Ajahn Brahm In Canada, October 2014

Ajahn Brahm In Canada, October 2014
Toronto, Montreal and Halifax

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

June News Release

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.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Pictures from the 2005 visit to Toronto

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

Book Review

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





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


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


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.