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. Tune in, be inspired!
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News, event coverage, mantras and rituals, Dharma conversations among diverse voices from the Triratna Buddhist Community around the world, keeping you up-to-date with the latest in our sangha. Check out our other podcasts! Buddhist Voices (https://audioboom.com/channel/buddhistvoices) | Free Buddhist Audio (http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/free-buddhist-audio-community/id75081757) (iTunes) | Dharmabytes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist/id416832097) (iTunes)
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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!
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Contemporary voices, specially commissioned in-depth interviews and conversations from members of the Triratna Buddhist Order around the world, exploring the Buddha's teaching in modern times for modern lives! Check out our other podcasts! The Buddhist Centre Podcast (https://audioboom.com/channels/4929068) | Free Buddhist Audio Talks (http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/free-buddhist-audio-community/id75081757) (iTunes) | FBA Dharmabytes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free ...
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Buddhism and Buddhists in China is an anthropological text describing Buddhism as practiced in China at the beginning of the 20th Century. Interestingly, it also compares and contrasts Buddhism with Christianity with respect to or in response to missionary work.
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Sādhaka is a collection of special podcast mini-trainings from Embodied Philosophy and the Embodied Podcasts Network. Each multi-part series of Sādhaka explores a different area of dharma and contemplative studies. We feature series on topics from Buddhism to Hinduism, from Yoga to the Divine Feminine. Taught by Faculty and Friends of Embodied Philosophy, each series is a short audio course on the topic it explores. To watch the video version of these episodes, become a digital member for ac ...
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This collection of 14 stories collected by Lafcadio Hearn, contains Japanese ghost stories, but also several non-fiction pieces. Hearn tries to give a glimpse into the customs of the Japanese, by giving examples of Buddhist Proverbs and explaining the use of incense and the nation wide fascination with poetry. Furthermore, he has again translated several hair-rising ghost stories, like "A Passional Karma" about the truly undying love of a young couple.
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Kabir (1440 - 1518) was a mystic poet and saint of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement.The name Kabir comes from Arabic Al-Kabir which means 'The Great' - the 37th Name of God in the Qur'an.Kabir was influenced by the prevailing religious mood of his times, such as old Brahmanic Hinduism, Hindu and Buddhist Tantrism, the teachings of Nath yogis and the personal devotionalism of South India mixed with the imageless God of Islam. The influence of these various doc ...
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At times in the spiritual life we may considerable energy to overcome obstacles, such as negative emotions, psychological conditionings, rational thinking, and even the sense of 'time' itself. How, when, and where can we break through? Excerpted from the talk entitled Breaking Through into Buddhahood by Sangharakshita given in 1969. *** Subscribe t…
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Balajit starts by exploring different perspectives on what is the body and how limited views can limit our practice. He shares his own journey of discovery around what the body is, particularly during his years living at Vajraloka Retreat Centre. The talk then looks at what it might mean for the body to be truly, profoundly and deeply at peace with…
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450: Taking Responsibility - Happiness and Transformation with Mahamati
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Prayer to Manjushri, Bodhisattva of Wisdom May all beings experience happiness and its causes Be free from suffering and its causes, Never be parted from happiness And dwell in the condition of equanimity Ever since his introduction to Buddhism in 1976, Mahamati has been attracted to collective, collaborative contexts. He was, from the start, delig…
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Drawing upon the myths in the life of the Buddha Satyapara explores the role the body plays when we take up Buddhist practice. She describes the Buddha as a child under a rose apple tree being deeply in touch with his surroundings and when calling upon the earth he gains confidence in his practice and overcomes his doubts. With these stories, Satya…
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Dhammagita talks about the importance of the body and its sensations in informing and enabling our practice, taking us to the truth, overcoming conditioning and embracing vulnerability. Excerpted from the talk Body of Awakening given at Taraloka Retreat Centre 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Googl…
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Vidyamala explores how a Mahayana approach of cultivating Bodhicitta is a brilliant way to 'flip' our habitual self-centredness and cultivate a new default setting of continually thinking of others. Excepted from the talk Citta and Bodhicitta given at Rivendell as part of the series An Exploration of the Satipatthana Sutta 2018. *** Subscribe to ou…
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Singhashri reminds us of Bhante's emphasis on the development of the true individual, positive group and spiritual community. She then links an embodied and relational approach to our individual and collective going for refuge, encouraging us to explore how a direct experience of safety, dignity and belonging in the sangha might support collective …
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Vilasamani, who is a body therapist, introduces those elements of the body and nervous system that tend to impel us down automatic or reactive channels. We can gently influence our mood and behaviour by understanding physical susceptibilities, and working with them. Excerpted from the talk Body Reactive, Body Creative given at West London Buddhist …
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Here Maitreyi looks at pleasure and suffering in the context of samsara - compassionate responses to self and other, and how to loosen the bonds... Excerpted from the talk The Defects and Dangers of Samsara, the last in a five-part series The Four Mind-Turning Reflections of the Tibetan Tradition given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005. *** Subs…
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Karma and the Consequences of Our Actions
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Here Ratnadharini takes us a little closer into the whole, 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. The fourth talk in a five-part series …
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Suchitta explores the way we generate our own suffering, in the light of understanding accumulated through reflection on the first three reminders. This gives us a window to the world and the birth of Compassion and our potential for an Awakened Heart. There are tips on how to reorientate ourselves away from the identity project towards a life of g…
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Hridayagita explores conditionality as a universal law, expressed within the 5 niyamas as cyclical and the spiral of the dharma niyama. She then describes the three fetters as a useful tool for reflecting on why we forget or do not fully believe that our actions of body, speech and mind truly have consequences. The talk entitled Recollecting the Co…
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Reflecting on her response to Bhante Sangharakshita’s death, Khemasuri celebrates the gratitude she feels for what she has learned in her Dharma practice, partciluarly the ability to open up and turn towards what is difficult in a very real way. This is a series of talks and practices from the Four Reminders Retreat at Taraloka Retreat Centre, Nove…
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Santavajri begins with her realisation that a motivator for her spiritual practice has been a quest for happiness. Touching on the themes of righteous indignation, spiritual bypassing, empathy, non-violent communication, envy and exploring apology, confession and working with betrayal, Santavajri poses the question as to whether we can forgive ours…
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Subhadramati explores forgiveness and the arising of the Bodhicitta. The ego sustains itself by blaming - forgiveness means letting go of our egoic reactions and becoming a conduit for the mind of Bodhicitta. Excerpted from Being a Conduit For the Mind of Bodhicitta during the Women's Area Order Weekend, 2018. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podca…
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The first of a series on the 4 reminders, given live at the North London Buddhist Centre, 12 Sept 2020. 1. Our life as a human being is a precious opportunity. 2. Everything changes, and death is inevitable, so don’t lose your opportunities. 3. You do make a difference, the way you live and act now will change the future for yourself and for the wo…
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A lovely, thoughtful exploration of the traditional Buddhist path of ethics, meditation and wisdom, using poetry and the ideas of contemporary science to evoke the mystery that lies at the heart of practice. Dhammadassin's beautifully weighted talk challenges us to look at how we think and how we act, and is rooted in a moving fidelity to experienc…
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This introductory talk by Dhammadinna is an ideal entry point to the world of the mind-turnings. Seen as foundations for the building of practice, the reflections encourage us to make life meaningful in the face of a relentlessly ungovernable reality. A strong look in the mirror of the heart. Excerpted from the talk The Four Mind-Turning Reflection…
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The human body, at peace with itself, Is more precious than the rarest gem. Cherish your body - it is yours this time only. The human form is won with difficulty, It is easy to lose. All worldly things are brief, Like lightning in the sky; This life you must know As the tiny splash of a raindrop; A thing of beauty that disappears Even as it comes i…
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In this very personal talk Vijayasri remembers being part of a study seminar led by Sangharakshita, in 1982, on The Jewel Ornament of Liberation by Gampopa.Vijayasri talks about the effect being part of the study group has had on her life and explores Gampopas teachings on the importance of a human birth. Excerpted from the talk entitled This Preci…
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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 Atisha'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. Excerpt from the talk entitled A Life …
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What does it take to create a context which allows people to experience meaning? Saddhanandi looks how sangha is created through meaningful, authentic friendships and communication. The talk includes references to her interviews about poetry with Sangharakshita. This talk was given at Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhis…
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“I believe that it is possible to be friends with any other human being…” In this talk, Maitreyi explores the unique emphasis of friendship with quotes from Sangharakshita. Excerpted from the talk A Celebration of Friendship given at Glasgow Buddhist Centre, 2020. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google …
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Padmavajra explores what it means to come together in a Buddhist centre to practice the Dharma and why we need such places in which to practice together. He touches on the importance of learning the Dharma, inspiration, friendship and the 'bodying forth' of the Buddha's teachings in our lives. Excerpted from the talk entitled The Wondrous House of …
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“Happy indeed we live, friendly amid the haters. Among those who hate we dwell free from hate. Happy indeed we live, healthy amid the sick. Among those who are sick we dwell free from sickness. Happy indeed we live, content amid the greedy. Among those who are greedy we dwell free from greed.” (The Dhammapada, chapter 14, ‘Happiness’, verses 197-19…
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Here Arthapriya draws out our natural impetus to grow and the import of spiritual friendship to create a context for us to develop spiritually. Excerpted from the talk entitled Risking It All - Sangha As Practice given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2014. *** Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast: On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts B…
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Here Subhadramati shares her experience witnessing Bhante circumambulating and bowing to the shrine and how that deep gesture of reverence evoked a strong sense of the lineage of inspiration in her. Excerpted from the talk entitled Avalokiteshvara given as part of the series Buddhas and Bodhisattvas given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2019. *** Sub…
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In a life well lived there is a conscious search for meaning. Suryagupta reflects on the Buddha’s (and our own!) Noble Quest. This talk was given as a part of the LBC Winter Retreat 2023, following the Buddha's This talk was given at London Buddhist Centre as part of the series The Noble Quest, 2023. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast…
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449: The Impermanence of Everyone: The Art of Hugh Mendes (Paramabodhi)
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We are sitting in an East End art studio talking about death. The London tube rolls by outside, surfacing momentarily from tunnels dark as Hades, trundling its occupants inexorably on to somewhere. You can hear at intervals its soothing, almost womb-like background rumble and hush as a reminder of sorts - fitting sound as backdrop to this conversat…
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Sangharakshita revisits his time as a wandering 'Dharma Farer' in the India of the 1940s. The occasion for this colourful set of stories and related insights is the 60th anniversary of his decision to 'Go Forth' into the homeless life, in line with the oldest Buddhist traditions. Sangharakshita is in fine, thoughtful, at times even mischievous form…
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