2M
Downloads
3115
Episodes
Dhamma teachings from the tradition of Ajahn Brahm and the Western Australian Buddhist Sangha for those looking for something deeper.
Episodes
6 days ago
6 days ago
This is Part 5 of Sunday morning sutta class on Karaniyametta sutta (sutta on loving kindness). Explains the power of contentment on the development of the spiritual path.
Please find the entire series for this talk on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on 3 November 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the Abbot at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. Ayya Karunika started her monastic life in 2010 and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available:
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Ayya Karunika discusses the Tuvaṭakasutta from Suttanipata SNP 4.14 on the Fast Way to Freedom. Very practical advice given by the Buddha on the gradual training.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 31 October 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the Abbot at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. Ayya Karunika started her monastic life in 2010 and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available:
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Happiness on the Path (afternoon session)
This session explores a joy that arises not from gaining, indulging, or escaping, but from living rightly. By living blamelessly, we experience the happiness of freedom in the present moment while laying the foundation for deeper peace and insight. The session highlights the transformative power of contentment, showing how peace and happiness can flourish in ‘enough.’ Through mastering the art of restraint, participants discover how conscious, ethical choices and sense restraint cultivate clarity and inner strength, ultimately leading to freedom.
Find the entire series and reading materials on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Happiness on the Path (morning session)
This session explores a joy that arises not from gaining, indulging, or escaping, but from living rightly. By living blamelessly, we experience the happiness of freedom in the present moment while laying the foundation for deeper peace and insight. The session highlights the transformative power of contentment, showing how peace and happiness can flourish in ‘enough.’ Through mastering the art of restraint, participants discover how conscious, ethical choices and sense restraint cultivate clarity and inner strength, ultimately leading to freedom.
Find the entire series and reading materials on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
A Gradual Journey to Freedom (afternoon session)
This class introduces the structure, purpose, and doctrinal context of the Buddha’s gradual training as presented in the early discourses. It examines its relationship to contemporary Vedic and Jain practices, explores the flexibility of its sequential steps, and considers its integration within the core teachings of the Middle Path.
Find the entire series and reading materials on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Friday Nov 21, 2025
Friday Nov 21, 2025
A Gradual Journey to Freedom (morning session)
This class introduces the structure, purpose, and doctrinal context of the Buddha’s gradual training as presented in the early discourses. It examines its relationship to contemporary Vedic and Jain practices, explores the flexibility of its sequential steps, and considers its integration within the core teachings of the Middle Path.
Find the entire series and reading materials on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
This is Part 4 of Sunday morning sutta class on Karaniyametta sutta (sutta on loving kindness). It is an in depth discussion and this session explains the benefits of being humble and not conceited person. Discuss the subtle ways arrogance could pop up in our hearts. Explains anatimānī quality.
Please find the entire series for this talk on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 06 October 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the Abbot at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. Ayya Karunika started her monastic life in 2010 and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available:
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 6 : - Last Talk - 18th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 5 : – Morning Talk – 18th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 4 : - Q & A - 17th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 3 : Guided Meditation – 17th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 2 : – Morning Talk & Guided Meditation – 17th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on bswa.org here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Weekend Retreat with Ayya Karunika at Jhana Grove Retreat Centre in Serpentine, Western Australia, from 16th May to 18th May 2025.
Track 1 : – Introduction & Guided Meditation – 16th May 2025 .
See the full retreat on here.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
This is Part 3 of Sunday morning sutta class on Karaniyametta sutta (sutta on loving kindness). It is an in depth discussion and this session explains how to be a gentle and kind person. Explains Mudu quality. Please find the entire series for this talk on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 01 September 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Ajahn Brahmali and Ayya Karunika are teaching sutta SN 5.9 and 5.10 from the Saṁyutta Nikāya: the Selā Sutta – With Selā and Saṁyutta Nikāya: the Vajirā Sutta– With Vajirā.
Read SN5.9 here on Sutta Central:
"Māra asks the nun Selā about who has created this “puppet”, i.e. the form that has been reincarnated. She replies that there is no creator, but it arises as a result of conditions, like the growing of a seed in a field.,” Sutta Central.
Read SN5.10 here on Sutta Central:
"Māra asks the nun Vajirā about who has created this being. Recognizing him, she points out that the word “being” is nothing more than a convention used to designate the aggregates, just as the word “cart” is used when the parts are assembled.," Sutta Central.
Ajahn Brahmali and Ayya Karunika will look at both Bhante Sujato and Bhikkhu Bodhi's translations below:
SN5.9 Bhante Sujato
SN5.9 Bhikkhu Bodhi
SN5.10 Bhante Sujato
SN5.10 Bhikkhu Bodhi
Join us in supporting Daughters of the Dhamma, a visionary project dedicated to providing equal opportunities for Buddhist women in Sri Lanka to practice and serve on the path of Dhamma.
Led by Ajahn Brahmali, with the support of Ajahn Hasapanna, Ayya Karunikā, and Ayya Sela, the initiative focuses on:
- Education rooted in the Early Buddhist Texts and Early Vinaya
- Guidance in meditation practice
- Creating safe, secluded, and tranquil spaces for nuns and women to practice
- Offering a place for nuns and female practitioners from the West to stay, practice in a traditional Buddhist setting, and exchange experiences
You may donate via one of the following methods:
- QR Code above: Scan to donate
- Donation link (via Stripe): https://donate.stripe.com/14kbKS0phbo1a0o288
- Direct Bank Transfer: For amounts more than $1,000, please contact Lay Har for bank details.
Thank you for your support! You may contact Lay Har Goh at layharg@bswa.org for more information on this project.
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Thursday May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
Explains the purpose of cittanupassana and dhammanupassana meditation and when is the right time to do these practices. Discusses whether it is useful to do these contemplations in daily life outside formal meditation practice. This is the 2nd session of the Satipatthna sutta, find the entire series on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 22 August 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available:
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
This is Part 2 of Sunday morning sutta class on Karaniyametta sutta (sutta on loving kindness). It is an in depth discussion and this session explains what it means to be straightforward and upright, how to straighten and brighten the mind (uhu and suhuju quality). Also explains ways to become a good listener and why this is so important not only for your day to day life but also for the spiritual practice. Explains the qualities ujū ca sūjū Suvaco c’assa. Please find the entire series for this talk on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 18 August 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from:
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Thursday Mar 06, 2025
Discuss MN10 Mahasatipatthana sutta and explains what right mindfulness is and how it is different to the mindfulness practices done widely in modern times. Explains the significance of Satipatthana practice and also discuss the Buddhas instruction on when, how and where to do this practice. This session only covers mindfulness on body and mindfulness on feeling. The remaining 2 Satipatthanas will be discussed in the following session. Find the entire series on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 15 August 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available:
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
This is a sutta class. It is an in depth discussion of the Karaniyametta sutta (Chant on loving-kindness). Discuss why just mindfulness isn't enough for enlightenment and explains the uniqueness of Buddhist way of practicing loving-kindness. Explains how the 7 enlightenment factors are developed as you practice metta meditation. Discuss many ways how you can become skilled in doing metta meditation. Explains the first quality sakko or being skilled. This is the 2nd session of the Metta sutta, find the entire series on bswa.org here.
Teaching given by Ayya Karunika on the 11 August 2024.
Bhikkhuni Ayya Kārunikā is currently the senior resident monastic at Santi Forest Monastery, NSW, Australia and the spiritual director for New Zealand Bhikkhuni Sangha Trust, Hamilton. She has been in monastic life for over 14 years and she received her full ordination as a bhikkhunī in 2014 at Dhammasara Nuns monastery in Western Australia where she lived and trained for over a decade with Ajahn Hāsapaññā. She has been a student of Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmali for over 2 decades.
Ayya Kārunikā is able to articulate the Buddhist teachings in a way that is practical and comprehensible to people of all ages and has experience in conducting retreats for both adults and youth. While she has a PhD in Microbiology and worked as a scientist, she has also been the building project manager for the construction of the Dhammasara Nuns Monastery main building complex and has worked with many volunteers over the years. Ayya Kārunikā was born in Sri Lanka but has been living and working in Australia for over 2 decades.
She has a passion to share her experience and knowledge and loves working with people and also doing creative projects. She is dedicated to supporting the growth of Bhikkhunis around the world and is currently involved in projects to support the establishment of places for Bhikkhunis in Theravada forest tradition in Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Sri Lanka.
Please visit the Santi Forest Youtube Channel and Santi Forest Monastery website
Support us on https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa
BSWA teachings are available from: