Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

A fascinating talk about the Buddha's relationship with both the urban environment and the forest. Ratnaprabha then relates this material to our own lives, which for most of us are likely to be mainly urban. Can we really practice the Dharma in the city? Are there even advantages to living and practising there? From the talk Buddha In the City, Buddha In the Forest given at Croydon Buddhist Centre...

Vadanya describes the inner experience of the Buddha's Enlightenment, in this excerpt we hear what holds us back from making serious progress. From the talk entitled A New Light given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre , 2023. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio...

Love, compassion and wisdom are sewn into the fabric of existence. When these qualities arise in our own experience, can we recognise them, trust them, and allow them to transform us? And when do we dismiss them, or cling to them unhelpfully? From the talk Touching the Transcendent by Maitrisiddhi given on the June Women's Area Order Weekend held at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2022. *** Subscribe to...

How do you get used to being Enlightened? What happened to the Buddha in the weeks after his breakthrough experience? Kamalashila explores these questions in two ways - using the framework of the Western Buddhist Order's system of meditation to shed light on the process that unfolded in the Bodhisattva's mind and body as Enlightenment dawned; and connecting us imaginatively with the symbolism and...

Maitreyabandhu   moves on to the anatta reflection in the context of the myth of self-surrender. Towards Insight: Three Myths, an online retreat led by Jnanavaca and Maitreyabandhu from Adhisthana. From the talk entitled Anatta and Self-Surrender as part of the series Towards Insight: Three Myths given at Adhisthana , 2020. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify...

Yashobodhi talks about the relationship between thinking and insight. As long as we have a brain, we will have thoughts. Some of these thoughts are helpful. Some not so much. Becoming aware of thoughts is a good start. Whatever next? Excerpted from the talk entitled Inquisitive Mind, Thinking and Awakening given at West London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On...

Knowing yourself is an important step in self-development. Here, Sangharakshita describes the three psychological types enumerated in Buddhagosha's Visuddhimagga, the Path of Purification. From the lecture entitled The Question of Psychological Types which introduces a number of Western and Eastern classifications of psychological types and discusses their implications in the choice of techniques...

Ratnaprabha explains why craving is such a fundamental issue for Buddhists, how it relates to both desire and clinging, why it causes us problems, and how to deal with it. Excerpted from the talk entitled Needing Nothing given at North London Buddhist Centre , 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times ev...

Here is an excellent introduction to the most subtle and complex part of the Buddha's teaching on impermanence: that all things in conditioned existence are empty of any innate self-nature. Insubstantiality might never be really 'simple' to understand - but this is a good place to start and Locana an ever-intelligent guide along the way… Excerpted from the talk Anatta Made Simple , 2001. Locana (E...

Hridayagita describes the 3 fetters as a useful tool for reflecting why we forget or do not fully believe that our actions of body, speech and mind truly have consequences. Excerpted from the talk Recollecting the Consequences of Ones Actions give at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiratio...

Amidst the complexity of Buddhist teachings, we can discern a distinctive essence lying behind the various historical forms which developed to convey the Buddha's oral message. Excerpted from the talk The Nature and Development of Buddhism given by Sangharakshita , 1968. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three tim...

This is a quietly passionate talk by Jinapriya on the quicksilver nature of the Enlightenment experience - impossible to pin down, utterly transformative. His main theme within the frame of such a big question - 'What is Enlightenment?' - 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 t...

Speaking on a New Year retreat at Taraloka Samantabhadri explores gratitude: in personal relationships; in response to the universe; and for having received the gift of the Dharma in this lifetime. She includes a sense of lineage and of the spiritual opportunities for women to give and receive. Excerpted from the talk Gratitude given at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2001. *** Subscribe to our Dharmaby...

Padmadhara   reflects on the importance of gratitude in the spiritual life, providing some of his own reasons for being grateful, as well as drawing inspiration from another Song of Milarepa on the theme. As the talk starts, Padmadhara lists teachers and friends of his to whom he is grateful. Excerpted from the talk Milarepa - Gratitude and Dukkha - The First Noble Truth given at London Buddhist C...

Sangharakshita revisits his time as a wandering 'Dharma Farer' in the India of the 1940s. The occasion for this colourful set of stories and related insights is the 60th anniversary of his decision to 'Go Forth' into the homeless life, in line with the oldest Buddhist traditions. Sangharakshita is in fine, thoughtful, at times even mischievous form as he heads into his 83rd year, and, as usual, is...

With inspiring candour, Devamitra speaks from his own experience on the importance of valuing and facing our adversities (duhkha), explaining how that naturally leads into faith, and into the joy of gratitude. He also briefly introduces his new book on his experience as a cross-dressing Buddhist. Excerpted from the talk From Adversity to Gratitude and Beyond given at West London Buddhist Centre ,...

Singhamati explores the Buddha's teachings on Wisdom, primarily looking at the three Lakshanas, the three marks of conditioned existence.  From the talk Being with the Buddha Through Wisdom , the fourth in a series given on retreat at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2012. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times ev...

Ratnaghosha reflects on the Chanki Sutta, a story of a young Brahmin who questions the Buddha and receives a teaching about truth and the fundamental importance of faith. An excerpt from the talk entitled The Chanki Sutta given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre , 2019. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times ever...

Amaraghosha explores the mystery of spiritual rebirth in relation to sraddha and the imagination, using stories and quotes. Excerpted from the talk The Mystery of Spiritual Rebirth given at Croydon Buddhist Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audi...

Karunagita discusses confidence and faith  in our Dharma  practice. Excerpted from the talk entitled Confidence given at  North London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcast...

Shraddha or 'confidence-faith' as an indispensable basis for the cultivation of Wisdom. In this talk Satyajyoti explores the teachings of the Buddhist teacher Shinran , who developed a tradition of complete and true entrusting to this dimension, sometimes referred to as 'other power'. Excerpted from the talk entitled True Entrusting and the Wisdom of Shinran given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre , 20...

Ratnadharini gives us an inspiring, down-to-earth consideration of Verses 4-6 of the Eight Verses for Training the Mind by Langrithangpa.  Uncompromising, brilliant, long considered a classic of the Lojong mind training school, Langrithangpa's pithy text bears daily reflection and can fuel a lifetime of Dharma inquiry and practice.  Excerpted from a talk on Verses 4-6 from a series of talks on the...

Vajradevi   explores wisdom, the 'balancing factor' to faith in the 'mandala' of the five spiritual faculties. 'Clear-seeing' is way of describing wisdom that can be practised through mindfulness.  Excerpted from the talk Wisdom As a Spiritual Faculty In Relation to Mindfulness , part of the series Pathways to the Beautiful Mind: Bristol Rains Retreat , 2019. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podca...

How do we go beyond the duality of subject and object, self and other, to experience the true nature of reality? Here, Jnanavaca shares personal experiences about the challenges of creating sangha and being a friend. Excerpted from the talk What Is Sangha & Kalyana Mitrata? given at London Buddhist Centre . 2019. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Googl...

Saravantu talks about one of Triratna's emphases - a unified Order - by looking inwards. If we turn away from elements of our own character, we will find ourselves turning away from others. A unified Order needs us to be able to turn towards all aspects of ourselves. This is a practical talk with helpful exercises to bring it down to earth. Excerpted from the talk An Inclusive Order -Turning Away,...