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!
Tune in, be inspired!
Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte introduces the first of the Six Emphases of Triratna in a talk entitled and#8220;Ecumenical Buddhismand#8221;. From the talk and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBOand#8221;, here Sangharakshita explains that unlike many Buddhist lineages, Triratna critically engages with and draws from the depth and breadth of the whole Buddhist tradition. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002.
Todayand#8217;s FBA Dharmabyte, called and#8220;Reflecting on Core Triratna Featuresand#8221; is an excerpt from the talk and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of the FWBOand#8221;. It begins with a lovely personal note from Sangharakshita regarding the loss of his eyesight, and his reflections on the beginnings and some of the important features of Triratna (the former FWBO) that those in our community should consider. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2002..
Our FBA Dharmabyte today begins a two-month long series of podcasts around the topic of the Six Emphases of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Our introductory Dharmabyte is called and#8220;The Six Distinctive Emphases of Triratnaand#8221; from the talk and#8220;Looking Back and#8211; and Forwardand#8221; by Sangharakshita. Here he celebrates the 40th anniversary of the FWBO (or Triratna Buddhist Order as it is now named) with a reflection on what makes our tradition unique from other Buddhist traditions. Talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, April 2007.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called The Buddha as Transcendental Guest from the talk The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice by Sangharakshita. In this lecture we are shown how the symbolism of ritual offerings originated in the Hinayana and Mahayana, and later flowered with the Tantric offerings, particularly the offering of the Mandala. From the talk The Symbolism of Offerings and Self-Sacrifice part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment 1971.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Aligning yourself with the Karma Niyama from the talk Spiritual Death and Rebirth, a New Perspective On the Dharma Niyama by Subhuti. The stages of spiritual death and rebirth are key to the system of meditation, they represent the culimination and fulfilment of the Buddhas vision. During this talk given at Padmaloka Subhuti explains some new elements of Sangharakshitas thinking about how they relate to the Niyamas, particularly the Dharma niyama and#8211; exciting, and challenging stuff.
Are we ready to face our own death, and the total transformation it symbolises? Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Overcoming Fear by Sangharakshita. Fear, terror, and heroic virtues: the cremation ground as a symbol of transformation. Talk given in 1971. From the talk The Symbolism of the Cremation Ground and the Celestial Maidens, part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.
Love is a force affecting a miraculous transformation. Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Love and Emptiness by Padmavajra. This is the first in a five part series by Padmavajra on all aspects of the Metta Bhavana practice and and#8216;The Great Loveand#8217; in Buddhist discourse and practice and#8211; from metta (loving kindness) itself to Bodhichitta. His starting point here is to source notions of love in traditional teaching from the Pali Canon and in the great Mahayana sutras. A refreshing take on metta and how to cultivate it in your life. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Magic Rites. From the talk, The Symbolism of Colours and Mantric Sound, where Sangharakshita explores the rich symbolic significance of colour and sound, highlighting their role as crucial agents of transformation. The lecture concludes with a brief introduction to the figure of Manjughosha, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Talk given in 1971. This talk is part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.
It may not be fashionable to speak of visions and angels, but Ananda goes there by looking more deeply at our everyday experiences. Our FBA Dharmabyte today, a true gem, is called Seeing Stars is a short talk by Ananda in the session and#8216;Intensity of engagement with the Dharma lifeand#8217;, given on the European Order Gathering at Wymondham College, August 10 2013. The Theme of the gathering was and#8216;Karma niyama in the service of the Dharma niyamaand#8217;.
The essential act that makes one a Buddhist is Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Then oneand#8217;s life begins to centre on spiritual, not mundane values. Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Not Just a Matter of Recitation by Sangharakshita from the talk Going for Refuge given in 1965. This talk is part of the series The Meaning of Conversion in Buddhism.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Misapprehensions and Misunderstandings. What if all of our emotional and spiritual problems were caused by an incorrect understanding of our true nature? Vajrapriya explores the Buddhaand#8217;s insight that our commonsense assumptions about ourselves are the source of our suffering. Unpicking those assumptions is the first step to the arising of a wisdom that leads to an expansive and liberating way of relating to others and the world. From the talk, The Selfless Mind, talk 2 in a series of 4 talks entitled and#8216;Powers of the Mindand#8217; given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, April 2011.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today drops us into the realm of ritual with a No Labels in Reality. One of the dominant themes in The Diamond Sutra is animitta samadhi, no-thing is supported by any other thing, there is no gift, no giver, no receiver. Excerpted from The Diamond Sutra, a gem of a talk by Abhaya. With his customary dry wit and sharp eye he leads us on the crazy paving path through the Diamond Sutra and#8211; a text guaranteed to turn your world upside-down. Some very funny parts to this talk and#8211; and some excellent evocations of rigorous Dharma practice as part of the everyday business of life. Watch out too for an intriguing discussion of the sutra as Vajrapani and as a zen masterand#8230; Great stuff! Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order national Order weekend 2003
Avalokitesvara plays a key role in the Heart Sutra. In our FBA Dharmabyte today, Avalokitesvara in the Heart Sutra , Taranita charts the history and symbolism of this archetypal figure across Buddhist history and cultures.
Our FBA Dharmabytetoday is an introduction to Padmasambhava:: Overcoming Demons. Padmasambhava, often known as the and#8216;Second Buddhaand#8217;, is famous for converting the demons of Tibet. From the talk Padmasambhava: Tantric Guru of Tibet by Sangharakshita, 1972.
Our FBA Dharmabytetoday is from Vajratara entitled: Ksitigarbha's Jewel. If you really want to have everything, the teaching of Ksitigarbha is not to just give you what you want, but rather to help you change your mind. That state of mind is the bodhicitta, the heart-mind of enlightenment. From the talk, Ksitigarbha given by Vajratara at Sangha Night, Sheffield Buddhist Centre (2nd May 2006), as part of a series on the Refuge Tree of the Triratna Buddhist Order.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today drops us into the realm of ritual with a Manjusri Mantra with Harmonies. From a special Sevenfold Puja recorded on at Jikoji Retreat Center, California, 2008 on a Triratna Buddhist Order Convention. This excerpt is lovely harmonic chanting of the Manjushri (Manjugosha) mantra. Listen to the full puja and#8211; itand#8217;s unusual to hear these rituals performed in Sanskrit and English, so a real treat for all ritual lovers courtesy of Satyadhana, the puja leader. Thereand#8217;s also a special section of chanting at the end, wishing long life for Punya, a much-loved member of the Order who was seriously ill at the time of recording.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called Receiving the Green Tara Sadhana. Hereand#8217;s an excerpt from a great treat from Taraloka Retreat Centre, where Sangharakshita inaugurates their new shrine cabin dedicated to Tara and#8211; the radiant Bodhisattva of compassion, inspiration to many who lead a Buddhist life aspiring to beauty and a steady openness in the face of the mysteries of existence. From the talk, On Tara, by Sangharakshita.
Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called The Conversion of Shariputra by Sangharakshita, from the talk The Meaning of the Dharma given in 1968. Dharma is the experience of reality, and also the expression of that experience in the form of the Buddhaand#8217;s teaching, especially the law of conditionality. It is the raft that carries you to Enlightenment, the further shore; it is whatever helps you to develop spiritually. This talk is part of the series Introducing the Three Jewels of Buddhism.
Even more storytelling! Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called The Mystery of the Buddha, the beginning of a short talk by Khemasuri where she Khemasuri tells the story of Angulimalaand#8217;s meeting with the Buddha. From a talk of the same title, The Mystery of the Buddha.
More storytelling! Our FBA Dharmabyte today is called The Story of Hatthaka an excerpt from the talk of the same title by Ratnaprabha. A brilliantly told story from the Pali Canon, about Hatthaka, who used the 4 sangraha vastus, the four means of creating a sangha, to do exactly that. The four are: generosity, kindly speech, good works or action and exemplification. Ratnaprabha explains these in the companion talk: The 4 Sangraha vastus.