Free Buddhist Audio

This is the culmination of Buddhist practice – but what is it and why is it so vitally needed in our lives and in the world? Subhadramati offers perspective, depth and encouragement on the Dharma path. This talk was given 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, ev...

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. Voices and stories, told and untold, come echoing through as Vishvapani makes the case that a deeper examination of Sangharakshita's teaching and approach reveals a deeper rhythm to his life and work that is relevant to everyone practicing in T...

Advayasiddhi explores two chapters from Santideva's passionate and challenging text: The Bodhicaryavatara. Chapter 4 focuses on Vigilance Regarding the Awakening Mind, while Chapter 5 explores The Guarding of Awareness. This talk was recorded at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2022. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration thr...

We practice the Dharma so that we can transcend our self-clinging, thereby resolving our own suffering and contributing to the resolution of suffering in the world. This is the fundamental purpose of the Triratna Community. Subhuti returns to Padmaloka after many years to delve into the fundamental principles behind Integration, Positive Emotion, Spiritual Receptivity, Spiritual Death, and Spiritu...

The Buddha spoke to everybody, from homeless wanderers to kings. So when King Ajatassattu wants to go to war against the Vajjian people, he asks the Buddha's advice! In this engaging talk, Vajratara unpacks the Buddha's reply, as he explains the 'seven things' which should be in place in order for a society to prosper and not decline. How might this teaching be interpreted in modern day terms, and...

From communist to Buddhist.... Vimalavajri talks of her personal involvement in the spheres of politics, feminism and Buddhism.  Using Indra's net as a classic Buddhist image of interconnectedness, the talk explores what the dharma might have to say about social or political action, and asks what helps when we feel overwhelmed or stuck in ill-will.  If we really see Indra's net, we will connect mo...

Vajragupta (m) offers a Buddhist myth of the asuras, the Titan realm on the Wheel of Life, as a way of seeing and understanding the social and political times we are living through. In this myth, the Buddha appears in the realm of the asuras holding a sword. What does that symbolize? Vajragupta suggests it can be seen as a sword of fearlessness, a sword of truth and wisdom, a sword of justice, and...

What does it mean to be part of a Sangha? What does true harmony mean alongside the inevitability of conflict? Srivati addresses these questions with help from the monks at Kosambi, the six memorable qualities of a Bikkhu, and the seven knowledges of the stream entrant. This talk is from the Dharmachakra Archives , given in 2002. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcast...

Amoghavajra takes us back 2,500 years to the Kingdom of Magadha in Northern India to the birth of a boy called Kassapa. He grows up happily and as he gets older he becomes less and less worldly. Kassapa marries Bhadda who has equally renunciant tendancies. They both go forth together. Kassapa meets the Buddha, becomes his disciple and gains Enlightenment. He is known as a superb meditator and was...

Dhammamegha speaks about Sangha as Dharma practice and how spiritual community and friendship with the admirable are part of our heritage in Triratna . Talk given on the Triratna International Gathering at Adhisthana , 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 a...

Dhivan offers this short discourse showing the Buddha addressing a group of people called the Kalamas, who have heard all too many religious teachers telling them what to think, even when it contradicts what the last teacher said. The Buddha instead advises them how to judge for themselves about religion. He also teaches them how to practice the brahma-vihara meditations, and to think for themselv...

Friendships hold the sangha together, genuine personal connections, that support spiritual practice. Weaving in contemporary poetry with teachings from the Buddhist tradition, Ratnaprabha explores the nature of harmonious community by taking us through the Sangha Section of the TiratanaVandana. A talk for Sangha Day given at the West London Buddhist Centre , Nov 2011. *** Subscribe to our Free Bud...

Through recounting the story of the Buddha's Enlightenment and his subsequent communication about it, Ratnadeva traces the significance and depth of the Buddha's teaching of karma, as well as addressing the complexities and common misconceptions that can often arise when we approach the topic. This talk was given at Buddhafield , as part of the series Seeds of the Heart: Talks from the Dharma Parl...

How can we equip ourselves to co-operate in collective action and play? How do we work with negative emotions and polarized views? Many of us long to be in deeper communication and relationships with others, but in order to do that we need to create the necessary conditions for community to arise. Drawing on the Buddha's teaching, as well as political and social thinkers, Dhammamegha looks at the...

In this wide ranging talk, Amalayodhin gives an introduction to the history and symbol of the cremation grounds. Given on a summer men's Great Gathering at Padmaloka, the talk covers topics such as death, taking responsibility and avoiding blame and resentment. He draws out the necessity of seeking out those places that demand more of us then we can give in our current form, and in process break a...

Vidyasakhi vividly draws us into the magical world of the Eight Cremation Grounds where Padmasambhava tamed demons and engaged in his Bodhisattva training. Vidyasakhi is a musician and Padmasambhava practitioner with a background in storytelling. She has used these skills to dramatise The Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava and is a very good guide into the symbolism of this sacred space. This ta...

Surata wanders delightfully all over the subject of 'freedom' in the context of life in a Buddhist Order. He discusses freedom of mind, freedom of choice, freedom of heart, as well as the dangers of group behaviour in communities and the joys of sharing in an ideal. Personable and disarming as ever... Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2005 *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  ...

Kusalasara explores the significance of the Dakinis - a strong symbol of freedom. This talk was given at 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 podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On...

The Buddha said that just as the taste of the ocean has but one taste, the taste of salt, so the Buddha's teaching has one taste, the taste of freedom. Liberation, freedom or emancipation are the essence of the Buddha's vision. In this wide ranging talk Padmavajra explains the conditions necessary to secure this heart's release. This talk is part of the series 'The Taste of Freedom' Revisited give...

Spiritual freedom arises when your heart and mind is transformed. In order to live in a world that is harmonious, that's loving, that's enabling us to all fulfill our potential, then we all must be working for freedom in some way, working for our own and others, whoever they are. Suryagupta draws out the meaning of Freedom through the story of Nelson Mandela. A two-week seminar with the (then) bra...

Maitreyabandhu draws out the deeper meaning and finer detail of five different poems, each around the theme of death with the final poem focusing on spiritual rebirth. By discussing the background of the poems and poets, the intricacies of their structure, and bringing in a Buddhist interpretation of the themes raised in the poems, Maitreyabandhu shows us the importance and profundity of poetry an...

Here and Now Ratnaghosha explores the Buddha's teaching of Spiritual friendship being the whole of the spiritual life. The talk is wide ranging, going into what spiritual friendship is and also how Buddhism sees the nature of reality. This talk was given at Nottingham Buddhist Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A f...

Practice in the Modern World Is work just a necessity or a source of fulfillment? Is a career a hindrance or a support to our happiness and unfoldment as individuals? Should we be aiming at getting the 'right work/life balance' or moving beyond such distinctions? Keturaja explores Buddhist teachings on right livelihood and reflects on their relevance for us today. This talk was given at Cambridge...

Letting In the Light Kalyanamati explores six ways in which we can work with our energies in order to transform our emotional depths in line with our deepest vision. This talk was given at the East Anglian Men's Event at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2018. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, ever...

Spiritual Friendship in Action Vidyadaka speaks here on the second part Dhardo Rimpoche's motto 'Cherish the Doctrine, Live United, Radiate Love' by exploring how we actually do this and drawing out deeper aspects of its meaning. Firstly, we need to live united with ourselves, then learn to live united with others, with our teachers and with reality. Covering themes such as the true individual, sp...