Vajrasara explores the joys and challenges of love, empathy, passion and compassion on the spiritual journey. A talk given in the Dharma Parlour on the 2012 Buddhafield Festival, under the overall theme of 'Doorways to Freedom'.
From Community Highlights on Tue, 17 Jul, 2012 - 20:24An experimental transcript of an experimental conversation! Here’s a faithful Twitter transcription of Sangharakshita’s live Q & A session with the sangha at Aryaloka Retreat Center in New Hampshire, USA. Topics include cross-cultural affairs, meditation, old age, the Sciences, and many more! We included a few re-tweets and direct messages from those listening in too…
From Windhorse Publications on Tue, 17 Jul, 2012 - 15:56We are very happy to announce the release of the new revised edition of Jinananda’s Meditating. Originally published in 2000, the book concentrates on two Buddhist meditation practices that develop clarity, peace of mind and positive emotions. In his new book, Jinananda has made some major revisions to the 2000 edition, so we spoke to the author to find out about these changes.
‘Recently in my meditation teaching, I’ve been getting the sense that a lot of people find...
From Community Highlights on Tue, 17 Jul, 2012 - 14:56As part of a Q & A with Sangharakshita at Aryaloka Retreat Center in New Hampshire, USA, Sangharakshita was asked about the place of the Sciences in the Triratna Buddhist Community. Interesting listening from a man with such a strong penchant for the Arts! Note the one book he references having read!
From Windhorse Evolution on Tue, 17 Jul, 2012 - 11:18Subhuti has agreed to do a seminar with the management team of Windhorse:evolution in August. Those working here have been reflecting on questions and topics on the theme of Right Livelihood, to explore with Subhuti. We would also like to invite others to suggest topics and questions to put to Subhuti. If you have any suggestions, please post them here, using the ‘blog’ function you’ll find in the top left menu bar. We’ll be recording the seminar and sharing it...
From Portsmouth Buddhist Center on Tue, 17 Jul, 2012 - 04:07We meet every Wednesday from 7 - 9 pm for our Sangha, or Community, Night. Everyone is welcome for meditation followed by discussion on an aspect of Buddhist practice or application of Buddhist theory. If you are new to meditation we can offer support and brief instruction. Our next Intro to Meditation workshop is scheduled for September 22nd.
On Sangha Nights this month we are looking more deeply into Meditation, facilitated by Suddhayu.
In this introductory talk Dharmashalin emphasises the importance of understanding the principles behind Buddhism. The fact that Buddhism uses principles underlines the crucial importance of personal responsibility - as there are no rules!
The main body of the talk goes through a chapter of the dhammapada, verses on the way. We hear about the need for personal practice, the possibility of deep transformation, something of the nature of reality, how we can change and radical messages that we find challenging - and how to relate to them. However the underlying thread is a message of positivity and empowerment - we can grow and that power is in our hands.
Talk given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre, working retreat 2012.
This Talk is a follow on to 'What Is Buddhism 1'. It begins with a bit more on the Buddha's understanding of reality: the three marks of existence. This assessment of the limited and painful nature of life leads onto the fact that we are all looking for something to bring happiness and security, the fact that we all 'go for refuge' to something. The only question is are we finding effective and creative solutions to life- which is hard to do!
Then we look at key areas of life and how we can bring creativity to them: work and pleasure. Which is evoked through a series of examples from the lives of the team leading the retreat, giving little vignettes of attitudes and practices that can make a difference.
Finally we return to the thread of going for refuge and three basic ways we can relate to life, different ways of being in the world and the consequences they have for us. Actions that are harmful to us, which we need to let go of. Actions that can be enjoyed, that improve our lives as long as we don't grasp onto them too much. Actions that take us up and beyond ourselves and that lead to totally different way of being. Of course we need to know which is which: stop one, refine the second and do as much of the third as we can!
In this introductory talk Dharmashalin emphasises the importance of understanding the principles behind Buddhism. The fact that Buddhism uses principles underlines the crucial importance of personal responsibility - as there are no rules!