Ajahn Brahm talks about religious freedom and how it should be defined and protected. Many people use the term religious freedom to justify their control and indoctrination of others, but true religious freedom is the ability to make choices without fear or pressure. Governments need to enact laws that protect religious freedom in the same way that other rights are protected, and allow for open debate and inquiry without fear of violence or repercussions. We should not force our religions on others or restrict their freedom to choose their own beliefs Freedom is a fundamental concept in Buddhism, which values the freedom of inquiry and the freedom from emotional burdens such as fear and guilt. It is important to be able to question and argue without fear of rejection in the pursuit of truth. Forgiveness is also emphasized as a way to free oneself from the prison of the past and let go of emotional baggage. The freedom from fear and anxiety about the future is also valued in Buddhism. Ajahn Brahm talks about the concept of freedom in Buddhism, which is not defined by physical or political limitations, but rather by the freedom from inner burdens such as fear, anxiety, guilt, and anger.
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This dhamma talk was originally recorded in 8th February 2008. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.
These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.