Jantes Inferno it matters little what the belief is of any man determined to take the lives of others...either way it's wrong. depending on perspective of course.

[@kuan9950]

EyeAmTheBeast people have taken lives out of ignorance not God, your remark is confusing, God never said to create the inquisition, people or pope did, when the crusades happened, it was the pope speaking "for god" everyone just agreed with him because most of Europe couldnt read or write so the pope was the only translator of scripture, God never did these things, according to hinduism, God gives us choice but we are responsible for our actions, we are all sinners because we are all ignorant, enlightment is relief of all ignorance, many paths to enlightment, many individual souls, Buddha never said he was atheist or theist, he simply was silent, silence speaks many many words.

[@kuan9950]

Bhikkhu Pesala I'm starting to realize that, I noticed Mahayana Buddhist really hold on to the concept of devas dead and spirits, souls etc.

[@waiphyohain]

Actually, vast majority of Theravadins Sri Lankan, Burmese and Thais believe in local sprits (gods) as well. Just a human nature, trying to relying on imaginary friends. All the same, Chinese, Tibetans, Japanese believe in gods as well. Just not almighty infallible "God".

[@whatthe5607]

Elisha well technically if we all properly followed the sect of Christianity i just made up called murderism(where we believe strongly in the book of Leviticus) lots and lots and lots of people would die

[@shaynesmith4740]

I practice Zen Buddhism and in the Zendo we bow to statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and Jizo, a Bodhisattva. This is to show respect to the teachings of these figures and appreciation to the quality of those teachings. It has nothing to do with worship or deification. It is simply a humble show of respect. Also, there is a donation jar, but nothing is expected. I didn't even know where the jar was the first month I started there. Buddhist practice is very different from Christian practice.

[@barry8837]

Ajahn Brahm also teaches "Don't believe anything just because some one told you, or it came from holy scripture." Examine it yourself. One of the most intriguing things about Buddhism is that it is not a "take all" scripture. Evaluate what you are presented with, make up your own mind and apply it in a way that makes you a better human being.

[@M0j0S0D0pe420]

i went to the vibes a few weeks ago, which in itself was a life-changing experience. keep in mind i smoked a lot of weed and had two tabs to my name i saw a buddhist section far from the main stage, all meditating. I read and practice buddhism alot, i sat down with them. i gained this incredible state of mind, that the acid i took disappeared and this whole new experience took play. i can't explain it, but man did it help my views

[@raymondlai4656]

Dear BuddhistSocietyWA :), I would like to say, thank you, to you, for taking the time, energy and effort to both upload and share this video with the youtube community. Thank You, BuddhistSocietyWA! :)

[@Mathadosius]

He meant to say "positive correlation" at 23:21. Negative correlation is: as one variable goes up, the other goes down...Positive correlation is when one goes up the other goes up.

[@SyMoane75]

As a Buddhist who is also an atheist, this is one of the best discussions on the subject I have ever seen.

[@JMichaelThames]

I find Ajahn Brahm's teaching very refreshing, natural, and sincere, and full of wisdom. Thank you!

[@jacobmillar5048]

Thank you Ajahn Brahm - your dhamma is becoming of virtue and it stills my heart 💠. Many people in the comments disagree with the concept of seeing into past lives that you hold. There are many strange things in the universe which we can't yet explain, be it the quantum enigma or the depths of our emotions - however the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence (that is not reason to believe in something blindly and trust it - for that is not the way.) Bhudda was simply a psychologist and teacher of a way to attain peace, harmony and virtue. If he experienced such a thing in his heart then there must have been a good reason for sharing it with other people. Regardless of whether it's true or not, It provides encouragement to seek the way - if it exemplifies the lack of wisdom that not following the way shows ( feeling and knowing past lives will remind one of dukkha(suffering) and encourage the way of virtue) The same thing goes for the concept of reincarnation - if a mind is troubled on why he is suffering while following the way it may bring an answer( not necessarily true but maybe necessary for peace of mind) of why his suffering exists. It is smart to explain the unknown (regardless of the truth of the explanation), as if we didn't that may induce Nihilism. The only reason we would scrutinise and explanation for suffering is if it didn't reduce suffering but justified adding it to others (all powerful God). All that matters is peace - science can progress undisturbed in such an environment, even if the truth is not yet found concerning Karma - because from a phycological point of view, explaining the unknown/giving a reason for the unknown and playing the serpent is what stills the heart and mind - but does not remove the curiosity for truth. Therefore it does not matter.

[@jacobmillar5048]

*an explanation

[@travismchenry]

Great video! This is the first time I have heard the multiple Big Bangs theory in connection with Buddhism, but it fits perfectly. Open-mindedness along with Mindfulness will help many accept the crossing of physical science with Buddhist philosophy. But they go hand in hand.

[@チェリーブロッサム-g3f]

As a Japanese Buddhist, I can tell you that although Buddhism has been forcibly classified as a religion, it is a means to an approach that belongs to philosophy and self-realization. Buddhism is not a belief in a specific god, but a practical wisdom for exploring the unknown self as taught by the Buddha.

[@squamish4244]

Near the beginning he refers to the experience of remembering countless past lives. We know that by stimulating a certain part of the brain with magnets, people get the sense of many bodies preceding this one. It doesn't prove that Buddhist experiences are not 'real', but it demonstrates that obvious logical reasoning that the brain is deeply involved in spiritual experiences. It also shows that perhaps neuroscience can find shortcuts to the incredible effort needed to attain the deep jhana states.

[@123Patrick]

Such a great talk. It's just what I needed as an atheist raising children with creator god worshiping friends at school.

[@brian_sacks]

I have very much enjoyed your talks, including this, and found them very helpful. A minor point regarding Ajahn Brahm’s “That’s even said in one of the Christian Psalms: Be still, and know that thou art God". (at 51:40 in the video) Actually, the Psalm does not address a human as God. It is actually Psalm 46:10: “'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Translated from the Hebrew - the Psalms are pre-Christianity)

[@1madaboutguitar]

+Brian Sacks Who gives a shit, get a life!

[@newstart2013]

‘Taking responsibility for our actions’; very good advice. Thank you.

[@alexandruureche7674]

5:55, yes. I can agree there, in fact scientists are saying that big bangs are happening all over the place, creating more and more universes every fraction of a second, and just as fast, universes, disappear, so yes, I can agree there.

[@AlessandroTheCynical]

I respect it because it's more about self enlightment than kneeling down to some doctrine or church-like authority, also i don't think i've ever heard or witness an act of buddhism extremism, I don't pratice it or believe in it but i find the concepts it preaches to be respectable.

[@puppycat65481]

Thank you Ajahn. Very enjoyable and informative. Finally the truth I've been looking for.

[@jimwoodwind8152]

***** You look like someone is going to end up in prison. Maybe is you who has to clear your mind.

[@metta.k.4911]

***** Research, yes. BS... that's your judgement.

[@rangadush706]

Namo Buddhaya! 🙏🙏🙏

[@rezartsy]

i love ajahn brahm and i am so thanful for his talks. it`s so weird because i believed in the same things as buddhism teaches us without even realizing that my beliefs are as the exact same as buddhism... than a few months ago i was talking to my cousin about how there was such unhappiness in my life and that of others

[@morganh1066]

as an atheist, this is a fantastic talk to listen to.

[@danvandetta]

Everyone has their own opinions . This man has given hundreds of talks that makes sense and truly touches the heart , mind and soul . If he was wrong in this one talk . Let us reflect on the many good he has brought to us . He is no Buddha . Why critic on someone who isn't perfect ? Everyone makes mistakes . No one is always right . So accept it . Then let it go .

[@kyral210]

I would describe myself as an athiest looking into Buddhism. Ajahn Brahm is such a wonderful speaker and moral philosopher

[@ImSofaKingGood]

Raised as a Mahayana Buddhist, I have an agnostic view towards supernatural beings existing alongside or parallel to humans and believe that they could possibly exist though not for certain, but creator-of-everything deities are especially questionable for me. I admit there are Buddhists who refuse to consider other views outside of their religion, but I feel Buddhism's teachings have kept my mind open to interesting ideas such as the ones in this video that help me to develop my understanding.

[@insidethefall78]

Watching this is comforting, from what this guy says about Buddhism, it seems the most logical of any belief system. I've argued a lot of what he says when debating Christian thought and believe that your choices are reliant on your own heart not a set of rules in an ancient text or from other fallable beings. Kindness, love, peace, etc. are not "Christian" but universal inner truths. If you take responsibility away from yourself, bad things are going to happen.

[@samuelgaldieri8212]

I’m a buthiest, a atheist that try’s to live by the Buddhist principles

[@jason6360]

Great talk as usual. Thank you and bless you Ajahn Brahm. I believe in God in a metaphysical sense. And I believe Buddhism is not nihilism(he taught reincarnation and he taught phenomena is anatta and we are not phenomena.) Thank you for all you do.

[@Bonsoirmonamie]

All belief in any deity is in the metaphysical sense lol

[@Mathenaut]

As an Atheist, I have no problem with Buddhism or it's concepts, and even find a great measure of value in them. That being said, this man won my heart at 1:30.

[@SonofSethoitae]

BS Detector A few things should be noted about Buddhist "hell" or Narakas. 1) Going to Narakas is not a punishment. No one sends you there. People are pulled there by unskillful mindstates (i.e. those ruled by hate, delusion, arrogance, etc). In the story it's King Yama who sends people there, but keep in mind that the Buddha said more than once that the gods don't actually control anything, and are subject to samsara too. It's fair to infer that he wasn't being literal. 2) Hell isn't permanant. It's an ironic reversal for a set period of time. Hell has a two way door in Buddhism. You get out once you correct your unskillful mindstate. In other words, hell is corrective, it re-balances your kamma based on your own effort. 3) Hell was never an literal place. The cosmology that the Buddha outlines are metaphorical, describing the various mind states that are achieved through particular kinds of effort. He wasn't talking about literal places. 4) The Buddha wasn't one for scare tactics. He's not trying to frighten the monks when he tells them that unskillful mindstates will pull them into a lower plane of being, he's simply informing them. Note that the monks are in fact not afraid of this information, they rejoice at his words. 5) You're not required to believe in it. The Buddha said (paraphrased, of course) that we should believe in only that which we can confirm for ourselves. It isn't integral to Buddhist teaching.

[@MaksFaks-kl1zj]

>Hell is not a literal place Then you don't believe in anything then, you are just LARPing. Naraka is indeed a real place, and to claim otherwise is to deny history.

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@MaksFaks-kl1zj Yes, this one belief means I believe in nothing at all. Think before you speak, it would do you some good.

[@MaksFaks-kl1zj]

@@SonofSethoitae No, you either believe Naraka is real, or you do not. No metaphorical nonsense inbetween. And besides, how the hell did you get a reply notification on this old post?

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@MaksFaks-kl1zj I can't believe you're an actual, real life Buddha. You must be, or you wouldn't be so cavalier.

[@SonofSethoitae]

@@MaksFaks-kl1zj Please tell me more, oh fully enlightened Buddha, about how slavish, excessive literalism is the Buddha's way.

[@rezartsy]

@adamitinerant No, I don't know anything about Buddhadasa Bhikku. I believe in most teachings of Buddhism, but I don't believe in religion so I focus on the philosophical side of it more than religion. The way Ajahn Brahm talks about things makes the teachings of Buddhism a lot clearer and helps me understand it and life more.

[@420gma]

Respond to this video... I like the Buddha very much after reading about buddhism I have found some the teachings very helpful in may everyday life.Learning not to make my life miserable chasing after material things has mellowed out my life considerably.First get what you need.

[@chadaramtnn2]

Sathu ! I am glad to hear such a great teaching from those who have gotten this heritage teachings of Lord Buddha. You are caring on the great messages teaching of Lord Buddhas for shelters of mankinds.

[@SleepingSun4]

Beautiful and wise teaching from a beautiful person..I both laughed and cried at times. Such a great wisdom - the truth can be found in ones heart ♥

[@MikesSweetchy]

I happen to be atheist and I can't really say I believe in past lives, but I do believe that meditation is an amazing tool that everyone should learn to implement. Out of any religion Buddhism seems the most credible and Buddhist people seem to be quite intelligent. It's something I'm researching further and maybe implement certain ideals into my own life.

[@roymarshall_]

I'm a strong atheist, I don't believe in any god, or reincarnation, or anything similar, and I totally agree with Sam Harris in the idea that being atheist does not mean that there is nothing positive in so-called "spiritual experience." That would be incorrect according to current scientific understanding. Meditation is very healthy and positive (even if, for me at least, it can get VERY frustrating at times) and requires no faith.

[@MissMidoria]

Good talk. I love that he gave this on my birthday and I am an atheist who really respects Buddhism. :)

[@rezartsy]

than i had said ``its as if life is suffering...not just depression and tragidy but everything`` and she said ``isn`t that wat buddhism is all about`` than i looked up buddhism n saw the 4 noble truths n it was such an epiphany n realized that i had believed in buddhism all along. then i found my way to ajahn brahms talks and enjoy them very much so :)...anyway nice little story

[@ianjohns1022]

Exactly, that is what I like about Buddhism :)

[@titannick]

"Never allow knowledge to stand in the way of truth" :)

[@Ace1000ks19751982]

Everything this man makes sense.

[@yx-l2853]

I hope more and more people subscribe to this universal, no non-sense, views, for humanity's well being.

[@kogazor]

Now that's an interesting answer I've heard before. While I agree that suffering can develop empathy, why would you need to "care" if suffering did not exist in the first place? I'm afraid it sounds like circular reasoning to me.

[@smackytheclown]

These videos have impacted me so much. Thank you!

[@calesuar1]

Loved it. Insightful, powerfully peaceful and virtuous. I wish you'd have a version in Spanish.

[@rayzee735]

This is Great, there is no need to believe in a Higher Power because there is no power outside one self. We all individually have the wisdom and power to solve problems and find solultions and be self-reliant...

[@Kenji1685]

Thank you so much for clarifying this for people. 🙏 Also there is something called the cyclical universe theory. If I understand it correctly, (which is highly probable I don't since I'm not a scientist) the theory is that the universe emerges and dissipates continually like a wave that's multidimensional. Don't ask me about the details because I don't know. I just listened to an interview of the physicist who was proposing it.

[@pacoval4577]

thank you for this beautiful teaching AB!

[@TheUncleOfAllUncles]

Very good talk Ajahn Brahm.thank you very much

[@mridulashyam]

I DO BELIEVE IN SELF RESPONSIBILITY. AND YOU ARE VERY TRUE THAT GOD IS IN BUDDHIST PERCEPTION IS SO REAL WE CAN TOUCH HIM RIGHT HERE ITSELF AS GOD ALL VIRTUES, PEACE AND COMPASSION. ..

[@waltermh111]

Great quote to summarise the message of this speech, for the second half mainly. you have good people doing good things and evil people doing bad things, but for good people to do bad things, it takes religion.

[@ElectroWow]

@AryaSravaka I know I´m a Buddhist, cos I feel like a Buddhist. once Buddha said: "you become what you think you are"

[@storyboy989]

He said many times that he has friends who are other types of religious leaders and that he admires ideas in other religions.

[@HereIsSarah]

this is great stuff,

[@scotty]

The 'truth' experienced in med. is like that stuff gained through hypnosis which is not admitted in a court of law because it isn't recognized as valid. If we excel at anything it's deluding ourselves. Med feels great and it's nice to experience calmness and peace. But we can misunderstand the experience and believe we're contacting some 'higher self' or something. It's similar to those Near Death experiences which aren't valid either. It's just the mind experiencing an altered state but unreal.

[@StayingCrafty]

I found this incredibly helpful. I've recently started reading about Buddhism and decided it was something I wanted to learn more about, but I have seen things that made me believe in some sort of things supernatural. Yet, I have always struggled with the idea of the Christian God, for as you said, if it were all powerful why would it not have the compassion to save us all? Why would there be suffering? This was helpful! Thank you!

[@Ceminon]

@Fitzangus I read Schopenhauer's 'The World as Will and Representation', which in turn made me curious about Buddhism. I've since come to consider myself a radical sceptic who is sympathetic with Buddhism. I have been wondering for some time now, should Buddhism's take on rebirth be seen as something with the dogma of "magically" being able to look back into all the constructions of lifeforms that once were or is that sort of a metaphor? Hope my question isn't too vague.

[@greenelf12]

@Mathenaut "That being said, this man won my heart at 1:30" he's right too

[@RFKjrForPres]

Though I only listened to the first 12 minutes, because I have to get back to work (maybe I'll listen to the rest later), I liked the video and I gave it a thumbs up. However, at the point I turned it off is at the part where Ajahn says, We are all Diluted, just like the guy who think he is a god is diluded. Though this is an idea of the pre-lotus sutra teachings in Buddhism, which Siddhartha finally says are his "expedient means" teachings (in the Lotus Sutra's "Expedient Means" Chapter), he then goes on to say we are all enlightened beings. This he says is our eternally endowed stage from time without beginning. So based on the penultimate sutra of Buddhism, we are all Omniscient and we are all Omnipotent. So why would we need a god, if we are all godliness fully embodied in our Light Bodies, Reward Bodies, Dharma Bodies and all the other bodies we could embody, when we are finally willing to fully claim, own and acknowledge who we truly be, as Buddhas from Time Without Beginning, as the Lotus Sutra so brilliantly says over and over. In the final teachings, all the ideas of Buddhism's first 40 or so years of teachings were turned on their head. Defilement became Purity, No self became True self, Suffering became Joy, Delusion became Enlightenment. So the first 40 years of the teachings focused on Defilement, No Self, Suffering and Delusion, and in the last 8 years of his life, with the 3-fold Lotus Sutra and the final sutra, the Nirvana Sutra, he focused on their opposites: Purity, True Self, Joy and Enlightenment. And in those last 8 years of his life, he says all my expedient means teachings would be worthless after the 5th 500 year period after I die and only my true teachings in the Lotus Sutra would have any relevance. I love how he was so right. The time of great reward is now here.

[@alvalvhjarta5466]

+Major Tim To Ground Control Thanks dude, i'm trying to find where to find the sutras, but i found the lotus sutra online. Videos are great, but i rather read the sutras on my own. The buddhas own words. Do you recommend any other sutras ?

[@RFKjrForPres]

I emailed this PDF to my kindle and read it all on my kindle. www.rk-world.org/publications/ThreefoldLotusSutra.pdf Here is another translation the 2nd sutra within this 3-ford lotus sutra. I read about different translations and it is great to look at it from different angles. www.bdk.or.jp/pdf/bdk/digitaldl/dBET_T0262_LotusSutra_2007.pdf

[@RFKjrForPres]

Before you read any other sutra the lotus is the king of sutras. So you can know what was the true intent of the buddha Shakyamuni (siddhartha-gautama) .

[@BarbarraBay]

@goal2004 The Buddha was not really silly. The Buddha was concerned with how the human mind concocts or creates its own suffering. By knowing how suffering is created, the mind will know how to end it. Based on the six sense bases arise feelings then the various forms of cravings & mental proliferations that manifest as suffering. There is a difference between what the Buddha was interested in & what you are interested in. The sense of balance is a different kind of cognition.

[@goal2004]

At about 3:30 he mentions "the six senses". He kind of forgot about 6-12 more of them. What about the sense of balance? The sense of heat? The sense of hunger? The sense of your own body (if you close your eyes and try to bring your finger to your nose, you'd always succeed, unless you're intoxicated)? There's quite a few others too! :

[@gigicats6]

The study that Ajahn Brahm mentioned done by Gregory Paul, that people who believe in God also have a high crime rate, was interesting. I don't agree with the conclusion though, that believing in God takes away personal responsibility for our actions. I think people believe in God but are lost because their chruches fail to reach and teach them, people can't relate to a church that is stuck in old ways and not in touch with and responding to peoples' needs.

[@tropicallivingoverseas5202]

He has often said to question everything and think for yourself. Anecdotal evidence, is not sufficient for me to accept rebirth or reincarnation. I am a secular Buddhist and that's okay.

[@florinnuu]

@KriztofferKriztenzen I was born a christian but I became an atheist at age 16, because I felt alone, it seamed like there was no point in my religion and no point to my life. After 5 years of atheism I feel eaven more alone then when I was a christian so this wosn't the way to go eather. In the past few months I started to thinck about Buddhism (and not for the sake of changing religions) I diden't had enought time to study all the aspects but it makes more sence then christianity or atheism

[@storyboy989]

Why? Suffering is caused by the craving for something better, not by the actual situation we think causes the suffering. It is difficult to care for someone when you are held down by your own suffering.

[@nsugathadasa]

I am with you there. However all the respects to Ajan Bhram who is one of my great teachers.

[@danielrichard4174]

I've always thought the universe functioned like a beating heart. Contracting and and expanding like a pulse. Every beat is a big bang. Just seemed very obvious and I hear it here 25 years later.

[@stevesusenet]

Thank you for the good talk Ajahn Brahm

[@The_Laureate]

@jcicone1 the Buddha: "When one falls back on creation by a Supreme Being as being essential, there is no [motivation], no effort [of], 'This should be done. This shouldn't be done.' When one can't pin down as a truth or reality what should & shouldn't be done, one dwells bewildered & unprotected. One cannot righteously refer to oneself as a contemplative. This was my second righteous refutation of those priests & contemplatives who hold to such teachings, such views." [Tittha Sutta]

[@ObliviouslyAware]

@BTNH24 "because of a Supreme Being" Please remember the difference also between Theravada and Mahayana schools, Mahayana allows for local beliefs to intermingle with the teachings and allegorys. Thus references to divine beings are much more common in it. The three wrong viewpoints of causation are, human experience based on destiny, everything being created and controlled by a god's will, and that everything happens by chance. - From a Japanese Mahayana text I just read.

[@kyral210]

@JohnnyFoster I emailed a temple asking to find out more and they invited me round for a talk one evening. One of the first things the monk told me was that in Buddhism you never have to believe anything that isn't true, and you never have to believe anything anyone tells you, even if that person is a Buddhist monk.

[@Bomberboy777]

I would have being an 100% atheist if it had not being the philosophical views of Buddhism and Ajahn Brahm made things alot clearer and made me understand more about Buddhism..

[@AmpsforBuddha]

We will be chasing our tails if we try to answer if there is a God. ...Sometimes the best answer is "I don't know", rather than trying to fill in the gaps with our egos. It's alright to say, "I don't know". I feel we will know once we die, perhaps not even after that. Many are uncomfortable with finality; reincarnation, yes (I'll become a blade of grass). Will arguments on God improve our present moment?

[@Yora21]

Good speaker. Simple language and making his points directly with only a few sentences.

[@josephlandrut4154]

Define the future - What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others - Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life - He who will not economize will have to agonise.

[@manatualexandru]

We are the personal Gods, God personified into beeings, love personified into what we are.That is how god is personal.How love comes into the mental,and the physical.

[@davidbrainerd1520]

+alex manatu lol.

[@uncletan888]

To Riya So, My believe in God as a Buddhist is the Universe. Buddha says he has seen 96 times in his vision of the big bang. God create universe and universe is God. Therefore all things in the universe is God itself. Logical ? Buddha do not want people to treat him as a Super Spiritual Intelligent God with supernatural power that can do supernatural wonders, for example if you pray to him for help after his death as a God, supernatural will happen to you without you changing it yourself. That is the reason why he say those words when he is alive and preach to others. I am a Buddhist and Buddha words are simple. Our-self. It is all about our-self before you look outside of yourself. Once cannot help others if our-self is weak, poor and uneducated. This is very logical and all human should understand this great teaching from Buddha. Buddha is my teacher. But till now, i give a fail for my result. Because i am still trying to change myself. I still have a long way to go for myself. But my explanation is true facts which cannot be denied. Atheist do not believe in God as they treat God as a human form or with supernatural power to help human being. As they though religion wants to trick human into believing in those prospect. Actually they do not have to believe in God as God is everything. Believing in God does not bring you to anywhere. God is mighty if you really understand who is God. And God will not help you for your sin or mistake. But by understanding God creation, you will understand about yourself as a human being and the kind of destruction you can bring to the earth that you life on. God is not about good or bad. Is about right and wrong. Fire burns on wood. Fire can kill you. So if you ask God and tell God that fire should not be around, than don't you find it illogical ? Without fire can ? So do not be so narrow minded about God and try to understand God but what you individual should do to yourself. That is more important than God. God do not need your help or whatever.

[@lebotonton]

Max Dog is a delusion, neither in or out, if you want a God in your life which one Apollo, Zeus, Baal, Mercury etc we are the architect of our lives and one else the pass is gone the present is now and the future is fantasy

[@VeryStupid4547]

+lebotonton *past

[@nguoithichhoasim1233]

Ưhich Buddhiit sutra stated that Buddha saw 96 Big Bang in his vision .? I am a Buddhist , read a lot of Buddhist books written by bikhsus and scholars , Buddhist sutras , But have never find what you said . I doubt that some Christian authors made up these things to give more credence to Big Bang that the believer think is their personal God action

[@ciscof9814]

Can anyone attempt to explain the "discrepancy" between the Buddhist teaching on no self/no soul (anatman) impermanence and the the ability to have past lives and being able recall them (not reincarnation right?).

[@anzwertree]

As an atheist, I think rebirth is a lot more probable than a single all powerful creator God in the sky. It may or may not be true. But it is more believable than most, if not all, of the God stories I've heard.

[@opabinnier]

i agree. Nobody should lose their equanimity because of this person, and should not engage with him/her. He/she is raging for whatever reason and should be given space to sort him/herself out or just run out of steam. I guess that would be the most compassionate thing to do. (I am not am not a person of any religion.)

[@TranceCore3]

I never ask god anything but "why is this happening to me?", Some people might digest that as a negative question, but it's neutral, because the answer could be positive or negative, that's up to you.

[@sonicx2218]

Amazing speaker. I only wish I'd listened to someone like him years ago.

[@goal2004]

@BarbarraBay You're talking about our reflexive behavior to what the sense of balance tells us (which is not intelligent, as it is an instinctual response). What I'm talking about is whatever your position or orientation is - you know where up is (unless you're in space).

[@Zdem0Z]

What is that many people don't seem to understand is that atheism simply means the belief that there are no deities. No gods with persons, names and ancient laws that must be followed. Atheism doesn't mean that the person can't believe to supernatural, power of meditation etc.

[@violettager]

30:00 about forgiveness of yourself leading to forgiveness of others. So good :)

[@ObliviouslyAware]

I am a Buddhist because I am an atheist. I am not tied to one slanted text or another... Thank You Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!!!

[@MagusMenna]

I bow to you to because you have that Buddha nature inside you.

[@cassandra5516]

Just imagine reading the bible and changing the word "god" with the words "my mind" and having a name signed to those words that are said to have been spoken. That would be a much smaller book that is kinder and makes much more sense.

[@silkcat51]

I've long thought that the teachings of Jesus sounded very Buddhist in nature. This speech only confirms it more. Dozens of times, he spoke of keeping the commandments...(honoring and respecting others, the "thou shalt nots"-lie, steal, murder). "Let thine eye be single and the body will be full of light"; many allusions to karma ("I will give to a man according to his works") and even to reincarnation (when asked who John the Baptist was). The way he is portrayed is Paulist - quite different.

[@Buddhist1986]

peace and love may we all love each other and rid ourselfs of evil views that will lead us to a hell in this life and the next.may we all be at peace and love each other no matter what faith we have may we also defend the small purity left in this planet and never let men maintain evil views without at least trying to show them love and right from wrong deeds.

[@scotty]

There is no 'Being Here Now' and embracing the moment like that of the atheist. assuming multiple lives (an eternal existence of the mind or consciousness) trivializes reality which is, we have but one brief time to exist in this wonderful world as we are ourselves. This is our moment. We are part of all that Is, all of creation. It didn't have to happen, there is no plan, it wasn't written or destined. Our atoms have been other forms of life and will go on to be many more but not our minds.

[@hsbinh1412]

Just because there is no self/soul, that doesn't mean there is no afterlife That is because it is a wrong term, and the correct term is 'Conscious' Afterlife and rebirth IS a fundamental part of Budhism, it explains how the karma from the previous life affects you in this life time, how there are suffering by defaults, how karma will come back and punish you ...but oh well, as long as you believe in the 4 truths, that is good enough. The afterlife, you will have to experience for yourself then

[@XDKX101]

@gingertom84 Over time, buddhism was divided into two sections: Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Theravada buddhism is what is claimed to be: the pure and original teachings of Lord Buddha, while Mahayana is a bit of a modified version. My country: Sri Lanka, follows Theravada buddhism. If you want to see the real state of buddhism, you dont go to the most famous of temples. You go to the countryside, the more remote areas, where it is being practiced in a better, worthier way.

[@BarbarraBay]

@MrFungus420 Try the Khajjaniya Sutta. Some Buddhist schools mistranslate words. The Khajjaniya Sutta states a 'past life' is each occasion of self-reifying thinking. But the original words are not "past life". The words are literally "previous homes". The same Buddhist schools translate the Pali "kappa" as 'eons of time' but the word has various meanings, most simply 'cycle of time'. In the Maha-parinibbana Sutta, when dyying, the Buddha said he had the power to prolong his life for a kappa.