After an account of the Buddha's life, Sangharakshita asks how, if at all, such a man can be defined or categorised. This talk was given in 1968 as part of the series Introducing the Three Jewels of Buddhism *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspi...
May 04, 2024•52 min•Ep. 664
Kalyanaprabha shares some of her own recollections of Bhante Sangharakshita going back to their first encounter in 1984, stories both humorous and serious, evoking some of his unique qualities. Drawing on an unpublished fragment, 'What I learned from my gurus', she reminds us of some of the fundamental aspects of his teaching. This talk was given as part of a series entitled Triratna Day Weekend: Is a Guru Necessary? Given at Adhisthana for the Triratna Day celebrations, 2023. *** Subscribe to o...
Apr 27, 2024•43 min•Ep. 663
Ksantikara revisits Sangharakshita's classic 1970 lecture. In this energetic and playful talk Ksantikara adds his own reflections to Sangharakshita's original list of what a Guru is not (not the head of a religious group, not a teacher, not a father/mother substitute, not a problem solver) and explores the important of having people in our life to look up to and be in contact with. Ksantikara implores us to find a situation of Kalayana Mitrata (beautiful friendship) and to stay receptive to thos...
Apr 19, 2024•53 min•Ep. 662
Here is a strong, beautiful talk by Parami from the final day of the Triratna Buddhist Order 's International Convention 2013 in India, bringing us back to the task in hand as members of the Order and as Buddhists: engaging with breaking the fetters and weakening the hold that self-clinging exerts upon our minds and our ways of seeing things. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,0...
Apr 13, 2024•51 min•Ep. 661
Here is a recently re-discovered little lost delight - Sangharakshita and Subhuti launching each other's books and clearly enjoying themselves. Sangharakshita's in fine humour - and it's great to hear him read and quote from the bible! Is that a twinkle in his voice? Talk given at Triratna [FWBO] Day celebrations in 2001. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and ...
Apr 09, 2024•28 min•Ep. 660
Subhadramati explores integration as a process of meeting Mara in her life and in scenes in the life of the Buddha, and the fulfillment of integration during the Buddha's last days of exquisite love. This talk was given at Bristol Buddhist Centre , 2018. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | O...
Mar 30, 2024•51 min•Ep. 659
In this talk Alokadhara explores these beautiful verses which evoke the Buddha, his qualities and the profundity of his teaching. This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2014. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times eve...
Mar 23, 2024•47 min•Ep. 658
In an excellent and thorough introduction to the Jataka tales, Akashadevi explains the value of stories of the Buddha's past lives and how they originated. She tells the stories of the Hare in the Moon and the Monkey King. This talk was given at the West London Buddhist Centre , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes...
Mar 16, 2024•33 min•Ep. 657
In a striking and inspiring talk, Paramananda tells the life story of the Buddha's disciple Kasyapa: the Buddha uniquely said that Kasyapa would have gained enlightenment even without his help. The crescendo is a mysterious transmission when the Buddha held up a lotus and Kasyapa smiled, regarded by Zen Buddhists as the start of their lineage. Paramananda discusses what 'transmission' could mean for us. This talk was given at West London Buddhist Centre , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist...
Mar 09, 2024•47 min•Ep. 656
The most human thing to do is to keep being kind. Generosity helps you build connection and community. Danapriya explores the themes of generosity and abundance. Talk given at East Kent Buddhist Group , 2008. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized insp...
Mar 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 655
This talk is a commentary on, and a homage to, Sangharakshita's talk ' Buddhism, World Peace and Nuclear War '. This seminal talk applies not only to nuclear war, but any major difficulty the world faces. In this talk, Vajratara explores Sangharakshita's analysis of the problems we are facing as a society and the real solutions. Should we, as Buddhists, have a Buddhist response to any particular conflict? Is a better world possible, or should we resign ourselves to endless cycles of greed, hatre...
Feb 24, 2024•49 min•Ep. 654
In this talk Subhuti sets out a vision of the 'Power of the Dhamma' as a force within the nature of reality that leads to growth and development. This is the Dhamma Niyama, to reify it is a mistake, but to deny it leaves us with an impoverished sense of the nature of things. The new society is about allowing this order of things to manifest within us and on that basis have a transformative effect on society. This talk was given at Dharmapala College , 2010. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Aud...
Feb 17, 2024•59 min•Ep. 653
War, destruction and conflict are on the increase in the world, as are conflicted and destructive individual lives. How do we live in a way that brings about a less conflicted world and a more creative, integrated way of being? Suryagupta explores this complex topic at London Buddhist Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to ...
Feb 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 652
Jnanasiddhi gave an inspiring and practical talk sharing her extensive understanding and experience of peace making. She illustrated different approaches of peacemaking in relation to the five aspects of the spiritual path. And focused on how we can create the conditions within ourselves - through our practice - to contribute to harmony with others. This talk was given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre , 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Goog...
Feb 03, 2024•51 min•Ep. 651
Padmasagara explores the glimpses of the Buddha's liberating vision found in the Ariyapariyesana sutta, focusing on the Buddha's description of Reality in terms of pratitya samutpada (conditionality) and his response to Brahma Sahampati's request to teach the Dhamma. The talk also explores how we can begin to realise this vision for ourselves by responding to the Buddha's exhortation: 'let those who have ears release their faith'. This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2019. *** Subsc...
Jan 27, 2024•55 min•Ep. 650
In this talk, Vajratara takes us on a vivid journey starting with the Buddha's exploration of what is the noble quest, moving into personal examples of the ignoble and noble quests in her own life. Vajratara invites us to look at our own motivation, our own noble quest, how to establish a culture of the noble quest in such a way that invites more people to join us on that journey, both through our own practice and ways that our institutions can and have supported individuals' Ariyapariyesana. Th...
Jan 20, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 649
Dharmashalin gives the first of a two-part talk on the first two of the 4 Noble Truths, evoking the miraculous communication of the Buddha's dharma. Talk given as part of Dharma Day 2023 at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre and marking the 25th anniversary of the opening of the current centre. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharm...
Jan 13, 2024•29 min•Ep. 648
Vajradevi ends a series of talks on the Satipatthana Sutta, looking at the Four Noble Truths, and focusing on the first two. Talk given at Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Centre , 2018. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every ...
Jan 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 647
Tantric Buddhism is concerned with the direct experience of who we are and what we can become. Its aim is to help us realize our potential by transforming the energy locked in by old habits, fears, and views. This experience cannot be mediated by concepts; it needs to be evoked with the help of symbols. Subhadramati gave this talk at London Buddhist Centre , 2020. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma...
Dec 30, 2023•47 min•Ep. 646
Don't listen to this talk if you want a straightforward explanation of what a dakini may or may not be. In fact, what is prompting you to listen to a talk on the dakini in the first place? Vidyadaka talks around the theme in this rousing exploration of the dakini, the gestalt and the artist. Given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2022, as part of the series The Secret Refuges . *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, qua...
Dec 23, 2023•43 min•Ep. 645
Padmavajra evokes the spirit of Tantric Buddhism, which transforms the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha from abstract ideals into living qualities of our present experience. He explores the guru, the yidam and the dakini as Tantric embodiments of Enlightenment here and now, sharing stories from his own experience of practice. Talk given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre , 2019, as part of the series Tantra Now! *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podc...
Dec 16, 2023•50 min•Ep. 644
The Buddha lived 2,500 years ago, so how can we meet him and open ourselves to the inspiration and resources that come from him? Through imagination we can cultivate the capacity to meet the Buddha on an archetypal level. This can have a powerful effect, karmically speaking. We all have - and use - our imagination all the time, even if we don't realise it! We just need to learn how to 'use it' rather than having it 'use us' in a reactive way, i.e. instead of letting it be 'captured' by unhelpful...
Dec 09, 2023•35 min•Ep. 643
Within the arena of the visual arts, the studios where renowned artists create their works have become the subject of intense interest and scrutiny. In Buddhism, there is a tradition of creating inspiring and beautiful spaces for spiritual practice. These sacred spaces and artists' studios have become places of study, reflection and pilgrimage. Jnanadhara explores what these two kinds of spaces have in common. What can they tell us about the minds of the people who created them? What lessons can...
Dec 02, 2023•51 min•Ep. 642
Sangha is not just a cosy group of people, it is a context for transformation on the path to Awakening. Singhamati explores 10 points on how we can transform through the practice of sangha. Given in the context of Sangha Day at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple ...
Nov 25, 2023•56 min•Ep. 641
Speaking personally about stepping onto the Buddhist path, Padmavajra shares stories of spiritual friendship in the context of his own life and reflected in the work of Gampopa's Jewel Ornament of Liberation. The work, inspired by devotion to Manjusri, is one of the key texts in the development of the Tibetan Lam Rim teachings. And Gampopa, being one of the two principle disciples of the yogi Milarepa, presents both the monastic Lam Rim approach of Atisha and the Mahamudra meditation teachings o...
Nov 18, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 640
Here Suryaka offers reflections on the third verse of Triratna's Sevenfold Puja, Salutation, by exploring the range of possible responses we can have to Buddhism, from contentment with worldly life, to intellectual agreement with Buddhism, or to the wholesale devotion exemplified by Shantideva. This is the third talk in a series at the Manchester Buddhist Centre on the Sevenfold Puja, 2010. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A fu...
Nov 11, 2023•36 min•Ep. 639
What is the central focus of our lives? Vajrashura shares a story from the Buddhist tradition where the monk Mahanama asks the Buddha; "What dwelling places (of the mind) shall we live in?" This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2018, as part of the series In Praise of the Three Jewels . *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to o...
Nov 04, 2023•55 min•Ep. 638
Vishvapani explores the dynamic vision of Urgyen Sangharakshita in setting up a new Buddhist movement in the West, and asks how we might relate to him now. His central reference point in this provocative and moving talk is the Padmasambhava Abisheka - the initiation received by Sangharakshita in Kalimpong, India, in 1962 from the great Tibetan Lama, Kachu Rimpoche. The energy emanating from a simple shrine room–location of that significant meeting in Sangharakshita's life–reverberates through ev...
Oct 28, 2023•55 min•Ep. 637
In this talk Suddhaka , based on Sangharakshita's 1969 talk 'Breaking through to Buddhahood', shares some of his experience as an Order Member to illustrate how we might move beyond our unhelpful psychological conditioning. This talk was given as part of the Brixton Sangha retreat, 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmaby...
Oct 21, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 636
If we ignore the call of our higher potential, it often clamors louder! In this personal talk, Suryagupta , with characteristic ease and intelligence relates Sangharakshita's Five Great Stages of the Path to her own journey so far. This talk was given on Dharma Day at London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to o...
Oct 14, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 635
