Free Buddhist Audio

This week's FBA Podcast , " Sangharakshita in Conversation with Kathleen Raine ," is a retro piece from the 1980s when 'Independent Arts' ran an ambitious and extremely impressive Arts program through the Croydon Buddhist Centre in London. Here's a first offering from the archive of recordings – an open conversation between Sangharakshita, founder of the Western Buddhist Order, and the renowned po...

The Jungian commentator James Hillman suggested that 'soul' needs nurturing as well as 'spirit' in human life. Our FBA Podcast , " Poetry, Soulmaking and Meditation ," Paramananda uses deeply meaningful poems to show soulmaking in action, and explains how the process can be brought into your meditation practice.

Our FBA Podcast this week is a window into the ancient art of happiness. In " Stop Buying Stuff and Learn How to Be Happy Instead ," Ratnaguna explores alternatives to buying more stuff and hooking up to more electronic gadgetry… The Buddha repeatedly said that the only reason he taught was to alleviate suffering, and he in fact enumerated three level of happiness. This teaching is no longer simpl...

Our FBA Podcast this week, " The Buddha and Friendship, " by Vajratara, begins by looking at how the symbols of the individual spiritual journey is really a story about a network of relationships. Every symbol is born out of relationship.  It's living tradition that gives confidence, it's not about your own individual practice – your own individual practice is just a part of the Buddhist tradition...

Our FBA Podcast today, " People of Loving Kindness, " is a lovely talk from Padmavajra, given to celebrate Sangha Day in Birmingham. And who better to conjure the spirit of loving kindness as it permeates a community practising together and supporting each other in their great, shared endeavour.

Our FBA Podcast today, " Sangha in the Context of Contemporary Buddhism, " is from two of our speakers, Parami and Ratnaghosha. Together they deliver two excellent talks that reflect on the area of sangha from inner and outer perspectives respectively. How does the FWBO's approach square up with that of other traditions? And how might we continue to work on our practice of sangha as an integral pa...

Our FBA Podcast " Building Sangha, Creating Harmony " is a beautiful talk by Vajrasara. Here she explores the value of spiritual community, ways to encourage fuller harmony, and the many opportunities in friendship for waking up.

Our FBA Podcast this week " Sangha As An Insight Practice ," is a thoughtful, inspirational and, in some places, challenging exploration of how Sangha can be a practice leading to Insight. Please note: the last few minutes of this talk are missing, for a transcript see our description on freebuddhistaudio.com .

Our FBA Podcast is titled " Creating Sangha and Changing the World " – an inspirational exploration of the Third Jewel by Saddhaloka. He looks at the distinguishing role of Sangha, spiritual community, in the development and life of the Triratna Buddhist Order, and, in fact, in any kind of Buddhist spiritual life. Saddhaloka here is steady and thoughtful as ever… Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Ce...

Our FBA Podcast , this week is from the delightfully inspirational Parami titled " The Awakening Heart ." This is the first talk in the series of the same name. It touches on aspects of Sangharakshita's 'system of meditation', and most specifically the area of positive emotion. Parami is an ideal guide for this sort of material, steeped as she is in study and practice engaged with in the light of...

FBA Podcast , " The Alchemy of Wisdom ," Yashobodhi introduces the perfection of wisdom in a series on the Six Paramitas at a West London Buddhist Centre Sangha night in May 2012. Followed by questions and answers.

FBA Podcast , this week, " Conditionality and Meditation " is a talk by Vessantara who has just completed a three year, three month, three day retreat. Conditionality is a central theme of the teaching of the Buddha, and it is very helpful to bring our understanding of it into the arena of our meditation practice. During this talk, Vessantara looks at how to set up good conditions for our meditati...

Today's FBA Podcast, " The Therigatha and the Problem of Self "by Dassini, takes us into the lives of the early bhikkunis. Two verses by elderly nuns, Dhamma and Citta, give rise to reflection on letting go of fixed self view as a major component of breaking through to Enlightenment.

FBA Podcast , " The Six Elements ," Ratnaprabha introduces us to earth, water, fire, air, space and consciousness as the mystery of human experience. He then describes how to use the elements in meditation and life.

FBA Podcast , " Continuous Spiritual Death – Continuous Spiritual Rebirth " Padmavajra speaks about the stages of spiritual death and rebirth, specifically how to prepare for them, how they can be seen in all the stages of the path, as well as where they lead. Talk given on a Kula Gathering at Padmaloka, 2012.

This week's FBA Podcast is a delightful talk by Danapriya titled: " Let your Inner Riches Shine. " Exploring the themes of generosity and abundance, we are led into the heart of Buddhist practice.

In this week's FBA Podcast " Dana – the Emotional Life of the Sangha, " Samacitta puts the practice of generosity under the microscope in this engaging talk on the first paramita. When we perform an act of generosity, what exactly is happening? How does it relate to the development of Wisdom? Is there such a thing as purely mental generosity and how effective is it? This talk explains the 'why', '...

This week's FBA Podcast was first given on Lord Buddha TV in India. In " The Buddha's Advice to a Banker " Subhuti talks about a conversation the Buddha had with his leading Lay disciple, who was one of the wealthiest men in North India. What makes him significant is that he was also recognised as a non-returner. In this conversation the Buddha talks as prosperity, wealth and what makes for happin...

In today's  FBA Podcast , " All In This Together – Is It Time For a Buddhist Economics? " Kavyasiddhi delivers beautifully in this first of a series of public talks at Manchester Buddhist Centre entitled ' Buddhism and the Big Question '.

Our FBA Podcast this week " The Alternative to God " is a very thought provoking talk by Maitreyabandhu. Does God exist or not? How do you know? A thoughtful and critical look at this age old question in light of the Buddha's teachings. Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre in November 2006.

"The true revolutionary is guided by love." (Che Guevara). In this weeks FBA Podcast , " Finding Freedom, " Amalaketu explores freedom through images and stories and the Chappanakopama sutta, the discourse on the simile of the 6 animals, and shows how Buddhism is the way to ultimate liberation.

This week's FBA Podcast is a quietly passionate talk by Jinapriya titled: " What is Enlightenment " – impossible to pin down and utterly transformative. His main theme within the frame of such a big question 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 that all look to open up the gat...

This weeks FBA Podcast , " Songs of the Elder Sisters " is one of a series of talks on the Therigatha, the songs or poems of the nuns at the time of the Buddha. Here, Gunasiddhi gently explores the three themes of Going Forth, Friendship and Impermanence through these tender yet powerful stories.

In celebration of the Buddha's Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma, this week's FBA Podcast " The Word of the Buddha " describes the various levels on which Enlightened Consciousness seeks to communicate itself to those who are unenlightened. Talk given in 1972.

Today's  FBA Podcast , " The Jewel in the Lotus ," by Sraddhagita, is a beautiful down-to-earth exploration of the great central images of Mahayana Buddhism, usually associated with the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshavara. This talk was given in 2007.