Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

Here Akashamitra takes us through the first of the five spiritual faculties, shraddha, often translated as faith or confidence. Excerpted from the talk entitled Confidence , part of the series The Five Powers of the Mind given at London Buddhist Centre , 2024. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every we...

Vajradevi explores aspects of faith, including faith and receptivity, the relationship of confidence and doubt in our own practice. She goes on to look at how 'faith is wisdom, but not fully realised.' Excerpted from the talk entitled Exploring the Faculty of Faith , part of the series Pathways to the Beautiful Mind given at Bristol Buddhist Centre , 2019. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:...

The jewel in Buddhism represents the deepest nature of our being. Punyamala explores the symbol of the jewel in the lotus as evoked in the White Lotus Sutra. Excerpted from the talk entitled Jewel In the Lotus given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2007. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subsc...

Just as plants need soil, warmth, light, and rain to grow, so humans need health and leisure, spiritual friendship, intellectual clarity, and the 'Rain of the Dharma'. Sangharakshita draws out the White Lotus Sutra's 'Parable of the Rain Cloud', in a talk entitled The Rain of the Dharma given in the USA, 1993. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google P...

Subhadramati explores the parable of the rain cloud drawing out the dharmic significance of how things arise. Excerpted from the talk Symbols of Life as part of the series Myths and Parables From the White Lotus Sutra given at London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week....

Vadanya explores the parable of 'The Return Journey' in the White Lotus Sutra. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Return Journey given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre , 2008. *** 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...

In his stirring way, Guhyavajra recounts the parable of the burning house and offers his reflections on its relevance to our lives now. Excerpted from the talk entitled Escape from the Burning House , part of the series The Burning House - an Image from the White Lotus Sutra given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2002. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Go...

When insight arises we feel that it has come of its own accord. Once upon a time a young man abandoned his father and went to live in another country... Akashamitra re-examines the eternal allegory for our times. Excerpted from the talk Myth of the Return Journey as part of the series Myths and Parables From the White Lotus Sutra given at London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmab...

Jnanavaca kicks off a new seminar series exploring the myths and parables of the glorious White Lotus Sutra. Here he unpacks the wisdom of the parable of the Burning House. Excerpted from the talk Parables From the White Lotus Sutra - The Burning House , given at the London Buddhist Centre , 2015. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-...

Pursuing the theme of the Mahayana, Sangharakshita outlines its path, its historical roots and its principal scriptures, giving introduction to the White Lotus Sutra as a drama of cosmic enlightenment. Excerpted from the talk The Universal Perspective of Mahayana Buddhism , part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra given in 1971. *** Subscribe to...

In this talk, Nagapriya introduces his new book, "Visions of Mahayana Buddhism." Here he condenses the definition of Mahayana Buddhism from his earlier talks then describes the process of writing the book, why he felt it was needed, and how its structure serves to make the study of Mahayana Buddhism accessible. From the talk Visions of Mahayana Buddhism , the fifth and final talk in a five-part se...

The spiritual community is held as one of the three essential elements of the spiritual life. Paramananda   talks about building Sangha and the importance of living and practising in relationship with other people. Excerpted from the talk The Sangha Jewel given at West London Buddhist Centre , 2014. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bit...

Suryagupta describes the qualities of the Buddha in this talk on the subject of Metta (loving-kindness) and insight/wisdom. Excerpted from the talk Metta to Insight given at London Buddhist Centre , 2018. *** 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 A...

Samantabhadri explores positive emotion in our system of practice. Her themes are: pliancy and loosening boundaries; the imagination; insight; our collective life; the shade and the light of our spiritual lives. Excerpted from the talk entitled Luminous Love given at Taraloka Retreat Centre on the occasion of a Women's National Order Weekend, 2012. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Ap...

Maitreyi talks about communicating through symbols, this time round through the hub of the wheel of life. Excerpted from the talk Communicating Through Symbols: The Wheel of Life , at Mid Essex Buddhist Centre , 2020. *** 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 po...

Saccanama explores Sangha as a means to counter the individualism of our times. What exactly is the true meaning of Sangha? And how can the mysterious 'third order of consciousness' or Bodhicitta help us to transcend our preoccupation with ourselves? Excerpted from the talk Sangha as the Way to the End of Dukkha given at Nottingham Buddhist Centre , 2020 as part of the series Challenging Dharma fo...

As part of Adhisthana 's Triratna Day celebrations, Saddhanandi speaks to us about the 'existential communication' that can arise between a more, and a less, experienced practitioner. A communication that can take you to the limits of your own being and encourage you to stretch beyond them. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Electric Charge of Communication , 2023, as part of the series Triratna...

The Brahma Viharas or Heavenly Abodes, have been likened to a magnificent tree. The deep, far ranging roots and sturdy resilient trunk are Metta; the open arms of the branches rising up out of the fullness of Metta are Compassion and Sympathetic Joy; the tree as a whole reflects the deep peace of Equanimity. The Brahma Viharas tree provides a Heavenly Abode for the creatures who live within its re...

In a paper of great clarity and insight, Sangharakshita introduces the figure of the Bodhisattva, who embodies the principle of perpetual self-transcendence.  Excerpted from the talk The Bodhisattva Principle , given in 1983, as part of the series Two Lectures to a Conference on Reality, Consciousness and Order . *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Googl...

Padmolka draws from a well-known story in the Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava when he is asked for a short, practical teaching which can be learned by heart to help Queen Nang Chung to practice the Dharma and ultimately lead her to Buddhahood. Excerpted from the talk  Padmasambhava's Advice to the Three Fortunate Women given at Glasgow Buddhist Centre , 2010. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes...

Here Dayanatha explores the limits of knowledge in the face of the mystery of enlightenment.  Excerpted from the talk We Think We Know given at the London Buddhist Centre Winter Retreat, 2021. *** 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 Podcast...

Prakasha explores the historical and mythical aspects of Padmasambhava, as well as how he is relevant to us. Excerpted from the talk entitled Padmasambhava given at Shrewsbury Triratna Buddhist Centre , 2019. *** 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:  ...

Vidyasakhi speaks here about the nature of symbols. From the talk entitled Padmasambhava and the Naga King , given on Padmasambhava Day at Cambridge Buddhist Centre , 2018. *** 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...

Previously unreleased and, rather famously, given off-the-cuff at the London Buddhist Centre, Sangharakshita gives us an enjoyable and stirring evocation of the great Tantric Guru of Tibet. Excerpted from the talk simply entitled Padmasambhava Talk given in 1979. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every...

Here, Subhadramati   follows the life and myth of Padmasambhava, the great Tantric guru of Tibet. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Night of the Demons   given as part of the London Buddhist Centre   as part of the series Winter Retreat 2021 . *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe...