Free Buddhist Audio

In this week’s FBA Podcast , “The Individual and Community” Dhammarati talks about the Order as the basis for the New Society. Basing his talk in part on the lectures where Sangharakshita originally introduced the idea of the New Society, which also includes interesting material on the Order, specifically the distinctions between Public and Private Ordination and what they represent. Dhammarati then goes onto to explore the central importance the Triratna Buddhist Order places on communication and connection as a means of personal transformation and the basis from which we influence the world. This gives us the significance of the Triranta Buddhist Order as a community of individuals trying to change themselves and have a positive impact on society making them a nucleus of a new society. Talk given in a seminar at Dharmapala College, 2010.

This week’s FBA Podcast , “Dreaming Angels” is a rousing and challenging talk by Vajratara given on the December 2012 National Order Weekend for women. The full title is “Dreaming Angels Each Imbued with the Mysteries of the Other – Why the Triratna Buddhist Order is Needed and What It Can Do.” Vajratara begins her talk by evoking the social revolution of Dr Ambedkar. A revolution, she says, which is still needed to overthrow unhelpful attitudes in society, free the disadvantaged and give meaning to those who long for a higher life. She explains how the Triratna Buddhist Order can be in the first rank of the fighting forces in this revolution by referring to the Five Pillars of the Order.

In this week’s FBA Podcast , “Buddhism: A Force for Good in the World” Vajragupta explores the potential of the Buddha’s teachings to transform society, starting with seeing how the Dhamma has helped millions of people who’ve suffered under the Hindu caste system change their lives. He asks how we’ve done in bringing this part of Bhante’s vision into being in the last 40 years, and encourages us to take opportunities to change society, including helping activists in positive change, and bringing a Buddhist perspective to current social debates.

In this week’s FBA Podcast , “Buddhism and Peace” Parami thoughtfully asks: What is peace? And what does peace mean for Buddhists? Is it just the absence of war and conflict; guns and screaming? Or is it also the deep silence that arises when the mind and heart are in harmony – a positive state of mind that can be cultivated both personally and collectively, where good and evil don’t exist as concepts? This talk was given by Parami at Manchester Buddhist Centre on 30th July 2011 in the series Buddhism and the Big Questions.

In this week’s FBA Podcast , Kamalashila introduces the fifth perfection: “Dhyana Paramita, the Perfection of Meditation.” Kamalashila is the author of ‘Buddhist Meditation: Tranquillity, Imagination, Insight’, an excellent manual on the practice of Buddhist meditation. Talk given at the West London Buddhist Centre, 2012.

In this week’s FBA Podcast , “The Myth of Tristan and Iseult: Love, Transgression and Death,” Dhivan explores the origins and significance of the myth of Tristan and Iseult, relating it to the practise of Buddhism in the modern west. The twelfth-century Cornish story of Tristan and Iseult has captivated imaginations and inspired poets, composers and artists ever since. What is it about this tale of a love potion and a doomed love, of adultery and lies, that is so fascinating? The talk was given on 11 September 2008 at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, on the occasion of the launch of Urthona Magazine, issue 25.

This week’s FBA Podcast , “Sangharakshita in Conversation with Kathleen Raine,” is a retro piece from the 1980s when ‘Independent Arts’ ran an ambitious and extremely impressive Arts program through the Croydon Buddhist Centre in London. Here’s a first offering from the archive of recordings – an open conversation between Sangharakshita, founder of the Western Buddhist Order, and the renowned poet and scholar Kathleen Raine, one of the founders of the Temenos Academy. The occasion was the launch of Sangharakshita’s book ‘The Religion of Art’ – and the discussion ranges widely and, at times, controversially through the subject of the Arts considered as a vehicle for spiritual truths. It’s full of talking points and challenges to contemporary orthodoxies around art theory. But whatever one’s take on the views of the participants, this is a marvellous record of a unique meeting of minds.

The Jungian commentator James Hillman suggested that ‘soul’ needs nurturing as well as ‘spirit’ in human life. Our FBA Podcast , “Poetry, Soulmaking and Meditation,” Paramananda uses deeply meaningful poems to show soulmaking in action, and explains how the process can be brought into your meditation practice.

Our FBA Podcast this week is a window into the ancient art of happiness. In “ Stop Buying Stuff and Learn How to Be Happy Instead,” Ratnaguna explores alternatives to buying more stuff and hooking up to more electronic gadgetry… The Buddha repeatedly said that the only reason he taught was to alleviate suffering, and he in fact enumerated three level of happiness. This teaching is no longer simply an issue of personal growth – it has become vital to the future of our planet. Talk given at Manchester Buddhist Center, 2011 in a series of free public talks, Buddhism and the Big Questions.

Our FBA Podcast this week, “The Buddha and Friendship,” by Vajratara, begins by looking at how the symbols of the individual spiritual journey is really a story about a network of relationships. Every symbol is born out of relationship.  It’s living tradition that gives confidence, it’s not about your own individual practice – your own individual practice is just a part of the Buddhist tradition and the Buddhist community. With references to Indra’s Net, from the Avatamsaka Sutra, Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra and descriptions of the Bodhicitta, Vajratara delivers an inspiring and engaging look at how our collective practice is essential for the arising of the Bodhicitta.