FBA Highlights

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Padmasambhava’s Song,” is an excerpt from the talk “Padmasambhava and the King of Tibet” (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM785) by Vajratara. Here’s another tour-de-force from Vajratara, looking to approach the great figure of Padmasambhava – the ‘Second Buddha’ – through his famous meeting with the King of Tibet. As ever, a provocative, fully engaged and fully engaging take on the Dharma and the challenges that face us on the Path. Talk given at Sheffield Buddhist Centre, 2007 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Cutting the Rope,” is an excerpt from the talk “Touching the Void” (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM697) by Jnanavaca. Here he talks about the analogy of ‘cutting the rope’ and taking responsibility. In the full talk Jnanavaca relates events in Joe Simpson’s popular mountaineering book ‘Touching the Void’ to aspects of Buddhist practice. Look out for some wonderful quotes – from T.E. Lawrence to Einstein. Inspiring stuff all round… Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2004 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “When Reality Knocks…,” is an excerpt from the talk “What is Enlightenment?” (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM776) by Jinapriya. When Reality knocks at the door we sometimes need to own painful experience and surrender. His main theme within the frame of such a big question – ‘What is Enlightenment?’ – is the struggle to live our lives in the present moment, especially in the face of pain. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Gesture of Fearlessness,” is a short talk by Lokeshvara given during the Buddhafield East Green Man of Buddhism Retreat where he shows that benefiting others overcomes fear. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Our FBA Dharmabyte today is an excerpt titled “Fighting Against Change.” Sagaraghosa reminds us through the telling of the story of Kisa Gotami that we are not making a mistake if we find life difficult sometimes. On the other hand there is a possibility of freedom from dukkha if we accept things what cant be changed. From the talk “What Do Buddhists Think – Physics” (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC1402) given at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre, December 2012. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today's FBA Dharmabyte is from Sangharakshita titled: "The Three Fetters." The Fetters of self-view, doubt, and dependence on moral rules and religious observations are described in this excerpt from the full talk, "Stream Entry: the Point of No Return" (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC356) given in 1975. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today's FBA Dharmabyte titled,"Karma Niyama," we hear an excerpt from the talk "The Five Niyamas and the Evolution of the Human Brain" (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC356) by Vaddhaka. Here Vaddhaka illustrates the volitional mental order, or Karma Niyama, that which guides our moral or ethical choices. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today's FBA Dharmabyte, "Radical Interconnectedness," Satyanandi looks at radical interconnectedness and the nature of mind as it meets the world. In the full talk, "How We See the World," (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM713) she takes the listener on a very intriguing trip through the myriad worlds of consideration that arise when view, experience and reality meet. Her starting point is science and its various models for how the universe works - from mechanism to quantum physics. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Vishvapani looks back to the Buddha's day in today's FBA Dharmabyte - introducing his book on the Buddha in a talk called "The Buddha and Society" In this segment, "The Buddha in Relation to His Society" he looks at how the Buddha likely engaged with the political and social atmosphere of the times. Did he have a concern with the larger sphere of social life, and does the approach we take as Buddhists in the modern era need to be different? We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is an excerpt from Maitrisara’s talk “Meeting the Suffering of the World – Compassion in Action” (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC339) given as the last talk of Dharmapala college’s “40 years of the New Society” seminar. Entitled “Meeting Suffering” she talks about the unique challenge of our age, having a global awareness of suffering, and she opens up the basic question for Buddhists – how do we engage with it meaningfully? We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is an excerpt from Devamitra’s riveting talk “Quang Duc” (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC1708) given at the London Buddhist Center. In this segment entitled “The Burning Monk” Devamitra discusses the motivations behind Quang Duc’s self-immolation in Vietnam and its after-effects, which raises many challenging questions about ethics and acting for the sake of others. An excellent talk – don’t miss the rest of it! We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is an excerpt from Dharmashalin’s longer talk (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC1627) given at Padmaloka on the topic of becoming a Dharma warrior. Entitled “Why Be a Warrior?” he pulls in accessible examples from pop culture and his personal experiences to illustrate the qualities of a peaceful Dharma warrior and speak to the meaning of developing in this way for our spiritual lives. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s Dharmabyte features the lovely Vajradharshini in an excerpt from her talk “The Transitoriness of Life and the Certainty of Death.” (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM741) In “Dying with Fearlessness” we are reminded that at the time of death only the Dharma is of benefit. Talk given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre 2005. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s Dharmabyte, “The Six Perfections” is a reminder from our last podcast where Nagapriya beautifully and clearly led us through his understanding of “The Ideal of Universal Awakening” (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM816). In this little golden Dharma-nugget we are reconnected with the Six Perfections, a reading from the Bodhicaryavatara by Shantideva, and the 10 Bhumis or stages of the Bodhisattva’s Path. This is from the second talk in a five-part series called "Visions of Mahayana Buddhism" (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X41) given at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, 2009. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

A really great conversation with Amaragita, one of the pioneers of Buddhafield retreats that are family friendly, a radical re-imagining of a community retreat that has been one of Buddhafield’s most successful projects for 14 years. How do you maintain a deep practice of the Dharma when you have a family? How can householders bring the Buddha’s teachings to bear on their lives and also feed their own experience into the wider sangha? A fascinating look at aspects of community practice, including single sex activities, teenager contexts, working with noisy toddlers, developing ritual - and doing ‘chocolate meditation’! Amaragita speaks movingly of “being with her two loves”, family and Dharma, rooted in a mythic context and in harmony with nature and the land. To connect with us, visit http://thebuddhistcentre.com/family-friendly A Community Archive from Free Buddhist Audio: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/

Libby speaks after witnessing the New Mothers' ritual at the Buddhafield Family Friendly Retreat. Photo of Sasha + Sol. To connect with us, visit http://thebuddhistcentre.com/family-friendly A Community Archive from Free Buddhist Audio: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/

Denise sings "Birth Song" during new mother's ritual (baby laughs a lot!). To connect with us, visit http://thebuddhistcentre.com/family-friendly A Community Archive from Free Buddhist Audio: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/

Rohan is 7. He's been coming his whole life. Really likes the stream and hanging out with his friends. Likes pujas. Buddhism is all about "peace and love and harmony". "One tip is just to smile" To connect with us, visit http://thebuddhistcentre.com/family-friendly A Community Archive from Free Buddhist Audio: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/

Some tips on reflection before a meditation. During a 4-day retreat in May 2013, at Dharmagiri retreatcenter, Sweden, Maitreyabandhu gave four seminars on 'The five great stages of spiritual life', as it is viewed and practiced within the Triratna Buddhist community. He draws substantially on the writing and teaching that Sangharakshita and Subhuti has produced in recent years. Maitreyabandhu adds a liveliness and concreteness to the themes, which has been highly valued by the Swedish sangha. Listen to the seminars (in English) here: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/dharmagiri/retreat-med-maitreyabandhu

An extract from our new restored version of Sangharakshita's wonderful recent talk on the history of letters and letter writing, at once erudite and moving as he remembers his friendship with Dinoo Dubash. Listen to the complete talk on FBA: http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=BH18 This extract deals with The Towers of Silence - Parsee 'air burials'; Parsee culture; meeting Dinoo at a lecture - 'Inspiration Whence'; the Arts as a source of spiritual inspiration; Dinoo's painted visions of Maitreya Buddha

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Clouded Dragon”, is an excerpt from a gem of a talk from Abhaya. With his customary dry wit and sharp eye he leads us on the crazy paving path through the Diamond Sutra – a text guaranteed to turn your world upside-down. Sharing his love for one of Sangharakshita’s poems titled The Clouded Dragon, Abhaya makes some excellent evocations of rigorous Dharma practice as part of the everyday business of life. This is an excerpt from the talk titled “The Diamond Sutra” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM613) given at the Triratna Buddhist Order National Order weekend 2003 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Four Reasons Why We Fear Death “, Kulaprabha explores the Abhaya Sutta on the theme of spiritual death. The death of our fixed, bounded self, the self that is made up of bundled habits and preferences and views – especially views about existence and non-existence. So don’t be surprised if, when contemplating the impermanence and unreliability of that small self, you taste fear. It’s natural enough in the circumstances. This is an excerpt from the full talk “Spiritual Death, Fear and Fearlessness” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC58) focussing on the Abhaya Sutta. This talk was given on retreat at Taraloka Retreat Centre in 2008. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

More listening joy from Vajradharshini in today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Enlightenment is Different for Each of Us.” From the talk “We Have a Huge Barrel of Wine But No Cups” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM779), this is another splendid journey around the idea of Enlightenment, using the languages of surrender and discipline from the Sufi context. It’s as heady as a sumptuous wine, but also sobering and down to earth, whether we’re “following a railing in the dark” or “wandering inside the red world”. Drink up! Talk given at Taraloka Retreat Centre, 2005 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Positive Change” is brought to us by Sangharakshita himself, founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order and Community. In Buddhist practice, the traditional method of choice for effecting positive change in one’s life is meditation. Here Sangharakshita takes a closer look, focussing on the ‘superconscious states’ (characterised in turn by integration, inspiration, permeation, and radiation), the practice of developing universal friendliness, and the distinction between calm and Insight. From the talk “A Method of Personal Development” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=131) given in 1976 as part of the series "Buddhism for Today and Tomorrow" (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X16). We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Pratitya Samutpada (Conditioned Co-production),” takes us right to the heart of the matter: How the Buddha sees things. Subhuti, with his sharp clarity and clear vision, explores one of the central teachings of the Buddha – that things arise and pass away in dependence upon conditions. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order National Order Weekend, Wymondham 2006 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Don’t Leave Your Values at Home,” Khemasuri passionately shares the case for embracing personal responsibility and community engagement as a way of effecting social change in our troubled world. This track from the talk, “Building an Ethical Underworld – Lessons from the Mafia” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM781), given at the Buddhafield Festival, Devon, 2007. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Interconnectedness and the Awakening Heart” Parami explores the theme of the Buddha’s compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other – it emerged from his realisation of ‘Emptiness’. The Buddha realised full well how hard it was going to be to communicate what he had discovered to other people – to us. He knew that the grip of greed, hatred and delusion is very strong. He could imagine how vexatious it might be to teach. Fortunately for us, he could also see our potential. And so out of compassion he taught. FBA Dharmabyte from the full talk, “Out of Compassion for the World,” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC56) given at the Triratna International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Indra’s Net & The Web of Life,” Akuppa traces positive lessons to be learned from simply observing and engaging with nature’s patterns and processes – and invites us all to prepare to be awestruck as a necessary first step. From the talk: “Buddhism and Ecology” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM731) given at the Triratna [Western Buddhist Order] Convention, 2005 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte “The Effect of Reflecting on Suffering” Maitreyi looks at pleasure and suffering in the context of samsara – compassionate responses to self and other, and how to loosen the bonds… This Dharmabyte is from the talk “The Defects and Dangers of Samsara,” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM743) given at Tiratanaloka Retreat Centre, 2005 and is part of the series “The Four Mind-Turning Reflections” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X25). We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Our Dharmabyte today continues on the theme of Ethics with Parami sharing her thoughts on “Ethics and Compassion.” Parami explores this theme of the Buddha’s compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other – it emerged from his realisation of ‘Emptiness’. “Out of Compassion for the World” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC56) was given at FWBO [Triratna] International Retreat at Taraloka, May 2008 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Images of Integration,” Viveka explores the many, diverse faces of mindfulness practice – breaking down the ideological barriers that can so often divide when we try to figure out what, exactly, does constitute mindfulness meditation… Dharmabyte from the full talk: “Mindfulness as Sadhana” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM634) given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention 2005 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

From the talk titled “Amitabha” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM366), we bring you today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Faith as Metta.” Saddhaloka introduces us to Amitabha, the red Buddha of the West who represents and inspires the highest love of all… Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, winter retreat, 1997 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte “Everything Just Beginning” is by Amaraketu from the talk “Doubt as Path” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM747B). Beginning with a quote from Sungsan, he reminds us that we don’t know what’s going to happen, everything is just beginning. This is a preview to next Saturday’s full length podcast. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2005. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is a lovely chanting of the Metta Sutta in Pali. by Dassini, Chair of the Glasgow Buddhist Centre. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte Lokamitra speaks to the Triratna Buddhist Order in Bodh Gaya on the history of the modern Buddhist movement in India. In “The Growth and Potential of Buddhism in India” he draws parallels between Dr. Ambedkar’s and Sangharakshita’s approach to the Dharma, particularly their common emphasis on social change. This excerpt is from the 2009 International Convention (freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=IND68) where Lokamitra addresses the stunning rebirth and growth of Buddhism in India, the positive work undertaken by the TBMSG and FWBO in the region, and the potential for Buddhists in India to have an impact on the future of their country and the rest of the world. Recorded 2009 at Bodh Gaya, India. Includes translations. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte takes us again into the lives and practices of members of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Here Lokabhandhu shares “My Life, Work and Practice” from the series of short talks given for the “Triratna (FWBO) International Urban Retreat of 2009. In his talk he reviews his daily meditation practice, the challenges thrown up by working on his own at home, and his fascination with other spiritual teachers and paths. Lokabandhu lives in Glastonbury, UK, where he works for the Triratna Buddhist Community’s ‘Development Team’. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte “I Bow Down To Compassion” is a preview to next Saturday’s FBA Podcast “Compassionate Koans – The Heart of the Matter,” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM725A) containing an excellent, personal set of reflections by Vijayamala on the relationship between our longing and our pain. Talk given at the Western Buddhist Order Women’s Convention, 2005 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte “Devotion, Dharma & Faith” is an excerpt from Saturday’s FBA Podcast “Learning from Tibetan Buddhism – A Personal Account” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM730) by Vessantara. A lovely, thoughtful talk that pays tribute to the effect of one ancient form of Dharma in a modern practitioner’s own life. Given at the Western Buddhist Order Convention 2005. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is a short “Buddha Puja” chanted by Chandrabodhi from the original ‘Dharmachakra Tapes’ catalogue, with some wonderful chanting done India style! Check out the other recordings which include some very ethereal flute songs: "Chanting Indian Style" (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC27). We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Parable of the Burning House”, Sangharakshita begins by reading from the White Lotus Sutra and follows with an explanation of the symbolism of the house. We are reminded of the importance of responding to ‘the call of the Divine’. The talk from which today’s Dharmabyte is extracted is titled: Transcending the Human Predicament, which is part of the series "Parables, Myths and Symbols of Mahayana Buddhism in the White Lotus Sutra" (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X12) given in 1971. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is a short talk by the lovely Jnanaketu titled “The Three Lakshanas: Anitya”, part one (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM771)of a three part series of talks given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre in 2006. All conditioned things are impermanent… Not just a truism, but the central teaching of Buddhism upon which so much else follows. Jnanaketu starts off a three-part series on the lakshanas, or ‘marks’ of conditioned existence, by tackling this most crucial of insights that is easy to say but a great challenge to live by. This talk is part of the series “The Three Lakshanas.” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X23) We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Emptiness – A Strategy for Being,” Samantabhadri expertly and imaginatively tackles the theme of Wisdom, using the verses in the third section of Tsongkhapa’s short text on the “Three Principle Aspects of the Path”. Excerpted from the talk, ‘The Path of the Buddha’s Delight’ (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC111), this is part of a three part series all based on Tsongkhapa’s text, and given on the 2009 UK Women’s Order Mitra Event. Given at Taraloka, May 2009 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, we enter into the quiet, reflective world of Dhammadassin as listen to a single track titled The Unity of View, Meditation & Action from the beautiful talk titled "Standing on Emptiness" (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM695) – a preview to Saturday’s full podcast. Talk given at the Triratna Buddhist Order women’s national weekend, August 2004 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, comes to us from the talk “Simplicity” (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM663)by Kamalashila: “Giving Attention to Experience”. Meditation is kind of a prayer for authenticity and truth… it is the Buddhist path of becoming more natural. Talk given at FWBO Day, 2004 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Manjughosha’s Sword” is an excerpt from the talk “Cutting Away the Old” (freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM611)by the very dynamic Dharmachari Abhaya. Swords – lots of swords – as he explores the deep significance of Manjughosha/Manjushri and the blade he uses to cut deep into ignorance and the suffering it leads us into. In this track we are invited to visualize the symbols of swords as we are reminded of Zorro, Excalibur and other sword fights in films. Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, 2003 We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte,, “The Five Spiritual Faculties” is from one of our earliest recordings of Sangharakshita: “A Special Transmission Outside the Scriptures,” (freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=13) 1965. How does Faith, Wisdom, Energy, Concentration and Mindfulness manifest in our lives? How do they relate to each other in our experience? This excerpt is from a talk in the series “The Essence of Zen”. (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/series/details?ser=X03) We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “Marking the New Name: Triratna Buddhist Community”, is a short talk by Padmavajra (http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC377) before leading the seven-fold puja at the International Sangha Gathering, Taraloka, May 2010 marking our movement’s name from the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order to the Triratna Buddhist Community. The Community of the Three Jewels: The Buddha, The Dharma, and The Sangha. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, “The Buddha: Legend & History” offers us a glimpse of the talk, "Imaging Gautama," (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC764) from the major new series of talks by Vishvapani to mark the launch of his new book: ‘Gautama Buddha: The Life and Teachings of the Awakened One’ (Quercus, 2011). Vishvapani recollects his religious studies and lessons on the Four Sights, which is not found in the suttas relating to Gautama. Does this mean it didn’t happen? Here Vishvapani traces the the development of a legendary story and other examples of details in the Buddha legend missing from the Pali Canon. Talk given at the Cardiff Buddhist Centre, 2011. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, Letting the Mind Go is brought to us by Viveka in a talk titled “Mindfulness as Sadhana” (http://freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=OM634), given at the Women’s Triratna Buddhist Order Convention in 2005. Touching in on our conditioning and confidence to become Enlightened, Viveka reminds us that there is nothing to be afraid of when letting go of the mind. Calling on the image of the vast ocean with references to Suzuki Roshi on water and waves – Big Mind and Milarepa’s Song of the Yogi’s Joy, this little Dharmabyte is sure to inspire. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio

Today’s FBA Dharmabyte, Faith that Enlightenment is Possible, is a substantial extract from Saddhanandi’s very personal, humorous and inspiring talk: "Enlightenment as Heart, Life as Whole" (www.freebuddhistaudio.com/audio/details?num=LOC106). “She who delights in faith” shares many of her own stories from her life in the Order and her relationship to her belief in whether Enlightenment is possible. What is Enlightenment and what is our response to this possibility? Trembling with the potential to experience a state of pure, clear awareness extending in all directions, a state of knowledge – direct unmediated spiritual vision, a state of profound overflowing love and compassion for all beings, a state of inexhaustible mental and spiritual energy, a state of uninterrupted creativity, a state of perfect unconditioned freedom from all subjective limitations. Do you use faith as an authority in your life? This talk was given on the International Sangha Gathering for women who had asked for ordination in the Triratna Buddhist Order, held at Taraloka in 2005. We invite you to join us! Subscribe to our podcasts here: http://www.freebuddhistaudio.com/community/podcasts And follow us on The Buddhist Centre Online: http://thebuddhistcentre.com/freebuddhistaudio