Are we ready to face our own death, and the total transformation it symbolises? In today’s FBA Dharmabyte, The Symbolism of the Cremation Ground we learn about the eight cremation grounds and the Dakinis who dance there.

From the talk The Symbolism of the Cremation Ground and the Celestial Maidens given in 1971 as part of the series Creative Symbols of the Tantric Path to Enlightenment.

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In this week’s FBA Podcast, Bhadra introduces the archetypal magician, Padmasambhava, in a talk called The Art of Ritual and Descent, given at a day for men in Bristol, UK. He uses episodes from the magician’s life to illustrate how engaging the imagination through ritual and being willing to make the journey of descent are key elements of a fruitful practice.

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Today’s FBA Dharmabyte is a recollection from Sangharakshita called An Encounter with Padmasambhava in Darjeeling. Padmasambhava, often known as the ‘Second Buddha’, is famous for converting the demons of Tibet. In this lecture we are given a brief biography of Padmasambhava and an outline of the progressive Nyingmapa practices attributed to him.

N.B. Poor original recording. From the talk Padmasambhava: Tantric Guru of Tibet, given in 1972.

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