In this week's FBA Podcast " Triratna Buddhism ," Vadanya tells the story of Sangharakshita and the new Buddhist Order and movement he founded. He talks about the early days of the FWBO and demonstrates the radical nature of the movement that has now become the Triratna Buddhist Community.
In this week's FBA Podcast , " The Individual and Community " Dhammarati talks about the Order as the basis for the New Society. Basing his talk in part on the lectures where Sangharakshita originally introduced the idea of the New Society, which also includes interesting material on the Order, specifically the distinctions between Public and Private Ordination and what they represent. Dhammarati then goes onto to explore the central importance the Triratna Buddhist Order places on communication...
This week's FBA Podcast , " Dreaming Angels " is a rousing and challenging talk by Vajratara given on the December 2012 National Order Weekend for women. The full title is "Dreaming Angels Each Imbued with the Mysteries of the Other – Why the Triratna Buddhist Order is Needed and What It Can Do." Vajratara begins her talk by evoking the social revolution of Dr Ambedkar. A revolution, she says, which is still needed to overthrow unhelpful attitudes in society, free the disadvantaged and give mean...
In this week's FBA Podcast , " Buddhism: A Force for Good in the World " Vajragupta explores the potential of the Buddha's teachings to transform society, starting with seeing how the Dhamma has helped millions of people who've suffered under the Hindu caste system change their lives. He asks how we've done in bringing this part of Bhante's vision into being in the last 40 years, and encourages us to take opportunities to change society, including helping activists in positive change, and bringi...
In this week's FBA Podcast , " Buddhism and Peace " Parami thoughtfully asks: What is peace? And what does peace mean for Buddhists? Is it just the absence of war and conflict; guns and screaming? Or is it also the deep silence that arises when the mind and heart are in harmony – a positive state of mind that can be cultivated both personally and collectively, where good and evil don't exist as concepts? This talk was given by Parami at Manchester Buddhist Centre on 30th July 2011 in the series ...
In this week's FBA Podcast , Kamalashila introduces the fifth perfection: " Dhyana Paramita, the Perfection of Meditation ." Kamalashila is the author of 'Buddhist Meditation: Tranquillity, Imagination, Insight', an excellent manual on the practice of Buddhist meditation. Talk given at the West London Buddhist Centre, 2012.
In this week's FBA Podcast , " The Myth of Tristan and Iseult: Love, Transgression and Death ," Dhivan explores the origins and significance of the myth of Tristan and Iseult, relating it to the practise of Buddhism in the modern west. The twelfth-century Cornish story of Tristan and Iseult has captivated imaginations and inspired poets, composers and artists ever since. What is it about this tale of a love potion and a doomed love, of adultery and lies, that is so fascinating? The talk was give...
This week's FBA Podcast , " Sangharakshita in Conversation with Kathleen Raine ," is a retro piece from the 1980s when 'Independent Arts' ran an ambitious and extremely impressive Arts program through the Croydon Buddhist Centre in London. Here's a first offering from the archive of recordings – an open conversation between Sangharakshita, founder of the Western Buddhist Order, and the renowned poet and scholar Kathleen Raine, one of the founders of the Temenos Academy. The occasion was the laun...
The Jungian commentator James Hillman suggested that 'soul' needs nurturing as well as 'spirit' in human life. Our FBA Podcast , " Poetry, Soulmaking and Meditation ," Paramananda uses deeply meaningful poems to show soulmaking in action, and explains how the process can be brought into your meditation practice.
Our FBA Podcast this week is a window into the ancient art of happiness. In " Stop Buying Stuff and Learn How to Be Happy Instead ," Ratnaguna explores alternatives to buying more stuff and hooking up to more electronic gadgetry… The Buddha repeatedly said that the only reason he taught was to alleviate suffering, and he in fact enumerated three level of happiness. This teaching is no longer simply an issue of personal growth – it has become vital to the future of our planet. Talk given at Manch...
Our FBA Podcast this week, " The Buddha and Friendship, " by Vajratara, begins by looking at how the symbols of the individual spiritual journey is really a story about a network of relationships. Every symbol is born out of relationship. It's living tradition that gives confidence, it's not about your own individual practice – your own individual practice is just a part of the Buddhist tradition and the Buddhist community. With references to Indra's Net, from the Avatamsaka Sutra, Vimalakirti N...
Our FBA Podcast today, " People of Loving Kindness, " is a lovely talk from Padmavajra, given to celebrate Sangha Day in Birmingham. And who better to conjure the spirit of loving kindness as it permeates a community practising together and supporting each other in their great, shared endeavour.
Our FBA Podcast today, " Sangha in the Context of Contemporary Buddhism, " is from two of our speakers, Parami and Ratnaghosha. Together they deliver two excellent talks that reflect on the area of sangha from inner and outer perspectives respectively. How does the FWBO's approach square up with that of other traditions? And how might we continue to work on our practice of sangha as an integral part of our personal practice of the Dharma. As usual from two of our most thoughtful speakers, there ...
Our FBA Podcast " Building Sangha, Creating Harmony " is a beautiful talk by Vajrasara. Here she explores the value of spiritual community, ways to encourage fuller harmony, and the many opportunities in friendship for waking up.
Our FBA Podcast this week " Sangha As An Insight Practice ," is a thoughtful, inspirational and, in some places, challenging exploration of how Sangha can be a practice leading to Insight. Please note: the last few minutes of this talk are missing, for a transcript see our description on freebuddhistaudio.com ....
Our FBA Podcast is titled " Creating Sangha and Changing the World " – an inspirational exploration of the Third Jewel by Saddhaloka. He looks at the distinguishing role of Sangha, spiritual community, in the development and life of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and, in fact, in any kind of Buddhist spiritual life. Saddhaloka here is steady and thoughtful as ever… Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002 This is the first talk in the series of the same name. It touches on aspects of Sangharak...
Our FBA Podcast , this week is from the delightfully inspirational Parami titled " The Awakening Heart ." This is the first talk in the series of the same name. It touches on aspects of Sangharakshita's 'system of meditation', and most specifically the area of positive emotion. Parami is an ideal guide for this sort of material, steeped as she is in study and practice engaged with in the light of the 'Bodhichitta', and the Bodhisattva Ideal itself. Parami is the International Women's Order Conve...
FBA Podcast , " The Alchemy of Wisdom ," Yashobodhi introduces the perfection of wisdom in a series on the Six Paramitas at a West London Buddhist Centre Sangha night in May 2012. Followed by questions and answers.
FBA Podcast , this week, " Conditionality and Meditation " is a talk by Vessantara who has just completed a three year, three month, three day retreat. Conditionality is a central theme of the teaching of the Buddha, and it is very helpful to bring our understanding of it into the arena of our meditation practice. During this talk, Vessantara looks at how to set up good conditions for our meditation to unfold in a natural, expansive way. He also explores how to meditate on conditionality, so tha...
Today's FBA Podcast, " The Therigatha and the Problem of Self "by Dassini, takes us into the lives of the early bhikkunis. Two verses by elderly nuns, Dhamma and Citta, give rise to reflection on letting go of fixed self view as a major component of breaking through to Enlightenment.
FBA Podcast , " The Six Elements ," Ratnaprabha introduces us to earth, water, fire, air, space and consciousness as the mystery of human experience. He then describes how to use the elements in meditation and life.
FBA Podcast , " Continuous Spiritual Death – Continuous Spiritual Rebirth " Padmavajra speaks about the stages of spiritual death and rebirth, specifically how to prepare for them, how they can be seen in all the stages of the path, as well as where they lead. Talk given on a Kula Gathering at Padmaloka, 2012.
This week's FBA Podcast is a delightful talk by Danapriya titled: " Let your Inner Riches Shine. " Exploring the themes of generosity and abundance, we are led into the heart of Buddhist practice.
In this week's FBA Podcast " Dana – the Emotional Life of the Sangha, " Samacitta puts the practice of generosity under the microscope in this engaging talk on the first paramita. When we perform an act of generosity, what exactly is happening? How does it relate to the development of Wisdom? Is there such a thing as purely mental generosity and how effective is it? This talk explains the 'why', 'what' and how' of Dana-Paramita....
This week's FBA Podcast was first given on Lord Buddha TV in India. In " The Buddha's Advice to a Banker " Subhuti talks about a conversation the Buddha had with his leading Lay disciple, who was one of the wealthiest men in North India. What makes him significant is that he was also recognised as a non-returner. In this conversation the Buddha talks as prosperity, wealth and what makes for happiness. We see both his straight-forward common sense and his vision for the depth and meaning of human...
In today's FBA Podcast , " All In This Together – Is It Time For a Buddhist Economics? " Kavyasiddhi delivers beautifully in this first of a series of public talks at Manchester Buddhist Centre entitled ' Buddhism and the Big Question '.
Our FBA Podcast this week " The Alternative to God " is a very thought provoking talk by Maitreyabandhu. Does God exist or not? How do you know? A thoughtful and critical look at this age old question in light of the Buddha's teachings. Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre in November 2006.
"The true revolutionary is guided by love." (Che Guevara). In this weeks FBA Podcast , " Finding Freedom, " Amalaketu explores freedom through images and stories and the Chappanakopama sutta, the discourse on the simile of the 6 animals, and shows how Buddhism is the way to ultimate liberation.
This week's FBA Podcast is a quietly passionate talk by Jinapriya titled: " What is Enlightenment " – impossible to pin down and utterly transformative. His main theme within the frame of such a big question is the struggle to live our lives in the present moment, especially in the face of pain. We are met with a thoughtful series of reflections, stories and images that all look to open up the gates of perception, and prepare the heart for the biggest change imaginable and possible for all. In t...
This weeks FBA Podcast , " Songs of the Elder Sisters " is one of a series of talks on the Therigatha, the songs or poems of the nuns at the time of the Buddha. Here, Gunasiddhi gently explores the three themes of Going Forth, Friendship and Impermanence through these tender yet powerful stories.
