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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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Jul 11, 2015 · 47 min
Reaching Out – Communicating the Dharma From Our Appreciation, Courage and Conviction
'The dharma changes lives, it has changed our own and it can change others.' This week's FBA Podcast is a talk by Dharmashalin he called: "Reaching Out – Communicating the Dharma From Our Appreciation, Courage and Conviction." Buddhism is a communication, the Buddha, gained Awakening and shared his experience with others which has led us to be here today. This is the origins of Outreach, taking the Dharma to others. I have started working for the Birmingham Buddhist Centre to do just that, continuing a strong tradition here of taking the Dharma out. But, that communication needs to be grounded in our own awareness and appreciation of what we have benefitted from. We can all cultivate this awareness and in fact any time we take the risk to tell others about our values – that is a moment of outreach. All of us associated with the Centre can do this, and together we can help spread the Dharma more and more widely.
Jul 4, 2015 · 1 hr 14 min
Buddhism and the Language of Myth
This week's FBA Podcast entitled "Buddhism and the Language of Myth" is part of the series Ritual and Devotion in Buddhism by Sangharakshita. Buddhism is the most rational of religions. But it appeals no less to the heart than to the head, using the language of myth to do so. Examples are four 'myths' from the Buddha's biography, here correlated with four of Jung's archetypes.
Jun 27, 2015 · 1 hr 14 min
Here Be Dragons: Pitfalls, Disasters and Dead-Ends on the Spiritual Quest
This week'sFBA Podcast entitled "Here Be Dragons: Pitfalls, Disasters and Dead-Ends on the Spiritual Quest" by Vessantara. A hugely enjoyable piece – and something a little bit different from the average Dharma talk. For here we have the Buddhist path laid out in terms of Arthurian legend and the Quest for the Holy Grail. Knights, chivalry, adventures and disasters – it's all here. And, of course, true wisdom where the gallant, sometimes errant, hero least expects to find it. Just like in a story… Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Men's National Order Weekend, August 2002
Jun 20, 2015 · 1 hr 3 min
The Heroic Ideal in Buddhism
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.
Jun 13, 2015 · 55 min
Walking On Lotuses
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.
Jun 6, 2015 · 56 min
Parables From the White Lotus Sutra – the Burning House
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
May 30, 2015 · 1 hr 2 min
Knowledge of Reality – Ramble One
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.
May 23, 2015 · 1 hr 3 min
Sowing Seeds In the Soil of the Mind – The Alaya
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.
May 16, 2015 · 1 hr 1 min
Stirring the Depths
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.
May 9, 2015 · 50 min
Buddha Day Talk
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.
May 2, 2015 · 59 min
The Voice of the Buddha
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.'
Apr 25, 2015 · 51 min
The Triratna Emphasis On Going For Refuge
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.
Apr 18, 2015 · 43 min
An Introduction to the Triratna Community
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.
Apr 11, 2015 · 55 min
Introduction to the Brahma Viharas
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.
Apr 4, 2015 · 1 hr 1 min
Eros and Beauty – Beauty As Refuge
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
Mar 28, 2015 · 1 hr 4 min
Sutra of Golden Light
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
Mar 21, 2015 · 50 min
Adventures In the Pure Land – Beauty
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
Mar 14, 2015 · 56 min
The Buddha, The Bodhicitta and Bhante
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.
Mar 7, 2015 · 57 min
The Diamond Throne
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.
Feb 28, 2015 · 31 min
Building the Buddhaland
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.