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Dharmachakra

Free Buddhist Audio has been serving free recordings of high quality, full-length Dharma talks since 2006. Over 3 million downloads and counting... Get our free weekly Dharma talk podcast with inspiring speakers on Buddhism, meditation and mindfulness.

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787 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes787

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Feb 15, 2020 · 1 hr 10 min
Holding Ourselves Up to the Golden Light
HHere Saddharaja describes the rainy season in India and its role in the origin of confession practice in Buddhism. He goes on to describe the different kinds of confession practice, their benefits and how they totally differ from confession in other religions. He also introduces the The Sutra of Golden Light's nexus, Chapter 3, The Chapter on Confession with it's great import and beauty. The second of four talks given during the Open Retreat at Padmaloka Retreat Centre in October 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Feb 8, 2020 · 33 min
The Tiny Splash of a Raindrop
The Buddha's Parinirvana marks the final passing of the Buddha two and a half millennia ago. It is an opportunity not just to contemplate on impermanence, but also to rejoice in the example of the Buddha's life and in the precious opportunity our own lives present us with. Dhammadinna delivers in this talk given at Parinirvana Festival at London Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Feb 1, 2020 · 29 min
Sangharakshita Foresees His Death In 'Padmaloka'
Vishvapani beautifully explores Sangharakshita's poem 'Padmaloka' in which he looks forward to his own death. It's a poem about death, rebirth and nature, and Vishvapani connects it to other poetry which it echoes. This talk was given a week after Sangharakshita's death in November 2018 at Cardiff Buddhist Centre. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Jan 25, 2020 · 32 min
Impermanence of This Body
Punyamala explores the Buddhist teachings of impermanence and shares reflections on how to live with the fact of death, using her recent experience of death. This is the Second in a series of four talks given on the four reminders given at Taraloka Retreat Centre called Reflection: A Path of Wisdom. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Jan 18, 2020 · 56 min
Faith, Insight and Transcending the Self
Saccanama offers this thought-provoking talk exploring insight into anatta. What happens when one loses control and renounces the self? Recorded at the Swedish Summer Retreat at Dharmagiri Retreat Centre, July 2019. This talk is part of the series 'To Place the Heart Upon' - Exploring Faith in Buddhism. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Jan 11, 2020 · 31 min
Working With Adversity
When things go wrong in our life we can see them as an obstacle to an ideal spiritual life feel we should be leading. But there's another way of looking at difficulties, and instead of trying to get rid of difficulties, we could be welcoming them as opportunities. Vajratara draws on the Tibetan Mind Training tradition, as well as the Pali Suttas to examine how we can make adversity our teacher and the ground in which wisdom and compassion can grow. Given at Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2018. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Jan 4, 2020 · 54 min
Why Do I Suffer?
A series of personal exchanges with Subhuti about the central issues of life. Subhuti is among the most prominent and experienced of Western Buddhists. He has spent the past forty-odd years practising the Buddha's teachings and travelling the world helping make it possible for others to do the same. Hosted by Subhadramati during his Presidential visit to the London Buddhist Centre, which he was instrumental in founding in 1978. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Dec 28, 2019 · 56 min
The Wisdom in the Parable of The Burning House
Jnanavaca explores the myths and parables of the glorious White Lotus Sutra. This week he unpacks the wisdom of the parable of the Burning House. Includes some questions from the audience. Dharma Night at the London Buddhist Centre, April 6th 2015. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Dec 21, 2019 · 1 hr 39 min
The Drama of Cosmic Enlightenment
After considering the history and the meaning of the title, Sangharakshita provides a summary of The White Lotus Sutra's dramatic structure, with brief explanations of the significance of certain details. Talk given in 1971. This talk is part of the series Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Dec 14, 2019 · 58 min
Shifting to Indras Net
Parami evokes the reality of interconnectedness in relation to the second Dasadhamma - My life is dependent on others. I am sustained by the gifts of others - She talks about how the experience of interconnectedness is supported by wisdom, and results in compassionate activity. This talk is part of the series The Order as Practice: Shifting Paradigms given at Adhisthana, 2015. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Dec 7, 2019 · 1 hr 1 min
The Great Love
Ratnaguna shares with us his great love for the Vimalakirti Nirdesa, a Buddhist Mahayana text he's gone back to again and again and again since 1979. He explores how a Bodhisattva should regard living beings, or how they should develop the Great Love for them, according to the mysterious character Vimalakirti. Talk given at Stockholm Buddhist Center, 27 May 2013. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Nov 30, 2019 · 1 hr
Changing Power to Love
Drawing on Bhante's paper on the Ten Pillars from 1984, the Dhammapada and the Mind Turning teachings, Dhammadinna talks about the paradigm shift we make in our ethical practice from power mode to love mode, and the renunciation of power and blame through which we enter into experience of forgiveness and ksanti. This talk is part of the series The Order as Practice: Shifting Paradigms. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Nov 23, 2019 · 48 min
Redemption Is Possible
Here we have Dharmashalin exploring the question: Who is Milarepa and more importantly how is he relevant to us? He's an incredibly rich character, but what stands out first and foremost is the profound example of transformation, redemption even, that he found in the course of his life. This brings hope to all of us, he changed so we can change… Talk given at Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Nov 16, 2019 · 46 min
Shakyamuni
Saddhanandi is the Chair of Adhisthana and a preceptor. She was for many years the Chair of Taraloka retreat centre. She was a close friend of Bhante Sangharakshita and is noted for her warmth, friendliness and skills as a Dharma teacher. It is a real treat to have her at Sangha Night to share her thoughts on the Buddha Shakyamuni. This talk is part of the series Buddhas and Bodhisattvas given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Nov 9, 2019 · 45 min
Transforming Sangha
Sanghamani with a great second talk from the 2019 Triratna International Gathering. Her theme on this Alchemy of the Dharma weekend is how we can transform ourselves in order to transform our communities. And she leads with fearlessness in discussing her own work and practice in this regard. As a fundraiser at the cutting edge of the practice of connection – trying to forge a sense of mutually vital relationship with strangers (who are not necessarily pleased to find you at their door!) – Sanghamani calls on her rich experience of helping people move beyond their own fear. She also shares some moving accounts of her own transformation from an isolated, angry, pained young adulthood into someone who has dedicated her life to a path of love and its exemplification. In this she stands before us as a "luminous pearl" of that commitment to live in harmony with others. Recorded at Adhisthana, August 2019. This talk is part of the series Alchemy of the Dharma (Triratna International Gathering 2019). *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Nov 2, 2019 · 51 min
Transforming Self
A wonderful first talk of the 2019 International Gathering, whose theme is 'Alchemy of the Dharma'. The utterly delightful Ratnaguna takes us through the true miracle of transforming ourselves via magic of a practice in which we also learn to let ourselves change. This is a beautiful, reflective, funny take on the challenges of the Dharma life. Ratnaguna's breadth of reference is itself a joy: taking in Greek philosophy, Hans Christian Andersen, and writings on the nearness of death to life in any moment. All pointing to, opening into, an experience of freedom and deep beauty. Listen out for his rendition of the Ugly Ducking song! Recorded at Adhisthana, August 2019. This talk is part of the series Alchemy of the Dharma (Triratna International Gathering 2019). *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Oct 26, 2019 · 1 hr
The Myth of the Bodhicitta
What is the Bodhicitta and how do we become receptive to it? Vajratara talks about the paradox behind the Bodhicitta: how it is an experience beyond any personal attainment, yet it arises in us. How can we hold both perspectives? Using the framework of the '3 myths' of the Dharma life, Vajratara evokes the qualities and attitudes we develop to prepare ourselves for the Bodhicitta. A journey around the Suttas and Sutras, stories and poetry, evoking the development of the Bodhicitta. Talk given at Tiratnaloka Retreat Centre (2018) for women who have asked for ordination and assumes some previous study on the Bodhicitta and Bodhisattva Path. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Oct 19, 2019 · 49 min
From Literal to Liberated Mind
In this talk, Sarvananda looks at how our engagement with the arts can help us move from literal mindedness to an imaginative engagement with Buddhist myth and symbol. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre during the 2019 East Anglian Men's Retreat. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Oct 12, 2019 · 59 min
Peace Is a Fire
The Buddha said the world is on fire, fueled by our greed hatred and delusion. Jnanavaca explores how we can raise ourselves to meet the challenges faced by humankind on both an individual and global basis. Can Metta be cultivated so that in can burn brightly with the brilliant flames of peace? Talk given at London Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud
Oct 5, 2019 · 45 min
Using Your Head
To succeed at anything, we need to think; to go about it in a way that's actually going to work. Vadanya examines different metaphors that help us to bring our reasoning and wisdom into action to make spiritual progress. He highlights the importance of creating the right conditions to grow and flourish, particularly the importance of spiritual friendship. Part 5 in the 'Path to Awakening' Sangha night series at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Help keep FBA free for everyone! Become a supporter today. Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast - bite-size pieces of Dharma inspiration, two times a week! Follow our blog for news and new Dharma FBA on Twitter FBA on Facebook FBA on Soundcloud