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By Free Buddhist Audio
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Podcast Description
Welcome to the Free Buddhist Audio podcast, relaunched to mark version 2.0 of the site. Free Buddhist Audio is an entirely user-supported project from the Triratna Buddhist Community. If you like what you hear, come and join us at www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community - and happy listening!
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The Diamond Sutra | Our FBA Podcast today is "The Diamond Sutra" by Sangharakshita. If one does not want to 'get caught in the grip of reality', one should leave this great text alone! The Perfection of Wisdom Discourse that 'Cuts Like a Diamond'... N.B. Reference for this lecture: Buddhist Wisdom Books, translated by E. Conze. (Allen & Unwin, 1958) Talk given in 1969. | 2/10/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Heart Sutra, Sangha and Spiritual Death | Our FBA Podcast today brings us to the core of our practice: "The Heart Sutra, Sangha and Spiritual Death" by Kamalashila. Beginning with a shared understanding of spiritual practice that is Sangha, we are led through a revisioning of our practice that includes the deeper, darker more mysterious perspectives of insight and wisdom. This talk was given at the London Buddhist Centre's Tuesday evening drop-in meditation class on 6th Dec 2011. | 2/3/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Buddha, Hakuin, Birth and Death | Today's FBA Podcast, "The Buddha, Hakuin, Birth and Death", is the second in an excellent 8-talk sequence by Padmavajra on Zen Buddhism. The series is full of colourful stories and challenging insights from the lives of the great Masters of China and Japan. In this talk, Padmavajra takes us into the strong experience of Going Forth into homelessness. Through personal reminiscence and classic Zen poetry that evokes a truly rich awareness, we see the Buddha, Hakuin, Dogen and Ryokan as they struggle to make sense of this fleeting world of form. This talk is part of the series "Tangling Eyebrows with Zen Masters." | 1/27/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Spiritual Death and Rebirth, a New Perspective On the Dharma Niyama | This weeks FBA Podcast, "Spiritual Death and Rebirth, a New Perspective On the Dharma Niyama", takes us deeply into the stages of spiritual death and rebirth that are key to the system of meditation, representing the culimination and fulfilment of the Buddhas vision. During this talk given at Padmaloka Subhuti explains some new elements of Sangharakshita's thinking about how they relate to the Niyamas, particularly the Dharma niyama - exciting, and challenging stuff. | 1/20/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Transitoriness of Life and the Certainty of Death | Today's FBA Podcast, "The Transitoriness of Life and the Certainty of Death", is by Vajradharshini who brings us a beautiful piece on the hardest of subjects. The third talk in a five-part series from Tiratanaloka's retreat on the 'Four Mind Turnings' of the Tibetan tradition. Using zen poetry and a happily wide-ranging series of quotations (from Tibetan lamas to Ezra Pound), Vajradarshini explores her own father's death as a way to approach attitudes to death and dying. She considers death in the light of the four mind-turning reflections of Atisha: the result is an inspiring, funny, truly challenging look at the heartbreak of our mortality, and how the Dharma helps us to meet and be present with the ultimate experience. Talk given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre 2005. This talk is part of the series The Four Mind-Turning Reflections. | 1/13/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Mending the Broken Ladder | Today's we introduce Atula in our weekly FBA Podcast with "Mending the Broken Ladder" a very thoughtful talk long-time by this practising Buddhist and psychotherapist. The nature of the 'psyche' and our sense of self-view is explored with reference to the Fourfold Vision of William Blake, T.S. Eliot, Charles Bukowski, Edward Conze, and Humpty Dumpty! Expect some stimulating words around the role of myth, metaphor and all our ways of cognizing, thinking about and expressing experience in what we call 'spiritual life' – and a clear encouragement to see that process as one that is profoundly relational. Talk given Monday 8th March 2010. | 1/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Fields of Creativity | Welcome to this weeks FBA Podcast, "Fields of Creativity", a sparkling talk by Sangharakshita on a theme close to his heart. Full of warmth, wit and stimulating ideas. Talk given in 2001. | 12/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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In the Bleak Midwinter | Today's FBA Podcast, "In the Bleak Midwinter", Parami delivers a gem of a talk, with a wintery theme. With a song to open followed by metaphors on bleakness, with the earth as hard as iron and water like a stone, times when we struggle and it seems as if no growth is possible. She talks about her early experience of doing the metta bhavana and what a radical practice it is, leading to beauty, magic and angels. This talk was given in December 2010 at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre. | 12/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Life of Milarepa | In today's FBA Podcast, we are taken deep into the mythical magical world of Milarepa, Tibet's great yogi saint, in "The Life of Milarepa," by Paramartha. First talk in a series of 4 talks on 'Milarepa'. Talks given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, Winter Retreat 2010. | 12/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Renunciation – Tasting Freedom | In today's FBA Podcast, "Renunciation - Tasting Freedom," Saddhanandi says at the beginning of this talk that she's concerned she won't fully convey the depth of inspiration she feels about her theme - she shouldn't have worried, she does it full justice. Her various approaches to her subject include renunciation as giving up unreal expectations, as giving up compulsion, as continuity of purpose and commitment to values, as establishing freedom, as not being blown by the worldly winds. One of her telling quotes is " ... there is no spiritual development without renunciation, and no renunciation without spiritual development ..." This is the first of three talks given on the 2009 UK Women's Order / Mitra Event. It's based on the first section of Tsongkhapa's short text "The Three Principle Aspects of the Path". The other talks in the series are "Generating Bodhi Mind" by Vajratara, and "The Path of the Buddha's Delight" by Samantabhadri. Given at Taraloka, May 2009. | 12/9/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Getting It | Today's FBA Podcast is titled: "Getting It," by Vidyadevi. Her brief here is 'study as a way to Wisdom', and she comes to it with a delightfully playful straightforwardness. As a means of exploring the 'Middle Way', she speaks of the various dualities and juxtapositions she has encountered in her own engagement with Dharma study over the years: theory and practice, metaphor and literalism, authority and personal experience, utility and beauty, etc. But she also speaks (and sings! Paul Simon...) of the need for a lightness of heart and of mind at the root of it all... Talk given at Taraloka Retreat Centre, Great Gathering 2000 | 12/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Great Doubt | Padmavajra delivers some crazy stuff as we hit koan country! Today's FBA Podcast titled "Great Doubt" is the seventh in an excellent 8-talk sequence by Padmavajra on Zen Buddhism. The series is full of colourful stories and challenging insights from the lives of the great Masters of China and Japan. A fascinating look at doubt in spiritual life in general, and in the lives of some of the most celebrated practitioners of Zen. Uncompromising stuff towards a more profound level of awareness - steer to the deep! Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004 This talk is part of the series Tangling Eyebrows with Zen Masters. | 11/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Tara – Virya Buddha | Today's FBA Podcast takes us into the mysterious world of "Tara - Virya Buddha". Dharmacharini Vanaraji gave this talk to the Women's Class at the London Buddhist Centre, June 2011. | 11/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Chetul Sangye Dorje | Today's FBA Podcast is titled "Chetul Sangye Dorje" by Vajratara. A forthright and passionate talk, taking as its starting point the great contemporary Tibetan teacher (sometimes also written 'Chatral Sangye Dorje') and his relationship to practice in the Triratna [FWBO] Community via his giving of the Green Tara practice to Sangharakshita. The main focus, however, is the need to practice the Dharma for others as part of a meaningful community, and Vajratara argues her case with a balance of down-to-earth humour and uncompromising vision. Talk given at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2007 | 11/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Visibility | In today's FBA Podcast titled "Visibility" Kuladharini explores what it's like to be an example of the fourth sight in the world, to be a visible embodiment of Dharma practice. Using the metaphors of the begging bowl, robes and shaved head she shares three ways in which she has gone forth as a visible example of a dharma farer. Talk given at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre. | 11/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Beyond Hope and Hopelessness | Today's FBA Podcast, "Beyond Hope and Hopelessness Dancing In the Ruins of Time," takes us into the world seen through the eyes of EcoDharma, a Triratna retreat centre in the Catalan Pyrenees. Guhyapati offers a sober analysis of the environmental problems facing humanity and issues a clarion call for action - including from the Buddhist community. Recorded at the 2009 Buddhafield Festival. Visit the EcoDharma website - www.ecodharma.com | 10/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Life for a Limited Time Only | In today's FBA Podcast Suriyavamsa begins "Life for a Limited Time Only" with the inevitability of death and some of our habitual attitudes to death and suffering, reading from contemporary poets. He brings out the Buddhist perspective that life and death are not separate, but parts of the same process. This talk was given on Parinirvana Day 2010 at the Glasgow Buddhist Centre. | 10/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Eight Verses for Training the Mind | Today's FBA Podcast is the first talk in a brilliant series titled "Eight Verses for Training the Mind" by Dharmachari Subhuti. Based on the Tibetan text by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa, Subhuti introduces the verses in the context of the development of Buddhism in Tibet and India. We then have a full treatment of the first verse itself: "May I always cherish all beings, Withe the resolve to accomplish for them The highest good that is more precious Than any wish-fulfilling jewel." Talk given at Madhyamaloka, Birmingham, 2004 For the full series: "Eight Verses for Training the Mind." | 10/14/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Ethics | In today's, FBA Podcast, simply titled "Ethics," Manjuvajra takes a look at the complex area of ethics from a Buddhist perspective. The nature of 'self', the place of feeling and emotion, the role of intention and action - these are fertile grounds for digging deeper into our own ethical practice and considering our lives in the light of the Buddha's teaching of 'non-harm'. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2000 | 10/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Taste of Freedom | "Just as the mighty ocean has but one taste, the taste of salt, even so the Dharma-vinaya (Buddhism) has but one taste, the taste of Freedom"- The Udana. Today's FBA Podcast, "The Taste of Freedom: is a brilliant and rousing tour-de-force on transcendental freedom, one of Sangharakshita's best-loved lectures. Talk given in 1979. | 9/30/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Tales of a Free Spirit – 45 Years of the Buddha’s Life | Today's FBA Podcast "Talks of a Free Spirit - 45 Years of the Buddha's Life" explores the life and teachings of the Buddha as they've come down through the stories of the tradition. Vajrasara has a veritable genius for making clear the relevances for contemporary society, and this talk is a most engaging example as she takes her own favourite tales and draws out the beautiful challenges of it all. | 9/23/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Doubt as Path | Today's FBA Podcast "Doubt as Path" is a good and useful talk on the dangers of certainty in the spiritual life - individually and within a community. Amaraketu draws on his own experience of zen and of painting in order to evoke a sense of what it might be like to live and practice not knowing. Everything is just beginning... Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2005. | 9/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Life with Full Attention | Today's FBA Podcast is titled "Life with Full Attention". In this half-hour talk, Maitreyabandhu (a teacher at the London Buddhist Centre) gives you a witty, practical, real-life look at how mindfulness makes us more alive and free. His book 'Life With Full Attention' will be published by Windhorse Publications in July 2009. Click here for more talks from the 2009 International Urban Retreat. For more information on this years Urban Retreat see: www.theurbanretreat.org | 9/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Work As Spiritual Practice: Introducing Reginald Ray’s Threefold Model | In today's FBA Podcast, Mahabodhi kicks off a series of talks on the theme of 'Work As Spiritual Practice' with "Work As Spiritual Practice: Introducing Reginald Ray's Threefold Model". Based on Ray's book, 'Buddhist Saints in India', this is a framework for considering the spiritual benefits and challenges of three roles or life styles within Buddhism: The solitary retreatant, the sangha builder who works within Buddhist institutions, the lay practitioner or social activist whose commitments take them to work out in the world. According to Ray, each plays a crucial role in the health of the Sangha. After exploring the different life styles, Mahabodhi talks about his experiences as the 'retreatant' writer. A talk in a series addressing the relevance of Buddha's teaching to contemporary issues at the Manchester Buddhist Centre 2011. | 9/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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We Live In a Beautiful World: Buddhism and Nature | Today's FBA Podcast, is a magical exploration by Vajragupta titled: "We Live In a Beautiful World: Buddhism and Nature". Sharing his very personal experiences on solitary retreats, Vajragupta asks, "How can human beings live with more love and appreciation of the natural world? What does Buddhism have to offer?" A talk in a series addressing the relevance of Buddha's teaching to contemporary issues at the Manchester Buddhist Centre 2011. | 8/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Compassionate Koans – The Heart of the Matter | Today's Podcast "Compassionate Koans - The Heart of the Matter does in fact take us to the heart of the matter! An excellent, personal set of reflections by Vijayamala on the relationship between our longing and our pain. The Buddhist tradition posits compassion as the best response, but it isn't always clear how that works. No answers here - but a few leads and some thoughtful tales from life and from a longstanding practice of meditation. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Women's Convention, 2005 | 8/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Masculinity and Femininity in the Spiritual Life | Today's FBA Podcast takes us back to the 1969 wholly inspiring Aspects of the Bodhisattva Ideal series by Sangharakshita. "Masculinity and Femininity in the Spiritual Life"is the fifth talk in the series. Here, the third and fourth Perfections are kshanti (forbearance, tolerance or spiritual receptivity) and virya (energy in pursuit of the good). So the Bodhisattva integrates 'feminine' and 'masculine' qualities in a perfect union. Talk given in 1969. | 8/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Learning from Tibetan Buddhism – A Personal Account | In today's FBA Podcast, "Learning from Tibetan Buddhism - A Personal Account" Vessantara shares from his many years of engagement with Tibetan Buddhist approaches to meditation and general Buddhist practice. He carefully weighs up the different aspects of exploring a tradition outside of your own, and evokes Tibetan Buddhism itself through the story of his initiation into the Vajrayogini sadhana. A lovely, thoughtful talk that pays tribute to the effect of one ancient form of Dharma in a modern practitioner's own life. There is also a thorough discussion of visualization meditation, and a moving celebration of the teachers who have helped him on the path. Given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention 2005. | 8/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Being Radical – 40 Years of the New Society | Today's FBA Podcast, is a brilliant retrospective on our Triratna Community developments titled: "Being Radical - 40 Years of the New Society" by Vajragupta. Do we still believe in the ability of the Dharma to transform self and society? Do we still want to make a distinctive Dharmic contribution to building a better world? Are we willing to accept that challenge? And are we willing to sometimes challenge the views and values of the society around us? This was the fourth talk given at Dharmapala college's New society seminar in April 2010. | 7/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Transcending the Human Predicament | Today's FBA Podcast, "Transcending the Human Predicament", Sangharakshita investigates various symbolic elements in the Parable of the Burning House and we are reminded of the importance of responding to 'the call of the Divine'. The general significance of the parable is then discussed under the headings of escapism, universalism and sectarianism. "The White Lotus Sutra is not only a religious classic, but a masterpiece of symbolic spiritual literature.” ~ Sangharakshita From the classical ground-breaking series: Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra given in 1971. | 7/22/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Anatta Made Simple | In today's talk, "Anatta Made Simple", Locana provides 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... Locana (Elizabeth English) is the author of 'Vajrayogini: Her Visualization, Rituals, and Forms' | 7/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Abundant Treasures | Welcome to this week's FBA Podcast, "Abundant Treasures," by the wonderful story teller, Suriyavamsa. The first of a series on the parables of The White Lotus Sutra, this talk looks at the Sutra as a whole. Suriyavamsa explores the key themes as well as how best to approach a Mahayana Sutra. Please note that there is some noise disturbance at the end of the talk due to a small and restless child! | 7/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Standing on Emptiness | In "Standing on Emptiness" Dhammadassin eloquently invites us into 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 treasured! Talk given at the Triratna Buddhist Order women’s national weekend, August 2004 | 7/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Absorption – After the Enlightenment | In today's FBA Podcast, Kamalashila delivers: 'Absorption - After the Enlightenment'. 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 image of Muchalinda, the great serpent, coiling his body protectively round the meditating Buddha. Please note, there are a few words missing around the start of this talk. Talk given on the FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008 | 6/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Energy At Its Most Abundant | In today's FBA Podcast, Parami delivers true to form: "Energy At Its Most Abundant" on the topic of 'virya' - 'energy in pursuit of the good'. This talk was given as part of a three talk series at Windhorse:Evolution, a large and successful Buddhist team-based right livelihood business. A good, strong (sometimes even idealistic!) evocation of the co-operative spirit of Buddhist work and of spiritual practice in general, with particular reference to Shantideva's 'Bodhicharyavatara'. With a thoughtful look at Padmasambhava, and an affectionate tribute to her own teacher, Urgyen Sangaharakshita, whose poem 'The Song of the Windhorse' forms the root text for this talk. Talk given in Cambridge, 2002 | 6/17/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Buddha’s Vision | In today's FBA Podcast, we give you "The Buddha's Vision", the last talk in the "Gautama Buddha" series launching Vishvapani's new book "Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One". (Quercus, 2011) When the Buddha finally sat down under the Bodhi tree and saw deeply into the nature of things, what had brought him to that point? And what happened next? In his final take on the Buddha's journey of the heart and mind, Vishvapani focuses in on the Buddha's experience before, during and after Enlightenment, bringing his nuanced, perceptive reading to the words the Buddha himself is said to have employed in order to best evoke his experiences as he struggled to give voice to them. A fitting conclusion to a wonderfully insightful series. Includes an adroit discussion of the issues around imagination and historical evidence, and how we can usefully approach the Pali texts as literature. Talk given in Bristol, February 2011. This talk is part of the series Gautama Buddha. | 6/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Buddha and Society | In today's FBA Podcast, we give you the fourth talk in the "Gautama Buddha" series titled: "The Buddha and Society", from the launch of Vishvapani's new book "Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One". (Quercus, 2011) The Buddha as a radical, as a holy man, as pragmatist, as tamer of demons, as visionary - in this wide-ranging, riveting talk Vishvapani gives us all these and more, and all in relation to the society Gautama took part in. Some provocative words and questions from the Buddha and from our speaker as we try to get to grips with a world vastly different from our own. What was the Buddha's social vision, and what can we learn from it? This is essential listening and holds some surprising insights into the life and times of a great sage in and out of his own culture and history. Talk given in Birmingham, February 2011. | 6/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Buddha’s Personality | In today's FBA Podcast, Vishvapani delivers "The Buddha's Personality", the third talk in his dynamic new series from the launch of the book "Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One". (Quercus, 2011) Great artists have tried and failed to grasp the essence of the Buddha's character. Beyond the narrative and the drama, what was the Buddha actually like? And what can be gleaned from the diverse sources that tell us about him? In this reflective talk Vishavapani looks behind the veils of history, legend and the texts themselves to conjur a vivid, felt image of the Buddha's personality. In a series of beautifully observed close-up drawings from the Pali Canon we are left with a portrait of spiritual genius that is both enigmatically distant and thoroughly human. Vishvapani is a well known figure in the Triratna Buddhist Community and is a regular contributer on the BBC's 'Thought for the Day'. Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre, February 2011. | 5/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Imagining Gautama | Today's FBA Podcast, is the second talk in a major new series of talks by Vishvapani to mark the launch of his new book: 'Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One' (Quercus, 2011). In "Imagining Gautama", originally subtitled, 'Approaching The Buddha As An Historical And As A Mythic Figure', Vishvapani traces his own relationship to the Buddha, from early family connections arising out of the turmoil of war to his experience of writing the book itself. In doing so he explores the tricky work of trying to engage with the imagination constrained and disciplined by the historical evidence. What emerges from his work with the Pali texts is a portrait of the Buddha and his world where it's impossible to miss the vital sense of a man questing for a coherent vision of reality. Features a question-and-answer session. Talk given at the Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2011. Check out our blog for more on this fascinating series. | 5/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Searching for the Buddha – Launch of Gautama Buddha | In today's FBA Podcast, we present: "Searching for the Buddha", the first in a major new series of talks by Vishvapani to mark the launch of his new book: 'Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One' (Quercus, 2011). Vishvapani is a well known figure in the Triratna Buddhist Community and is a regular contributor on the BBC's 'Thought for the Day'. In this talk we meet the Buddha set firmly in his own historical context, with space too for the legendary and particular reference to the natural world. Vishvapani explores the presence of nature in the Pali suttas, exploring its significance in the texts, in our own contemporary mental landscapes and in the imaginative life of a country and its people. Ancient India comes alive as we wander with the Buddha, facing his fears amongst the ghosts of the jungle. There is much that is important for reflection here - the Dharma made fascinating by d**t of the author's depth of engagement with Buddhist practice and the sheer breadth of his cultural reference. Features an extended question-and-answer session (NB, poor sound quality on the questions themselves). Talk given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, January 2011. | 5/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Enchantment to True Delight – Reflections On Stream Entry | In today's FBA Dharmabyte, Punyamala delivers a rich, comprehensive talk: From Enchantment to True Delight - Reflections On Stream Entry. Here, she sets out the path from effective to Real Going For Refuge using the framework of breaking the first three fetters and gaining Stream-entry. Punyamala confidently asserts that Stream-entry is attainable in this lifetime. Using Sangharakshita's terms for these fetters - habit, superficiality and vagueness - she gives clear, practical guidance, in a gently encouraging way, about how to weaken the fetters and develop spiritually. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention, 2009 | 5/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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This Way Up – Living the Spiral Path | In today's FBA Podcast, "This Way Up - Living the Spiral Path" Saraha delivers a beautiful and engaging talk seeped in the Pali Canon. Leading with the Vatthupama, Simile of the Cloth, Sutta, Saraha gives us a very detailed look into the stages of spiritual development as described in the Lokuttara Paticcasamuppada Sutta - The Spiral Path. | 4/29/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Why Read the Sutta Nipata? | Today's FBA Podcast, "Why Read the Sutta Nipata?", by Suriyavamsa, is a thorough and engaging exploration of the why and what of suttas, how they were traditionally passed on through the ages and Kukai's description of how a sutta works on the rational, imaginative and cosmic-mythological levels. Includes beautiful readings on the themes of: skillful speech, grief and fearing death, humility, pleasure, avoiding arguments and worldly desire, finishing with the much loved 'Pingiya's Praises of the Way to the Beyond.' | 4/22/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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On the Hymn to Perfect Wisdom | In the talk On the Hymn to Perfect Wisdom' Kulaprabha beautifully explores these verses of devotion from 'The Perfection of Wisdom in 8000 Lines' and they apply to us, in our lives, in our world. | 4/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Awake to the Cries of the World | In celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community, (formally the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) we bring you an moving and engaging talk by Subhuti: "Awake to the Cries of the World" the keynote talk from the FWBO celebrations a decade ago. How do we respond to the suffering in the world? Subhuti speaks from his experience of years trying to answer that question - the joys and pitfalls of trying to 'help' as part of a committment to the Bodhisattva Ideal. Complete with an introduction by Padmavajra on Avalokiteshvara. Talk given on FWBO Day, 2001. | 4/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Karma and the Consequences of Our Actions | Today's FBA Podcast is titled "Karma and the Consequences of Action". The fourth talk in a five-part series from Tiratanaloka's retreat on the 'Four Mind Turnings' of the Tibetan tradition. Here Ratnadharini takes us a little closer into the often misunderstood area of karma in Buddhist thinking. She draws out the important details of the process that we call 'actions and consequences' - but her emphasis is always on putting what we learn into practice in real life, with other real people. Talk given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005. | 4/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Initation into The Alchemy of Love | In The Alchemy of Love Padmavajra explores the transformative magic that is Bodhichitta practice. A short introduction to the theme here - setting the context for the series and introducing us to Shantideva, whose treatise on Bodhichitta practice (the Bodhicharyavatara) forms the basis of the wonders to be explored Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004 This talk is part of the series The Alchemy of Love. | 3/25/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Enlightenment as Experience and as Non-Experience | In Enlightenment as Experience and as Non-Experience, Sangharakshita exposes a modern disease of frustrated craving for experience. He suggests that spiritual life is better seen in more concrete ways; as growth, work, and duty. Talk given in 1975. | 3/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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This Precious Human Life | In this talk "This Precious Human Life" Kulaprabha skillfully points out that it's not every human life that is precious. Preciousness comes when our human life has arrived at the unique occasion of the 'Eight Freedoms' and at the right juncture of the 'Ten Endowments' - and when we have a faithful heart. Given at Taraloka Retreat Center, February 2008 this talk is one of a series of talks on the Four Reminders or Four Mind-Turnings inspired by Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation'. | 3/11/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Meaning of Parinirvana | In "The Meaning of Parinirvana", Sangharakshita gives a lecture celebrating the anniversary of the Parinirvana or 'death' of the Buddha. It outlines six basic meditation practices crucial to the attainment of the 'Deathless': Enlightenment. N.B. Last few words missing. Talk given in 1972 by Urgyen Sangharakshita. | 3/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 50 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
"Ladies and Gentlemen, an unconditioned thought."
A reflection of the quality of the practice of real western buddhists. Real western people engaging in real western practice, no dilettantes here. Buddhism is not simply its cultural trappings as many practioners might have you believe. Culture provides context for our own lived experience in the present, it should not provide pretext. Humorous and insightful, an absolute jewel amidst the rubish of dharmatunities. Heh. And I want Abhaya to be my Grandfather.
Concise and affirming
The series is a concise summary of Buddhism's basic precepts, that is intellectually consistent and uplifting. Sometimes there are dreary side roads, but in the main the speakers stay on point. Although I am a skeptic when it comes to metaphysical hand-me-downs, the ideas expressed here are solid and will help any honest seeker to advance on the path to understanding what the heck is going on. I wish there were more in the series.
Wonderful material
These are simply excellent!!! I like the variety of speakers. The content is very rich and well presented. I only wish they would publish more of these more frequently. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.
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