Free Buddhist Audio

Pain and Suffering is the first of two talks that Ratnaguna gave earlier this year at the Stockholm Buddhist Centre. He explores the whole area of feeling, both pleasant and painful, but especially the pain side of the spectrum. Using storytelling, poetry, and clear Dharma teaching, Ratnaguna asks, “What kind of life are you living if you are not really in your body? When you resist the pain, you resist everything.” When we face our own suffering, then we find something else… a deep sense of wisdom and kindness. Coming up next week… Part II Pleasure and Happiness by Ratnaguna.

The ‘Just Sitting’ practice has been part of the FWBO’s system of meditation since the very beginning yet is not often discussed and not always understood. Here Subhuti gives his own inspiring and brilliantly refreshing take on the practice as a central element in his own meditative life. A must-listen piece for all those enthused by ideas of formal and ‘formless’ meditation – ‘Just Hear’ it and you”ll see what we mean!

This is the first in a series of talks from the Western Buddhist Order Convention in 2001 offering different perspectives on the Abhidharma and exploring from a personal perspective what the study of the 51 Mental Events can tell us about our minds and how they work. Based on the classic Tibetan text ‘Necklace of Clear Understanding’, this is a terrific, clear introduction by Dhammadinna to the whole area of how to ‘Know Your Mind’. Tracked version includes the following detail: 1. Lineage of material on Mind; Yeshe Gyaltsen’s ‘Necklace of Clear Understanding’; Sangharakshita’s ‘Know Your Mind’; Subhuti’s talks on ‘Mind and Mental Events’ 2. The Abhidharma – classification of mental events; transforming mental states and actions; sharing and confessing 3. What is ‘Mind’? Introspection – Dharma-Vichaya (dhammaviccaya); the seven ‘Limbs of Enlightenment’ (Bodhyangas); reflecting on the lakshanas and Pratitya Samutpada 4. Practical aids in working with mental events; different Abhidharma traditions; lists as tools 5. Defining and experiencing Mind; manas (state of consciousness); impossible to pin down; Milarepa and the Shepherd’s Search for Mind; mind and the subjective 6. Subjective versus objective; the Yogachara perspective; the skandhas and vijnana; the Enlightened person and non-identification with the subjective) 7. The eight vijnanas and the five Wisdoms or Jinas; Yeshe Gyaltsen’s focus on the senses 8. Characteristics of mind – i. clarity ii. cognition iii. momentary iv. conditioned v. karma 9. Primary Mind (chitta, citta); mental events as how the mind takes hold of objects; experiencing ‘Pure Mind’ through prajna; Milarepa’s list of requirements 10. A Look at the 51 mental events; six categories and two perspectives 11. Summary – transforming mental states; Padmasambhava on Mind Talk given at Wymondham, 2001 To help us keep this free, please think about making a donation.

Time to bring the picture on the FWBO’s relations with other Buddhists bang up-to-date with this splendid excursion over the common ground Buddhists share in the 21st century, and also through the diverse practice landscapes they continue to explore in their own approaches to the Dharma. As a basis Dhammarati looks at the FWBO’s own grounding in tradition, and encourages us all at root to look continually to our own practice as we make the great journey from suffering to an expansive sense of living free. Talk given at the Birmingham Buddhist Centre, January 2009

This recording of songs from the Asvagosha project troupe is a real find in the Dharmachakra Archives. The Asvagosha project was set up in India in the early 1990s as a way of developing cultural activities among poor ‘ex-Untouchable’ communities in slums and rural areas. Teams of performers visit the localities and put on performances of sketches and specially composed songs. The shows reflect the concerns that are uppermost in the minds of the people from these communities- issues such as alcoholism, domestic violence, superstition, and child health. The performers bring a level of humour and energy to their performances, ensuring that the messages are conveyed in a straightforward, unpatronising way. For more on the Karuna Trust’s vital work with ‘ex-Untouchable’ Indian Buddhists, see their website. Singers Dhammachari Ratnodaya, Dhammachari Kamalabodhi, Dhammachari Satyadeepa, Dhammachari Yashoratna, Rahul Sownone, Satish Moon Musicians Ananada Panchabhai, tabla Narendra Kale, harmonium Original Producers Dhammachari Siddhartha, Jayant Barve Digital Remastering Dhammachari Candradasa All songs composed by members of the Asvagosha project (except ‘Raho Sukhame’ – composed by Dharmarakshita) The Asvagosha project is run by Karuna Trust and Bahujan Hitay. Both are non-profit charities. Tracked version includes the following detail: 01 Asvagosha, Asvagosha 02 Jivanta Dakhala 03 Ek Bano Neka Bano 04 Dhamma Januna Ghe 05 Tumche Amuche Bandhutwache Nate 06 Andaratun Baher Ya Ho 07 Ata Tumhi Te Deepa Wha 08 Mahaparinirvana Sagari 09 Raho Sukhane Ha Manau Ethe

Here’s a forthright and passionate talk, taking as its starting point the great contemporary Tibetan teacher (sometimes also written ‘Chatral Sangye Dorje’) and his relationship to practice in the FWBO via his giving of the Green Tara practice to Sangharakshita. The main focus, however, is the need to practice the Dharma for others as part of a meaningful community, and Vajratara argues her case with a balance of down-to-earth humour and uncompromising vision. Tracked version includes the following detail: 1. Introduction to Chetul Sangye Dorje; Sangharakshita’s first meeting with him  2. Early years and practice; a meeting with the Regent of Tibet 3. The meaning of Chetul Sangye Dorje’s name; a meeting with Thomas Merton  4. A teaching to Paramartha; two mind-training slogans (lohjong); practising for yourself versus practising for others; a quote from Sangharakshita 5. Real practice as love and kindness to others; commentary on mind-training by Jamgon Kontrul; the mantra of the universe; resorting to ‘the magical practice’ of spiritual individualism; going beyond yourself  6. How to practice for others; Green and White Tara; significance of Tara’s leg position; balance between self-focus and other-focus; the conflict of choice 7. Be friendly even when you can’t be happy; green, nature, and remaining open 8. Practising together, in numbers; all beings as White Tara; drawing strength from communal practice 9. Don’t settle for a comfortable life; White Tara as a young girl; settling down; Chetul Sangye Dorje and the meat-eating teacher’s disciple 10. Conclusion – Tara as embodiment of practice for others; not allowing our Buddhism to become self-indulgence

The teachings that Ratnaguna explores in this talk are all from the Sutta Nipata – one of the earliest of Buddhist texts. His sub-title is the rather intriguing: ‘The Dharma before Buddhism’. You might say that when it comes to the Sutta Nipata, the Buddha is very clearly telling it like it is. Well, so does Ratnaguna! In the opening remarks (which, unfortunately, were not recorded) he likens these suttas in their profound scope and effect to the simpicity and purity of Bach’s violin sonatas and cello suites. Given on the FWBO International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008

Exploring the challenges of parenting as a spiritual practice, balancing family life and spirituality, the practice of 'five portions a day' for broader awareness, the concept of Shanti in embracing difficult experiences, surrendering in parenthood, transforming ourselves and the world through actions, teaching spirituality to children in creating sacred environments.

A lovely talk this month, from the excellent Dhivan. Be prepared for the odd surprise as he considers the relationship between what we think we may know about the Buddha, and what the historical evidence suggests. As Dhivan sifts the information that’s come down to us, we meet several different versions of a human being as he blurs with the archetypal presence he has also come to represent. Yet whichever manifestation we prefer, more than anything this talk brings us face to face with the rich and moving legacy of a brilliant and truly compassionate individual, changing the world he took part in, stepping out of history “with the walk of a lion, the walk of a swan”. Talk given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2008 To help us keep this free, please think about making a donation.

Happy Holidays, Everyone! So, this is as close as we could get to a Christmas edition… You know, ‘Buddha Nature – easily confused for ‘incarnation’, all that… No? Oh, well, what this most definitely is is an absolute cracker of a talk from Sagaramati. A brilliant, scholarly-but-accessible, look at the origins and development of the Tathagatagarbha (Buddha Nature) school of Buddhist thought through the lense of early Buddhist scripture. Many misunderstandings are addressed as Sagaramati (aka. Professor Robert Morrison), with his usual wry, testy humour, takes us back to basics in considering just how – if at all – Tathagatagarbha doctrine is in harmony with Buddhist tradition. And he surprises himself in the process, evoking a path of practice rooted in kindness and a vision of ever-present possibility for all of us. Talk given in 2004. To help us keep this free, please think about making a donation.