Free Buddhist Audio

fba-appeal-2011.mp3

Searching for the Buddha – Launch of Gautama Buddha

In today's FBA Podcast, we present: "Searching for the Buddha", the first in a major new series of talks by Vishvapani to mark the launch of his new book: 'Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One' (Quercus, 2011). Vishvapani is a well known figure in the Triratna Buddhist Community and is a regular contributor on the BBC's 'Thought for the Day'. In this talk we meet the Buddha set firmly in his own historical context, with space too for the legendary and particular reference to the natural world. Vishvapani explores the presence of nature in the Pali suttas, exploring its significance in the texts, in our own contemporary mental landscapes and in the imaginative life of a country and its people. Ancient India comes alive as we wander with the Buddha, facing his fears amongst the ghosts of the jungle. There is much that is important for reflection here – the Dharma made fascinating by dint of the author's depth of engagement with Buddhist practice and the sheer breadth of his cultural reference. Features an extended question-and-answer session (NB, poor sound quality on the questions themselves). Talk given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, January 2011.

Enchantment to True Delight – Reflections On Stream Entry

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, Punyamala delivers a rich, comprehensive talk: From Enchantment to True Delight – Reflections On Stream Entry. Here, she sets out the path from effective to Real Going For Refuge using the framework of breaking the first three fetters and gaining Stream-entry. Punyamala confidently asserts that Stream-entry is attainable in this lifetime. Using Sangharakshita's terms for these fetters – habit, superficiality and vagueness – she gives clear, practical guidance, in a gently encouraging way, about how to weaken the fetters and develop spiritually. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention, 2009

This Way Up – Living the Spiral Path

In today's FBA Podcast, "This Way Up – Living the Spiral Path" Saraha delivers a beautiful and engaging talk seeped in the Pali Canon. Leading with the Vatthupama, Simile of the Cloth, Sutta, Saraha gives us a very detailed look into the stages of spiritual development as described in the Lokuttara Paticcasamuppada Sutta – The Spiral Path.

Why Read the Sutta Nipata?

Today's FBA Podcast, "Why Read the Sutta Nipata?", by Suriyavamsa, is a thorough and engaging exploration of the why and what of suttas, how they were traditionally passed on through the ages and Kukai's description of how a sutta works on the rational, imaginative and cosmic-mythological levels. Includes beautiful readings on the themes of: skillful speech, grief and fearing death, humility, pleasure, avoiding arguments and worldly desire, finishing with the much loved 'Pingiya's Praises of the Way to the Beyond.'

On the Hymn to Perfect Wisdom

In the talk On the Hymn to Perfect Wisdom' Kulaprabha beautifully explores these verses of devotion from 'The Perfection of Wisdom in 8000 Lines' and they apply to us, in our lives, in our world.

Awake to the Cries of the World

In celebration of the 43rd anniversary of the founding of the Triratna Buddhist Community, (formally the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order) we bring you an moving and engaging talk by Subhuti: "Awake to the Cries of the World" the keynote talk from the FWBO celebrations a decade ago. How do we respond to the suffering in the world? Subhuti speaks from his experience of years trying to answer that question – the joys and pitfalls of trying to 'help' as part of a committment to the Bodhisattva Ideal. Complete with an introduction by Padmavajra on Avalokiteshvara. Talk given on FWBO Day, 2001.

Karma and the Consequences of Our Actions

Today's FBA Podcast is titled "Karma and the Consequences of Action". The fourth talk in a five-part series from Tiratanaloka's retreat on the 'Four Mind Turnings' of the Tibetan tradition. Here Ratnadharini takes us a little closer into the often misunderstood area of karma in Buddhist thinking. She draws out the important details of the process that we call 'actions and consequences' – but her emphasis is always on putting what we learn into practice in real life, with other real people. Talk given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005.

Initation into The Alchemy of Love

In The Alchemy of Love Padmavajra explores the transformative magic that is Bodhichitta practice. A short introduction to the theme here – setting the context for the series and introducing us to Shantideva, whose treatise on Bodhichitta practice (the Bodhicharyavatara) forms the basis of the wonders to be explored Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004 This talk is part of the series The Alchemy of Love.

Enlightenment as Experience and as Non-Experience

In Enlightenment as Experience and as Non-Experience, Sangharakshita exposes a modern disease of frustrated craving for experience. He suggests that spiritual life is better seen in more concrete ways; as growth, work, and duty. Talk given in 1975.

This Precious Human Life

In this talk "This Precious Human Life" Kulaprabha skillfully points out that it's not every human life that is precious. Preciousness comes when our human life has arrived at the unique occasion of the 'Eight Freedoms' and at the right juncture of the 'Ten Endowments' – and when we have a faithful heart. Given at Taraloka Retreat Center, February 2008 this talk is one of a series of talks on the Four Reminders or Four Mind-Turnings inspired by Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation'.

The Meaning of Parinirvana

In "The Meaning of Parinirvana", Sangharakshita gives a lecture celebrating the anniversary of the Parinirvana or 'death' of the Buddha. It outlines six basic meditation practices crucial to the attainment of the 'Deathless': Enlightenment. N.B. Last few words missing. Talk given in 1972 by Urgyen Sangharakshita.

Becoming a Citizen of the Present

In this thoughtful, sympathetic talk, "Becoming a Citizen of the Present", Srivati expounds on the most delicate of tasks in any life – how to live in the present moment. Exploring the subtle aspects of past and present, of memory and expectation, we encounter impermanence as the touchstone of our experience through storytelling (Bahiya of the Bark Garment) and the practice of writing – especially poetry. A lovely set of challenges to become 'citizens of the present' and inhabit properly our own potential for change. Talk given to the Triratna (Western) Buddhist Order National Order Weekend, 2001

Dying to Live

In this talk, "Dying to Live" Vidyamala gives a strong account of working with suffering and sorrow in life, and of transforming your experience into one characterized by contentment and a sense of meaning. From her own practice of living with chronic pain comes a sane and unsentimental perspective that affords us all a measure of genuine optimism as we meet the trials of the world: bereavements and losses of all kinds can be met with a kindness and awareness that gently ease the burden, allowing something of peace to enter our lives again. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Women's Convention 2003

Generating Bodhi Mind

In this talk, "Generating Bodhi Mind" Vajratara guides us through the second section of Tsongkhapa's short text on "The Three Principle Aspects of the Path". The verses contain some strong and striking images for what it feels like being caught in Samsara and they come to life in Vajratara's talk. She relates how she nearly came to death herself swept away by a Indonesian river and that was just an ordinary river current, never mind the current of Samsara! At the end of the talk she suggests that of the Bodhicitta practises we might take up – the puja or the various reflections on the suffering of beings – the most useful and effective Bodhichitta practice is the practice of sangha, of spiritual community. Talk given at Taraloka, May 2009.

The Ideal of Universal Awakening

In this talk, "The Ideal of Universal Awakening" Nagapriya explores the emergence of the Bodhisattva Ideal in the Mahayana tradition. Nagapriya discusses the historical context in which this basic concept developed, its ties to early Buddhist texts, and what the bodhisattva's life entails, on both the mundane and cosmic levels. This is the second talk in a five-part series called Visions of Mahayana Buddhism given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, 2009.

Great Compassion Penetrates Into the Marrow of the Bones

"Great Compassion Penetrates into the Marrow of the Bones" – A stirring and penetrating talk by Dhammadinna around the image that a Bodhisattva's compassion runs as deep as their very bones. Nagarjuna, Milarepa and others add their voices as Dhammadinna makes an emotionally resonant but clear-eyed attempt to lay out the ground of a practice that is moving towards the development of Bodhichitta. Why bother? she asks us, and shows how open-heartedness can respond realistically and well to suffering in our own lives and in the lives of others. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention, 2009

Out of Compassion for the World

In this talk, "Out of Compassion for the World", Parami explores the theme of the Buddha's compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other – it emerged from his realisation of 'Emptiness'. The Buddha realised full well how hard it was going to be to communicate what he had discovered to other people – to us. He knew that the grip of greed, hatred and delusion is very strong. He could imagine how vexatious it might be to teach. Fortunately for us, he could also see our potential. And so out of compassion he taught. Talk given at FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka, May 08

Loving What Is

In this talk "Loving What Is" Vajrapriya shares his own nitty gritty practice of dealing with hatred, clearing the way for a more mettaful response. "Metta is what arises when you realize that being human isn't easy." With an introduction by Jnanavaca. To read about some of our volunteers who helped make this talk available, please see our post on Triratna News.

Demon of Choice

In this talk, "Demon of Choice" Aryadhara works with a team from the Young People's Group in Cambridge (England) to give a series of short talks under the theme "Taming the Demons of the Modern World" in celebrating Padmasambhava, the Great Guru of Tibet. Choice is something we all have – we have the choice to act the way we act, the choice in the way we live our lives, which is very positive. The Demon of Choice is more about consumerism which can alienate us from our deeper selves. This type of choice keeps us in a superficial state of alienation preventing us from asking deeper questions such as what gives our lives meaning? Transforming the Demon of Choice involves overcoming doubt, the practice of renunciation, and living simply.