For Buddha Day this year, we decided to offer up a treat from this year's fantastic Home Retreat looking at the mythical life of the Buddha and its urgent relevance to us today.

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Listen to a new series of seven talks by Nagasiddhi on the Buddha's life

First, we have a beautiful re-telling of the Buddha's life story told live with handmade sets and puppetry by Mandarava and Nagasiddhi from Rivendell Retreat Centre in England. Think fairy tales - with a deep sense of imagination, adventure and play – as the images, myths and symbols of the Buddha’s journey to Awakening come alive.

The images from the Buddha’s spiritual adventures touch upon the deep, archetypal currents in our own lives. Join Mandarava for a delightful evocation of the journey we all need to embark upon to live a fully human life.

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And following the dramatic retelling of this great story, listen to a moving set of ritual verses by Mandarava, Nagasiddhi and Dhiramati, recorded live from Rivendell Retreat Centre in England. An alternative telling of the Buddha's life - another way into the magic of that tale.

The images from the Buddha’s spiritual adventures touch upon the deep, archetypal currents in our own lives. This 'puja' is a gorgeous reminder of why his great human qualities have attracted such reverence around the world for thousands of years.

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Mandarava was ordained as a Buddhist in 1997, and is a storyteller and puppet maker known for inspiring creativity in others and creating an atmosphere of magical depth. She is currently nearing the completion of her training in Somatic Experiencing.

Nagasiddhi regularly leads and supports retreats at Rivendell Retreat Centre and is also an artist and puppet maker. He is known for the sense of humour and creativity he brings to his Dharma teaching. In particular, he helps others make connections between the Dharma and their own lives by using stories and images from the ‘western’ tradition. His own artwork can be viewed at nagasiddhi.com.

Find more highlights and resources from 'In the Footsteps of the Buddha'