Free Buddhist Audio

This week'sFBA Podcast entitled "The Heroic Ideal in Buddhism" is a 1969 talk by Sangharakshita. Buddhism is sometimes seen as weak or negative. Using examples from the Pali Canon and Mahayana texts, this lecture shows that, on the contrary, heroic and positive qualities are essential in the Buddhist spiritual aspirant's quest for Enlightenment.

In this week'sFBA Podcast, "Walking On Lotuses", Punyamala offers a personal talk on receptivity on the anniversary of her seven year review as a private preceptor. To learn more about joining the Triratna Buddhist Order, see The Buddhist Centre Online. This talk was given by Punyamala on the Triratna Buddhist Order European Order Gathering at Wymondham College August 26 2012. The theme of the gathering was Spiritual Receptivity.

In this week'sFBA Podcast, "Parables From the White Lotus Sutra – the Burning House", Jnanavaca kicks off a new seminar series exploring the myths and parables of the glorious White Lotus Sutra. In this talk he unpacks the wisdom of the parable of the Burning House. Dharma Night at the LBC, April 6th 2015

How do we know? This week's FBA Podcast is the first of three rambles from Subhuti, entitled "Knowledge of Reality – Ramble One". Subhuti draws inspiration from Europe's first Buddhist, Schopenhauer, and India's ancient Yogachara. With immaculate clarity Subhuti takes us deep into the nature of mind and beyond. Talk given at the London Buddhist Centre in October 2014.

This week'sFBA Podcast, "Sowing Seeds In the Soil of the Mind – The Alaya" by Ratnaprabha. The alaya or storehouse consciousness is the Buddhist equivalent of the unconscious mind. It is like a garden, in which every experience and action sows a seed which may later sprout and create our unfolding life. This talk describes how this relates to the six sense awarenesses, the mind as a sense, and the contaminated mind which reads everything in terms of self and not self. Mindfulness finds a creative path between leaving the alaya on autopilot, and allowing the contaminated mind to interfere and fill the garden with weeds and rubbish.

This week'sFBA Podcast is a talk from Vadanya entitled "Stirring the Depths." From the depths of ourselves to the depths of the universe, Vadanya reminds us that to be fulfilled we need to live a life in harmony with the nature of reality Using images, mantra, mythic stories to bring us into the depths of our experience, this beautiful talk was given on a men's ordination training retreat at Padmaloka.

This week'sFBA Podcast is a talk from Parami on "Buddha Day (2012)." Celebrating the Buddha's Enlightenment on the full moon day in May, Parami delivers an inspiring talk marking this occasion at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre.

We've all read the words of the Buddha – but what did he SOUND like? What might it have been like to actually hear him…? In ourFBA Podcast: this week, Ratnaguna gives us a beautifully imaginative and well-researched evovation of the Buddha entitled:"The Voice of the Buddha." Talk given on the 2012 Triratna International Retreat, under the overall theme 'Imagining the Buddha.'

Dhammarati brings us this week'sFBA Podcast entitled: "The Triratna Emphasis On Going For Refuge." Dhammarati explores Going for Refuge and its central emphasis in the Triratna Buddhist Order here, bringing in the story of his own spiritual journey as an example of finding one's unique response. He also looks to historical sources to identify some of the ways we can deepen our connection practically and experientially. Talk given on the Men's Going for Refuge Retreat at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, 2013, Part 1 of a 4-part series.

Dharmashalin brings us this week's FBA Podcast: "An Introduction to the Triratna Community." A broad overview of the conditions and history behind the Triratna Buddhist Community, comes with a healthy side order of questions about narrative and how we tell stories.

We are delighted to share this week's FBA Podcast entitled, "Introduction to the Brahma Viharas." Here, Ratnavandana beautifully introduces the Brahma Viharas as an integrated set of practices flowing from metta – loving kindness. Her central image is that of a tree, deep rooted and spreading its canopy wide as she evokes a profound, personal connection to the cultivation of the sublime abodes – loving kindness, compassion, joy with others, and equanimity. Ratnavandana also leads a guided meditation on cultivating a connection to the Brahma Viharas. This talk was given as part of the 2015 Rainy Season Retreat at Bristol Buddhist Centre. The full archive of this retreat is available on The Buddhist Center Online.

In this week's FBA Podcast, "Eros and Beauty – Beauty As Refuge," Subhadramati continues the series exploring the place of Eros and Beauty in the Buddhist life by drawing out the experience of poetry and connecting with strangers. 26th January 2015, London Buddhist Center

In this week's FBA Podcast, Vadanya shares much to reflect on in the "Sutra of Golden Light." This is the first of two talks given during the Men`s Event in November 2009 on the theme of the Sutra of Golden Light. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Center, 2009

The Pure Land Sutras are described as practices, not texts to be read and understood, but rather engaged with as if a piece of music, inviting us to awaken our imagination. Ratnaguna gives us a in depth look at the beauty in the Sukhavati Sutras in this week's FBA Podcast: "Adventures In the Pure Land – Beauty." This is the 2nd talk in a series of four talks inspired by the Pure Land Sutras at Triratna Night at Manchester Buddhist Centre. February 9th 2015

This week's FBA Podcast is a gem from Vajratara entitled: "The Buddha, The Bodhicitta and Bhante." Vajratara introduces the Bodhicitta in an easily accessible format: what, why and how. She starts with the symbolism of the Buddha's own Bodhisattva vow at the time of Dipankara, the previous Buddha. She also draws out Sangharakshita s unique understanding of the Bodhicitta and how that has shaped the Triratna Order and Movement. Given at Tiratanaloka on a retreat for women training for Ordination.

Does Buddhism have anything to say about the recent attacks in Paris? What about liberal democracy; does Buddhism agree? Our FBA Podcast this week, "The Diamond Throne" explores these very questions. With characteristic intelligence and sensitivity, Chairman of the Centre Jnanavaca launches 2015 by exploring such issues via the vision of the Vajrasana – the diamond throne.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Building the Buddhaland". Here Dayamala discusses the various aspects of the Buddhaland and how we, as Buddhist practitioners, can hope to take part in the building of it.

Our FBA Podcast this week is "Adventures in the Pure Land – Happiness". Here Ratnaguna begins a series of four special talks at Manchester Buddhist Centre on the Pure Land sutras, with an exploration on the theme of Happiness.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Death and the Self, and the Buddha's Unanswered Questions". Here Vaddhaka delves into the Buddha's unanswered questions; questions that Vacchagotta, Malunkyaputta and others asked him. Among them: 'What happens to a Buddha after death?' And what happens at our own death; what did the Buddha really say; and why did the renowned Buddhist scholar Paul Williams convert from Buddhism to Roman Catholicism?

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "Bodhicitta and Spiritual Death" by Vijayamala, a talk given as part of the Understanding, Exploring and Realising Spiritual Death retreat, led by Kamalashila and Vijayamala, at Adhisthana Dec 2014.

Our FBA Podcast this week is entitled "The Mystery of Exchanging Self and Other". This is the fifth in a series of six talks given by Padmavajra, based on verses from Shantideva's 'Guide to The Bodhisattva's Way of Life', otherwise known as 'The Bodhicaryavatara'. Talks given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, on the Winter Retreat, December 2011 – January 2012.

This week's FBA Podcast, "Awareness Is Revolutionary", by Sona, takes a sharp look at Buddhism and secular mindfulness. Calling on his many years experience working with Breathworks, Sona explores how we use the Buddha's teaching and mindfulness to alleviate pain and suffering.

In this wide-ranging FBA Podcast entitled "Understanding Money, Understanding Ourselves", Siddhisambhava encourages us to talk about money more and suggests reasons why we often find that so hard to do. She outlines the Buddha's approach to money and encourages us become clearer and more confident in it.

In this week's FBA Podcast Subhuti gives a rousing talk on "The History of and Value in Team-Based Right Livelihood" within the Triratna Buddhist Movement. He then goes on to explain why it is so important; because it represents an opportunity to live a 'full' Buddhist life for ourselves and present society with an alternative to consumerism

In this week's FBA Podcast Saddharaja discusses "Meaningful Work and Values" in light of his own experience in a Right Livelihood business. He posits that most people in the modern world might find meaning in their work, and explores how Buddhists can make meaningful work a spiritual practice.

In this week's FBA Podcast Guhyavajra explores "Ethics as Insight Practice". Ethics is as an important stage in the path leading to wisdom, but how are ethics and insight interrelated?

This week's FBA Podcast entitled "The Texture of Reality", is an early lecture from Sangharakshita on Insight, recorded in 1966, dealing with the three marks (lakshanas) of conditioned existence and their transcendence via the three liberations (vimokshas).

This week's FBA Podcast entitled "Meeting the Suffering of the World", by Maitrisara, was the last in a series of talks at Dharmapala College celebrating "40 Years of the New Society". Here Maitrisara takes on the topic of compassion in action.

A robust talk for this week's FBA Podcast entitled "A Challenge to the Modern World", by Sagaraghosa, critiquing structural elements of our society from a Buddhist standpoint, and exploring what we can do to bring about a society more in line with Reality.

Grounding his talk in the Kosambiya and Anuruddha suttas in this week's FBA Podcast entitled "Why We Need the New Society", Vajragupta guides us through how we can create the conditions for the seeds of selflessness to grow and develop in the framework of the New Society as described by Sangharakshita: communities, centres and working together.

in this week's FBA Podcast, Padmavajra, one of Sangharakshita's closest disciples, offers his own perspective on Sangharakshita as a practitioner with a rich sense of the mythic context pervading all his thinking about the Buddha and his teaching, in a talk entitled "Glimpses of the Mythic Life of Sangharakshita".

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in this week's FBA Podcast, Vidyadevi remembers her time working with Sangharakshita to edit books based on his lectures and seminars. Entitled "Simple Gifts", it's a reflection on friendship with her spiritual teacher. Given during the Rainy Season Retreat at Manchester Buddhist Centre in February 2014.

Achala responds to the question, "Who is Sangharakshita?" in this week's FBA Podcast, drawing from his own experiences and those of others. He looks at Sangharakshita's significance as a spiritual teacher, his qualities and his life. This talk was given at Nottingham Buddhist centre in April 2014.

Vajratara brings us this week's FBA Podcast entitled: "From the Bodhicaryavatara." The Mahayana emphasizes the great goal of the spiritual life – the immeasurable energy, wisdom and compassion. This is what life is about, this is what the path of the spiritual practitioner is all about. Vajratara explores Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara at Sangha Night, Sheffield Buddhist Centre on 18th March 2008. Part of a series on Great Buddhist Texts.

Vessantara leads us on a journey to discover "Spiritual Receptivity" for this week's FBA Podcast. This is the first in a thoroughly engaging set of talks and led meditations. From beginning to end, we get to experience the full flavor of the retreat that these segments were recorded from, held at Adhisthana in 2014. Vessantara deftly weaves Spiritual Receptivity together with the greater mandala of the Triratna System of Practice, bringing in aspects of each of the stages of the system and helping to put receptivity in the context of the spiritual life as a whole. Talks given at Adhisthana, February 2014

This week's FBA Podcast, "Great Faith, Great Wisdom," by Ratnaguna, is from the 2014 Men's Order Convention.

This week's FBA Podcast, is another brilliant talk from the European Combined Order Convention. In "Wow! Opening to Insight," Viveka gives us much to reflect upon in our practice in a world that needs our presence. Are we ready to awaken to all sorts of astonishing things? What do you know from direct experience? What we see is pratitya-samutpada, which isn't a view, but rather a description of how things are. In the lasagnas we see that all of our conditions are a proximate cause for insight arising – just be curious…and have a look! We need to be more unconditionally loving as a community in order to support the arising of insight.

This week's FBA Podcast, is entitled "Singing the Song of the Order," by Jnanacandra. One of two talks on more devotional approaches to Insight, given at the European Combined Order Convention held at Wymondham College on 24 August 2014. The theme of the convention was "The Bodhisattva's Reply: Triratna Paths to Insight".

This week's FBA Podcast, "Radical Change – Learning to Be Free ," is a talk by Sona given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre in April 2012. He explores how we can make real, even radical, changes to our lives through waking up to life with awareness.

This week's FBA Podcast, "Padmasambhava's Advice to the Three Fortunate Women," comes to us from Glasgow Buddhist Centre, 2010. Padmolka looks at the first section of Padmasambhava's Advice to The Three Fortunate Women from The Life and Liberation of Padmasambhava. She begins by saying a bit about Padmasambhava subduing the demons of Tibet and the circumstances around the time when this teaching is given. Padmasambhava is asked for a short, practical teaching which can be learned by heart to help Queen Nang Chung to practice the Dharma and ultimately lead her to Buddhahood. She then goes through the verse, pulling out it's themes and meaning.

This week's FBA Podcast is a quite unusual and unexpectedly intimate talk from Sangharakshita, "Dreams and Rebirth." Given at the wonderful old converted church that is now the resplendent Sheffield Buddhist Centre in the UK. Some lovely, evocative accounts from his personal dreamlife – tales of mediaeval monks! – and a significant and highly personal exploration of the whole area of Buddhist views on rebirth and re-becoming. Much food for thought here from a wholly atmospheric and clearly enjoyable occasion. Talk given at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2008

This week's FBA Podcast, "The Mandala of the Buddha," is a talk given by Kamalashila on the 2012 Triratna International Retreat, in which he explores the 'Mandala of the Buddha' – some of the Buddha's many qualities which, perhaps, gave rise to the later Mahayana 'Mandala of the Five Buddhas'.

Vajratara delivers our FBA Podcast this week, "Energy, the Tantric Precepts and Enlightenment." An exploration of what energy means in the spiritual life and how to work with it, especially referencing Sangharakshita's 'Tantric' version of the Five Precepts. Given at the 2011 National Young Triratna Buddhists Weekend retreat exploring the theme of 'Energy for Enlightenment'. See www.buddhismtoday.co.uk for more young Buddhists' events.

In this week's FBA Podcast, "Eight Step Recovery" Vimalasara speaks on the importance of loving oneself as a part of recovery from addiction as an introduction to her new book, co-authored with Paramabandhu, entitled 'Eight Step Recovery – Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction'. She goes on to discuss the life conditions that she and Paramabandhu have emerged from, and how those energies came together and inspired the writing of the book. Outlining the eight steps, Vimalasara demonstrates that, while the book was mainly written for those in recovery, it is in some way for everyone. The talk is followed by a question and answer session.

Words are not adequate to describe things as they are, and yet Ratnaguna does a remarkable job! This week's FBA Podcast, "The Buddhas Two Great Gifts to the World" Ratnaguna explores the gifts of discourse and practice. This talk was given to to promote a new buddhist centre in Stockholm.

This week's FBA Podcast is entitled: "Make Yourself An Island." Reflecting on her favourite lines from the Paranibbana Sutta, Jvalamalini explores how to become an island in the midst of the eight worldly winds, especially how to steer through praise and blame, and fame and infamy by developing true individuality, and spiritual receptivity.

This week's FBA Podcast was given at the London Buddhist Centre's Dharma Day celebration, July 2014. "Dharma and Nature" by Dhivan, author of "This Being, That Becomes". The word Dharma means many things, including "nature" – referring to how things work, the true nature of things. We also use the word to refer to the whole interconnected living world. The meanings of the world only partly overlap, which gives us the starting point for this precise, thoughtful, evocative Dharma talk.

This week's FBA Podcast comes to us from Amalaketu entitled "A Hopeful Buddhist Response to Environmental Crisis". How, as Buddhists, can we respond appropriately to the current environmental crisis. Talk given on Sangha Night at Norwich Buddhist Centre on 1st July 2014.

We are pleased to share the three keynote talks from last month's International Retreat. Our third FBA Podcast in the series is "Altruism, Actually – Getting Out and Doing It". Mokshini introduces us to Buddhist Action Month and asks us to consider how our actions have consequences and how we practise the precepts as consumers. Talk given at the Triratna International Retreat 2014 held at Adhisthana on 26th May 2014.