Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

Ratnaprabha takes us into the realm of story and imagination with a journey to the northern realm. Amoghasiddhi is also connected with Spiritual Rebirth, we hear how this relates to insight, becoming more than we are, and the way in which we draw up courage and creativity to transform ourselves and maybe make a difference in the world. Excerpted from the talk Amoghasiddhi: Courage and Creativity g...

In this talk, Maitrisiddhi explores what mudita - sympathetic joy - is and how important it is to our practice. Excerpted from the talk The Brahma Viharas - Living In the Mandala (11 of 17) from an intensive meditation retreat for mitras held at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2021. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration thr...

Sangharakshita gives voice to this poetic Buddhist scripture describing the wonderful Pureland of the Buddha Amitabha. Excerpted from The Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra. *** 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...

Kusalasara shares her inspiration arising from reflecting on the Buddha Amitabha, particularly his radiant deep-red glowing color representing a deep, meditative, self-contained energy. Excerpted from the talk A Deeper Longing-Amitabha given at London Buddhist Centre , 2022 on the Winter Retreat, 2022. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts...

Dharmashalin talks about the importance of abundance in our Dharma lives. Excerpted from the talk Living with Abundance given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre 2024. *** 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 Podc...

Here Vessantara explores how the Dharma has been practiced by people following many different lifestyles – from homeless wanderers to kings and queens in their palaces. If there isn't one 'Dharma lifestyle' then what do all these different ways of living have in common, and how can they all be expressions of the Buddha's teaching? What are the principles underlying them all, and what does all this...

Paramabandhu kicks off the 2019 London Buddhist Centre Winter retreat with a talk introducing colourful, symbolic world of the Five Buddha Mandala. After introducing the theme of the five Buddha mandala, Paramabandhu goes on to explore the image and symbolism of Akshobhya - the deep blue Buddha of the eastern realm. In this talk Paramabandhu particularly emphasizes the patience (ksanti) of Akshobh...

The Divine Healer, identifiable in Egyptian and Greek myths, also appears in the White Lotus Sutra as both the Medicine Buddha and the Good Physician, in the parable of that name, who leaves his sons to cure themselves. Excerpted from the talk The Archetype of the Divine Healer by Sangharakshita , part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra , 1971....

Dharmadipa speaks to how sangha is based on a common right view, even more so than kindness. Excerpted from the talk Wisdom and Ignorance, the last of six talks given during the 'Mind in Harmony' retreat at Padmaloka Retreat Centre , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe to our...

Maitrisara explores the second fetter, doubt and indecision which Bhante calls vagueness. The antidote is clarity but also faith. This wide-ranging talk weaves together both theoretical and personal themes and differentiates between wholesome and unhelpful doubt. It explores why we might get stuck in doubt, and how to work with it. The talk draws on a sutta from the Samyuta Nikaya about what feeds...

Reflection and deep contemplation can bring a whole new dimension to life and reveal truths that would otherwise be left hidden. In this talk, Prajnahridaya explores the 4th 'basis of power' of vimamsa, often translated as 'investigation', by evoking the depth and profundity of some fundamental Buddhist teachings. Excerpted from the talk Deep Contemplation given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre 2022. *...

We often talk about meditation as if it happens in our heads, and think we do it from the neck up. But the Sanskrit word citta translates as 'heart-mind' — there's no distinction between what's above and below the neck. Suryadarshini explores the paradox about how to talk about embodiment, how to cultivate awareness of the elements in our body, and how to be courageous and curious in communicating...

At times in the spiritual life we may  considerable energy to overcome obstacles, such as negative emotions, psychological conditionings, rational thinking, and even the sense of 'time' itself. How, when, and where can we break through? Excerpted from the talk entitled Breaking Through into Buddhahood by Sangharakshita given in 1969. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts |...

Drawing upon the myths in the life of the Buddha Satyapara explores the role the body plays when we take up Buddhist practice. She describes the Buddha as a child under a rose apple tree being deeply in touch with his surroundings and when calling upon the earth he gains confidence in his practice and overcomes his doubts. With these stories, Satyapara invites us to trust our body. From the talk e...

Dhammagita talks about the importance of the body and its sensations in informing and enabling our practice, taking us to the truth, overcoming conditioning and embracing vulnerability. Excerpted from the talk Body of Awakening given at Taraloka Retreat Centre 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times ev...

Vidyamala explores how a Mahayana approach of cultivating Bodhicitta is a brilliant way to 'flip' our habitual self-centredness and cultivate a new default setting of continually thinking of others. Excepted from the talk Citta and Bodhicitta given at Rivendell as part of the series An Exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Sp...

Vilasamani , who is a body therapist, introduces those elements of the body and nervous system that tend to impel us down automatic or reactive channels. We can gently influence our mood and behaviour by understanding physical susceptibilities, and working with them. Excerpted from the talk Body Reactive, Body Creative given at West London Buddhist Centre , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes p...

Here Maitreyi looks at pleasure and suffering in the context of samsara - compassionate responses to self and other, and how to loosen the bonds... Excerpted from the talk The Defects and Dangers of Samsara , the last in a five-part series The Four Mind-Turning Reflections of the Tibetan Tradition given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre , 2005. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Pod...

Suchitta explores the way we generate our own suffering, in the light of understanding accumulated through reflection on the first three reminders. This gives us a window to the world and the birth of Compassion and our potential for an Awakened Heart. There are tips on how to reorientate ourselves away from the identity project towards a life of genuine and complete selflessness. Excerpted from t...

Hridayagita explores conditionality as a universal law, expressed within the 5 niyamas as cyclical and the spiral of the dharma niyama. She then describes the three fetters as a useful tool for reflecting on why we forget or do not fully believe that our actions of body, speech and mind truly have consequences. The talk entitled Recollecting the Consequences of One's Actions was given at Taraloka...

Santavajri begins with her realisation that a motivator for her spiritual practice has been a quest for happiness. Touching on the themes of righteous indignation, spiritual bypassing, empathy, non-violent communication, envy and exploring apology, confession and working with betrayal, Santavajri poses the question as to whether we can forgive ourselves and move towards unconditional love for all...

Subhadramati explores forgiveness and the arising of the Bodhicitta. The ego sustains itself by blaming - forgiveness means letting go of our egoic reactions and becoming a conduit for the mind of Bodhicitta. Excerpted from Being a Conduit For the Mind of Bodhicitta during the Women's Area Order Weekend , 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google ...

A lovely, thoughtful exploration of the traditional Buddhist path of ethics, meditation and wisdom, using poetry and the ideas of contemporary science to evoke the mystery that lies at the heart of practice. Dhammadassin 's beautifully weighted talk challenges us to look at how we think and how we act, and is rooted in a moving fidelity to experience as the ground of our inspiration. One to be tre...

This introductory talk by Dhammadinna is an ideal entry point to the world of the mind-turnings. Seen as foundations for the building of practice, the reflections encourage us to make life meaningful in the face of a relentlessly ungovernable reality. A strong look in the mirror of the heart. Excerpted from the talk The Four Mind-Turning Reflections , part of the series of the same title , given a...

In this very personal talk Vijayasri remembers being part of a study seminar led by Sangharakshita, in 1982, on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa. Vijayasri talks about the effect being part of the study group has had on her life and explores Gampopas teachings on the importance of a human birth. Excerpted from the talk entitled This Precious Human Life given at Croydon Buddhist Centre ,...