Ajahn Brahmali: "We've All Been There: Planes of Existence", Dhamma Talk, Guided Med, Q&A 07.09.25

After a 30 minute meditation, Ajahn Brahmali gives a talk on Buddhist cosmology, taking the listener on a tour through the realms of ghosts, animals, hell, and various heavens. In the Q&A, he answers questions on evolution, the linear and cyclic nature of time, and whether we have to believe in the planes of existence to practise.

[0:00] Meditation
[29:30] Realms of rebirth and mental states
[39:00] Polytheism and monotheism
[42:30] Interactions with other realms
[48:35] The lower realms
[59:16] The heavenly realms
[1:19:00] Q&A

Sutta references:
MN 12: The Greater Discourse on the Lion's Roar ("The Five Destinations and Nibbana") https://suttacentral.net/mn12/en/bodh...
SN 56.47 Yoke with a Hole https://suttacentral.net/sn56.47/en/b...
DN 21: Sakka's Questions ("1. Pañcasikha's Song") https://suttacentral.net/dn21/en/suja...
SN 10.6: With Piyankara (a yakkha hushes her son) https://suttacentral.net/sn10.6/en/su...
MN 37: The Shorter Discourse on the Destruction of Craving (Mahāmoggallāna shakes Sakka's palace) https://suttacentral.net/mn37/en/suja...
SN 11.6: The Bird Nests https://suttacentral.net/sn11.6/en/bo...
DN 11: Kevaddha Sutta ("4. On the Mendicant in Search of the Cessation of Being") https://suttacentral.net/dn11/en/suja...

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Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project is a charity that aims to spread the Buddha's teachings and give women the opportunity to train toward full bhikkhuni ordination for the very first time in the UK. Over the years we have developed a diverse and dedicated spiritual community around these aims and recently found a property! Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, in Boar's Hill, Oxford, is surrounded by peaceful woodland. We moved there only on March 22nd, 2024. In this exciting phase we welcome your support to enable us to cover the significant running costs, make essential renovations and adaptations to the property, and welcome visitors and aspiring monastic trainees as soon as we can!

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