Free Buddhist Audio

Delve into the pioneering contributions of early Buddhist women, highlighting Mahapajapati Gotami as the first nun. Explore her journey towards enlightenment and the role of her devoted disciples, Khema and Uppalavanna. The discussion confronts societal norms, illustrating how the Dharma champions personal liberation. Additionally, it examines the challenges posed by Mara, the embodiment of internal distractions, and the philosophical inquiries of King Passanadi regarding existence and the afterlife.

In this talk Suddhayu explores images from the Fire Sermon and the Parable of the Burning House in relation to the current political climate in the USA. From a Buddhist perspective, the world is always on fire — and sometimes it feels like the heat gets turned up. He uses the theme of 'Going Forth from Samsara' to speak about personal transformation and a compassionate response to the suffering of others. This talk was given on Sangha Night at Aryaloka Buddhist Center, Newmarket NH USA, 2025. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now: https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

What is the spiritual community and how does it differ from the group? Why is it important? How does the spiritual community come into being? How can I be part of the conditions for it to arise? Kalyacitta takes us on a heart-felt and imaginative exploration of the spiritual community, drawing on her own experience of bringing about a true Sangha. Talk given on a retreat for women who have asked for ordination as part of a series on 'The Group, the Individual and The Spiritual Community' given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre as part of the series Becoming an individual in today’s world, 2024. *** Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone! Donate now! https://freebuddhistaudio.com/donate Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast: A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/free-buddhist-audio-community/id75081757 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0H2lgkYallHtPiMQQdWWOC YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967  

Communication with another can be a wonderfully connecting and liberating experience or it can destroy us. Recognising the mystery and interconnectedness of all things we find the uncanny ability to communicate meaningfully. Mindfulness, courage and renunciation are essential. Saraha invites us all, with practical steps, to notice and live freedom in Shunyata, connection in aloneness and the mutual co-arising of each other. Better than 1000 meaningless words is one word on hearing which makes the heart become calm. This talk was given at Adhisthana, 2025. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud  

Dive into a heartfelt exploration of loyalty to spiritual teachers and the transformative power of ordination vows. Discover how deep relationships with mentors can enhance personal growth. Reflect on the foundational teachings of the Buddha and their relevance today. Gain insight into the vital role of lineage in Tri Ratna Buddhism, emphasizing gratitude and commitment in the spiritual journey. Join the discussion on connecting with the essence of the Dharma for a richer understanding of one's practice.

Subhadramati gives a talk for Cambridge Sangha night as part of a series on the Six Distinctive Emphasis of the Triratna Buddhist Community. A talk full of energy, insight and inspiration on Ordination within Triratna. Given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre,  2016. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud  

Sangharakshita, the visionary founder of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, engages in a revealing dialogue with Nagabodhi. They explore the history and evolution of the FWBO, reflecting on the challenges of translating Buddhism for Western audiences. The conversation dives deep into Sangharakshita's personal journey, identity struggles, and the intricate dynamics of community and creativity. With profound insights on leadership, emotional connections, and the balance between tradition and modernity, this discussion sheds light on the complexities of spiritual movements.

Explore the fascinating gap between feeling and craving, where true freedom lies. Discover how our pursuit of pleasure often misleads us to discontent, illustrated by a boy's obsession with a toy. Learn to navigate desire and impermanence through mindfulness while maintaining composure during life's challenges, even with frustrating customer service. Find peace by embracing acceptance and mindfulness, nurturing personal growth, and moving towards a more fulfilling, enlightened life.

Awareness, or mindfulness, is the keystone of the Buddhist path and of any truly human life. The Buddha's teaching on what awareness is and how to practise it is vast, and profound, and takes us far beyond what we might usually associate with the word 'mindfulness'. It requires a willingness to open our hearts and a good deal of courage to enter upon this way. Are you up for the challenge? Prajnahridaya explores how cultivating awareness is central and crucial to our existential situation, as well as evoking some of the wonders and treasures we can expect to discover if we dedicate ourselves to this practice. This talk was given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2025. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud  

Ratnaghosha explores the Buddha’s vision of spiritual community as it is expressed in verses 197, 198 and 199 of the Dhammapada. This is a comprehensive survey of the Buddha's teaching but is also replete with practical advice about how we might apply this to our lives today - and finishes on a very encouraging note. Recorded at the Dublin Buddhist Centre, 2024. *** Subscribe to our Free Buddhist Audio podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts A full, curated, quality Dharma talk, every week. 3,000,000 downloads and counting!Subscribe to our Dharmabytes podcast:  On Apple Podcasts | On Spotify | On Google Podcasts Bite-sized inspiration three times every week. Subscribe using these RSS feeds or search for Free Buddhist Audio or Dharmabytes in your favorite podcast service! Help us keep FBA Podcasts free for everyone: donate now! Follow Free Buddhist Audio: YouTube  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Soundcloud