Free Buddhist Audio

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 dint of the author’s depth of engagement with Buddhist practice and the sheer breadth of his cultural refer

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

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.