Free Buddhist Audio

This is a fine talk by Dayanandi on the essential relationship between meditation and the proper seeing of Reality, here described as an opening into the beauty and truth and reality of life itself. Given at the Taraloka/Tiratanaloka Great Gathering , 2000. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week....

Kamalashila , author of ' Buddhist Meditation: Tranquillity, Imagination, Insight ', introduces the fifth perfection, dhyana, in a series at the West London Buddhist Centre , 2012. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting! Subscribe to our Dharmabytes po...

Bodhilila 's first talk as part of the 'Poetics of Awakening' retreat. Looking at the symbolic and practical aspects of practice she considers how meditation itself is an expression of ourselves as a way to change through, moment by moment, being who we are in the light of the Dharma. An encouraging and inspiring approach to sitting aligned to the nature of things. Get more resources on 'The Poeti...

Paramananda in this free-ranging talk, explains how the moon's soft light represents compassion, and recites three moon poems that evoke messages of self-knowledge and the regular tides or rhythms of being human. This talk was given at West London Buddhist Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality...

How do you become a Bodhisattva? Upon the Awakening of the Bodhi Heart (Bodhichitt-otpada). In this lecture Sangharakshita defines the Bodhichitta, and describes how one can prepare for its arising through the observance of Shantideva's Supreme Worship and Vasubhandu's Four Factors. Talk given in 1969 as part of the series entitled: Aspects of the Bodhisattva Ideal *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhi...

Jvalamalini offers suggestions to bear in mind when reading the Bodhicaryavatara, and a few reflections from the text on how to regard self and others.  "In the same way that the hands and other limbs are loved because they form part of the body, why are embodied creatures not likewise loved because they form part of the universe?"  "'If I give, what shall I enjoy?' Such concern for one's own welf...

"Taking this image of the human form the Bodhicitta transmutes it into the priceless image of the Jewel of the Conqueror. Grasp tightly this highly potent elixir, known as the Bodhicitta, which must be thoroughly worked."  In this talk on Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara Padmavajra speaks of Sangharakshita's evocation of the Bodhicitta. Here, he discusses some of the verses of the first chapter, espe...

Parami offers a clear, insightful and practical guide to the classically challenging Wisdom chapter of the Bodhicaryavatara. She places the chapter in context of the Bodhisattva Path and. with consistent warmth and humour, illuminates this part of the text for those who have been struggling with it.  This talk was given at Glasgow Buddhist Centre , 2022. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio po...

Vajrapriya takes us into this radical and classic wisdom-text which goes to the heart of how to become free, and how to help the world become free. Enigmatic, speaking to our depths, undermining any fundamentalism or limiting views about ourselves, it asks us to dive deep into the nature of experience, looking, for ourselves, to see truly the way things are. This talk was recorded on the Four Sang...

This is the culmination of Buddhist practice – but what is it and why is it so vitally needed in our lives and in the world? Subhadramati offers perspective, depth and encouragement on the Dharma path. This talk was given at London Buddhist Centre , 2016. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, ev...

Vishvapani explores the dynamic vision of Urgyen Sangharakshita in setting up a new Buddhist movement in the West, and asks how we might relate to him now. Voices and stories, told and untold, come echoing through as Vishvapani makes the case that a deeper examination of Sangharakshita's teaching and approach reveals a deeper rhythm to his life and work that is relevant to everyone practicing in T...

Advayasiddhi explores two chapters from Santideva's passionate and challenging text: The Bodhicaryavatara. Chapter 4 focuses on Vigilance Regarding the Awakening Mind, while Chapter 5 explores The Guarding of Awareness. This talk was recorded at Taraloka Retreat Centre , 2022. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration thr...

We practice the Dharma so that we can transcend our self-clinging, thereby resolving our own suffering and contributing to the resolution of suffering in the world. This is the fundamental purpose of the Triratna Community. Subhuti returns to Padmaloka after many years to delve into the fundamental principles behind Integration, Positive Emotion, Spiritual Receptivity, Spiritual Death, and Spiritu...

The Buddha spoke to everybody, from homeless wanderers to kings. So when King Ajatassattu wants to go to war against the Vajjian people, he asks the Buddha's advice! In this engaging talk, Vajratara unpacks the Buddha's reply, as he explains the 'seven things' which should be in place in order for a society to prosper and not decline. How might this teaching be interpreted in modern day terms, and...

From communist to Buddhist.... Vimalavajri talks of her personal involvement in the spheres of politics, feminism and Buddhism.  Using Indra's net as a classic Buddhist image of interconnectedness, the talk explores what the dharma might have to say about social or political action, and asks what helps when we feel overwhelmed or stuck in ill-will.  If we really see Indra's net, we will connect mo...

Vajragupta (m) offers a Buddhist myth of the asuras, the Titan realm on the Wheel of Life, as a way of seeing and understanding the social and political times we are living through. In this myth, the Buddha appears in the realm of the asuras holding a sword. What does that symbolize? Vajragupta suggests it can be seen as a sword of fearlessness, a sword of truth and wisdom, a sword of justice, and...

What does it mean to be part of a Sangha? What does true harmony mean alongside the inevitability of conflict? Srivati addresses these questions with help from the monks at Kosambi, the six memorable qualities of a Bikkhu, and the seven knowledges of the stream entrant. This talk is from the Dharmachakra Archives , given in 2002. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcast...

Amoghavajra takes us back 2,500 years to the Kingdom of Magadha in Northern India to the birth of a boy called Kassapa. He grows up happily and as he gets older he becomes less and less worldly. Kassapa marries Bhadda who has equally renunciant tendancies. They both go forth together. Kassapa meets the Buddha, becomes his disciple and gains Enlightenment. He is known as a superb meditator and was...

Dhammamegha speaks about Sangha as Dharma practice and how spiritual community and friendship with the admirable are part of our heritage in Triratna . Talk given on the Triratna International Gathering at Adhisthana , 2017. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:   On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads a...

Dhivan offers this short discourse showing the Buddha addressing a group of people called the Kalamas, who have heard all too many religious teachers telling them what to think, even when it contradicts what the last teacher said. The Buddha instead advises them how to judge for themselves about religion. He also teaches them how to practice the brahma-vihara meditations, and to think for themselv...

Friendships hold the sangha together, genuine personal connections, that support spiritual practice. Weaving in contemporary poetry with teachings from the Buddhist tradition, Ratnaprabha explores the nature of harmonious community by taking us through the Sangha Section of the TiratanaVandana. A talk for Sangha Day given at the West London Buddhist Centre , Nov 2011. *** Subscribe to our Free Bud...

Through recounting the story of the Buddha's Enlightenment and his subsequent communication about it, Ratnadeva traces the significance and depth of the Buddha's teaching of karma, as well as addressing the complexities and common misconceptions that can often arise when we approach the topic. This talk was given at Buddhafield , as part of the series Seeds of the Heart: Talks from the Dharma Parl...

How can we equip ourselves to co-operate in collective action and play? How do we work with negative emotions and polarized views? Many of us long to be in deeper communication and relationships with others, but in order to do that we need to create the necessary conditions for community to arise. Drawing on the Buddha's teaching, as well as political and social thinkers, Dhammamegha looks at the...

In this wide ranging talk, Amalayodhin gives an introduction to the history and symbol of the cremation grounds. Given on a summer men's Great Gathering at Padmaloka, the talk covers topics such as death, taking responsibility and avoiding blame and resentment. He draws out the necessity of seeking out those places that demand more of us then we can give in our current form, and in process break a...

Vidyasakhi vividly draws us into the magical world of the Eight Cremation Grounds where Padmasambhava tamed demons and engaged in his Bodhisattva training. Vidyasakhi is a musician and Padmasambhava practitioner with a background in storytelling. She has used these skills to dramatise The Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava and is a very good guide into the symbolism of this sacred space. This ta...