Leigh Brasington, a seasoned dharma teacher, shares his enlightening experiences with Ven. Ayya Khema, a groundbreaking figure in Buddhist meditation. He reflects on Ayya Khema's clarity and discipline that shaped his jhāna practice. The conversation also unveils her remarkable life as a pioneer in reviving the Theravāda fully ordained nuns' Sangha. Leigh explores the unique teaching styles of influential women in Buddhism while discussing how mastery of jhānas leads to deeper insights, illustrating the transformative power of meditation.
Leigh Brasington highlights how Ayya Khema's innovative teachings on meditation profoundly influenced his practice and approach to Buddhism.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of integrating jhana and insight practices for deeper understanding and realization of Buddhist teachings.
Deep dives
Mastering Jhana Through Community Practice
The jhana community offers a supportive environment that fosters the mastery of jhana, or meditative absorption, by encouraging collaboration and mutual growth among practitioners. Through various specialized groups, participants can explore different types of jhana, such as Shamata, Metta, and Vipassana Jhana. This community model not only enhances individual understanding but also integrates the collective insights and experiences of its members. By applying to the jhana community, individuals can take advantage of structured guidance to deepen their meditation practice.
Lee Brasington's Journey with Ayya Khema
Lee Brasington recounts his transformative experience learning from Ayya Khema, a prominent teacher who introduced him to significant Buddhist concepts. Brasington initially struggled with meditation until he encountered Khema, who taught him methods such as the body scan to help deepen his practice. One pivotal moment came when Khema stated that there is nothing to believe in Buddhism, encouraging Brasington to explore and verify the teachings through personal experience. This philosophical shift not only motivated him to commit to meditation but also led to lasting changes in his lifestyle.
The Influence of Gender in Early Buddhist Teachings
Both Ayya Khema and Ruth Denison, significant female teachers in the Western Buddhist community, played pivotal roles in shaping modern Buddhist practices. Khema, with a background in the Ubachian lineage, brought unique insights into meditation techniques that were not widely disseminated at the time. Their styles diverged, with Khema focusing on insight that intertwined with traditional practices, whereas Denison incorporated mindfulness into daily life. The two women contributed to the revival of fully ordained nun sanghas, opening new pathways for practitioners, particularly women in Buddhism.
Integrating Jhana and Insight Practices
The integration of jhana and insight practices is essential for a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings, according to Brasington's reflection on his training with Khema. After spending time mastering the jhanas, he found that applying insight practices led to profound realizations. Khema emphasized that one does not need to exit a jhana to engage in insight meditation, suggesting that the clarity gained from jhana enhances one's understanding of the nature of reality. This approach illustrates how jhana serves as a tool for sharpening the mind, allowing for more effective insight into the self and the surrounding world.
In this episode of Our Beloved Teachers, dharma teacher Leigh Brasington reflects on his transformative experiences studying with Ven. Ayya Khema, one of his most influential teachers. Leigh shares how Ayya Khema's clarity, discipline, and groundbreaking teachings on meditation, including the jhānas, shaped his practice and teaching path. The conversation also delves into Ayya Khema's extraordinary life story and her pivotal contribution toward reviving the Theravāda fully ordained nun’s Sangha.