Buddhistisches Tor Berlin Podcast

In this episode Tarapalita shares his top ten tips for living a spiritual life…starting with No.1- ‘Don’t try and be spiritual’.  Confused? Indeed.

The story goes that the Buddha was enlightened beneath a full moon. The land, the water, the bodhi tree under which he was sitting, as well as the person -his body, heart and mind - were all fully illuminated by and bathed in a reflective, silvery light. He was Enlightened, literally and metaphorically. We celebrate this moment every year on full-moon day in May - which we call 'Buddha Day&#39...

The Buddha’s insight was so profound that words alone can’t express it, and we need images and symbols in multiple colours to evoke it. This week I’ll be developing the theme a little further… Not only can the profound insight of the Buddha be hinted at through visual images, it can also be expressed through sound. The sound of the Buddha. He spoke of it as the beat of his ‘Deathless Drum’. What o...

Why do so many people love Buddha statues so much in the modern West? You see them everywhere. Many people have Buddha statues and images in their living spaces without knowing anything about Buddhism or even considering themselves Buddhists. In this Episode Tarapalita Explorer this subject further.

Join Tarapalita as he shares his profound experiences from a three-month ordination retreat. In this insightful talk, Tarapalita delves into the practice of walking meditation, reflections on life, and his deep interest in Japanese Buddhism and the teachings of Ajahn Chah. Tarapalita discusses various fears, including fear of loss, discomfort, and insubstantiality, and how these relate to Buddhist...

What does it  really  mean to live a Buddhist life? This week Dharmasara dives deep into the heart of Buddhist ethics. We'll explore how Buddhist practice translates into everyday actions, challenging misconceptions about passive detachment. Join us as we uncover the vibrant, nuanced world of Buddhist morality and how it shapes a life of value.

Explore the concept of freedom through a Buddhist lens with Dharmasara. This talk delves into the gradual path of self-discovery outlined in Buddhist teachings. Dharmasara examines the idea of liberation from suffering and explores three key areas that can hinder progress: self-attachment, superficial practices, and indecision. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Buddhism, this ta...

In this episode, Padmasagara delves into the profound wisdom of the Bahiya Sutta. Join us as we explore the story of Bahiya, a revered figure yearning for enlightenment, and his transformative encounter with the Buddha. Padmasagara unpacks the Buddha's revolutionary teaching: to experience the world directly, free from the burden of concepts and labels. We'll discover how Bahiya grasped th...

Join us in exploring instances from Siddharta's life before he became enlightened. In this talk we explore what we can learn from his meeting with his first two teachers and how he related to other practices that he tried out on his quest to find the truth.

In this episode Arthaketu talks about a period from Śāntideva's life within the context of the image of The Refuge Tree of the Triratna Buddhist community. Arthaketu explores three stanzas from a classic buddhist text called the Bodhicariyavatara - meaning 'The way of the Bodhisattva'. The first stanza reads: 'Just as a blind man may find by chance a priceless jewel in a heap of re...

In this episode Prasadavati talks about how mindfulness connects theory and practice on the buddhist path.

Feeling stuck in a dusty life? The Buddha has a radical solution... This episode dives into the story of Siddhartha Gotama, the future Buddha, and his dramatic "Going Forth" - leaving his comfortable life to become a homeless wanderer. What is the deeper meaning of this that we can apply to our own lives today? Join us as we explore the concept of "Going Forth" . Can we break f...

This episode dives into the ancient practice of Metta Bhavana, also known as loving-kindness meditation. Our speaker, Padmasagara, takes you on a personal journey, from a meticulously planned life to a one-way ticket to Venezuela, all while exploring the transformative power of Metta. Discover how Metta transcends boundaries and divisions, fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the world a...

Join us on a profound journey through the life and teachings of Sangharakshita, as Padmavajra, a senior order member of the Triratna Buddhist Community, shares intimate reflections on his revered teacher. In this captivating talk, Padmavajra delves into his personal encounters with Sangharakshita, dating back to the vibrant era of the 1970s. With sincerity and emotion, he recounts the magnetic pul...

Join us on a profound journey into the heart of Buddhist practice as Padmavajra explores the fundamental role of energy in spiritual growth. In this fascinating episode, Padmavajra delves into the essence of five essential energies, or virya, that practitioners cultivate to enrich their lives and benefit others. From Ever-Ready Energy, which instills the readiness to contribute positively at any m...

In this thought-provoking talk, Padmasagara, shares three impactful stories that have significantly influenced his life and quest for meaning. Beginning with "The NeverEnding Story," a tale of a boy's escape into a fantasy world, the speaker resonates with the desire for adventure beyond the ordinary. Transitioning to the Vimalakirti Sutra, a Buddhist text featuring a sick bodhisattv...

In this Episode, Padmasagara explores the concluding line of a famous zen saying: "Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” Drawing from a 9th-century Japanese monk, Kukai's poem, Padmasagara delves into themes of impermanence and beauty expressed through vivid nature and human imagery. Linking the verses to meditation, he discusses its role in clarifying perception by tr...

We began our journey by contemplating the first line of this famous saying from the Zen tradition: “A special transmission outside the scriptures. No dependence on words. Direct pointing to the mind. Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” In this Episode, we explore the third week of the 'Essence of Meditation' course, drawing inspiration from the third line of a Zen say...

We began our journey by contemplating the first line of this famous saying from the Zen tradition: “A special transmission outside the scriptures. No dependence on words. Direct pointing to the mind. Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” In this Episode, we explore the third week of the 'Essence of Meditation' course, drawing inspiration from the third line of a Zen say...

We began our journey by contemplating the first line of this famous saying from the Zen tradition: “A special transmission outside the scriptures. No dependence on words. Direct pointing to the mind. Seeing into one’s own true nature, realising Buddhahood.” In this Episode, we explore the third week of the 'Essence of Meditation' course, drawing inspiration from the third line of a Zen say...

Welcome to the third podcast episode of Padmasagara's 4-week meditation course, exploring 'The Essence of Meditation.' This week, we delve into the second line of the Zen tradition saying: "No dependence on words." What does this mean for our lives, and how does it impact us? Join us as we explore these questions, guided by mindfulness of breathing meditation and the captivat...

Welcome to the second podcast episode of Padmasagara's 4-week meditation course, exploring 'The Essence of Meditation.' This week, we delve into the second line of the Zen tradition saying: "No dependence on words." What does this mean for our lives, and how does it impact us? Join us as we explore these questions, guided by mindfulness of breathing meditation and the captiva...

Welcome to the first podcast episode of Padmasagara's 4-week meditation course, exploring 'The Essence of Meditation.' This week, we delve into the second line of the Zen tradition saying: "No dependence on words." What does this mean for our lives, and how does it impact us? Join us as we explore these questions, guided by mindfulness of breathing meditation and the captivat...

In this insightful talk, Tarapalita delves into the multifaceted nature of the Buddha, challenging the notion of a static and fixed image. Instead, he portrays the Buddha as a dynamic and inspiring figure who conquered fear, ignorance, and suffering, unveiling the profound mysteries of life. The essence lies not in a rigid depiction, but in the transformative journey of overcoming adversity. Tarap...

In this compelling talk, Tarapalita takes the audience on an intimate journey through the chapters of his life, vividly illustrating his remarkable transformation from a world of music, money, and a dangerous lifestyle to a profound exploration of spirituality through Buddhism. Tarapalita delves into his early life, sharing insights into a youth spent surrounded by the allure of music, financial p...