Buddhist Geeks Leigh Brasington on Ayya Khema
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Jan 7, 2025 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.
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First Encounter with Ayya Khema
- Leigh Brasington's first encounter with Ayya Khema was at a retreat, where he was impressed by her clarity.
- Two key moments were Ayya Khema's statement that there's nothing to believe in Buddhism and her advice on intoxicants.
Ayya Khema's Jhana Teachings
- Ayya Khema taught jhanas privately to students showing aptitude, not publicly initially.
- By 1990, she was known as a jhana teacher but taught broader Dharma as well.
Ayya Khema's Early Life
- Ayya Khema's life was marked by dramatic events, including escaping Nazi Germany and living in Shanghai during WWII.
- Her father died in a concentration camp, and she eventually immigrated to the US.
