Free Buddhist Audio

Vajragupta offers a Buddhist reflection on the social and political times we are living through. The talk takes the myth of the asuras (the Titan realm on the Wheel of Life) as a way of seeing and understanding the kind of world we are creating. In that myth, the Buddha appears in the realm of the asuras holding a sword. What does that symbolise? Vajragupta suggests it can be seen as a sword of fearlessness, a sword of truth and wisdom, a sword of justice, and the sword of the archetypal "king". This talk was given at Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2022. *** 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

Delve into the fascinating realms of existence as the speaker navigates through the worlds of animals, gods, and humans. Discover how instinct-driven lives can trap us in competition and suffering. The allure of the god realm is revealed, with warnings about complacency. Explore the uniqueness of the human realm, where self-awareness fosters spiritual growth. Practical tips on cultivating friendship, beauty, and compassion highlight the path to liberation. Join the journey of self-reflection and transformation!

Explore the vivid imagery of the Wheel of Life with reflections on the asura, preta, and hell realms, demonstrating the struggles of human existence. Discover how our mind shapes experiences through karma, and learn to differentiate between skillful and unskillful actions. Sanghagita encourages embracing self-care and cultivating mudita to counteract jealousy and craving, while offering practical methods to transform negative states into positive actions. Join the journey of self-awareness to achieve clarity and compassionate living.

Dive into the Wheel of Life, where Suddhayu explores the three poisons: delusion, hatred, and craving. Discover how these afflictions cloud our minds and lead to suffering. Learn about the Fire Sermon, highlighting how experiences burn with these emotions, and contrast this with the serene state of nirvana. Suddhayu emphasizes the importance of skillful actions, driven by intention and mental state, and shares insights from the Dhammapada on the path to lasting happiness. Healing and purification are key themes in this insightful discussion.

Delve into the captivating tale of Padmasambhava, the tantric master who transformed demons and gods in Tibet. Learn how he tackled the unseen forces challenging Buddhism by engaging directly with them. Discover the concept of Maras as destructive forces and their relevance today. Suryagupta emphasizes the importance of courage, love, and ritual in confronting inner and collective demons. The podcast also explores how spiritual tools like symbolism and mantra can aid personal and societal transformation, making ancient wisdom remarkably relevant.

In this enlightening conversation, Sangharakshita, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order, explores the profound symbolism in the Sutra of Golden Light. He discusses the dreams of the Bodhisattva Ruchiraketu, revealing how they serve as a gateway to deeper consciousness. Listeners will discover the connections between karma, life transformation, and the metaphor of the golden drum emitting radiant light. Sangharakshita invites reflection on personal and universal change, urging everyone to embrace their own spiritual journeys.

Dive into the Heart Sutra as Ratnaprabha explores its origins, tracing Xuanzang's remarkable journey. Discover how the text encourages direct realization beyond concepts, emphasizing presence and openness. Learn about the five skandhas, and how recognizing their emptiness can lead to compassionate insights. Ratnaprabha shares meditation practices that foster awareness and the importance of translating and personalizing teachings. Ultimately, the sutra guides practitioners toward wisdom and a barrier-free path of compassion.

Dive into the transformative world of the Diamond Sutra! The talk explores its profound influence on Bhante Sangharakshita's understanding of the Dharma. Discover how this ancient text challenges our fixed perceptions and introduces the essence of non-definable Buddhahood. Satyalila discusses its historical significance as the earliest printed book and examines the connection between the Diamond Sutra and the Heart Sutra. With poetic resonance and transformative insights, this exploration emphasizes the need for receptivity and compassion in our spiritual journeys.

Padmavajra, a Senior Buddhist teacher, shares profound insights on coping with impermanence and confronting the reality of death. He explores Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara, unveiling the transformative power of bodhicitta. Through personal anecdotes, like reflecting on his father's death, Padmavajra emphasizes the urgency of life’s meaning. He also discusses the importance of integrating emptiness with compassion, using meditation practices to cultivate awareness and love, and reframing death as a catalyst for spiritual growth.

Amala speaks here on the fifth Paramita, of Meditative Absorption. This talk was given as part of Part of the series A Koan for Our Times, a series of lectures given by The College of Public Preceptors, 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/us/podcast/dharmabytes-from-free-buddhist-audio/id416832097 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4UHPDj01UH6ptj8FObwBfB YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreeBuddhistAudio1967