Dharmabytes from free buddhist audio

Free Buddhist Audio

Dharmabytes features bite-sized dharma, three times a week, from the Free Buddhist Audio archives. Themed in conjunction with our weekly full length talk podcast, these are inspiring short extracts from over 5,000 talks on Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness!

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1,444 episodes
Updated Monday

Episodes1444

Newest first

Feb 1, 2016 · 7 min
Amoghasiddhi: The Practical Aspect of Enlightenment
In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Amoghasiddhi: The Practical Aspect of Enlightenment, Sangharakshita introduces us to Amoghasiddhi, described as the practical aspect of enlightenment, the mysterious activity of the enlightened mind. It may be an activity of non-activity, but very efficacious none-the-less. An excerpt from The Mandala: Tantric Symbol of Integration by Sangharakshita, 1967, part of the series Aspects of Buddhist Psychology.
Jan 28, 2016 · 6 min
The Buddha's Introduction to the Worship of Amitabha
In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, The Buddhaand#8217;s Introduction to the Worship of Amitabha, Sangharakshita gives voice to this poetic Buddhist scripture describing the wonderful Pureland of the Buddha Amitabha. From the talk The Larger Sukhavativyuha Sutra by Sangharakshita
Jan 25, 2016 · 5 min
Amitabha's Acceptance
In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, Amitabhaand#8217;s Acceptance, Saddhaloka introduces us to Amitabha, the red Buddha of the West who represents and inspires the highest love of alland#8230; The full talk entitled Amitabha was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, winter retreat, 1997
Jan 21, 2016 · 4 min
Invocation to Ratnasambhava
Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is an Invocation to Ratnasambhava recited by Gambhiranandi, written by Vessantara, to open a Full Moon Puja dedicated to Ratnasambhava. Given at the Croydon Buddhist Centre in August 2015 as part of the regular Saturday Sangha Morning class.
Jan 18, 2016 · 4 min
Exalted Beauty
In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte Ratnaprabha offers a delightful story of Nanda and the dove-footed nymphs in a track weand#8217;re calling: >Exhaulted Beauty. Ratnasambhava represents the beauty of appreciation, one of the most positive functions that one can develop. In the appreciative mode, nothing is ugly. The story of the Buddhaand#8217;s half brother, Nanda, helps illustrate how we can use more immediate desires as motivators on the path. We can shift from appropriation to appreciation. From the talk Ratnasambhava and the Path of Beauty, the 8th talk from the The Mandala of the Five Buddha given at Padmalokaand#8217;s 2012 Winter Retreat.
Jan 14, 2016 · 4 min
Akshobya: The Dark Blue Buddha
Having now entered the mandala, in todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte we meet Akshobya: The Dark Blue Buddha. From the talk The Mandala: Tantric Symbol of Integration by Sangharakshita, 1967. The Tantras (special scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism) frequently refer to mandalas, circles of symbolic forms. Sangharakshita describes the mandala of the five Buddhas, its use as a symbol of psychological and spiritual integration, and the meaning of its sexual symbolism. This talk is part of the series Aspects of Buddhist Psychology.
Jan 11, 2016 · 3 min
Opening to the Mandala
Our theme on mandalas continues as we hear from Ratnavandana who has been teaching on the Brahma Viharas for decades using the Five Buddha Mandala as a basis for their exploration. The FBA Dharmabyte we choose is entitled Opening to the Mandala, an excerpt from the talk Living In the Mandala. This is the second talk of the 2015 Rainy Season Retreat in Bristol, UK, 2015, led by Ratnavandana who embarks on a personal sharing of how her life has been transformed by deciding to go and live in the mandala of the Brahma Viharas and the Jinas themselves. Her deep love of the practices represents both an inspired and eminently practical vision of how to orientate yourself on the great map of the wayand#8230;
Jan 7, 2016 · 4 min
The Bodhimanda
Our theme on mandalas continues with todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte as we learn about the origins of the mandala in Buddhist practice. An excerpt from the third talk on The Mandala of the Five Buddhas, Ratnasambhava and the Mandala by Ratnaprabha. Here he describes the early origins of the mandala as the Bodhi-manda, the circle of awakening. Given at Padmalokaand#8217;s 2012 Winter Retreat on the Mandala as part of the series The Mandala of the Five Buddhas.
Jan 4, 2016 · 6 min
Personal Mandalas
We continue our opening theme for 2016 on mandalas with todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte Jvalamalini offers a gentle and thorough introduction to mandalas, in this excerpt the focus is on our personal lives. What's central is what is most important to us. and#8220;Personal Mandalasand#8221; is an excerpt from the full talk entitled Introduction to Mandalas, given at the Bristol Buddhist Centre, UK.
Dec 31, 2015 · 13 min
Vajrasattva: Purification
Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, by Sangharakshita, is an introduction to what is likely the most important of the four mula-yogas, the indispensable preparatory practices of the Vajrayana devotee. and#8220;Vajrasattva: Purificationand#8221; is an excerpt from The Four Foundation Yogas of the Tibetan Buddhist Tantra, given in 1968 as part of the series An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism.
Dec 28, 2015 · 3 min
Impermanence of This Body
Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, by Punyamala, is entitled and#8220;Impermanence of This Bodyand#8221;. An excerpt from the talk of the same title, Punyamala eloquently reminds us that the Buddhist vision is unique, summed up by the Buddha's last words, "Impermanent are all conditioned things, with mindfulness, strive on." This talk was given at Taraloka on a mitra retreat called Reflection: A Path of Wisdom
Dec 24, 2015 · 8 min
Retracing our Steps on the Path
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems this month. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is entitled and#8220;Retracing our Steps on the Pathand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;A Life for the Dharmaand#8221;, by Sangharakshita, a moving, often beautiful evocation of the great Indian teacher Atisha, whose work had a profound influence on the development of Buddhism in Tibet. Sangharakshita presents Atishaand#8217;s life as both a challenge and an inspiration to all who wish to practice the Dharma and discover its relevance in the world today. Talk given in 1999. This talk is part of the series Three Lectures to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order. If we are mentally confused and find ourselves not making progress on the spiritual path, we have to go back to meditation. But suppose our meditation is unsatisfactory and we are troubled be all sorts of wandering thoughts? If we cannot concentrate, we have to get back to shila, ethics. An ethical life is an integrated life, the more integrated the easier we will be able to meditate. But suppose our practice of ethics is difficult? Causing harm, taking the not given, false or harsh, useless or disharmonious speech, and so on, we need to get back to the path of regular steps.
Dec 21, 2015 · 1 min
Before Dawn
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems this month. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;Before Dawnand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;Hercules and the Birdsand#8221;, read by the author and published by Windhorse Publications, Glasgow, 1990.
Dec 17, 2015 · 1 min
Life is King
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems this month. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;Life is Kingand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;Conquering New Worldsand#8221;, read by the author and published by Windhorse Publications, Glasgow, 1986.
Dec 14, 2015 · 2 min
Orpheus in the Underworld
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems this month. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;Orpheus in the Underworldand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;Conquering New Worldsand#8221;, read by the author and published by Windhorse Publications, Glasgow, 1986.
Dec 10, 2015 · 6 min
The Caves
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is an excerpt from and#8220;The Caves of Bhajaand#8221;, a moving poem in memory of Dharmachari Anagarika Maha Dhammavira, written, introduced and read by Sangharakshita. Full talk available here: and#8220;The Caves of Bhajaand#8221;.
Dec 7, 2015 · 8 min
The Elder Revealed – Gentleness Prevails
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s writings and poems over the next few weeks. In todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, and#8220;The Elder Revealedand#8221;, an excerpt from his own elegant and moving unpublished story, Sanghrakshita evokes the spiritual efforts of a monk who occupies the and#8216;Holy Manand#8217;s Caveand#8217; above an Indian village at the time of the Buddha. From and#8220;The Caveand#8221;, read by the author. Questioning our friends affectionately leaves them feeling as if they are not being questioned at all. Allowing answers to emerge from the deep, hidden aspects of ourselves, reveals our deepest truth. Hear Sumana's feelings about the Buddha, a wandering monk, and his spiritual efforts under the inspiration of the Dharma.
Dec 3, 2015 · 2 min
The Lotus of Compassion
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;The Lotus of Compassionand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;Conquering New Worldsand#8221;, read by the author and published by Windhorse Publications, Glasgow, 1986.
Nov 30, 2015 · 3 min
The Bodhisattva's Reply
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;The Bodhisattvaand#8217;s Replyand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;Conquering New Worldsand#8221;, read by the author and published by Windhorse Publications, Glasgow, 1986.
Nov 26, 2015 · 2 min
The Modern Bard
Weand#8217;ve been moved to share an abundant handful of Sangharakshitaand#8217;s poems over the next few weeks. Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte is a poem entitled and#8220;The Modern Bardand#8221;. Selected from and#8220;An Autobiographical Sequence of Poemsand#8221;, read by the author and recorded at FWBO celebrations in London, September 1990.